Is Cheaper Feed Really Cheaper to Feed?

There are several factors that go into what you choose to feed your horses. With commodity prices on the rise, price per bag is probably high on the list – but when you break it down, the cheapest bag you can buy might not actually be the cheapest way to ensure your horse gets the nutrients he needs. The three types of formulas are constant nutrition, fixed formula and least-cost formula. Constant nutrition formulas use the same nutrition in every bag. This means all the ingredients in a bag with constant nutrition meet specific requirements and undergo inspection and analysis. Fixed formula feeds use the same ingredients in each bag. They follow a specific recipe, but as anyone who’s tried to follow Grandma’s cookie recipe knows, sometimes it doesn’t always turn out right. Ingredients’ nutritional qualities are not always consistent. Least-cost formulas are exactly that: the formula changes based on the cost of ingredients, and yes, you guessed it, that means the nutrients change, too.

How do you determine what formula is best for your horse? The first thing you need to consider is what your horse’s nutrient needs are. Your horse’s age, current body condition and the amount of physical work he does are big factors in choosing the right feed. Then, check out the Guaranteed Analysis tag on the bag of feed you’re looking to buy.

Even if you’re comparing two feeds and both contain the same percentage of fat and protein, it does not mean the feeds are the same. Depending on the quality of the ingredients, nutrients in those feeds may vary greatly. When you purchase a bag of feed that costs less, you may have to feed more of it in order to give your horse adequate nutrients – therefore, you are paying more in the long run than if you were feeding something that had consistent nutrition, even if it costs more per bag.

Horses naturally require consistent nutrition. Lack of consistency can lead to poor condition, performance, and even digestive upset. The next time you make a choice on feed, read the tag and research what kind of formula the manufacturer uses. Ensure the ingredients are of consistent quality! FBN

By Cheyenne Brown