Concentrates vs horse feed: a straightforward distinction
A simple way to understand horse feed and concentrates is this: horse feed is the general term for anything you feed a horse, while concentrates are a particular kind of feed designed to provide extra energy, protein, or other nutrients in a smaller volume than forage.
Forage is at the core of most equine diets. It includes grass, hay, haylage, and other fibrous feeds that supply roughage and support the horse’s digestive system. Concentrates, by contrast, are usually lower 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 with caution to maintain nutritional balance and good gut health.
In practice, the difference is not just about ingredients. It is also about use. A forage-based diet can be suitable for 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 wide range of products. It can include straight feeds such as oats or linseed, compound feeds, balancers, chaffs, cubes, and pellets. It also includes complete horse feed, which is created to supply the horse’s nutritional needs when fed as the main feed together with 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 home-made or commercially blended. For example, some owners mix a fibre base, a conditioning source, and a vitamin and mineral supplement to create a tailored feed ration. Others select 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 simplified feeding and balanced nutrition Conditioning mixes for horses that need muscle or topline support Low-energy fibre feeds for better management Performance feeds for horses with greater output needs Balancers and supplements to support specific gaps in the equine diet
One well-known example among horse feed companies is spillers horse feed, which offers 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 nutrition 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 harder 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 denser 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 described
Grasping the main types of horse feed helps you choose a ration that matches the horse’s body, workload, and lifestyle. The three usual forms are chaff, pellets, and cubes.
Chaff is shredded 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, weigh up 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 plenty of horses, the answer is yes: a horse can thrive on forage alone, as long as the forage is high quality and available in sufficient amounts. Horses are built to eat roughage for much 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 cope 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 simpler system, especially if they are managing limited forage quality or a busy feeding schedule. Even so, many horses still perform 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 every owner should know
Proper horse feeding rules are important to ensure safety, routine, and ongoing well-being. The famous 10 rules of feeding horses are commonly outlined in different ways, but the idea remains the same: approach feeding with the horse’s digestive system in mind, not just simplicity.
Here are straightforward rules every owner should follow:
- Build the ration on forage first. Alter feeds gradually to protect gut health. Adjust the feed to workload, body condition, and age. Avoid excess starch, especially in cereal-heavy diets. Keep fresh water at all times. Feed according to daily intake, not guesswork. Read the feed label to check starch levels, fibre content, and nutrient profile. Split concentrate meals into smaller portions when needed. Follow a regular feeding schedule. Review 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 follow the horse’s natural patterns.
How to use a horse feeding chart
A horse feeding chart is a practical starting point for planning each day’s ration. It helps you approximate how much roughage and concentrate a horse may need based on body weight, workload, and condition score. It is not a strict rule, but it gives structure to ration planning.
Most charts begin with the horse’s approximate body weight and then adjust feed amounts depending on whether the horse is a maintenance horse, easy worker, moderate worker, or performance horse. A horse with poor body condition may need a modified feeding approach from one that maintains easily.
When using a horse feeding chart, start with these steps:
- Calculate 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. See whether forage alone meets the horse’s needs. Use concentrates only if the chart and condition suggest they are necessary.
Charts are useful, but they should never replace observation. If the horse is getting thinner, becoming less energetic, or showing signs of poor coat quality or digestive upset, the ration may need changing. A sensible feed plan adapts to the horse, not just the numbers.
How much does horse feed cost?
Horse feed pricing depends on the product type, brand, formulation, and bag size. A small sack might appear more affordable at the till, but the cost per day or per feed may be higher than with a larger bag. For that reason, unit cost is often more helpful than shelf price alone.
Brand, nutrient density, and ingredient quality all affect price. Some horse feed companies produce specialist competition or conditioning feeds that cost more because they contain higher-quality ingredients, added supplements, or carefully controlled starch and fibre levels. Others focus on basic fibre feeds or utility mixes that may suit simpler rations.
If you want to estimate spend, a horse feed calculator uk can help you work out 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:
- Cost per kilogram Feed quantity per day How long a bag lasts If the feed replaces extra supplements The amount of forage needed with it
A feed that seems expensive may actually be economical 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 helpful beginner starting point is:
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- Make forage the foundation of the ration. Choose a feed appropriate for the horse’s age and workload. Review the label for starch, fibre, protein, and feeding rate. Add any new feed over several days. Track body condition score regularly.
When people ask for the “best” beginner ration, the answer is often a simple one: a sensible forage-first plan, plus a simple complete feed or balancer if needed. That cuts 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 carefully. 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 practical 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 feed for laminitis prone horses energy.
Frequently asked questions on horse feed and concentrates
What is the difference between between horse feed and concentrates?
Horse feed is the overall term for anything fed to a horse, including forage, compound feeds, and balancers. Concentrates are a specific kind of feed that supplies more energy and nutrients in a smaller amount than forage, and they are usually introduced when the horse’s diet needs extra support.
Is it possible to feed a horse only forage?
Yes, many horses can be fed only forage if it is of good quality and available in enough quantity. A forage-only or forage-based diet can be suitable for a maintenance horse, but some horses with greater exercise demands, low body condition, or specific nutritional needs may require additional concentrates or a complete horse feed.
Do complete horse feeds mean the same thing as concentrates?
Not in every case. Complete horse feed can sometimes function as a concentrate, but it is formulated to provide a broader nutrient profile. Some complete feeds are designed to be fed as the primary ration alongside forage, while other concentrates are simply calorie-rich 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 response, appetite, and body condition. A horse feed calculator uk can also help estimate daily use and cost.
What horse feed is best for a beginner owner?
The best horse feed for beginners is usually a simple, forage-led ration with one appropriate feed rather than several mixed products. A plain balancer, low-starch complete feed, or 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.