Horse feed vs concentrates: the basic difference
A simple way to understand horse feed and concentrates is this: horse feed is the broad term for all feed given to a horse, while concentrates are a special category of feed designed to supply extra energy, protein, or other nutrients in a more compact portion than forage.
Forage forms the foundation of most equine diets. It includes grass, hay, haylage, and other fibrous feeds that offer roughage and aid the horse’s digestive system. Concentrates, by contrast, are usually reduced in fibre and more concentrated in digestible energy, often with more starch and sometimes more protein. That means they can be useful for horses with higher energy requirements, but they need to be used carefully to maintain nutritional balance and good gut health.
In practice, the difference is not just about ingredients. It is also about purpose. A forage-based diet can suit many horses, especially a maintenance horse, while concentrates may be added for a performance horse, a horse in hard workload, or one needing help with weight, condition, or recovery.
What is considered horse feed?
The phrase types of horse feed covers a broad range of products. It can feature straight feeds such as oats or linseed, compound feeds, balancers, chaffs, cubes, and pellets. It also includes complete horse feed, which is formulated to meet the horse’s nutritional needs when fed as the main feed alongside forage or, in some cases, as the full ration depending on the product and the horse’s needs.
A horse feed mix recipe may be made at home or commercially blended. For example, some owners combine a fibre base, a conditioning source, and a vitamin and mineral supplement to create a tailored feed ration. Others prefer ready-made feeds from horse feed companies because these are designed with clear feed label guidance, measured starch levels, and consistent quality.
Common horse feed products include:
- Complete horse feed for easier feeding and balanced nutrition Conditioning mixes for horses that need condition or topline support Low-energy fibre feeds for easier management Performance feeds for horses with greater output needs Balancers and supplements to address specific gaps in the equine diet
One well-known example among horse feed companies is spillers horse feed, which provides a broad range of products for different workloads, body conditions, and feeding goals. Brand choice matters less than matching the product to the horse’s daily intake, workload, and digestive needs.
What exactly are concentrates and when do horses need them?
Concentrates are rations that provide more nutrients per kilo than forage. They are typically used as an energy source when forage alone cannot meet the horse’s requirements, especially for horses in intense work, horses that lose condition easily, or horses with specific dietary needs.
Many concentrates are designed for conditioning, meaning they help improve body condition score, topline, or overall weight without requiring huge feed volumes. Others are built for performance and focus on the horse’s digestibility, using ingredients that are simpler for the horse to process and absorb.
Concentrates are not automatically “better” than forage. They are simply richer in nutrients. They may contain cereals, oil, protein sources, fibre, vitamins, and minerals, depending on the formulation. Because some concentrates are higher in starch, they must be fed in sensible amounts to protect gut health and maintain a steady feeding schedule.
In short, concentrates are used when the horse’s energy requirements go beyond what a forage-based diet can comfortably supply, or when a horse needs help with weight, condition, or work performance.
Types of horse feed outlined
Understanding the main types of horse feed guides you pick a ration that matches the horse’s body, workload, and lifestyle. Three common forms are chaff, pellets, and cubes.
Chaff is cut fibre, often made from straw, hay, or alfalfa. It helps slow down eating, adds fibre content, and can be useful in a bucket feed to improve chewing and reduce meal speed. Chaff also helps bulk out the ration without adding too much starch.
Pellets are compressed, uniform feeds made from ground ingredients. They are simple to measure, mix well with other components, and often provide a balanced nutritional profile. Some pellets are designed as a complete feed, while others act as a concentrate or balancer.
Cubes are similar to pellets but usually larger. They can be helpful for horses that chew well and need a more substantial feed texture. Like pellets, cubes may be fibre-based or concentrate-based, so the feed label matters more than the shape alone.
When comparing these types of horse feed, think about how they fit into the horse’s equine diet. A horse that lives on grass and hay may only need a fibre-based chaff or low-calorie balancer. A horse in harder work may benefit from pellets or cubes that add more energy and protein.
Do you need concentrates or can a horse live on forage?
For most horses, the answer is yes: a horse can live on forage alone, provided that the forage is nutritious and available in ample quantity. Horses are designed to eat roughage for most of the day, and a forage-based diet supports natural digestion, stable behaviour, and better gut health.
However, whether forage alone is enough depends on the horse’s body weight, body condition, age, health, and workload. A horse in light work may do well on forage with a balancer or mineral support, while a performance horse may need additional concentrates to cover energy and nutrient demand.
Complete horse feed can be useful when owners want a more straightforward system, especially if they are managing poor forage quality or a busy feeding schedule. Even so, many horses still fare best with forage as the main part of the ration, because it supports the digestive system and helps avoid too much starch in the diet.
As a rule, concentrate feeding should meet a need, not become the default. If the horse can maintain a healthy condition score on forage and sensible management, extra concentrates may not be necessary.
Rules for horse feeding that every owner should know
Good horse feeding rules are essential for safety, reliability, and ongoing well-being. The well-known 10 rules of feeding horses are frequently presented in different ways, but the guideline remains the same: approach feeding with the horse’s digestive system in mind, not just convenience.
Here are practical rules every owner should follow:
- Build the ration on forage first. Alter feeds gradually to protect gut health. Tailor the feed to workload, body condition, and age. Avoid excess starch, especially in cereal-heavy diets. Offer fresh water at all times. Set feed amounts by daily intake, not guesswork. Read the feed label to assess starch levels, fibre content, and nutrient profile. Break up concentrate meals into smaller portions when needed. Maintain a regular feeding schedule. Revisit the ration whenever workload, body weight, or condition score changes.
These horse feeding rules are more than simply avoiding digestive upset. They support nutritional balance, stable energy, and a healthy appetite. High starch levels can upset the hindgut, while too little fibre can impair chewing and gut function. The best feeding plans always respect the horse’s natural patterns.
