How to Choose Feed for Multiple Horses

What is the best feed for the whole barn? How do boarding barns and training programs feed multiple horses? What is a cost-friendly and efficient way to feed a herd? Our equine nutritionists at Nutrena® brand break down some of these most frequently asked questions about how to choose feed for multiple horses, so you can feel confident that you are providing a nutritionally balanced diet for every horse’s specific life stage and activity level. Because here at Nutrena, we believe what’s inside counts®.

When to Feed a “One Size Fits Most” Diet

We have all heard horse owners say “no two horses are the same” or “each feeding program should be unique.” And this is true, when you can customize a horse’s diet. However, as horse people we also know this isn’t always possible. When it comes to large boarding barns, training programs, and breeding operations with multiple head of horses, the reality is that sometimes feeding each horse its own customized diet is not always feasible. Sometimes when you are feeding an entire barn, you need a one size fits most diet that:

• Meets nutrition requirements of all life stages and activity levels
• Can be fed to multiple horses in pasture
• Is convenient and time-efficient to feed
• Suitable for broodmares, foals, seniors, performance horses, minis, and everything in between
• Has a sustainable cost per serving
• And more

At the end of this article, if you’re still unsure what to feed, you can schedule a virtual consultation, and one of our equine nutritionists can help choose the best feed for multiple horses in your barn.

Diet Recommendations for All Life Stages

While there will always be special cases, such as metabolic horses with strict dietary needs, there are certain feeding best practices that can meet the needs of multiple horses in your barn. If you are looking for an efficient feeding program that doesn’t sacrifice quality of nutrition, here are some things to look for on your feed tag:

• Guaranteed Analysis: Quality ingredients are important, but it is also important that your feed has guaranteed maximum and minimum quantities in every serving, so nutrition is reliable and consistent. By comparing feed tags, you will be surprised how many name brand horse feed products do not include nutrients in their guaranteed analysis.

• Controlled Starch: Your feed tag should guarantee a maximum level of sugar and starch. As a rule of thumb, a healthy total diet (forage plus concentrate feed/grains) for most horses without special dietary requirements can be made up of 15-20% NSC. Lean on brands like Nutrena® who work hard to guarantee maximum sugar and starch, so you know exactly what you are getting in your feed every time.

• Quality Protein and Amino Acids: If you are a barn with multiple horses looking for one main feed, in addition to controlled starch, quality protein and amino acids is another “must” to add to your checklist. Typically, this will include 10-14% protein and basic limited amino acids (such as Lysine and Methionine). Some higher quality multi-horse feeds will include more amino acids like SafeChoice® products.

• Basic vitamins and minerals: The key to a big barn feeding program is finding value without sacrificing quality of ingredients and nutrients. Even if you don’t have performance horses, there are basic vitamins and minerals like Vitamin E, phosphorus, copper, selenium, zinc, that are fundamental to support the immune system, skin, coat, and hooves.

• Fiber and Prebiotics: Healthy digestion is a must, and easily digestible fiber sources are important too. The more efficiently a horse can digest, the more nutrients they can extract from their feed.

Feeding Multiple Horses

The feeding instructions are one of the most underutilized parts of the bag. Even with a feed suitable for a range of horses, it is important to reference your horse’s weight and life stage/activity level to make sure they are receiving the appropriate number of calories and their minimum nutrient requirements. By adjusting weight of feeding, you can use a feed like SafeChoice® All Life Stages to meet requirements for a range of horses.

For example, a barn with five very different horses can use SafeChoice® All Life Stages at the recommended daily feeding rate to feed:

• Horse 1: 900lb Senior Horse in Maintenance: 2.25lb – 4.5lb
• Horse 2: 1,200lb Performance Horse in Heavy Exercise: 12lb – 18lb
• Horse 3: 550lb Yearling: 4.13lb – 5.5lb
• Horse 4: 1,000lb Lesson Horse in Light Exercise: 5lb – 7.5lb
• Horse 5: 1,100lb Broodmare in Early Lactation: 11lb – 16.5lb

Find Feed for Multiple Horses Near You

Nutrena offers a few different options depending on your herd. The most popular go-to feeds for large barns and multiple horses are:

• SafeChoice® All Life Stages (14% Protein | 15% Fiber | 8% Fat)
• Empower® Topline Balance® (30% Protein | 8% Fiber | 5% Fat)
• Triumph® Professional Pellet (14% Protein | 12% Fiber | 8% Fat)

Visit our Dealer Locator to find feed for multiple horses near you.