Complete Feed vs. Supplemental Feed: What’s the Best Horse Feed for Your Program?
Supplemental vs. Complete Feed: What’s Best for Your Horse?
Feeding horses isn’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on your horse’s age, workload, and forage quality, you might choose a supplement or a complete feed. But what’s the difference? And which is right for your program? Let’s break it down.
What Is a Complete Feed for Horses?
A complete feed is a nutritionally balanced product designed to be the primary—or even sole—source of nutrition for your horse. It includes the necessary protein, fiber, fat, vitamins, and minerals a horse needs and often contains enough roughage to eliminate the need for additional hay or pasture.
- Formulated to meet 100% of daily nutritional needs
- Ideal for horses with no access to pasture or hay
- Helpful for senior horses or those with poor teeth
Best for: Older horses, horses with chewing issues, or those with limited forage availability.
What Is a Supplemental Feed for Horses?
Supplemental horse feeds are used to enhance an existing forage-based diet. They’re not meant to replace hay or pasture but to fill in nutritional gaps—whether that’s extra protein, calories, or essential minerals.
Many horse owners use our sprout pellets and alfalfa meal as high-quality supplemental feed options. They’re highly digestible, non-GMO, and clean—no dust, no molasses, and no mystery ingredients.
- Boosts calorie intake for hard keepers
- Ideal for horses on average pasture or hay
- Great for mixing with grains, pellets, or vitamins
Best for: Easy keepers, horses on hay or pasture that need a little extra, or animals with specific dietary goals.
How to Decide Which Horse Feed Type Is Right
Choosing between a complete and a supplemental feed depends on forage availability, workload, age, and weight goals. Here's a quick reference:
| Horse Type | Best Feed Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Senior horse with dental issues | Complete Feed | Easy to chew, nutritionally complete |
| Easy keeper on pasture | Supplemental Feed | Hay or grass meets most needs |
| Hard keeper in training | Both | Use a complete base and top up with protein or calories |
| No pasture access | Complete Feed + Hay | Ensures full daily intake |
Comparison Table: Supplement vs. Complete Feed
| Feature | Supplement | Complete Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Main Purpose | Fill nutritional gaps in forage | Provide full nutrition including forage |
| Feeding Rate | 1–2 lbs/day | 10–20 lbs/day (depending on horse) |
| Caloric Contribution | Minimal | High |
| Best For | Easy keepers, horses on good hay | Senior horses, poor hay availability |
| Convenience | Requires good quality hay or pasture | One-bag solution |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Feeding a supplement as the sole diet: It won’t provide enough fiber or calories on its own.
- Mixing complete feeds with too much hay: You may dilute the nutrient balance. Follow feeding instructions closely.
- Over-supplementing: Doubling up on nutrients like selenium or vitamin A can be harmful. Stick to labeled feeding rates or consult a vet or nutritionist.
Conclusion
Both supplements and complete feeds have their place in a balanced diet for horses. It comes down to forage quality, your horse’s body condition, and how simple you want feeding to be. Whether you choose a concentrated horse supplement pellet or an all-in-one horse feed pellet, Medalist Feed offers clean, consistent nutrition you can trust.
