Oats or compound feed: what do you choose for your horse?

What's actually in oats?

Oats consist of approximately 12% crude protein and provide around 9.5 MJ of digestible energy per kilogram of dry matter. The starch content is around 40%, which is lower than that of maize or barley. As a result, oats are digested more slowly, causing less peak load on the small intestine. Oats also contain a relatively high amount of fat (5-6%) and a reasonable quantity of B vitamins. What oats do not provide is sufficient minerals such as calcium, sodium, and trace elements. A diet of pure oats and roughage can quickly lead to deficiencies, especially in sport horses or mares in lactation.

Compound feed: what does the label say?

Compound feed is a composed product made from grains, legumes, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Manufacturers tailor the composition to specific target groups: sport horses, seniors, ponies, or horses at risk of laminitis. A standard sport pellet typically provides 11-12 MJ per kilogram and is already balanced in terms of mineral ratios. When comparing products, pay attention to the combined sugar and starch content (NSC). For sensitive horses, the general rule of thumb is: choose compound feed with an NSC below 12%. The label lists nutritional values per kilogram; use those figures when comparing rations in your horse's profile in EquiSight.

When should you choose oats?

Oats are well suited to healthy, actively working horses without metabolic issues. The high fat content provides calm energy without making horses 'hot-headed', something owners have long appreciated. Consider oats when:

• Your horse has a normal to intensive workload (3-5 days per week)
• There are no indications of insulin resistance or EMS
• You want to compose the ration yourself and supplement minerals separately
• You want to use a locally sourced, transparent ingredient
• Your horse is at a good weight and does not need extra carbohydrates

When should you choose compound feed?

Compound feed offers convenience and certainty, as vitamins and minerals have already been added in the correct proportions. This is an advantage if you have less time or limited experience with ration formulation. Choose compound feed in these situations:

• Your horse is a senior (15+) with increased protein requirements
• Your mare is pregnant or producing milk
• Your horse has a specific condition such as PPID or gastric ulcers
• Your roughage is of varying quality and you want to compensate for that
• You have multiple horses with different needs — set up a separate product per horse

Combining is also an option

Many stable owners combine oats with a mineral block or a small ration of compound feed. This way you benefit from the digestible energy in oats as well as the micronutrient balance that compound feed provides. A practical example: 1.5 kg of oats plus 0.5 kg of sport pellets per day for a 550 kg KWPN horse in light work. Do keep in mind that the total starch and sugar content per meal should remain below 1 gram per kilogram of body weight — for a 550 kg horse that means a maximum of 550 grams of NSC per feeding. Save your feeding schedule in the horse profile in EquiSight to keep track of this easily.

Practical rules of thumb for daily use

• Feed concentrate in a maximum of 2 portions per day to protect gut health
• Always start with roughage; give hay at least 30 minutes before concentrate
• Weigh concentrate with a kitchen scale — a 'handful' varies enormously from person to person
• Switch feeds gradually: allow a minimum of 10-14 days for any change
• Ask your vet or nutritional advisor for a nutritional analysis if you are unsure