Roughage for every horse

Why Roughage Is the Cornerstone of Every Horse’s Diet

A healthy horse starts with high-quality roughage. Whether your horse is an athlete, a leisure partner, or a retired pasture companion, roughage is key for good digestion, a healthy weight, and mental balance. In this blog, we explain why roughage is so important, what to look out for, and how to feed it the right way.

What Exactly Is Roughage?

Roughage includes all fiber-rich feeds such as hay, grass, haylage (wrapped forage), and alfalfa. These fibers are essential for your horse’s digestive system. They keep the gut functioning properly and help prevent issues like colic and stomach ulcers.

How Much Roughage Does a Horse Need?

On average, a horse needs about 1.5 to 2% of its body weight in dry matter from roughage per day. For a 600 kg horse, that’s roughly 9 to 12 kg of hay. Keep in mind this is a general guideline, factors like age, activity level, health, and even the season can influence the actual need.

Even horses that aren’t in work should never get too little. Their digestive system is built to constantly process small amounts of fiber-rich feed.

Why Roughage Quality Matters

Not all hay is created equal. The nutritional value of roughage varies based on:

• The time of harvest
• Dry matter content
• Protein, sugar, and fiber levels
• Storage conditions

For example, early-cut hay tends to be higher in energy, protein, and sugar. Later cuts are more fibrous but lower in nutrients. Ideally, test your roughage to know exactly what you’re feeding, especially for horses with health issues or special needs.

Risks of Inadequate or Poor-Quality Roughage

Feeding too little or poor-quality roughage can cause serious problems:

• Stomach ulcers: from long periods without food
• Colic: due to gut inactivity
• Boredom and stable vices: like cribbing or weaving
• Weight issues: underfeeding or overfeeding depending on forage quality

That’s why it’s essential your horse never goes longer than 4 hours without roughage.

Feeding Roughage the Right Way

Horses are natural slow grazers. In the wild, they spend up to 16 hours a day eating small amounts of forage. You can mimic this by offering roughage in smaller portions throughout the day and using slowfeeders. This slows down their intake, promotes even digestion, and helps reduce stress and boredom.

Roughage Is Not a Supplement, It’s the Foundation

In short, roughage is not just “something extra”, it’s the base of your horse’s nutrition. It keeps the gut healthy, supports a stable body condition, and helps prevent both physical and mental issues. Choose the right quality, feed the right quantity, and use tools like slowfeeders to make the feeding process as natural and healthy as possible.

Horse Originals Tip
Our HayPlay slowfeeders are specially designed to mimic natural grazing behavior. They promote peace in the herd, reduce waste, and keep your horse mentally engaged. Explore  our full range to find the perfect match for your horse and situation.