1. Classes of Feeds for Horses Presentation Part 5: Grain and Grain By- Products #8895-B

2. Grain and Grain By-Products Grains are concentrates Higher in energy and lower in fiber than roughages Most commonly consumed: – Oats – Barley – Corn

3. Grain and Grain By-Products Horses that exercise extensively may require 12 pounds or more of grain and similar amount of hay to sustain body weight Inactive adult horses can sustain on grass alone

4. Oats Fed more than other grains Highly palatable High fiber content (13%) – Higher than corn or barley

5. Oats Bulkier Must eat more to satisfy nutritional requirements High fiber makes it difficult to overeat – Leads to colic or founder

6. Oats Safe grain to feed – especially if feeding program tends to be inconsistent Store well Kernels should be: plump, heavy, brightly colored, & clean, with low ratio of husks to kernels

7. Oats Should not be soiled or contain weeds, other seeds, and broken kernels Dusty oats may indicate excessive age, improper storage, or cleaning – May lead to respiratory problems

8. Oats Horses eat & digest whole oats easily If oats are processed, horse will chew less – Digestive juices can more easily penetrate oat kernel Feeding processed oats increases digestibility by 5%

9. Barley Nutritionally equivalent to oats but with less fiber Can be substituted but only if cost efficient Larger energy density Weighs more per unit of volume than oats

10. Barley Rolled barley preferable due to kernel being hard Crushing or grinding makes it too heavy – Leads to colic www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos

11. Corn Large amounts of carbohydrates One of the most energy-dense feeds – Heavier than other grains Provides ~ three times the energy of an equal volume of oats

12. Corn Excellent feed if fed according to the energy needs Horses requiring a lot of energy for exercise or work often fed corn One of the few grains containing vitamin A – Low in protein and lysine (essential amino acid)

13. Corn Amino acids - building blocks which make up body’s protein Should contain less than 14% moisture & very few damaged kernels Due to high starch content, can ferment very easily – Toxic

14. Corn Too much moisture - smells musty Shelled kernels may pass through digestive tract without being digested – Crack or roll prior to feeding Digestive juices enter kernel more readily

15. Corn Rolled or crushed corn may be too small – Rapidly ferments in digestive tract Fermentation of feed leads to colic if consuming high-concentrate diet

16. Corn Whole-ear ground corn is good feed Cob maintains high-fiber & low-energy content Balances high energy content of kernels

17. Corn Oats and corn fed together at 1:1 ratio Fiber in oats compensates for lack of fiber in energy-dense corn

18. Milo (Sorghum) High-energy grain Common in southwestern United States Very dense Mix with bulky feeds to avoid digestive problems

19. Milo (Sorghum) Difficult to chew Preferred if cracked or flaked Not palatable to some horses

20. Wheat Rarely fed Wheat bran - common form which horses readily consume Bran - hard outer coating of kernel

21. Wheat Bran mash can add bulk to ration Mash - wheat bran mixed with water Should not make up more than 10-12% of ration Contains 12% digestible protein

22. Wheat Wheat middlings or shorts can be eaten – Must be mixed with bulky feed Dense Should not make up more than 25% of ration

23. Wheat Large quantities can cause colic or founder Tend to pack in the stomach

24. Molasses Often included in mixed concentrates By-product of sugar refining Improves feed’s palatability Economical source of energy

25. Molasses Reduces effects of dust in feed Should not exceed 10-12% in ration – 5% recommended Excessive amounts make feed sticky & difficult to handle