Forage-first message returns to the center of equine nutrition
Bottom line
Forage remains the basis of equine nutrition, but new coverage from The Horse and a sponsored Equus Magazine post underscores a familiar clinical point: “forage first” only works when the forage itself is appropriate for the individual horse and nutritionally adequate. In The Horse’s recent article, Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, reports that horses evolved to graze for 16 to 18 hours a day and that forage should anchor the ration, while selection should be guided by the horse’s age, workload, health status, and the forage’s nutrient profile. The article also notes that poorly managed pasture often fails to meet a horse’s needs on its own. Equus’ protected Sentinel Horse Nutrition piece, “Closing the gaps: When forage alone isn’t enough,” appears to extend that same message into supplementation and ration balancing when hay or pasture fall short. (thehorse.com)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the takeaway isn’t simply to recommend more hay. It’s to push for forage analysis, pasture assessment, and horse-specific ration review before concentrates or supplements are added. Guidance from AAEP and university extension sources consistently reinforces that forage should form the dietary foundation, with many horses doing well on forage-heavy diets, but also that intake, quality, and suitability vary widely. Common benchmarks place forage intake around 1.5% to 2.5% of body weight on a dry matter basis, and experts stress that hay testing can reduce guesswork when horses are underperforming, losing condition, or have special needs such as high workload, metabolic concerns, or poor dentition. (aaep.org)
What to watch: Expect continued emphasis on forage testing, pasture management, and targeted use of forage alternatives or balanced concentrates when “forage first” alone doesn’t meet the needs of performance horses, seniors, or horses with medical limitations. (thehorse.com)
A new educational article from The Horse, “Forage First: The Forgotten Foundation of Equine Nutrition,” is putting the spotlight back on a principle most equine veterinarians already know well: forage should be the foundation of the horse’s diet, but not all forage is equal, and not every horse can thrive on forage alone. The piece, published about two months ago and tagged to 2026 EquiSummit coverage, argues that feeding decisions should start with hay and pasture quality, then build outward based on the horse in front of you. (thehorse.com)
That message arrives alongside a protected sponsored post from Equus Magazine, “Closing the gaps: When forage alone isn’t enough,” published under its Sentinel Horse Nutrition content stream. While the full article is not publicly viewable, Equus’ nutrition section and related Sentinel content suggest a focus on practical feeding gaps, especially when forage quality, intake, or digestibility don’t align with a horse’s requirements. In other words, the current conversation in equine media is less about whether forage matters, and more about when forage needs help. (equusmagazine.com)
In The Horse article, Oke reports that horses evolved consuming low-value grasses over 16 to 18 hours a day, which helps explain why steady fiber intake remains central to gastrointestinal and behavioral health. The article says pasture may not meet requirements if it’s poorly managed, and quotes equine nutritionist Clair Thunes saying that a hay unsuitable for one horse may be ideal for another. That framing matches broader guidance from AAEP and extension programs: forage is the base, but the right forage depends on workload, life stage, metabolic status, dentition, and access. (thehorse.com)
Additional expert resources fill in the practical details. The Horse reports that most horses should consume roughly 1.5 to 2.5 pounds of forage dry matter per 100 pounds of body weight daily, while University of Minnesota Extension gives a similar 1.5% to 2.5% body-weight range and recommends working with an equine nutritionist or balanced commercial feed when forage alone doesn’t cover nutrient requirements. The University of Kentucky’s forage testing program, launched in January 2025, was designed in part to help producers make better nutrition decisions and manage feed costs through science-based forage analysis. (thehorse.com)
Industry and expert commentary also points to a more nuanced version of “forage first.” AAEP notes that many horses can “easily exist on a forage-only diet” for the work they do, but that statement is paired with caution about matching nutrient value to the individual horse. The Horse’s performance-feeding coverage similarly says forage remains the foundation even for equine athletes, though calorie density, vitamins, minerals, and protein may need to be layered in more deliberately. And when hay or pasture are limited, or a horse has poor dentition, the University of Georgia notes that hay cubes, beet pulp, or complete feeds can serve as forage alternatives if introduced carefully. (aaep.org)
Why it matters: For veterinarians, this is a reminder that nutrition consults often go wrong at the very first step, when forage is assumed rather than measured. Horses with weight loss, poor topline, gastric ulcer risk, recurrent colic concerns, metabolic disease, or inconsistent performance may not need more products so much as a clearer picture of forage intake, forage quality, and feeding behavior. Recommending hay analysis, pasture review, body condition scoring, and dental evaluation can uncover why a seemingly “forage-based” ration is still failing. (thehorse.com)
It also matters because the phrase “forage first” can be oversimplified in conversations with pet parents. In practice, it may mean maximizing appropriate long-stem fiber for a healthy easy keeper, using slow feeders to support intake patterns, adding ration balancers to close micronutrient gaps, or partially replacing hay with soaked cubes or complete feeds in seniors that can’t chew effectively. The common thread is that forage remains the starting point, but not the whole answer in every case. That appears to be the same gap both articles are trying to address from slightly different angles. (thehorse.com)
What to watch: The next phase of this discussion will likely center on implementation, especially wider use of forage testing, more precise pasture management, and clearer protocols for when to add concentrates, ration balancers, or forage alternatives for seniors, athletes, and horses with metabolic or dental challenges. (uknow.uky.edu)
Common questions
Why is forage first not always enough for a horse?
The article says forage should be the foundation, but some horses still need help if hay or pasture do not meet their nutrient requirements, are poorly managed, or do not fit the horse’s age, workload, health status, or dentition.What should a pet parent do before adding supplements or concentrates?
The article recommends forage analysis, pasture assessment, body condition scoring, and dental evaluation before adding concentrates or supplements.How much forage should most horses eat?
The article says most horses should consume about 1.5% to 2.5% of body weight in forage dry matter daily.What can be used if a horse cannot get enough from hay or pasture?
The article says forage alternatives such as hay cubes, beet pulp, or complete feeds can be used carefully, and that a balanced commercial feed or ration balancer may help close nutrient gaps.