Rooted in Forage: How a Forage-Based Diet Supports Your Horses's Well-being
- Positive Roots Equine
- May 11
- 3 min read
Updated: May 15
I’m a strong advocate for forage-based nutrition for a variety of reasons. While most equestrians agree that forage is an essential part of equine nutrition, it’s often not at the core of the horse’s diet. Instead, grain-based feeds frequently take center stage—despite not being ideal for the horse’s digestive system.
Understanding the Equine Digestive System
To explain why a forage-first approach matters, it’s important to understand the basics of the equine digestive system—and the type of diet horses evolved to thrive on.
Digestion begins in the mouth, where horses produce roughly 10–12 liters of saliva per day, stimulated through chewing. That saliva plays a crucial role: it helps lubricate food as it travels through the esophagus and buffers the constant acid production in the stomach.
From the stomach, food moves into the small intestine, where enzymatic digestion occurs. But the real powerhouse of the equine digestive system is the hindgut—specifically the cecum and colon—which is over twice the volume of the stomach and small intestine combined.
In the hindgut, billions of microorganisms break down fiber through fermentation, providing over 50% of the horse’s daily caloric intake. This system is designed for a near-constant intake of high-fiber, low-starch, low-sugar forage. Fermentation produces volatile fatty acids, which serve as a key energy source for the horse. Meanwhile, the rectum and anus reabsorb water and electrolytes, forming the familiar fecal balls.
Why Forage First?
Simply put, a forage-based diet is the most natural and beneficial option—both physiologically and psychologically. Horses are designed to extract calories from fiber through fermentation.
Grains, by contrast, tend to be high in starch and sugar and low in fiber. Large amounts of starch can overwhelm the hindgut’s microbial balance, potentially leading to irritation or damage to the gut lining. Similarly, high-fat diets can negatively impact hindgut function.
To keep the digestive system healthy, horses should not go more than six hours without eating. Without adequate access to forage, most domestic horses chew and eat for less than five hours a day—far below their natural behavior. Since saliva is only produced while chewing, reduced forage intake means less saliva, less lubrication, and more unbuffered stomach acid, increasing the risk of gastric ulcers and choke. Lack of forage can also lead to stress, boredom, and undesirable behaviors.
Even for horses that struggle with weight gain or loss, forage is essential. For hard keepers, a healthy hindgut ensures the absorption of the maximum number of calories and nutrients. Paradoxically, adding large amounts of high-energy grain can backfire, as hindgut damage may limit nutrient absorption. On the flip side, restricting forage too much in overweight horses can push their metabolism into “starvation mode,” making weight loss more difficult and causing stress.
What Does a Forage-Based Diet Look Like?
No matter the horse’s breed, discipline, or age, the core principle is the same: forage should form the foundation of the diet.
Ideally, horses should have constant access to forage. If that’s not possible, offering multiple small meals throughout the day or using slow-feed hay nets can help extend feeding time. Horses should never go more than six hours without eating.
A general guideline is to feed around 2% of the horse’s body weight in forage per day. However, analyzing your pasture or hay will give you more accurate data to meet your horse’s specific energy, protein, and mineral needs.
If your horse isn’t on pasture, it’s also important to supplement with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and any minerals needed to balance your hay analysis.
Final Thoughts
Nutrition can feel overwhelming, but putting forage at the center of your horse’s diet is a powerful first step. This simple shift can significantly improve your horse’s health and well-being—both physically and mentally.
If you're ready to go deeper or want support in making forage a bigger part of your horse’s routine, I’d love to help. Feel free to reach out!
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