FAQ about horse feed

1. How much does horse feed cost per month?

If the horse is kept at livery, hay is often included in the contract. In some contracts, the supply of hard feed is also included in the price – however, this varies from stable to stable.

Hay is likely to cost in the region of £60 a month, depending on the horses‘ breed and energy requirements (a horse can eat more than 300 kg of hay per month). Depending on the type of hard feed, a horse might need up to 4 kg per day.

On average, this costs £30-40 per month. In addition, a vitamin and mineral supplement costs about £18 per month.

2. Which feed is suitable for gaining weight?

The fact that a horse has difficulty gaining weight can depend on various factors: diarrhoea, digestive disorders, dental problems and stomach ulcers are just a few causes. The age of the horse also plays a role. If the horse has difficulty chewing and therefore loses weight, soaked hay cobs should be fed to the horse to achieve the necessary amount of roughage.

The roughage feed plan can be supplemented with easily digestible feeds, such as mixes for senior horses. They contain readily available, mostly organically bound ingredients and do not unnecessarily burden the digestion. Furthermore, protein-containing feeds such as alfalfa are recommended. Flaked maize also contain a lot of protein and can be used to feed thin horses. For extra energy, oil feeds are suitable; linseed oil or hemp oil are particularly well tolerated.

Particularly weak and thin horses are fond of a little malt beer now and then. This not only makes the feed particularly tasty, but also ensures a shiny coat and healthy hooves. However, malt beer contains a lot of sugar, which can have a negative effect on teeth and metabolism.

3. Why feed horses grain-free?

The horse’s digestion is designed for high fibre feeding. Feeding (starchy) grains can significantly disrupt the horse’s gastrointestinal processes. Grain-free feeding reduces the intake of sugar and starch. This is especially beneficial for good doers, overweight and metabolically stressed horses. Grain-free feeds are easy on the digestion of sensitive horses. Grain varieties such as oats are very easy for horses to digest and thus provide energy quickly, which can be quickly converted into fat reserves during lack of exercise. Feeding a grain-free diet to horses reduces the amount of energy supplied.

4. How long is the shelf life of horse feed?

The ingredients are decisive for the shelf life of purchased hard feed. Molasses makes compound feed last longer. The less of it or artificial additives it contains, the shorter the shelf life. Feed containing oil should be used up quickly when opened, as it quickly becomes rancid in combination with oxygen. Crushed, rolled or hydrothermally digested feeds are a greater target for moulds and mites – they should therefore be used up quickly.

Do not buy feed bags for stock, but for the next 14 days at the most, in order to avoid spoiled feed. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding shelf life. Unopened feed bags usually last 3 to 6 months.

You can read about what you need to consider when storing horse feed in point 27.

5. How is horse feed produced?

Compound feeds for horses are produced in compound feed factories. The individual raw materials are delivered there, cleaned and stored. The components are then weighed, ground and mixed together. Liquid components, such as molasses, are added to the mixes, which bind the coarse components together and at the same time make them last longer. The mixed feed is then portioned into bags.

To produce cubes, the previous steps are followed by compressing the feed under heat and high pressure and then cutting it to length. The cubes are then cooled to ambient temperature while the moisture content is reduced to a maximum of 12%. This gives the cubes strength and durability.

6. Which feed makes horses feel full?

A lot of chewing makes horses full. Horses do not have stretch receptors in their stomachs that indicate a certain level of fullness. Instead, the number of chews is crucial for the feeling of fullness. Therefore, feeds that promote chewing activity are suitable. These are coarse, long-stalked hay as well as high-fibre mixes. You can read more about the essentials of keeping a horse full in our guide „Horse Feeding – the Basics“.

7. Which feed to give horses with laminitis?

Diet-related laminitis is not uncommon in horse keeping. In order not to stress the horse’s metabolism, a grain-free hard feed should be preferred and fructan-containing (young) grass should be avoided. Ideally, the horse with laminitis should be fed hay with a little straw and a good vitamin and mineral suppelement to fill the nutrient gaps. Herbs that boost metabolism and promote cleansing can round off the overall feed plan. These include milk thistle, dandelion or nettle. You can find out which combination of vitamin and mineral supplements and herbs is important for horses with metabolic disorders in our guide „Which supplements does my horse need?“

8. Which feed to give horses with free faecal water syndrome?

Free faecal water in horses can have different causes, which can only be found out through a precise analysis of the horse’s posture and diet. In general, however, it can be said that free faecal water is a sign of a disturbed intestinal flora. This can be caused, for example, by too much starch intake. In order to bring the intestinal balance back into balance, grain-free and high-fibre horse feeds are suitable.

