For many horse owners, a basic feed pellet is a well-known product. It supplements the daily roughage ration of horses by providing a bit of extra energy and protein, along with vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. In general, basic feed is used for many different types of horses due to its average energy and protein values.

What’s in a basic feed?

Most basic feeds on the market are grain-based and can therefore be high in sugar and starch. For many horses, this does not meet their needs and can lead to overweight or excess energy. To prevent this, owners often reduce the feeding amount. However, this can result in deficiencies in essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. A better alternative is to switch to a product with lower sugar and starch content, such as:

• A concentrated balancer, like Hartog Essential. With a balancer, you only need to feed a small amount, while your horse still receives all essential nutrients.

• A roughage mix with vitamins and minerals, like Hartog Comfort. Hartog Comfort is a roughage mix that not only provides the necessary vitamins, minerals, and trace elements but also adds extra structure—ideal for fast eaters.

• A basic feed with low sugar and starch, like Hartog Daily. Do you prefer feeding a basic pellet but still want the benefits of a feed with low sugar and starch? Then Hartog Daily is the perfect choice. This pellet contains 60% less sugar and starch than the average basic feed on the market.

How much basic feed can a horse have per day?

The correct amount of basic feed for a horse depends on factors such as weight, activity level, and individual nutritional needs. In general, it is recommended not to feed more than 0.5 to 1 kilogram of pellets per 100 kilograms of body weight per day. This means that a 500 kg horse can receive between 2.5 and 5 kg of basic feed per day, depending on the total ration and the horse’s needs.
(Source: Algemene voedingsrichtlijnen voor paarden)

Risks of feed high in sugar and starch

Feeding too little can lead to a deficiency in vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, but feeding large quantities of feed high in sugar and starch also carries risks. It can cause health problems such as:

• Colic
• Laminitis
• Diarrhea
• Weakened immunity
• Poor gut function
• Gastric ulcers

How do you know the sugar and starch content of your feed?

The sugar and starch content is listed on the feed packaging label. If you’re looking for a feed with low sugar and starch, it’s important to check both the sugar and starch levels. Starch is processed in the horse’s body in a similar way to sugar. A horse that benefits from a low sugar intake will also benefit from a low starch intake.

Sugar and starch levels can vary greatly depending on the ingredients. Grains, for example, are a well-known source of starch. Grains contain little sugar, so only looking at sugar content gives a misleading picture.

Roughage such as hay usually contains no starch and has an average sugar content of 10%. For more accurate information, you can have your roughage analyzed.

What is considered low sugar and starch in feed?

With so many types of horse feed on the market, it can be difficult to determine what’s best for your horse. If you’re looking for feed low in sugar and starch, it’s best to check the label. On average, (Western European) hay contains 10% sugar and no starch. Grains, like oats, contain only 0.9% sugar but 37.4% starch. Products based on whole grains generally have a high sugar and starch content.

Feed with sugar and starch levels closer to the 10% found in hay is considered “low in sugar and starch.” A pellet or muesli that contains parts of grains can still have a low sugar and starch content, even if it’s not completely grain-free.

“Not all parts of a grain have a high sugar and starch content. The outer husk of a grain, such as an ‘oat hull,’ is a source of fiber and is much lower in sugar and starch than the (hulled) grain itself.”

A basic feed from Hartog

Hartog Daily is an example of a basic feed with low sugar and starch. This pellet contains 60% less sugar and starch compared to average basic feeds on the market. Because Hartog Daily is low in sugar and starch, it is ideal for horses that become hot easily, have sensitive stomachs, or are sensitive to whole grains, sugars, and starch.

Tips and advice

Need help determining the right ration for your horse? We’re happy to help! You can request free feeding advice from us so we can help you optimize your horse’s ration.