Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know how much protein my horse needs?

The protein needs of horses are influenced by age (immature vs. mature) and activity levels. A growing horse's protein requirement is influenced by how fast he is growing. A mature horse's protein requirement is influenced by such activities as gestation, lactation and work (exercise). However, when purchasing commercial feeds, the horse owner must also consider what forage the horse will be consuming. Forage protein content can vary dramatically.

If you feed alfalfa hay with 18 percent protein, you may select a feed containing much less protein than if you feed a grass forage with only 9 percent protein. Most concentrates (commercial feeds) have feeding recommendations printed on the bags. Select the concentrate that is designed to meet the needs of your horse, and feed it with the recommended forage. For mature performance horses on high-quality alfalfa hay, feed a 10 percent protein concentrate. If you are feeding timothy, Coastal bermudagrass, or other grass hay, feed a 12, 12+ or 14 percent protein concentrate.