To soothe and support the irritated intestinal mucosa, mixtures of bitter herbs and tanning herbs are recommended. Here, the tannins seal the intestinal mucosa and bring it back into balance.

9. Which feed to give horses with arthrosis?

Feed for horses with arthrosis should provide the cartilage and joints with an optimal mineral supply. Arthrosis itself cannot be cured, but manganese, copper, calcium and sulphur can prevent or delay deterioration. In particular, the sulphur compound MSM has shown its effectiveness in the feeding of horses with arthrosis and is usually available as a powder. Devil’s claw and ginger can be fed temporarily to relieve pain. However, they must not be fed permanently, otherwise the stomach lining would become irritated.

You can find out which supplements you can give your horse to support its musculoskeletal system in our guide „Which supplements does my horse need?“

10. Which horse feed is suitable for seniors?

With increasing age, the horse’s metabolism changes so that its ability to absorb essential nutrients from the feed decreases. Therefore, when choosing feed, care should be taken to provide a highly digestible supply of energy and protein. To delay muscle breakdown, the amount of protein should be increased by 10-20%. At the same time, the sugar and starch intake must be reduced, which is why grains should be avoided in senior horses.

For more energy, oils can be used, which provide the senior with additional essential omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

With regard to nutrient intake, attention should be paid to organically bound minerals so that they are readily available to the horse. Especially zinc and selenium should be covered by a good mineral feed.

The vitamin requirement also increases with age. Vitamins A, E, B and C are important for a strong immune system of the horse. A healthy horse can produce most of the vitamins itself through its intestinal bacteria. In old age, the vitamins must either be substituted with supplements or the horse’s own metabolism must be stimulated. In order for the intestinal bacteria to have sufficient nourishment, a high-quality roughage with dietary fibre is necessary. Beet pulp for soaking is suitable for enhancing the hay feed plan. Regular, extensive grazing also contributes to keeping the condition of the old horse.

You can find out more about the mineral supply of senior horses in our guide.

11. What is missing in a hay-only diet?

Pastures are often very poor in nutrients due to their overuse. As a result, horses fed only hay lack essential nutrients that they need to maintain important metabolic functions. For this reason, horses that receive little or no hard feed should be given a high-quality vitamin and mineral supplement that covers the nutrients zinc, manganese, copper and selenium.

12. Does hay make horses overweight?

Yes, it is possible. Any excess energy leads to weight gain in the horse. So hay can only make the horse fat if it eats more than it can convert energetically.

For this reason, ad-lib hay feeding (24 hours of hay at the horse’s free disposal) is not the optimal solution for every horse. Horses that do not know their limits and eat too much when hay is freely available accumulate fat reserves. Especially rarely ridden horses can become obese if they eat too much hay.

13. Why should horses not eat fresh hay?

Freshly harvested hay should only be fed after a storage period of at least 6 weeks. The reason lies in the residual moisture of the hay: During the drying process bacteria and germs can multiply considerably. If these get into the horse’s digestive tract, dangerous gas colic can occur. Only after the drying process is completed and the remaining water content has reached a maximum of 15% can the germs no longer multiply and colic be avoided.

14. Why does my horse eat straw?

Straw has valuable nutritional properties that make it particularly interesting for native breeds. It not only contains energy, but is also a good source of zinc, for example. However, the crude fibre content due to lignin is very high at 18% and can lead to dangerous constipation colic if consumed in excess. In addition, straw has a low water-binding capacity, so that the horses do not get a voluminous hay belly and remain athletically slim.

Moreover, horses like to eat straw because of its taste or they switch to straw if the hay is of inferior quality. In general, the straw intake should not exceed the guideline value of 1 kilogram of straw per 100 kilograms of weight.

15. My horse is overweight. Can I replace part of the hay with straw?

Partial replacement with straw is definitely advisable for good doers. Straw is one third less in protein and sugar than hay and therefore does not provide the horse with much excess energy. However, the proportion of straw in the roughage feed plan must not exceed one third, otherwise dangerous constipation colic can occur.

