What Do Horses Eat?

chewing time nor does it contain the levels of silica that grass does. This can contribute to issues including ulcers and dental problems. A horse that overeats a large amount of grain may have colic or founder 2
Concentrate Mixes
Concentrates are usually a mixture of things like grains flaxseed beet pulp molasses for energy and flavor bran vitamins and minerals and other ingredients. Commercial mixes may have a number of ingredients in them or some feed mills will mix concentrates to your specifications only practical when you have a large number of horses to feed.
Concentrate mixes like grain help make up for any shortfall in nutrition and provide a quick source of energy. Mares in foal nursing mares performance horses or working horses often benefit from being fed concentrates in addition to grass or hay.
Salt and Minerals
Supplements such as salt and minerals may be included in a concentrate mix or may be offered separately. A salt block or loose salt in a pasture or stall allows horses to help themselves when they have a craving. Some salt may come mixed with minerals. Some people offer freechoice minerals as well or they may add them into the horses grain or concentrate meal. Many people find that salt is consumed more during the summer months than in colder weather.
Treats
Many people like to feed their horses treats. These tidbits may include things like apples watermelon carrots or other favorite fruits or vegetables handfuls of grain sugar cubes or candies or sometimes odd things like a bite of a hot dog or boiled egg. However it may not be advisable to feed horses meat or too many sugary treats including fruit. Horses are herbivores and even though a horse may not show outward signs like colic when fed meat they may still feel some discomfort and strange foods could affect the intestinal flora.
Of course a horse wont make the connection to the hamburger they ate an hour ago and the discomfort theyre having now so theyll probably eat any food they like over and over again. This is why its important to feed treats in small amounts. Treats need to be considered as part of the overall feeding plan and kept to a minimum if your horse needs to watch their weight. Your horse also needs to be respectful when being fed treats.
Water
Of course a horse doesnt really eat water. However water is an essential part of the