Why Forage is the Cornerstone of a Working Ranch Horse’s Diet

By Alex Cozzitorto

For ranch horses, a forage-based diet is not just a recommendation; it’s essential for their health, energy and overall performance. Understanding their unique digestive system helps highlight why forage is a critical component of their diet.

Working ranch horses play a vital role in daily ranch operations, and their ability to perform these tasks effectively relies heavily on their overall health, which begins with fueling their bodies to perform optimally.

Whether its checking fence lines, herding cattle or rotating pastures, these tasks demand a steady supply of energy for ranch horses. Forage provides the nutrients that help sustain energy levels throughout the day. The slow fermentation process in the hindgut allows for a gradual release of energy.

The added benefits of a forage-based diet

“The horse is an amazing athlete and is uniquely designed to perform the diverse set of tasks required on the ranch,” said Jennifer Zoller, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horse specialist and associate professor in the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station.

“Thankfully their digestive system is built to help them survive and thrive on a natural forage-based diet, supplementation with concentrates is not always necessary,” Zoller said.

A diet high in forage can help prevent gut-health issues in horses. When ranch horses graze forage, they continuously have something in their stomach to absorb naturally produced stomach acid. Horses that are not provided a minimum of 1% of their body weight in forage can have a diminished buffer, which can lead to very painful gastric ulcers.

A horse’s teeth grow continuously throughout its lifetime, and the grinding motion of chewing helps maintain an even wear pattern. However, if a horse doesn’t receive enough long-stem roughage, its teeth may develop hooks and points due to uneven wear, leading to painful dental issues later in life.

Long-stem roughage also has a “scratch factor” that can aid in the overall digestive health of the horse. As the roughage passes through the tract, the rigid structure of the forage can gently “scratch” the intestinal lining to sluff off old cells and promote the generation of new healthy cells.