16. Are crushed oats better?

Oats should be crushed if the horse has a poor bite (senior horse) or a not yet fully developed bite (young horse). The main argument for crushing oats is the increased digestibility. However, research has shown that crushing oats only increases digestibility by 3%. Due to the increased salivation when whole oats are given, the whole grain is to be preferred to the crushed one.

17. Can I feed my horse mash on a permanent basis?

The warm mash is very popular with horses and has many positive effects on the horse’s digestion. Mash is not only recommended in case of digestive problems, but also in times of coat change or after a particularly strenuous activity. However, mash should not be fed daily if there is no explicit illness. The reason for this is the high phosphorus content contained in the main ingredient, wheat bran. Wheat bran has many mucilage substances and is therefore used in many types of mash. Veterinarians recommend reducing mash feeding to 2 to 3 times per week.

18. Is vitamin supplementation necessary in winter?

In winter and in the transitional season, the horse’s metabolism has to do a lot of work. The change of coat and the low temperatures not only demand more energy, but also require a sufficient supply of vitamins. These maintain the immune system and reduce susceptibility to infections.

The need for vitamins A, D and K is normally covered by fresh pasture grass and can even be stored in the liver. Horses that have an increased vitamin requirement due to breeding, sport or raising, or that were not able to enjoy extensive grazing in summer, need a supply of these vitamins in winter.

In winter, the need for vitamin A or the precursor ß-carotene can be covered by feeding carrots. 2 kilograms of carrots provide enough ß-carotene for a large horse.

Vitamin D, the so-called sun vitamin, is produced in plants by UV radiation. Thus, the vitamin is sufficiently present in sun-dried hay. Otherwise, the horse’s body can produce the vitamin itself, provided it is exposed to the sun. Note that rugged horses produce less vitamin D than horses that are turned out without a rug.

If the horse has an efficient digestive system, the intestine can synthesise vitamin K itself and therefore does not need to be fed. It is also present in fresh green plants.

Vitamin C is important for a good immune system. For that extra vitamin C, we recommend rounding off the feed plan with rose hips.

Our tip: For a healthy and stable metabolism even in winter, we recommend Original Landmühle Metabolism Premium Vitamin and Mineral Supplement. This high-quality mineral feed is not only rich in easily available organic minerals, but is also enriched with vitamins.

19. Why are herbs good for horses?

Herbs are a healthy addition to the basic feed and also a natural and important remedy. Herbs can be fed selectively to eliminate specific health problems and to support the horse’s body in its functions. Herbs contain many nutrient-rich plant substances, such as flavonoids or carotenoids. These have an antioxidant effect and bind harmful substances in the body. Essential oils have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect, and they also stimulate blood circulation. Thanks to their spasmolytic effect, they help to promote expectoration when coughing. The bitter substances contained in herbs have a purifying and detoxifying effect. Tannins inhibit the decomposition of tissue and bind heavy metals as well as toxins in the body.

The best-known and most important herbs in horse feed include birch, nettle, fennel, thyme, rosehip, camomile, linseed, dandelion, milk thistle and devil’s claw.

In our shop you will find a variety of valuable herbal mixtures:

20. Is it necessary to cleanse the horse’s body from the inside?

Horses can be exposed to many pollutants and toxins despite good keeping conditions and high-quality feed. The liver and kidneys have the task of detoxifying the horse’s body and cleaning it from the inside. After a certain age or after a permanently high overload of the organs, the liver and kidneys can no longer fulfil their detoxification function sufficiently. Elevated blood levels as a result of kidney or liver damage can only be detected when the organs have already been severely or irreversibly damaged. Therefore, routine detoxification is definitely worthwhile. External signs may be a dull, lacklustre coat, dandruff, poor horn quality, overweight or an unusual drop in performance. In such cases, it is advisable to support this by supplements with herbs, for example.

A detoxification cure is also recommended for overweight horses or sick horses that receive medication and need to get rid of harmful substances/waste products.

Caution: Before any detoxification, the veterinarian should be consulted.

Herbs suitable for purification and detoxification include artichoke, milk thistle, parsley and dandelion. We have put these together in our high-quality herbal mixture Original Landmühle Liver Herbs.

