How to reduce your feed bill: which is the best cost effective horse feed?


High quality fibre feeds can be a great alternative to cereal-based rations for health reasons but, as they also count towards your horse’s fibre intake, they are the best horse feed for the money. It has been widely publicised that costs are rising rapidly across the agricultural sector and further afield; wood for pallets, plastic for packaging, fuel for machinery and fertiliser for growing crops are just some examples of areas where increasing costs will inevitably affect the price of the finished product. This has made using a chopped fibre as the bucket feed even more financially attractive and the best horse feed for the money.

Alfa-A Original

Alfa-A OriginalAlfa-A Original FIbre Feed is great value for money at only 31p per scoop*and with 50 Stubbs scoops in each 20kg bag it is great for your horse and your pocket. At 10MJ/kg, Alfa-A Original has a comparable energy level to a typical Cool Mix or Cube but is significantly lower in starch at only 2%. Feeding chopped fibre will provide your horse with more chews, increasing saliva production helping to buffer acidity in the digestive tract as well as keeping the horse occupied for longer.

Alfa-A Original is based on alfalfa which will provide your horse with naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, good levels of calcium, and quality protein. It has also been precision-dried to provide a consistently clean source of fibre.

How to use Dengie Alfa-A Original

Buster is a 16.2 Sports Horse who is in regular work and competes in all riding club activities. He has ad lib hay, daily turnout and is fed two scoops of Alfa-A Original and 500g of a balancer for horses in work which is split over two meals per day. This ration costs his owner Susan £1.77 per day* and provides Buster with a fully balanced diet as well as slow-release energy to support the work he is in.

Hi-Fi Lite

Hi-Fi Lite Fibre FeedFor good doers and overweight individuals, is a great low-calorie option. Nutritious alfalfa is blended with high-quality oat straw which helps to reduce the calorie level. Hi-Fi Lite is lower in sugar (7%) and calories (7.5MJ/kg) compared to an average hay making it ideal for horses and ponies on a diet, those that need to watch their waistlines and can be used as a partial hay replacer too.

Hi-Fi Lite offers great value for money with 66 scoops per 20kg bale and costing just 22p per scoop*, it offers fantastic nutrition at an affordable price.

How to use Dengie Hi-Fi Lite

Sparky is a 12hh Welsh cross who is prone to laminitis and is a very good doer. Sparky has soaked hay and restricted turnout to help manage his weight. His owner Sarah feeds him 1 scoop of Hi-Fi Lite and a basic spec vitamin and mineral supplement. The total ration costs her only 43p per day* and would be lower in calories than feeding the recommended amount of a balancer while still ensuring Sparky is getting all the vitamins and minerals he needs. It is also low in sugar and starch so a very suitable ration for Sparky with his history of laminitis.

pony grass

Healthy Hooves Molasses Free

Using a complete fibre feed could help to reduce costs while also providing your horse with plenty of fibre, quality nutrients and a balanced ration. For example, swapping to Dengie Healthy Hooves Molasses Free rather than feeding a chopped fibre with a balancer, hoof and joint supplement separately could cut your daily costs almost in half, saving you as much as £746 per year! *

Vitamin And Mineral Supplements

Using a balancer or vitamin and mineral supplement alongside your fibre feed can often work out more cost effective than a typical mix or cube. Although the initial cost may be higher, balancers and supplements have a much more concentrated feeding rate and so will last longer than feeding the recommended amount of a complete feed.

Speak to a qualified nutritionist for further advice on the best horse feed for the money and for help in streamlining your horse or pony’s diet. Removing any unnecessary extras could help you save money, whilst still ensuring that they’re receiving everything they need. Call the Dengie Feedline on 01621 841188 or complete our Feed Advice Form.

*Prices are based on SRP May 2022.