By: Robyn Stewart, ANR Agent and County Extension Coordinator, Lincoln County
Introduction
The foundation of every equine diet is good-quality forage. That statement alone raises several questions: What qualifies as forage? What parameters define “good quality”? And if forage is the foundation, what do we do when we don’t have sufficient hay or pasture?
The Role of Forage in the Diet
While a horse’s overall physiology determines nutrient requirements (as defined by the 2006 NRC Nutrient Requirements for Horses), its digestive system dictates how those nutrients should be delivered. Several key features of the equine digestive tract inform feeding management. First, horses are designed to eat small, frequent meals. The stomach is relatively small—holding only 2 to 4 gallons, or about 10% of total digestive tract volume—and secretes acid continuously, 24 hours a day. Feeding smaller meals slows the rate of passage, improving digestion and nutrient absorption. Second, horses are physiologically adapted to high-fiber diets. Chewing forage stimulates saliva production, which helps buffer the stomach’s constant acid secretion. The hindgut, which makes up roughly 55–65% of total digestive capacity, contains the cecum, which is an organ specialized for fermenting fiber into usable energy, protein, and vitamins. Finally, horses require a consistent level of “gut fill” to stay healthy. When the digestive tract is completely empty, horses are at increased risk for a number of medical issues including ulceration, acidosis, laminitis, and colic (Ermers et al., 2023). These unique physiological characteristics make it clear that horses are designed to eat small, frequent meals primarily composed of forage.
In addition to its physiological importance, forage provides, to some extent, all six of the essential nutrients horses need. Water, energy, and protein requirements for idle or lightly worked horses can often be met when good-quality forage is fed in adequate amounts. Water is provided in large amounts when feeding fresh forage like pasture, while other forage sources (hay, beet pulp, alfalfa cubes) will have the majority of water removed. It is critical that all horses always have access to fresh, clean drinking water, regardless of forage fed.
From an energy standpoint, horses ferment forage to produce volatile fatty acids (VFA’s) and in sufficient quantities to meet maintenance requirements. Forage also contributes vitamins and minerals, though nutrient content varies with region, soil type, and management. Most forages meet potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium requirements, but only fresh forage provides adequate vitamins A, E, and K. Forages are often deficient in some nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, so supplementation is recommended.
What is Forage?
What qualifies as forage? If you remember back to grade school, you talked about the difference in plant cells and animal cells. One of the largest differences in the two is the presence of the cell wall in plant cells, which is comprised of structural carbohydrates like cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin. Forage is any feedstuff that contributes fiber, also called structural carbohydrates, to the diet.
Primary forage sources for horses are hay and pasture, but several alternatives can also supply fiber. These include baleage or haylage, beet pulp, hay pellets, hay cubes, soybean hulls, and others. While the exact amount depends on the fiber content of the feed and amount fed, commercial horse feeds can also contribute structural fiber to the horse’s diet. Table1 shows some common forage sources in the equine diet and their crude fiber content on a dry matter basis.
| Product | Crude Fiber (%) |
|---|---|
| Bermudagrass (early maturity; hay or pasture) | 25-35% |
| Beet Pulp | 17-22% |
| Soybean Hulls | 35-40% |
| Alfalfa Cubes | 25-30% |
| Timothy Hay Pellets | 30-38% |
Forage quality
Forage quality directly impacts how well a horse’s nutrient requirements are met and how much supplemental feed might be needed. Good-quality forage references forages that are both nutritionally sufficient to meet dietary needs and safe to feed – free of mold, dust, weeds, and toxic plants. Plant maturity at harvest is one of the most important components of forage quality. Forages that are harvested early are higher in protein and energy and more digestible, while those cut late have higher fiber content and lower nutrient density.
These same principles apply to forage alternatives such as cubes, pellets, and chopped hay. Their nutritional value depends largely on the quality of the original hay used in processing. For instance, alfalfa cubes made from immature hay will be richer in protein and energy than those from mature, stemmy material. Similarly, beet pulp or soybean hulls can vary in nutrient composition depending on the source, level of processing, and whether additional molasses or fortification has been added.
