Horse Nutrition and Feeding

Pasturing Horses

Back to Table of Contents

Pasture forage has virtually the same nutrient composition on a 90 percent dry matter basis as hay (Table 1). Two differences exist—grass doesn't contain 90 percent dry matter (usually only 20–35 percent dry matter), and grazing permits a horse to eat only the most palatable, and usually the most nutritious, part of the plant.

Can a horse, grazing a good pasture, consume enough to meet its nutrient requirements for:

Maintenance—Yes. In fact, mature horses can get fat on grass, and yearlings and two-year-olds will make appreciable weight gains.

Gestation—Yes. Grass is usually a laxative feed that's high in protein and vitamins. Pasture provides an ideal environment for foaling mares.

Lactation—Many mares may actually gain weight while lactating. However, as the season advances, the amount and quality of forage begin to decline. Under those circumstances, the mare will lose weight while her foal will gain, but at a slower rate. If the lactating mare is to be rebred, a loss in body weight may result in lack of estrus (heat) and/or ovulation. For big, active and heavy-milking mares (Thoroughbreds, American Saddlebreds, etc.) 4 to 8 pounds of grain per head daily may be fed to maintain weight until the mare has conceived.

Work—Whether pasture will meet the requirements for work depends on the quality of pasture and how much the horse is ridden. Riding increases the energy requirements, over maintenance, by 35 to 200 percent, depending on how long and at what speed the horse is ridden. Feeding 2 to 6 pounds of grain per day, in addition to pasture, usually maintains weight and stamina.

What's the best pasture forage? Orchardgrass, reed canary grass, and bromegrass are about equal. These species provide good forage early in the season, form a good sod, and are very palatable and nutritious. Timothy and bluegrass don't produce as much forage and become dormant and unpalatable earlier in the summer. Reed canary grass is a heavy producer. However, the variety of reed canary grass is very important. It should be a low-alkaloid type. The old varieties become high in alkaloids by midsummer and become very unpalatable. Keep in mind all cool-season forages cease to produce during the warm and dry weather of July and August.

Legumes—alfalfa and clovers—contribute nitrogen to the grasses, lengthen the growing season, and increase the protein and mineral content. However, if grazed continuously or grazed in the fall, they will be killed out in about one year.

The author and a well-fed Arabian mare.

Back to Table of Contents

Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact your University of Minnesota Extension office or the Extension Store at (800) 876-8636.

University of Minnesota Extension is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.