Horses require daily access to hay or pasture. Forages contribute energy, protein, minerals and vitamins at varying levels depending on forage specie and quality. High quality forages are efficiently utilized by all classes of horses.

All diets need to contain sufficient roughage, with additional nutrients provided in a concentration that is balanced and offered in a fashion that will contribute to the horse’s needs and continued well-being.

One of the biggest challenges facing the horse owner is identifying and properly using top quality roughage. Roughage must be fed regularly to keep the horse’s digestive system functioning properly, to minimize vices such as wood chewing, and to help meet some percentage of the horse’s daily nutrient requirements. Since roughage is the foundation of a safe and successful feeding program, the effort given to selecting the best roughage available is well worth the time involved.

It is fortunate that in Texas there is a wide variety of forages that can be grown during different periods of the year to furnish grazing on a year-round basis.

For more information, refer to the publication Horse Pastures for Texas by Donald Dorsett and Doug Householder.