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Energy Sources for Horses

View nutrition analyses for energy sources used in horse feed ingredients in the Mad Barn Equine Feed Database. This category includes dietary components that contribute calories to the equine diet, including fat, fiber, starch, sugar, and protein.

Compare nutrient profiles for different energy sources to understand how ingredients supply calories, support body condition, and fit into a balanced feeding program. Use this database to evaluate ingredients by calorie contribution, digestibility, fiber content, fat content, starch and sugar levels, and their role in meeting your horse’s energy requirements.

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Energy Sources 260 entries
Psyllium (Mad Barn)
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
HindgutHindgut
StressStress
Psyllium by Mad Barn is a powdered psyllium supplement that supports digestion and gut health in horses. It absorbs water in the digestive tract, helping support normal gut motility and manure consistency, and is beneficial for horses exposed to sandy conditions, environmental stress, or dietary changes.
w-3 Oil (Mad Barn)
Coat QualityCoat Quality
FatFat
JointsJoints
Omega 3-6-9Omega 3-6-9
w-3 Oil by Mad Barn is an essential fatty acid supplement fortified with the omega-3 DHA and natural Vitamin E. W-3 Oil helps to support joint health, coat quality, cardiovascular health and weight maintenance.
Acid Whey Powder
Amino AcidAmino Acid
IngredientIngredient
NutrientsNutrients
ProteinProtein
Acid whey, also called sour whey, is a byproduct of dairy products such as cottage cheese or yogurt, used as a sugar source. It is not typically fed to animals in large quantities due to its low pH.
Alfalfa Meal – 17% CP 44% NDF
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Alfalfa meal is made by finely grinding dried alfalfa hay. Alfalfa meal is commonly added to equine feeds as a palatable, high-protein, high-calcium grain-free ingredient.
Alfalfa Meal – 20% CP 40% NDF
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
NutrientsNutrients
ProteinProtein
Alfalfa meal refers to dried and ground alfalfa. Depending on the growth stage at which the plant was harvested, alfalfa meal will have varying protein and fibre content. The meal is a highly palatable ingredient commonly added to equine feeds.
Almond Hulls – 28% NDF
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
DigestionDigestion
FiberFiber
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
Almond hulls are a source of fiber and digestible carbohydrates with a nutritional profile similar to moderate-quality alfalfa hay. Research shows almond hulls are a safe and palatable feed for horses.
Almond Hulls – 33% NDF
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
DigestionDigestion
FiberFiber
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
The fibrous outer shell of the almond fruit, almond hulls are removed during processing. Almond hulls are a source of fiber and digestible carbohydrates with a nutritional composition similar to moderate-quality alfalfa hay.
Almond Hulls – 36% NDF
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
DigestionDigestion
FiberFiber
NutritionNutrition
Almond hulls consist of the almond kernel's fibrous outer covering that is removed during dehulling and shelling. Almond hulls are a good source of digestible carbohydrates.
Almond Hulls – 42% NDF
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FatFat
FiberFiber
HindgutHindgut
Almond hulls are a palatable, high-fibre feed for horses. They are a good source of digestible carbohydrates with a nutritional profile similar to moderate-quality alfalfa hay.
Apple Pomace
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
FlavorFlavor
NutrientsNutrients
Apple Pomace is a solid residue that is the byproduct of apple juice and cider production, consisting of peel, pulp, and seeds. It is a good source of digestible energy for horses.
Apple Pomace – Dry
Apple Pomace is fed as a forage extender or a concentrate. It is a source of caloric energy and highly digestible fibre with lower amounts of protein and fat.
Apple Pomace – Wet
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
FlavorFlavor
Gut HealthGut Health
Apple Pomace is an alternative feed that provides a good source of digestible fibre and caloric energy. It may be used as a forage extender.
Avoine Ronde (Nature Belisle)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
IngredientIngredient
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Avoine Rounde by Nature Belisle is intended for horses and ponies of all ages and work levels that require additional energy.
Bakery Blend
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
GrainsGrains
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Bakery Blend refers to discarded material from the manufacturing of baked goods. Bakery by-product is a energy-dense feed for livestock.
Bakery By-Product
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
GrainsGrains
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Bakery By-Product refers to miscellaneous discarded material from the manufacturing of baked goods. Bakery By-Product provides a source of calories for livestock.
Bakery By-Product – Bread
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
GrainsGrains
NutritionNutrition
Bread By-Product consists of excess material and food waste from bread manufacturing. It is a source of carbohydrates targeted to livestock.
