Forage Replacers for Horses (Elementary Level)

Read the following information and then complete the quiz questions at the end of the page to test your knowledge and earn AMTRA points.

This resource will introduce you to the following topics:

• What is a forage replacer and why would we feed one?
• What types of feed are appropriate as forage replacers?
• Understanding Dengie feeds that can be used as forage replacers

What is a forage replacer?

A forage replacer is a high fibre feed that can be safely used to supplement or entirely replace hay, haylage or grass.

Why should we feed a forage replacer?

• Horses with poor dentition
• Lack of forage or poor quality forage
• To reduce sugar intake for those prone to laminitis
• To provide additional calories for poor doers
• For variety and interest

What types of feed are appropriate as a forage replacer?

Those that are:

• Nutritionally comparable to a forage
• High in fibre and low in starch
• Fed in large quantities to promote extended chew time

How much forage should my horse have?

• Horses and ponies should receive a minimum of 1.5% of their bodyweight on a dry matter basis daily. This equates to 7.5kg per day for a 500kg horse, which works out to 8.8kg as fed, if the hay or forage replacer is 85% dry matter.
• Insufficient fibre in the diet increases the risk of digestive issues, including colic and loose droppings, and is likely to result in weight loss.
• Some feeds might be suitable as total forage replacers whereas others may only be suitable for partially replacing forage. This is usually because they have a high nutritional value and so would over-supply certain nutrients if fed in larger amounts.
• A nutritionist is the best person to speak to for advice on the best type and amount of forage replacement feed required.

Introducing Dengie Forage Replacers

Dengie have a range of products that can be used to either partially or fully replace the usual forage ration.

Full Forage Replacers

• These products vary in calorie content and range from 5MJ/Kg to 10MJ/kg of digestible energy.
• Can be fed ad-lib in full replacement of hay or haylage.
• Chopped fibres can be fed dry or dampened down with water.
• Pure Grass Pellets must be fed soaked.
• Feed in a number of tub trugs to encourage natural foraging behaviour. A large smooth pebble or football can be used inside the trug to extend the eating time and slow the horse down.

Meadow Lite with Herbs

• Our lowest calorie feed providing just 5MJ/kg of digestible energy, as well as being low in starch and sugar, at 0.5% and 3% respectively.
• Ideal for overweight horses and those requiring a low starch and sugar ration.
• Soft, tasty meadow grasses blended with high-quality oat straw to offer a low-calorie feed with added cinnamon and thyme to tempt fussy feeders.
• It also contains pea hull fibre, which a great source of highly digestible fibre. A range of fibre types is beneficial for digestive health and helps to support a healthy microbiota.
• The inclusion of postbiotics supports the gut microbiota for general health and wellbeing.
• Value for money – each bag provides approximately 60 Stubbs scoops.
• 1kg = approximately 4 Stubbs scoops

Hi-Fi Lite

• High quality soft straw blended with nutrient rich alfalfa to provide a low calorie forage replacer (7.5MJ/kg).
• Contains a light coating of molasses and has a sugar content of 7%.
• Ideal for overweight horses or good doers.
• Value for money – each bag provides over 66 Stubbs scoops.
• 1kg = approximately 3 heaped Stubbs scoops

Hi-Fi Senior

• Blend of precision dried grass and nutrient rich alfalfa providing a soft digestible fibre source (8.5MJ/kg).
• Hi Fi Senior has a light coating of molasses and oil and has a sugar content of 10%.
• Ideal for horses with poor teeth or those that prefer a softer fibre.
• Value for money – each bag provides over 66 Stubbs scoops.
• 1kg = approximately 3 heaped Stubbs scoops

Pure Grass

• 100% pure British grasses – including fescue, rye and timothy.
• Highly digestible fibre providing a medium calorie content (10MJ/kg).
• Extremely soft texture and naturally sweet.
• Free from molasses.
• Value for money – each bag provides over 50 Stubbs scoops.
• 1kg = approximately 3 heaped Stubbs scoops

Pure Grass Pellets

• 100% naturally grown British meadow grass.
• Highly digestible fibre (10MJ/Kg).
• Ideal for horses with dental issues, such as diastemas.
• No added sugar and naturally low in starch (2%).
• Must be soaked prior to feeding.
• 1kg = ⅔ Stubbs scoop dry

Ulser Lite

• Very low calorie fibre with the BETA Feed Approval Mark for products suitable for horses prone to equine gastric ulcer syndrome.
• Combines chopped straw and grasses with added grass and alfalfa pellets, a light rapeseed oil coating and tasty herbs.
• Contains ADM Protexin In-Feed formula to promote optimal gut health.
• 1 Stubbs scoop provides only 3.2MJ.
• Can be used as part of the bucket feed or as a forage replacer to aid weight control for overweight horses and ponies.
• Free from cereal grains and molasses.
• 1kg = approximately 2½ Stubbs scoops

Partial Forage Replacers

• These products vary in calorie content and range from 8.5MJ/kg to 12MJ/kg of digestible energy.
• Recommended as partial forage replacers (rather than full forage replacers) due to higher nutritional values.
• Can be fed up to 1kg per 100kg bodyweight daily.
• Chopped fibres can be fed dry or dampened down with water. Dengie Alfa-Beet must be fed soaked.
• Feed in a number of tub trugs to encourage natural foraging behaviour. A large smooth pebble or football can be used inside the trug to extend the eating time and slow the horse down.

Hi-Fi Molasses Free

• Blend of chopped alfalfa and straw, with added alfalfa pellets – 8.5MJ/kg digestible energy.
• Naturally low in sugar (2.5%) and starch (1.5%).
• Added herbs, mint and fenugreek, for a great taste.
• Ideal for those looking to reduce calories and limit sugar intake.
• 1kg = approximately 2 Stubbs scoops

Meadow Grass with Herbs & Oil

• Blend of chopped and pelleted British meadow grasses with a rapeseed oil coating – 11.5MJ/kg.
• Naturally sweet with no added sugar.
• Herbs liquorice root, fennel, mint, chamomile and aniseed added for extra palatability.
• Ideal for horses requiring additional calories or those that are prone to losing weight.
• 1kg = approximately 3 Stubbs scoops

Performance Fibre

• Blend of soft grass and nutrient rich alfalfa to provide a high calorie partial forage replacer – 12MJ/kg.
• Added spearmint oil and molasses to tempt the fussiest feeders (12% sugar).
• Ideal for horses requiring additional calories or those that are prone to losing weight.
• 1kg = approximately 3 Stubbs scoops

Alfa-Beet

• 50:50 blend of alfalfa and unmolassed sugar beet providing a highly digestible soaked fibre feed (10.5MJ/kg).
• Naturally low in sugar (5%) and starch (2%).
• Ideal for horses with dental issues or as a top up for those requiring extra calories.
• Suitable for those prone to laminitis.
• 1kg = ⅔ Stubbs scoop dry weight

Summary

• Horses require a minimum of 1.5% of their bodyweight of forage or a forage replacer on a dry matter basis per day.
• Feeds that are high in fibre and low in starch are most appropriate as forage replacers.
• Replace forage on a weight for weight basis to ensure minimum fibre requirements are being met.

Test your Nutrition Knowledge!

It’s now time to put into practice what you have learnt about forage replacers. Answer all the questions below correctly to receive your Dengie Nutrition Certificate, plus you can earn TWO AMTRA Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) points. To ensure your points are awarded please make sure that you include your unique AMTRA number in the box provided with your details.