Understanding Grain-Free Feeds for Horses
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 2
Navigating the World of Horse Nutrition
Feed producers have realized that many horse owners prefer to avoid grain. This awareness has led to an increase in 'grain-free' feeds available in the market. This is a positive development!
One foundational truth is that when someone uses overly complex language to explain a simple concept, they may be trying to mislead you. It's essential to approach horse feeding with clarity.
The challenge with feeds that are pelletized, micronized, or extruded is that you cannot see the actual content. If you open a bag of oats and find only oat hulls inside, it’s clear something is wrong. However, if the oats are mashed into pellets, the original contents become unidentifiable.
New Alternatives in Grain-Free Feeds
One emerging ingredient in 'grain-free' feeds is the faba bean, also known as broad beans.
Nutritional Value of Faba Beans
Faba bean seeds are rich in protein (25-33% DM) and starch (40-48% DM), making them an excellent source of protein and energy for livestock. They have a moderate content of fiber (7-11% DM). Their composition is quite similar to peas; however, they contain 5 percentage units more protein and 2 more in crude fiber, while being lower in starch by 6 percentage units.
Faba beans generally have lower energy content compared to maize grain for ruminants, pigs, and poultry, largely due to their higher fiber content. The presence of antinutritional factors poses more concerns for monogastric species than for ruminants.
While the amino acid profile of faba beans features a high lysine content (5.4-6.8%), they fall short in sulphur-containing amino acids, particularly methionine (0.6-1.0%). After all, faba beans contain a small amount of lipids (around 1% in DM) and might go rancid if ground and stored improperly. They are relatively low in calcium and vitamins such as iron and manganese, but they do offer more thiamine compared to soybean meal or rapeseed meal.
Learn more at Feedipedia.
Pros and Cons of Faba Beans
While faba beans are an excellent option, they must be stabilized to prevent spoilage. The high starch content can be problematic for horses and ponies with metabolic issues. When reading labels, be cautious. Often, the first listed ingredient may be 'legume hulls,' referring to the pods, rather than the beans themselves. Faba bean hulls are notably lower in protein, containing only 5-11% DM.
Exploring Lupins
Another ingredient gaining traction is lupins.
High Protein and Low Starch Benefits
Lupins are high in protein while being low in starch. This makes them a favorable choice for horses that are prone to metabolic issues. Plus, they are cultivated in Australia, supporting local businesses.
However, a downside is that lupins require significant processing to extract their nutrients, which can damage the amino acid profile. When purchasing, ensure that you’re getting the whole seed and not just lupin hulls, particularly if the seed itself has been diverted to bakeries. Unfortunately, feed labels often lack clarity regarding this matter.
Simplifying Horse Nutrition
We recommend buying whole, unprocessed ingredients instead of refined alternatives, such as 'alfalfa pellets' or 'cubes.' When you purchase whole oats, lucerne chaff, or wheat bran, you can visually assess the quality.
You can find nutrient profiles on reputable websites, allowing you to balance your horse's diet accurately. When unnamed 'proprietary vitamin and mineral blends' are added, it becomes more challenging to understand what is in the bag.
Considerations for Mineral Balance
Minerals compete for absorption, so both deficiencies and excesses of any mineral can lead to health issues. Here at Sound Advice, we prioritize providing nutrition in its most natural form. When you buy from us, you’re getting products that are exactly what they say they are on the label. "Whole oats" means a bag of oats; "lucerne chaff" references lucerne; "wheat bran" is pure wheat bran, and so forth.
We also enhance these feeds with minerals or amino acids that may be lacking in the feed or the pasture. Our supplements consist of only effective ingredients without fillers or artificial flavors — just the essential nutrients!
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