Since forage alternatives are processed and regulated as commercial feed products, they are often more consistent in nutrient content than baled hay. Processing increases digestibility but reduces long-stem fiber and can result in minor vitamin loss, particularly vitamins A and E. Forage alternative labels should provide a guaranteed analysis listing, at a minimum, crude protein, fat, and fiber levels, which should be reviewed when formulating a feeding plan for horses.
Alternatives to hay and pasture
While pasture and hay are the primary forages in most equine diets, there are times when they are insufficient. Environmental conditions, season, and economics all influence the availability, quality, and cost of traditional forages. There are also circumstances where horses cannot get adequate nutrition from long-stem forage (hay and pasture), such as senior horses with poor teeth. In these cases, or when hay or pasture is limited, poor in quality, or prohibitively expensive, forage alternatives can be used to replace part or all of the forage portion of the diet. These products include processed hay (cubes, pellets, chopped), byproducts from other industries (beet pulp, soybean hulls), and complete commercial feeds designed for this purpose. Forage alternatives also offer convenience for travel or storage, as they are often more compact and easier to handle than baled hay.
Chopped Hay
Chopped hay takes an original long-stem hay and chops it into smaller pieces. The quality of this product depends, like all forage alternatives, on the quality of the hay used in the product. Some brands add different ingredients like straw, which may decrease its nutritional value, or products like molasses to improve palatability. When made from good-quality forage, chopped hay provides longer fiber length than other alternatives, promoting chew time and gastrointestinal health without soaking.
Hay Cubes and Blocks
Hay cubes and blocks are widely available in various forage types (timothy, alfalfa, orchardgrass, or mixed). These products are produced by taking long-stemmed hay, chopping it, and pressing it into the desired compact form. The quality of these products is variable and based on the quality of original hay used in processing. Similarly, texture and hardness of cubes or blocks can vary significantly between brands. Hay cubes and blocks require more chewing time than pellets but less than long-stem hay, so feeding smaller, more frequent meals is ideal.
Hay Pellets
Hay pellets, or hay stretchers, are available in a broad variety of pellet sizes and forage types (timothy, alfalfa, mixed, etc). They are the most processed forage alternative, as long-stem hay is ground, heated, and pelleted under pressure. Pellets may be plain (forage-only) or fortified (with added protein, vitamins, and minerals). Due to their fine grind, pellets require less chewing and are more digestible than other options. However, they should be fed in multiple small meals to mimic natural feeding behavior.
Beet Pulp
Beet pulp, a byproduct of the sugar industry, is beloved by many horse owners. It is available as shreds or pellets, with or without molasses. Beet pulp may support gastrointestinal health by acting as a prebiotic, but it should not exceed 50% of the total forage portion of the diet, as it lacks sufficient indigestible fiber to maintain gut health.
Complete Feeds
Complete feeds are commercial feed products designed to replace some or all of the forage in the horse’s diet, often labeled “senior” products. True complete feeds will include directions indicating they can be fed without additional forage. Because they must supply both concentrate and fiber, these feeds have high feeding rates and lower energy density. For example, a 1,000lb horse might require 14–15lb per day when fed without forage. To prevent digestive upset, total intake should be divided into several small meals.
Byproducts
Other forage replacements on the market include things like soybean hulls, wheat hulls, or other high-fiber products. These products are commonly used in commercial feeds to increase the bulk or fiber in the diet. However, they are often less available, inconsistent in quality, and lower in palatability than other options. It is suggested to limit the inclusion of these products to no more than 70% of the diet (Ony, 2004).
Haylage/Baleage
Haylage and baleage are forms of forage preserved through fermentation after being sealed in plastic. They are more common in Europe than in the U.S. While they can provide high-quality forage, they also carry a greater risk of mold, spoilage, and botulism if improperly handled.
Fodder
Lastly is a forage alternative relatively new to the scene- fodder. Fodder is fresh forage, typically grown in a hydroponic system, and most commonly a cereal grain like barley, grass, or legume sprouts. Nutritional values vary widely, and because it is high in water content, large quantities must be fed to meet dry matter needs. While promising, fodder is typically impractical for most owners to produce or feed in sufficient volume, and nutrient content varies widely based on what forage is being used.
