Forage Products

Forage components, including alfalfa meals, entire plant meals, hays, and stem meals, are primarily used in equine diets to add fiber, which is essential for hindgut health. Dietary fiber is a crucial element in horse nutrition, as it supports the function of the digestive system, particularly the cecum and colon, where microbial fermentation occurs. Horses are hindgut fermenters, relying on fiber breakdown by gut microbes to produce volatile fatty acids, which serve as an energy source.

The type and amount of fiber in a horse’s diet impact digestion, hydration, and overall gut motility. The inclusion of forage components in processed feeds ensures horses receive consistent fiber intake, especially for those with poor dental health.