If you look at the label on your feed container you will see that the percentage of crude fat included is listed along with the other constituents. This percentage refers to the ratio of fats and oils within the product, which includes saturated (animal) fats and unsaturated (vegetable) oils.

When feeding horses, it is important to understand that fat can be a great source of energy. When working out rations for high fat feeds, you will find that you need to feed less of these feeds to maintain weight and energy. In this sense, high fat foods are great for fussy eaters, those who have gut issues and require smaller feeds, horses that require ‘non heating’ energy. and competition horses (endurance, race, polo or event horses) that need easy to burn fuel.

Higher fat levels, especially those that contain a balance of omega three and omega six fatty acids, are a great way to support a horse’s condition, joint suppleness and can also contribute to a healthy, shiny coat.

How much fat is in feeds?

An ordinary grass pony nut that is not fat-supplemented contains about 2.5% crude fat, which is the amount of fat naturally found in the grains. If you're looking for a fat-supplemented feed, look for a product with a value of 5% or higher (to a maximum of about 10%). There are many options out there for owners and some of the desirable formulas contain a high percentage of fibre alongside the fat content. Some owners also supplement with linseed (oil or micronised), vegetable oil or rice bran, which is relatively new to the market and has roughly 20% crude fat. There are also some coconut based feeds now available. High fat feeds are becoming more and more popular.

How much to feed?

Feeding fat supplements or a high fat feed needs consideration. Take into account your horse’s body conditioning score, age and workload. Added fat can work wonders on underweight or veteran horses, but can also cause some horses to become overweight. As with any feed change, be careful to slowly introduce the feed so that you avoid upsetting the delicate gut balance. It is also worthwhile to monitor, record and observe your horse’s weight, possibly using photos and a weight tape. This way you can keep tabs on weight loss or gain, both of which take time to rectify. 

Feed manufacturers tend to describe their feeds in terms of the percentage of protein it contains. However, this is not always an indicator of quality and a high level of protein does not equal more energy or is necessarily the best choice for your horse. Protein is an expensive ingredient so also has an impact on the overall price of a feed.

Proteins are essential building blocks for body cells and all ages of horse require adequate amounts of protein to enable them to grow, reproduce, heal and add muscle. Your horse’s endurance and condition can be impaired if their protein requirements aren’t met.

What does ‘crude’ mean?

The word "crude" on the label explains that not all the protein listed will be totally digestible by the horse. There will always be a percentage that their guts can’t process. If you are working out rations, factor in a reduction of 2-5% of the crude protein value to get a practical percentage to work with. So if a good quality mix has 12% protein you can deduce that your horse will be getting between 7 to 10% protein when digested.

What feeds contain protein?

In an average diet, horses will get their protein mainly from forage such as hay. Most grass hays contain approximately 6-10% protein and specialist hays such as alfalfa or haylage can have values around 12-14%. Grass grazing will contain low amounts of protein, around 5%, but this varies according to soil type, grass type, accessibility and time spent grazing. 

Soybean meal contains good levels of the amino acid lysine, which is important in metabolism, a healthy nervous system and proper immune function. Linseed also contains good levels of protein and is a great additive if you wish to also improve coat sheen and overall condition of your horse.

How much protein should I be feeding?

This depends on your horse’s body condition and the type of work he or she is doing. The suggested amount varies depending on all these factors, so while a mature horse may need around 10% protein in his diet, a foal may need around 18%.

As with all feeds and feeding regimes, it is important to seek advice if you are unsure of what and how much to feed. Many feed companies now make bespoke feeds for specific ages and workloads so the calculations are simple.