Analyze Diet

Forage - Feed Database

Discover detailed nutrition information for different types of forage for horses in the Mad Barn Equine Feed Database. Compare options such as grass hay, alfalfa, pasture, and commercial forage products to identify the right forage for your horse.

Feeds, Supplements & Products
Pasture Alfalfa – 20% CP 37% NDF
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Gut HealthGut Health
ProteinProtein
Single-species alfalfa pasture of alfalfa is generally higher in protein than grass pasture. Alfalfa, also known as lucerne, is a suitable forage source for gestating, lactating and growing horses to meet their calcium, protein and energy requirements.
Pasture Alfalfa – 20% CP 40% NDF
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Gut HealthGut Health
ProteinProtein
Mid-quality alfalfa pasture that is partly in bloom contains approximately 20% crude protein and 40% NDF. Horses with high protein and calcium requirements benefit from grazing on alfalfa pasture.
Pasture Alfalfa – 25% CP 32% NDF
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
NutrientsNutrients
ProteinProtein
High-quality, pre-bud alfalfa pasture is relatively high in protein and low in fibre. Grazing on single-species alfalfa pasture with 25% crude protein is appropriate for gestating, lactating or growing horses.
Pasture Alfalfa – 25% CP 35% NDF
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
NutrientsNutrients
ProteinProtein
Nutrient-dense alfalfa pasture is a rich source of calcium and protein. Gestating or lactating mares and growing horses benefit from the higher nutrient content of this legume pasture.
Pasture Grass – 16% CP 55% NDF
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Mature pasture grass made up of species such as timothy or bromegrass will provide approximately 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Sugar content varies depending on environmental factors.
Pasture Grass – 21% CP 48% NDF
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Moderate-quality pasture grass will contain approximately 21% crude protein and 48% NDF. Grass at this stage of growth should be consumed in moderation.
Pasture Grass – 24% CP 40% NDF
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Gut HealthGut Health
ProteinProtein
Young lush pasture grass is typically high in protein and low in fibre (24% crude protein; 40% NDF). This may be appropriate for horses with high calorie and protein demands, such as growing horses or horses in heavy exercise.
Pasture Grass (AB Avg)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in Alberta, Canada provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Grass (BC Avg)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in British Columbia, Canada provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Grass (Central US)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in the central United States provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Grass (Eastern US)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in the eastern United States provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Grass (MB Avg)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in Manitoba, Canada provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Grass (NB Avg)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in New Brunswick, Canada provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Grass (NL Avg)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Grass (NS Avg)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in Nova Scotia, Canada provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Grass (ON Avg)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in Ontario, Canada provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Grass (PEI Avg)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in Prince Edward Island, Canada provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Grass (QC Avg)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in Quebec, Canada provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Grass (SK Avg)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in Saskatchewan, Canada provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Grass (Western US)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Average grass pastures in the western United States provide 16% crude protein and 55% NDF. Horses grazing on pasture with this mineral composition will require supplementation of selenium, zinc, copper and other nutrients to avoid deficiency.
Pasture Legume – 24% CP 38% NDF
FiberFiber
ForageForage
HealthHealth
ProteinProtein
Pasture consisting mainly of legumes such as alfalfa and clover is high in protein and low in fibre. This type of pasture may be suitable for lactating, gestating and growing horses.
Pasture Legume – 28% CP 33% NDF
FiberFiber
ForageForage
HealthHealth
ProteinProtein
Pasture comprised of legume plants such as alfalfa and clover is high in protein, energy, and calcium. Access to pure legume pasture should be limited to horses with increased protein requirements.
Pasture Mixed – 20% CP 41% NDF
FiberFiber
ForageForage
HealthHealth
ProteinProtein
Mixed pasture containing both legume and grass species is typical in the Northern US and Canada. This type of pasture is high in protein and energy.
Pasture Mixed – 26% CP 35% NDF
FiberFiber
ForageForage
HealthHealth
ProteinProtein
Mixed pasture contains both legume species such as alfalfa and clover as well as grass species such as timothy. This type of pasture is common in North America.
Pasture Rye Grass – Italian
EnergyEnergy
ForageForage
ProteinProtein
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Annual (Italian) ryegrass is a common pasture forage in warm climate regions such as the southeastern US. Ryegrass is a high-NSC forage that may not be suitable for horses with metabolic concerns.
Pasture Rye Grass – Perennial
EnergyEnergy
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Perennial ryegrass is a common pasture forage adapted to mild temperate climates such as the Pacific Northwest. This pasture is more commonly used for grazing cattle and sheep. Ryegrass forage tends to have high NSC content and may not be suitable for horses with metabolic concerns.
Pasture Sorghum Sudan – 17% CP 55% NDF
EnergyEnergy
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
Sorghum sudan grass is a drought-tolerant forage common to the Southwestern US. Horses should not graze on this forage for extended periods as they are susceptible to sudan grass toxicity, which can be life-threatening.
Peanut Hay
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
ForageForage
ProteinProtein
Peanut hay is cut from the perennial peanut plant, which grows in sub-tropical regions. It is similar to alfalfa hay with high protein and energy content.
