When selecting a type of feed for your horse, consider his body condition, the level and type of work he does, and how easily he holds his weight. | Photo: iStock

A. The number of available options when it comes to selecting commercial horse feeds is mind-boggling, and, as you point out, there are often many options within one company’s offerings. Typically a company will offer different feeds for horses of varying life stages, as well as multiple options for working horses. Some companies also have economy and premium lines, as well as pelleted and textured options, which add additional layers of choice.

Life-Stage Horse Feeds: Broodmares, Young Horses, and Senior Horses

Two life-stage specific are feeds for (1) broodmares/growing young stock and (2) senior horses. If you look carefully you will often find some similarities between these feeds. They tend to have slightly higher protein, often 14% or higher for the mare and foal feeds. These feeds tend to guarantee essential amino acid levels, because adequate lysine is vital for growing horses.

Senior horses might also benefit from higher key essential amino acid levels because they sometimes don’t utilize dietary protein as well as younger horses