Roughage Products

Roughage products refer to feed ingredients that provide dietary fiber, primarily sourced from plant materials. These products include one or more of the following: cobs, hulls, husks, pulps, and straws. They are used in equine diets to support digestive health, regulate gut motility, and provide a source of fermentable fiber for microbial activity in the hindgut.

Horses require a high-fiber diet to maintain proper digestive function, and roughage products can serve as an alternative or supplement to traditional forage sources like hay and pasture. They are particularly important for horses with poor dental health. However, while roughage products can be valuable fiber sources, they should not fully replace long-stemmed forages for horses with proper dental health. Long-stemmed forages, such as hay and pasture, play a crucial role in promoting natural chewing behavior, saliva production, and gut function.