21. Which oil is good for horses?

Linseed oil: rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids for coat, skin and hoof health.
Hemp oil: balanced between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Milk thistle oil: rich in unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants that protect against toxins and support the liver in its detoxification function.
Rice germ oil: rich in gamma-oryzanol, which supports muscle building.
Black cumin oil: rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential oils and trace elements. Positively supports the respiratory tract and digestion.

22. Is oil harmful for horses?

Oil is liquid fat. However, horses lack the fat-splitting enzyme lipase, which is why fat digestion is reduced in horses. At the same time, oil is a valuable source of energy, containing even twice as much energy as the same amount of starch. This makes oil feeding particularly appealing for horses with metabolic disorders, which should avoid starch and protein as much as possible. In addition, oils are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which are necessary for skin, coat and hoof health, but also for nerve stability.

Digestion and the bacterial balance in the horse’s large intestine can be upset by excessive amounts of oil. The intestinal flora needs a watery environment, which is disturbed by high oil quantities: the bacteria can no longer digest raw fibre. Therefore, when feeding oil, make sure that small amounts are fed throughout the day.

23. Does a horse need a salt lick in addition to a vitamin and mineral supplement?

Salt licks can be a useful supplement to vits and mins, depending on which nutrients are included in the them. Salt licks consist of sodium and chloride, which cannot be covered by vits and mins, especially if there is a lot of sweat loss. It makes sense to provide the horse with a lick in spite of the vits and mins supplement.

24. Are electrolytes still necessary if the horse already has a salt lick?

A horse’s need for the electrolytes sodium, chloride and potassium is sufficiently covered by hay and salt lick. However, if the horse’s performance requirements increase, many electrolytes are lost through sweat. The loss of electrolytes in a sweat volume of 6 to 12 litres can then no longer be covered by hay and salt lick and should be compensated for with added electrolytes.

Our tip: In case of high electrolyte losses, we recommend the Original Landmühle Electrolyte Liquid, which specifically compensates for a deficiency in overworked horses. It can also protect against over-acidified muscles and tension.

25. Can I put the salt lick in the manger?

Salt or sodium and chloride should be made freely available to the horse in a lick holder so that it can access it as needed. However, if the salt lick is placed in the manger, the horse is forced to eat salt, even if there is no need for it. An excess of salt can lead to diarrhoea, free faecal water or a sharp increase in water intake.

26. Molasses-free is on trend. Does molasses-free horse feed make sense?

More and more manufacturers are offering horse feed without molasses. Molasses is a viscous sugar syrup that is left over as a by-product in sugar production. It consists of up to 50% sugar, which is why many horse owners would prefer to avoid molasses. This is because in large quantities it can have a stressful effect on the horse’s metabolism. At the same time, molasses contains many trace elements and minerals. It is also used in feed production as a preservative and appetite stimulant for poor doers.

Molasses should therefore only be fed to horses that need a lot of energy quickly, have no previous illnesses and may be somewhat fussy eaters. Molasses should not be given to horses with metabolic diseases. Also, some horses may be allergic to it. Too much molasses can disturb the intestinal balance and lead to free faecal water and diarrhoea.

27. How long can feed be stored?

Feed can go off and rancid if it is stored for too long or if it is stored incorrectly. If it is stored in a bag, it should never stay there for more than four weeks, even if the best-before date indicates as much as six months. Therefore, horse feed should not be stocked up, but rather bought as needed.

Crushed feed should be used up quickly. The crushing process damages the outer shell of the grain, providing a large surface for mould spores, mites and bacteria to develop.

28. How to store feed properly?

Horse feed, such as oats, mixes, cubes should be stored in a cool, dry place and protected from sunlight. Temperatures above 20° celsius as well as strong temperature fluctuations should be avoided. Feeds containing oil in particular can quickly become rancid, as the oil oxidises in combination with oxygen and goes bad. The ideal storage temperature for feed is between 10 and a maximum of 20° celsius.

Humidity should be kept low, otherwise the grains will absorb the moisture and thus form a breeding ground for mould spores, bacteria and mites. Therefore, regular airing of the containers and circulation of the feed is necessary to remove the residual moisture from the feed and to avoid sweating of the grains.

The horse feed should also be protected from direct sunlight to avoid the formation of condensation.

The feed container should protect against vermin and pests. Barrels or boxes made of wood, plastic or metal have proven best here. Make sure that the container is ventilated regularly to prevent the feed from sweating.

After the feed container has been emptied, it should be thoroughly cleaned before it is refilled.

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