Straw - Feed Ingredient

Straw refers to the dry stalks of cereal crops such as wheat, barley, oats, and rye that remain after the grain has been harvested. It is a high-fiber, low-nutrient forage source commonly used as bedding material for horses but may also be included in equine diets in limited amounts. Straw is primarily composed of structural carbohydrates, including lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, making it a low-energy feedstuff.

In equine nutrition, straw may be used as a forage extender, particularly in situations where hay availability is limited. Due to its low digestibility and nutrient content, it should not be the primary forage source in a horse’s diet. However, it is included in feed formulations to increase fiber content without significantly increasing caloric intake.