Perennial Soy Fresh Brazil Fine Chop
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Perennial soy (Neonotonia wightii) is a high-protein legume found in tropical and subtropical regions. It can be cut and fed fresh to ruminants.
Perennial Soy Fresh Brazil Long
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Perennial soy (Neonotonia wightii) is a legume found in tropical and subtropical regions. It can be fed as protein-rich fresh chop to ruminants.
Perennial Soy Fresh Brazil Medium Chop
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Perennial soy (Neonotonia wightii) is a legume native to Africa. It is also grown in other tropical and subtropical regions. It can be fed as fresh chop to ruminants.
Perennial Soy Hay Brazil Fine Chop
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Perennial soy (Neonotonia wightii) is a legume native to Africa. It is also grown in other tropical and subtropical regions as a high-protein forage for ruminants.
Perennial Soy Hay Brazil Long
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Perennial soy (Neonotonia wightii) is a legume native to Africa and also grown in other tropical and subtropical regions. It is a high-protein, high-energy forage that is commonly fed to ruminants.
Perennial Soy Hay Brazil Medium Chop
FiberFiber
ForageForage
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Perennial soy (Neonotonia wightii) is a legume native to Africa. It is cut for hay at the flowering stage to produce a high protein, high-energy forage for ruminants.
Performance (Krafft)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
PerformancePerformance
ProteinProtein
Performance from Krafft is a supplementary feed that provides protein and fibre for horses of all work level. Performance is formulated with oats and wheat bran.
Performance Fibre (Dengie)
FiberFiber
Gut HealthGut Health
PerformancePerformance
UlcersUlcers
Performance Fibre is a chopped grass and alfalfa feed. It is intended for horses and ponies of all ages and work levels. It is coated in molasses and spearmint oil which is meant to increase palatability for picky horses.
Performance Low Starch (Krafft)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
NutritionNutrition
PerformancePerformance
Performance Low Starch is a supplementary feed with low NSC. It also contains yeast which can help with a horse's gut health.
Performance Textured (ProElite)
Complete FeedComplete Feed
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
PerformancePerformance
StaminaStamina
ProElite Performance Horse Feed is a textured feed intended for mature show and performance horses. It provides 12% fat and 18.3% NSC with energy sources including beet pulp, whole oats, wheat middlings, soybean hulls, and cane molasses.
Performance+ Balancer (Dengie)
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
EnergyEnergy
Ration BalancerRation Balancer
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Performance + Balancer is a pelleted feed intended for horses and ponies in work or horses that have higher nutritional requirements. It provides additional energy and protein to help support good condition and health.
Premium Alfalfa (Chaffhaye)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
Premium Alfalfa from Chaffhaye is made from dried Non-GMO alfalfa hay. This dried forage is intended for horses, goats, cattle and chickens. Premium Alfalfa contains 20% crude protein and 23% crude fibre.
Premium Alfalfa Forage Blend (Triple Crown)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Gut HealthGut Health
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Premium Alfalfa Forage Blend by Triple Crown is a hay blend intended for horses and ponies of all ages and work levels. It can be provided during hay shortages or when the quality of hay is poor.
Premium Alfalfa Pellets (Standlee)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Gut HealthGut Health
UlcersUlcers
Premium Alfalfa Pellets by Standlee is an alfalfa pellet intended for active and growing horses, and horses sensitive to carbohydrates.
Premium Alfalfa Timothy Cubes (DuMor)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Gut HealthGut Health
ProteinProtein
Premium Alfalfa Timothy Cubes by DuMor are a forage source for the equine diet. Alfalfa Timothy Cubes can be used to replace some hay or augment the fibre content of the diet.
Premium Grass Forage (Triple Crown)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Low NSC FeedsLow NSC Feeds
Weight IssuesWeight Issues
Premium Grass Forage by Triple Crown is a blend of timothy and orchard grass hay intended for horses of all ages and work levels. It can be especially beneficial to underweight horses and performance horses. It is a good feed to add to a horse's diet if there is hay shortages or the quality of hay is poor.
Premium Hay (Lucerne Farms)
Caloric EnergyCaloric Energy
FiberFiber
ForageForage
ProteinProtein
Lucerne Farms Premium Hay is made of roughly chopped timothy and mixed hays packaged in a compressed bale. It is designed to provide energy and protein from forage in a more digestible form for all classes of horses.
Premium Timothy Cubes (Ontario Dehy)
FiberFiber
ForageForage
Gut HealthGut Health
Hay StretcherHay Stretcher
Premium Timothy™ Cubes is a forage replacement containing 100% Timothy hay in a cubed, dehydrated format. It is suitable for horses requiring a low-dust or low-protein feed.
Pure Grass (Dengie)
DentalDental
DigestionDigestion
HealthHealth
NutritionNutrition
Pure Grass by Dengie is a grass grown in the Eastern counties of England. It is suitable for horses and ponies of all ages and work levels. It is ideal for horses with poor teeth as the short chop length makes it easier to chew.
Pure Grass Pellets (Dengie)
DentalDental
FiberFiber
NutritionNutrition
ProteinProtein
Pure Grass Pellets by Dengie is a pelleted feed comprised of 100% meadow grass grown in the UK. It is suitable for horses and ponies of all ages and work levels. This feed is intended to be fed soaked, making it ideal for senior horses.
Pure Meadow Mash (Pure Feed Company)
DentalDental
FiberFiber
Hay StretcherHay Stretcher
NutrientsNutrients
Pure Meadow Mash by Pure Feed Company is a pelleted hay stretcher that is quick soaking and palatable. It is high fibre and with added pre and probiotic to support gut health and is ideal for older horses or those with poor dentition.
Racehorse Cubes (Gain Equine Nutrition)
Competition HorsesCompetition Horses
EnergyEnergy
ExerciseExercise
PerformancePerformance
Racehorse Cubes is a pelleted feed intended for horses in intense work such as racehorses, showjumpers, eventers, and dressage. It contains 14% protein, 5% fat, and 9.5% fiber.
Is Your Horse's Diet Missing Anything?

Identify gaps in your horse's nutrition program to optimize their well-being.