Many performance horses are fed high-starch concentrates like grains to meet their energy needs. But recent studies show that horses can perform (even win races) on high-energy forage-only diets.
These diets more closely match what horses evolved to eat: grass and fibre. In fact, feeding mostly forage may improve health and performance, reduce stress-related behaviours, and support better gut health.
How Forage Fuels Energy
When horses eat grass or hay, fibre is broken down by microbes in the gut, producing fatty acids. These fatty acids are used as fuel, especially during aerobic exercise.
On the other hand, high-starch diets (like grains) shift the horse’s energy system toward using more glucose and less fatty acids. This can reduce gut health and increase the risk of issues like ulcers or colic.
Horses adapted to fibre-rich or fat-rich diets tend to use energy more efficiently, much like the changes that happen with regular training. Eating forage also slows down feeding, which supports digestive health and reduces boredom.
Research and Results
A Swedish research team studied horses, especially Standardbreds in race training on forage-only diets. (“Athletic horses fed high energy forage diets” SENAST ÄNDRAD: 07 JULI 2022)
These diets used high-quality grasses like timothy and meadow hay, harvested early to keep energy content high. Some horses also received a little lucerne (alfalfa) to meet protein needs.
Key findings include:
- Muscle glycogen (fuel stored in muscles) was slightly lower, but this didn’t appear to harm performance. High-protein forage helped restore glycogen after hard workouts. This is due to the leucine (amino acid) supporting glucose uptake.
- Horses can compete and win on a forage-only diet if the forage has high energy around 11–13 MJ digestible energy per kg of dry matter.
- Performance may improve, with higher lactate thresholds and better glucose levels after exercise.
- Forage-fed horses showed fewer signs of aggression and had more stable gut bacteria.
- Young horses grew and trained just as well on forage-only diets compared to traditional grain fed diets.
Where Forage-Only Diets Fall Short
Even with high-quality forage, some nutrients are still lacking. Most commonly, these include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and trace minerals.
Additionally, all hay types contain much lower levels of Omega-3 fatty acids compared to fresh pasture. Omega-3s are essential for immune function, joint health, recovery, and overall cellular balance, this is especially in performance horses.
How to Balance the Diet
To maintain health, stamina, and performance, it’s essential to plug these nutritional gaps.
The best way to do this:
- CEN Grain Free Ultimate: A high fibre balancer feed that delivers essential vitamins and minerals, balances calcium to phosphorus ratios, supports nervous system function, and adds cool energy to help with body condition, stamina, and behaviour.
- CEN Oil: A rich, plant-based source of Omega-3 fatty acids that supports immune health, reduces inflammation, and aids muscle recovery. This brings your horse’s diet closer to the nutritional profile of fresh pasture.
Conclusion
Feeding a high-energy forage diet is a healthy, effective option for performance horses. It supports natural digestion, reduces stress, and can even improve performance.
But to make it truly complete, it’s essential to add a high-quality balancer and Omega-3 source. CEN Grain Free Ultimate and CEN Oil are the perfect pair to build a diet that’s natural, balanced, and built for performance.
Written By Bryan Meggitt (BMedSc. PGCrtMedSc.)
Blood Scientist and Co-founder of CEN Horse Nutrition
References:
- Jansson A & Lindberg J (2008). Effects of a forage-only diet on body weight and response to training. EAAP Equine Nutrition Workshop.
- Connysson M et al. (2006). Protein intake and exercise response in forage-fed horses. Equine Vet J.
- Muhonen S et al. (2009). Effects on gut ecosystem of different forage types. J. Animal Science.
- Ringmark S & Jansson A (2013). Training responses in young horses on forage-only diets. Comparative Exercise Physiology.