How to Read Horse Feed Labels

Feeding your horse properly is one of the most important aspects of good equine care. Whether you are caring for a high-performance athlete or a backyard companion, understanding what goes into your horse’s diet is essential. Horse feed labels contain a wealth of information that can help guide your feeding choices, but they can also be confusing if you’re not familiar with the terminology. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to read horse feed labels so you can make informed decisions that support your horse’s health and well-being.

Why Horse Feed Labels Matter

Horse feed labels are regulated to ensure transparency and safety. They provide information about the nutritional content, ingredients, feeding directions, and manufacturer details. Reading and understanding these labels can help you determine whether a feed is appropriate for your horse’s age, weight, activity level, and health status. Misreading or ignoring labels can lead to imbalanced diets, potential health issues, or poor performance.

Understanding the Product Name and Purpose Statement

The first thing to look at on horse feed labels is the product name and purpose statement. This section typically identifies the type of horse the feed is intended for, such as “Senior Horse Feed” or “Performance Horse Feed.” The purpose statement may also specify whether the product is a complete feed or a supplement. A complete feed can be fed as the horse’s primary source of nutrition, while a supplement must be added to other feed sources like hay or pasture. This distinction is crucial when balancing your horse’s diet.

Decoding the Guaranteed Analysis

The guaranteed analysis is one of the most important sections on horse feed labels. It provides the minimum or maximum levels of specific nutrients in the feed. Here’s what you’ll typically find:

Crude Protein: Indicates the minimum percentage of protein. Protein is essential for muscle development, repair, and overall growth, especially in young, lactating, or hard-working horses.

Crude Fat: Represents the minimum fat content. Fat is a dense energy source and is particularly important for performance horses or those needing weight gain.

Crude Fiber: Shows the maximum fiber content. Fiber is critical for proper digestion and gut health. High-fiber feeds are often used for senior horses or those with digestive sensitivity.

Calcium and Phosphorus: These minerals are vital for bone development and metabolic function. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus is also important and should ideally fall between 1.5:1 and 2:1 for most horses.

Salt (Sodium and Chloride): These electrolytes are important for hydration and nerve function. Horses that sweat heavily or work in hot climates may require additional salt supplementation.

Vitamins and Minerals: Some horse feed labels will list vitamins A, D, and E along with other trace minerals like copper, zinc, and selenium. These micronutrients play vital roles in immune health, reproduction, and metabolic function.

Understanding the guaranteed analysis allows you to compare different feeds and ensure your horse is getting the nutrients they need without excesses or deficiencies.

Reviewing the Ingredient List

Next, take a close look at the ingredient list on the feed bag. Ingredients are typically listed in descending order by weight before processing. Here are a few common types of ingredients you might find on horse feed labels:

Forages: Ingredients like alfalfa meal or beet pulp provide fiber and aid in digestion. Feeds with high-quality forages are often more digestible and provide better nutrition.

Grains: Corn, oats, and barley are common sources of carbohydrates and energy. While grains provide quick energy, they should be fed carefully to avoid metabolic disorders.

Protein Sources: Soybean meal, linseed meal, and cottonseed meal are typical protein ingredients. These help support muscle development and repair.

Fat Sources: Vegetable oils or rice bran are added to increase the calorie content for performance or underweight horses.

Added Nutrients: Amino acids, vitamins, and minerals may be added to ensure the feed meets specific dietary requirements.

Be wary of feeds that list vague terms like “plant by-products” or “grain products” without specifying the source. Higher quality feeds usually offer transparency and specify the exact ingredients used.

Interpreting the Feeding Directions

Feeding directions provide guidelines on how much feed to offer based on your horse’s weight and activity level. This section is often overlooked but is essential for proper feeding. These directions typically assume the horse is receiving adequate forage (such as hay or pasture) and may also be based on an average body condition score.

Use a scale to measure feed by weight rather than relying on volume. A coffee can or scoop can vary significantly in weight depending on the density of the feed. Overfeeding or underfeeding can result in weight issues, nutrient imbalances, and health complications.

Understanding Medicated Feeds

Some horse feeds may include medications or additives such as dewormers or coccidiostats. If a feed is medicated, this will be clearly stated on the label, along with the active ingredient and its purpose. It’s important to follow the dosage instructions carefully and to be aware of any potential withdrawal periods if your horse is competing.

Identifying the Manufacturer and Expiration Date

Reliable horse feed labels will include the manufacturer’s name and contact information. This transparency allows you to ask questions, report issues, or verify nutritional claims. Some feeds will also include a manufacturing or expiration date. Feed loses nutritional potency over time, especially if it contains added fats or vitamins, so always use feed within its recommended shelf life.

Comparing Different Feeds

When evaluating different feeds, don’t rely solely on the brand name or marketing language. Focus on the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list. Consider the needs of your horse. Is your horse an easy keeper, a high-performance athlete, or a senior with dental issues? Each of these categories may require a different nutrient profile.

If you’re transitioning from one feed to another, do so gradually over 7 to 10 days to avoid digestive upset. Mix increasing amounts of the new feed with decreasing amounts of the old feed until the transition is complete.

Special Considerations for Different Life Stages

Horse feed labels often include indications about which life stage the product is best suited for:

Foals and Growing Horses: Require higher protein, calcium, and phosphorus levels to support growth and bone development.

Pregnant or Lactating Mares: Need extra calories and nutrients to support fetal development and milk production.

Senior Horses: May benefit from feeds with higher fiber, easily digestible ingredients, and added fat.

Performance Horses: Require more calories, electrolytes, and potentially fat to support high energy output.

Easy Keepers: May need a low-calorie ration balancer rather than a full concentrate feed to avoid obesity while still meeting their nutrient requirements.

Common Labeling Terms and What They Mean

Understanding labeling terminology can help you better assess your choices:

Complete Feed: A feed that can be fed as the sole ration without any hay or pasture, though many horse owners still supplement with forage for dental and behavioral reasons.

Concentrate: A high-energy feed designed to be fed alongside hay or pasture. Typically higher in calories, protein, and other nutrients.

Ration Balancer: A concentrated source of vitamins and minerals with minimal calories, ideal for horses that maintain weight easily on forage alone.

Low NSC: Stands for low non-structural carbohydrates, important for horses with metabolic disorders like Cushing’s disease or insulin resistance.

Final Tips for Choosing the Right Feed

Reading and understanding horse feed labels empowers you to make better decisions for your horse’s diet. Here are a few final tips:

• Always base your horse’s diet on high-quality forage first.
• Use feed to supplement nutrients that hay or pasture may lack.
• Match the feed’s nutritional content to your horse’s age, workload, and health conditions.
• Consult with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian if you’re unsure about how to interpret feed labels or make dietary changes.
• Store feed in a cool, dry place to preserve freshness and avoid contamination.

Conclusion

Learning how to read horse feed labels is a skill that every responsible horse owner should develop. It allows you to understand what you’re feeding, evaluate whether it meets your horse’s nutritional needs, and make informed decisions that promote long-term health. With a little practice, these labels will no longer seem like a mystery but rather a valuable tool in your horse care toolkit.