Forage Substitutes for Horses

Download the image file of Forage Substitutes for Horses (png).

Image will open in a separate tab. Then select, “Save Image As”, using your browser.

Text Version

Hay Cubes

• • • • Made from long stem hay, dried, chopped and compressed into cubes
      • Best option for forage Alternatives
      • Some formulated to be a complete diet, total mixed ration (TMR) cubes

Complete Feeds

• • • • Available in textured, pelleted, or extruded forms
      • Mixtures of grains, hay and/or beet pulp, and vitamin and mineral supplements
      • Designed to be fed alone and meet all horse’s requuirements

Straw

• • • • Stalks left over from harvesting grain crop
      • Mainly a “chew factor” and fiber source
      • Very little nutritional value
      • Horses should have < quarter of the diet

Beet Pulp

• • • • A by-product of sugar beet industry
      • A good source of fermentable fiber
      • High in calcium but no vitamin content
      • Should not be sold as the sole source of nutrition of forage
      • Use only as additive

Wheat and Rice Bran

• • • • Neither bran should be fed in large quantities (<10% of diet)
      • Extremely high in phosphorus; could cause calcium and phosphorus imbalances
      • Rice bran is also a good source of fat

Lawn Clippings

• • • • Not recommended: feeding can lead to colic, laminitis and/or death
      • Small particle size / high moisture content results in rapid fermentation
      • Many ornamentals are toxic to horses

Authored by Carrie A. Williams, Rutgers University