Feeding Your Horse Grain

Grain: A grain mix of oats and corn should only be added to the diet when you increase your horse's training, work, or activity. Younger and older horses may also need grain. Horses have small stomachs and short intestines; therefore, they cannot handle large amounts of grain fed to them at one time. When providing grain to horses, it should be done in small amounts (3+ times daily). Be careful not to overuse the grain supplement. It is not healthy for a horse to consume large amounts of concentrated grain and if overused, can cause colic, ulcers, and high insulin levels. A minimum of 1.0 percent body weight of roughage (pasture, hay, or other forage) should be offered daily to ensure adequate intake and digestive health.





For a 1,000 lb. average horse

No work ~ No grain
Light work (1-2 hours per day) ~ 1-1.5 lbs. grain per hour of work
Medium work (2-4 hours per day) ~ 1.5-2 lbs. grain per hour of work
Heavy work (4 or more hours per day) ~ 1.5-2.5 lbs. grain per hour work

Salt should always be available to your horse - either add approximately one to two ounces to your horse's feed or make available a free-choice salt block.

Tip: Does your horse greedily gulp down its grain?

Try this: Put a few large rounded rocks in the bucket (large enough that they can't be eaten or swallowed). The horse will have to nose around and push the rocks aside to get to the grain. This will help to slow down eating so it is not so hurried.

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