Widely considered to be the most suitable and safest grain for feeding to horses. The high fibre content which makes oats more difficult to overfeed and cause digestive upsets than the other grains, also makes oats the least dense of the grains, i.e. it has the lowest amount of digestible energy. Oats should be bright, clean, plump and free from dust. Good quality oats should weigh no less than 0.9kg/2 litre container. Crushed or steam rolled oats may weight slightly less than this.

Oats can be fed whole; bruised (or crimped) - lightly bruised to break outer husk and soften inner kernel; clipped - points of husk removed; de-hulled (groats) outer husk removed; steam rolled - rolled under steam pressure, can be whole or de-hulled.

Corn (Maize) - Has the highest energy content of the cereal grains commonly fed to horses. Because of its low fibre content, it should be fed in conjunction with bulkier feeds such as oats and/or chaff and introduced gradually to a horse ration to avoid digestive upsets. Corn may be fed to horses whole, coarse ground (cracked) or steam flaked, although it is normally fed cracked.

Barley - is slightly higher in energy content than oats, but not as high as corn. Because of its hard outer coat, barley should be crushed, steam rolled, cracked or boiled before feeding. It is low in fibre and should be fed in conjunction with bulkier feeds to avoid digestive upsets. Like corn, it should be introduced slowly into the ration. If boiled or soaked in water, it should be fed immediately, if not, it will tend to ferment and cause digestive upsets.

Sorghum (Milo) - Has a very high energy content and is similar in composition to corn as far as feed value is concerned. However, sorghum has poor palatability, is low in fibre and due to its hardness, is difficult to chew. While it may be fed successfully in a steamrolled form with other bulkier feeds, Sorghum is usually fed as a boiled supplement.

Rice - Has a high energy content which is slightly higher than that contained in corn. It is mainly fed in countries where it is plentiful and oats are scarce.

Rice Pollard - is a very high energy feed and therefore must be introduced very slowly into a ration. The high energy content of rice pollard is due to its high fat content (19%) much of which is in the form of unsaturated fatty acids. This would help produce a glossy coat. Rice pollard is very high in phosphorus and as such should be fed with caution, especially to the growing horse. Rice Pollard can also be used to put weight on a poorly conditioned horse.

Wheat Pollard - is a by-product of the wheat milling industry. The energy level of pollard is approximately equal to that of oats. It should be introduced slowly into the ration. Pollard should always be fed damp, and never more than 1 kg per day. Wheat Pollard may be used to put condition on a poor horse.

Compound Feeds - Including ready-to-use "complete" feeds, working horse mixes and other premixed and pelletised feeds are usually manufactured to meet minimum nutritional requirements based on "average" values. This does not allow you to cater for the individual needs of the horses in your care. A further factor to consider is that of "freshness" as prepared mixes are often subject to long storage and subsequent deterioration of the nutrients. It is also known that some complete feeds use 'sawdust' as bulking agents. There is no substitute for individual feeding, where you know exactly what you are feeding!

Low energy feeds:

Bran - The coating of the wheat kernel is low in energy when compared to cereal grains. It is a bulky feed, but contrary to popular opinion, it does not have a laxative effect in the horse. It is rich in B vitamins. Horses find bran very palatable, but it should not be fed in excessive amounts due to its extremely high phosphorus content. Any amount over half a kilogram per day would be considered excessive. As a guide, bran should not constitute more than 20% of the concentrate ration. A small amount of bran (250g per day) can be used to mix supplements in, to avoid being sifted out.

Roughage:

Hay and Chaff - have the same nutritional value for the horse but there is usually less waste with the feeding of chaff. It is the main source of roughage in the diet of the stabled horse. Compared to grain, hay is low in energy.

Lucerne - Good quality sun cured lucerne hay contributes significantly to the energy, protein, calcium, trace elements and vitamin content of a horse's ration. It should be leafy, have a low proportion of stem and be free from mould and dust.