To Soak or Not to Soak
Soaking recommendations vary among forage alternatives and should be based on type of alternative used and the individual horse. Soaking forage alternatives is typically done for two reasons: to improve ability of the horse to chew the forage and to add water or hydration to the diet.
The latter reason, adding water or hydration to the diet, has been recently shown to be less effective than once expected. A 2025 study found that when horses are fed soaked feed, they begin drinking less over the following few days, indicating that horses self-regulate their voluntary water intake when water is added to feed (Ferreira et al., 2025). Therefore, while soaking feed for hydration may help in specific circumstances, such as during cold weather, this practice may not actually increase horse water intake over longer periods of time.
Rather than hydration, soaking forage alternatives should be used as a management tool to improve feed safety, ease of intake, and suitability for horses with special needs. Specifically, horses with dental disease, reduced chewing ability, or prior history of choke all benefit from forage alternatives being soaked. According to academic sources, forage alternatives like beet pulp, hay cubes, and pelleted forages may not need to be soaked for horses with normal dentition, slow rate of consumption, and no history of choke (McIntosh, 2012; “Q&A,” n.d.; “Resource Library – AAEP,” n.d.). When soaking forage alternatives is appropriate, feeds should be mixed with sufficient water to achieve a mash- or soup-like consistency, ensuring that pellets or cubes are completely softened prior to feeding to reduce choke risk and improve intake (McIntosh, 2012).
Feeding Forage Alternatives
Any of the forage alternatives discussed above can be used to replace some or all of the pasture or hay in a horse’s diet. In general, these products are used in a 1:1 ratio by weight, meaning one pound of an alternative replaces one pound of hay. It is critical to weigh feed rather than measure by volume, as density varies greatly between products.
Some forage alternative products are fortified with other nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals, while others aren’t. Feeding an unfortified forage alternative without additional supplementation may not meet a horse’s nutrient requirements, leading to deficiencies. Even when feeding forage alternatives as the primary forage source in the diet, ideally horses should still be provided a small amount of long-stem forage each day to allow chew time, reduce boredom, and ensure gastrointestinal health provided that they have the dentition to handle it. Any changes in feeding program should be made gradually, over 10-14 days.
Conclusion
Forage should always be the foundation of the equine diet, but sometimes alternative methods need to be used in order to achieve this. When hay or pasture are limited, or the horse’s dentition is poor, forage alternatives like hay cubes, beet pulp, or complete feeds can be helpful in maintaining horse health and performance. Regardless of the alternative used, owners should introduce new products slowly, monitor horse body condition and performance, and ensure their horses diet meets all nutrient requirements. Consult with your veterinarian, extension agent or an equine nutritionist for assistance in developing a feeding plan to meet your horse’s needs.
References
Ermers, C., McGilchrist, N., Fenner, K., Wilson, B., & McGreevy, P. (2023). The Fibre Requirements of Horses and the Consequences and Causes of Failure to Meet Them. Animals: An Open Access Journal from MDPI, 13(8), 1414. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13081414
Ferreira, N., Binder, D., Garbati, I. H., Lance, J. M., & Warren, L. K. (2025). Effect of soaking feed on water intake and hydration in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 148, 105449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105449
McIntosh, B. (2012). Feeding and Nutrition for the Senior Horse (Academic No. Vol 2, Iss 4; Tennessee E-QUINE Report). University of Tennessee.
Ony, E. E. (2004, October 28). Fiber for Horses: Soybean Hulls a Quality Source. Kentucky Equine Research. https://ker.com/equinews/fiber-horses-soybean-hulls-quality-source/
Q&A: Soaking Alfalfa Cubes for Horses. (n.d.). Kentucky Equine Research. Retrieved December 15, 2025, from https://ker.com/equinews/answer/soaking-alfalfa-cubes-horses/
Resource Library—AAEP. (n.d.). Https://Aaep.Org/. Retrieved December 15, 2025, from https://aaep.org/guidelines-resources/resource-library/