Bakery By-Product – Cereal
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
GrainsGrains
IngredientIngredient
NutritionNutrition
Cereal By-Product consists of discarded food waste from cereal manufacturers. It provides a source of energy for livestock.
Bakery By-Product – Cookie
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FlavorFlavor
NutrientsNutrients
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Cookie By-Product consists of discarded bakery material from cookie manufacturers. It provides a source of calories for livestock.
Barley Malt Sprouts
FiberFiber
GrainsGrains
NutrientsNutrients
ProteinProtein
Barley Malt Sprouts are made from spent barley grain that is leftover from processing for beer production. The spent grains are then sprouted, resulting in a nutritious feedstuff that is very high in protein and energy.
Barley, Whole (Modesto Milling)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
GrainsGrains
NutritionNutrition
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Modesto Milling supplies organic whole barley as feed for livestock and horses. Barley should be processed by crushing, rolling, or steam flaking prior to being fed to horses to optimize absorption.
Beef Tallow
Coat QualityCoat Quality
EnergyEnergy
FatFat
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Fat from cattle is referred to as beef tallow. It is an energy-dense feed ingredient commonly used in baked goods. It is not commonly fed to horses.
Beet Pulp
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
DigestionDigestion
HindgutHindgut
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Beet Pulp is a highly digestible fibre that can be used to replace hay in your horse's diet. It provides 8 - 12% protein, is calorie-dense, and has low sugar content.
Beet Pulp – Dry 35% NFC
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FatFat
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
Beet Pulp is a highly digestible fibre source that consists of the remains of sugar beets after removing the sugar. It is useful in equine diets as a forage alternative.
Beet Pulp – Dry 40% NFC
FatFat
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
NutrientsNutrients
Dried Beet Pulp is a highly digestible source of fibre that adds caloric energy and bulk to your horse's diet. Beet pulp is what remains after the sugar is removed from sugar beets during manufacturing.
Beet Pulp – Shreds
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
DigestionDigestion
Hay StretcherHay Stretcher
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Dried beet pulp shreds are fibrous flakes that can be used as a hay alternative in your horse's feeding plan. Shredded beet pulp is a highly digestible, calorie-rich feed that provides 8 - 12% protein and has low NSC content.
Beet Pulp – Wet 27% NFC
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
NutrientsNutrients
Wet Beet Pulp is the fibrous residue that remains after juice is extracted from sugar beets. It is a good source of digestive fibre and energy for the equine diet.
Beet Pulp – Wet 34% NFC
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
NutrientsNutrients
Wet Beet Pulp refers to the high-fibre feed that remains after the juice has been extracted from sugar beets. This is a good source of highly digestible fibre and added calories in the equine diet.
Beet Pulp Pellets
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Pelleted beet pulp is a popular feed additive for horses, used to increase fibre and caloric energy in the diet without significantly increasing NSC content. Beet pulp is what remains from the vegetable after the sugar is extracted.
Beet Pulp with Molasses
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
FlavorFlavor
ProteinProtein
Beet pulp is the highly digestible fibre that remains after sugar is extracted from the sugar beet. Molasses is added during the drying process, resulting in a more palatable feed with low NSC.
Beets Fodder Whole
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Whole fodder beets refer to unprocessed sugarbeets that are grown for animal feed. Fodder beets contain high energy and sugar content and are used to support lactation in dairy cows.
Bionic Oil Blend (Grand Valley Fortifiers)
Coat QualityCoat Quality
FatFat
StaminaStamina
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Bionic Oil Blend is a stabilized vegetable oil from Grand Valley Fortifiers. It provides a calorie-dense energy source for exercising horses and supports weight gain in underweight horses.
Brewers Grain – Dry 24% CP
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
NutrientsNutrients
ProteinProtein
VitaminsVitamins
Brewers grain is the spent grain that remains after beer production. It is commonly used as a cost-effective high-protein feed for cattle, but can also be formulated into equine diets.
Brewers Grain – Dry 29% CP
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
Mineral BalanceMineral Balance
ProteinProtein
VitaminsVitamins
Brewers grain is a by-product of beer production that is commonly used as a livestock feed. Brewers grain is a high protein, low starch feed that may be suitable for growing horses.
Brewers Grain – Wet
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
NutrientsNutrients
ProteinProtein
VitaminsVitamins
Wet brewers grain refers to undried spent grain that remains following beer production. It is mostly fed to cattle and not commonly used in equine diets.