How to read a horse feeding chart
A horse feeding chart is a useful starting point for planning each day’s ration. It lets you approximate how much hay and concentrate a horse may need based on body weight, workload, and condition score. It is not an exact formula, but it gives structure to decision-making.
Most charts begin with the horse’s estimated body weight and then change feed amounts depending on whether the horse is a horse at maintenance, light worker, moderate worker, or performance horse. A horse with poor body condition may need a modified feeding approach from one that holds weight easily.
When following a horse feeding chart, start with these steps:
- Determine the horse’s body weight as accurately as possible. Assess body condition score to judge whether the horse is underweight, ideal, or overweight. Review workload and how much exercise the horse truly does. Verify whether forage alone meets the horse’s needs. Use concentrates only if the chart and condition suggest they are necessary.
Charts are valuable, but they should never replace observation. If the horse is losing weight, becoming sluggish, or showing signs of poor coat quality or digestive upset, the ration may need modifying. A sensible feed plan is based on the horse, not just the numbers.
How much does horse feed cost?
The cost of horse feed changes with the product type, brand, formulation, and bag size. A small bag may look cheaper at checkout, but the cost per day or per feed may be higher than with a larger bag. That is why comparing unit cost is more useful than comparing the shelf price alone.
Brand, nutrient density, and ingredient quality all affect price. Some horse feed companies offer specialist conditioning or conditioning feeds that cost more because they contain higher-quality ingredients, added supplements, or carefully controlled starch and fibre levels. Others specialise in basic fibre feeds or utility mixes that may suit simpler rations.
If you want to estimate spend, a horse feed calculator uk can assist with likely monthly costs based on feed amount, bag size, and price per bag. This is especially useful if you are comparing a complete feed with a home-blended ration.
To make cost decisions easier, look at:
- Price per kilo Daily feeding rate How long a bag lasts Whether it reduces the need for add-ons How much hay or forage it needs too
A feed that seems expensive may actually be good value if it reduces the need for extra supplements or performs better in terms of condition and digestibility.
Horse feed advice for beginners
If you are new to ownership, horse feed for beginners should focus on simplicity, safety, and consistency. Start with forage, learn the horse’s normal appetite and behaviour, and only add extra feeds if there is a clear reason. Good horse feed advice uk usually begins with the basics: forage quality, water, body condition, and the horse’s work pattern.
For beginners, a bucket feed can be a straightforward way to deliver a measured ration. Keep it simple: one main feed, a sensible quantity, and no sudden changes. A complex mix of multiple concentrates and several supplements can be harder to manage and may create imbalances.
A practical newcomer starting point is:
- Build forage the base of the ration. Select a feed suitable for the horse’s age and workload. Review the label for starch, fibre, protein, and feeding rate. Introduce any new feed over several days. Monitor body condition score regularly.
When people ask for the “best” beginner ration, the answer is often a plain one: a balanced forage-first plan, plus a basic complete feed or balancer if needed. That reduces the chance of overfeeding while still meeting the horse’s needs.
Choosing the right feed for your horse’s workload and condition
The right horse feed depends on workload, body condition, and how the horse uses calories each day. A horse with low activity usually needs less calories and less concentrate. A horse in moderate or hard work may need more energy, more protein, or a feed with a higher digestible energy value.
Workload should always be assessed honestly. A horse that hacks once or twice a week does not need the same ration as a performance horse in regular training. Overfeeding can lead to excess weight and poor condition score, while underfeeding can reduce performance, recovery, and overall welfare.
Scoops can be a useful way to measure feed, but they should be standardised as much as possible. Different products weigh very differently per scoop, so always check the actual weight rather than relying on volume alone. This matters especially when managing a feed ration for a horse that needs precise control.
As a basic principle:
- For easy keepers, prioritise forage and a low-calorie balancer. For horses needing more condition, look at conditioning feeds and fibre-rich concentrates. For performance horses, choose feeds that support energy without excessive starch. For horses with poor digestive tolerance, favour fibre and lower starch levels.
The most effective ration is the one that supports the horse’s workload while preserving body condition, digestive comfort, and steady energy.
FAQ about horse feed and concentrates
What exactly is the difference between horse feed and concentrates?
Horse feed is the broad term for anything fed to a horse, including forage, compound feeds, and balancers. Concentrates are a certain kind of feed that supplies more energy and nutrients in a smaller amount than forage, and they are usually included when the horse’s diet needs extra support.
Can a horse be fed only forage?
Certainly, many horses can be fed only forage if it is good quality and available in enough quantity. A forage-only or forage-based diet can work well for a maintenance horse, but some horses with higher workload, low body condition, or specific nutritional needs may require more concentrates or a complete horse feed.
Are complete horse feeds the same as concentrates?
Not necessarily. Complete horse feed can sometimes function as a concentrate, but it is formulated to provide a more complete nutrient profile. Some complete feeds are designed to be fed as the core ration alongside forage, while other concentrates are simply high-energy additions to the diet.
How much horse feed should I feed?
Use a horse feeding chart, your horse’s body weight, current condition score, and actual workload as your guide. Start with the manufacturer’s feeding advice, then adjust based on the horse’s reaction, appetite, and body condition. A horse feed calculator uk can also help estimate daily use and cost.
What is the best horse feed for a beginner owner?
The best horse feed for beginners is usually a basic, forage-led ration with one appropriate feed rather than several mixed products. A plain balancer, low-starch complete feed, or https://horse-feed-basics883.lucialpiazzale.com/what-is-the-best-horse-feed-for-stalled-horses fibre-based bucket feed often fits new owners well. Follow horse feed advice uk, use clear feeding rules, and make changes gradually to protect gut health.