Candy By-Product – High Fat
EnergyEnergy
FatFat
FlavorFlavor
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Candy by-product refers to discarded material from the manufacture of candy and other sweets. It is a low-cost energy source targeted for cattle.
Candy By-Product – Low Fat
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
EnergyEnergy
FlavorFlavor
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Candy by-product (consisting of discarded product from candy manufacturers) is sometimes fed to dairy cattle as a cheap source of calories.
Canola Oil
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
HindgutHindgut
PerformancePerformance
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Canola Oil is a calorie-dense fat source that can be used to replace grain in the horse’s diet. It provides cool energy for performance horses and supports weight gain in hard keepers.
Carrot Mash
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
NutritionNutrition
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Carrot mash is a palatable treat for horses. If soaked before feeding, carrot mash can help improve fluid intake for exercising and traveling horses.
Carrots
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
FlavorFlavor
NutritionNutrition
Carrots are commonly used as a treat for horses. They are sweet and highly palatable. Carrots contain high levels of vitamin A and beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A).
Cassava Residue Brazil Coarse
EnergyEnergy
FiberFiber
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Cassava residue is a by-product of tapioca production and is commonly used for dairy cattle rations. The residue is what remains after starch is extracted from the cassava root.
Cassava Residue Brazil Fine
EnergyEnergy
FiberFiber
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Cassava is a starchy root cultivated as a staple food source in many parts of the world. Starch is extracted from cassava to make tapioca. The process of starch extraction produces residues that are appropriate for lactating dairy cows.
Cereal Blend
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
GrainsGrains
IngredientIngredient
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Cereal blend refers to a combination of cereal grains such as barley, wheat and oats. These are high-starch feeds designed to provide energy in equine and livestock diets.
Cereal Tailings
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
GrainsGrains
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Cereal tailings refer to by-products of cereal processing coming from the tail of the mill. Cereal tailings are high in starch and used as cattle feed.
Chia Seeds
Gut HealthGut Health
IngredientIngredient
Omega 3-6-9Omega 3-6-9
Organic Trace MineralsOrganic Trace Minerals
Chia seeds are sometimes added to equine diets as a source of fatty acids. Chia is high in the omega-3 fatty acid, ALA, which can provide some anti-inflammatory benefits.
Citrus Pulp – Dry
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
DigestionDigestion
FiberFiber
FlavorFlavor
Dry citrus pulp is derived from the fibrous residue that remains after juice is extracted from oranges. Research shows that adding citrus pulp up to 28% of concentrate in the equine diet is well-tolerated by horses.
Citrus Pulp – Wet
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
DigestionDigestion
FiberFiber
FlavorFlavor
Wet citrus pulp is the high-fibre material that remains after orange juice has been pressed out of the orange fruit. It can be used as a fibre source for horses and cattle.
Citrus Pulp Brazil Loose
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Loose citrus pulp meal is the ground peel and residue of citrus fruits that remains after juice is extracted. The pulp is a palatable and nutritious feed for livestock, providing high energy from carbohydrates, high calcium and low phosphorus.
Citrus Pulp Brazil Pellets
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Dried citrus pulp pellets are a fibrous by-product of juice production. The pellets are fed to dairy and beef cattle as a source of energy, protein and nutrients. In citrus-producing regions, the pulp may be used for 30-50% of dairy rations.
Condensed Distillers Solubles (Syrup)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FatFat
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Condensed distillers solubles syrup is a by-product of the production of ethanol from grains, such as corn. It consists of the nutrients and protein that remain after grains are fermented to make ethanol.
Cool Omega 40+ (Manna Pro)
FatFat
Omega 3-6-9Omega 3-6-9
ProteinProtein
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Cool Omega 40+ by Manna Pro is a fat supplement that provides 40% crude protein and 14% crude protein. It contains fat from vegetable fat, rice bran, and flaxseed.
Copra Meal
Coat QualityCoat Quality
FatFat
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Copra meal is a by-product of coconut oil production. This high-fat, high-protein feed is used to increase the energy density of the equine diet in horses that need to gain weight.
Corn – Dry Ear Corn Ground
GrainsGrains
IngredientIngredient
NutritionNutrition
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Dry ground ear corn refers to the entire ear of corn, including grain and cob, that has been processed through a hammer mil or burr mill to grind into smaller particles.
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