What Do Wild Horses Eat Vs. Domestic Horses?

Last updated: July 23, 2024

Have you ever wondered what wild horses eat compared to domesticated ones? Whether you’re a horse lover, owner, or just curious, these differences reveal insights about their food and habits. Understanding your horse’s diet is essential for ensuring proper nutrition.

Wild horses eating grass in a natural habitat — Wild horses grazing on natural grasses in the hills.

Diet of Wild Horses

Wild horses are natural foragers, grazing for up to 16 hours daily. They primarily consume:

Grasses: The staple of their diet, providing essential nutrients and roughage.
Shrubs and Herbs: These add variety and additional nutrients.
Leaves and Bark: Consumed occasionally, especially in harsher seasons.

Wild horses foraging for shrubs and herbs in the wild — Wild horses forage for shrubs and herbs.

Wild horses eat a variety of vegetation because they roam over large areas. Their diet includes grasses like Timothy, Bermuda, and Bluegrass, shrubs, bushes, and the bark of trees such as aspen, willow, and cottonwood. Forbs, which are herbaceous flowering plants like dandelions and clover, are also crucial to their diet.

Wild horses’ diets change with the seasons:

Spring and Summer: Abundant fresh grasses and wildflowers.
Fall: Dried grasses and fallen leaves.
Winter: Sparse vegetation, relying on woody plants and any available forage.

In the winter, when food is scarce, they might eat the bark and twigs of trees, which provide necessary nutrients to sustain them through the harsh conditions.

For more detailed information, check out the article on wild horse diets by All About Horses and River Ranch Educational Charities.

Domestic horses eating hay in a stable environment — Domestic horses are eating hay in a paddock.

Diet of Domesticated Horses

Domesticated horses have a more controlled diet that includes:

Basic Diet Components

Hay: The primary source of roughage, mimicking wild grasses.
Grains: Oats, barley, and corn provide additional energy.
Supplements: Vitamins and minerals tailored to individual needs.

Commercial Feeds Commercial feeds are formulated to meet horses’ nutritional requirements:

Pellets and Sweet Feeds: Balanced mixtures of grains and supplements.
Complete Feeds: Designed to replace all other feed components.

For more information, visit the Rutgers Equine Science Center for resources on horse nutrition.

Special Dietary Needs Certain breeds and health conditions require specific diets:

Senior Horses: Soft, easily digestible feeds.
Performance Horses: High-energy feeds with added electrolytes.

Refer to AAEP’s guidelines for detailed dietary recommendations for various conditions.

Domestic horses eating grains from a feed bucket. — Domestic horse eating grain from a feed bucket.

Impact of Work on Domesticated Horses’ Diet

Activity Level and Energy Needs

Horses used for intensive work, such as performance and draft horses, have higher energy requirements than those with light workloads. Physical activities like riding, pulling, and competing increase the need for calories and specific nutrients to support muscle function, endurance, and recovery.

Diet Adjustments for Working Horses

Hay: Quality and quantity may vary based on activity level.
Grains: High-energy grains like oats, barley, and corn meet increased caloric needs.
Supplements: Additional vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes for horses with high workloads. We supplement the diets of all our horses in training.

Specially Formulated Feeds Commercial feeds for working horses often contain a balanced mix of grains, vitamins, and minerals to support energy levels, muscle development, and overall health.

Performance Feeds: High-energy feeds for intense training or competition.
Senior Feeds: We feed our older, active horses a special senior horse feed with easily digestible nutrients.

Key Differences between Wild and Domestic Horses Diets

Foraging vs. Structured Feeding Wild horses forage for food, providing variety and natural exercise. Domesticated horses rely on structured feeding routines, which may lack the variety of a wild diet but allow precise control over nutrient intake, which is crucial for horses with specific energy and nutrient demands due to their workload.

Diet Variety and Nutritional Balance Wild horses benefit from a varied diet that provides a natural balance of nutrients. Domesticated horses can achieve a balanced diet through formulated feeds and supplements tailored to their needs, ensuring they receive all the necessary nutrients to support their health and performance.

Refer to resources like the Rutgers Equine Science Center and AAEP’s guidelines for more information on feeding horses based on their activity levels.

Senior horse need soft, easily digestible feed.

FAQs about What Wild Horses Eat vs. Domestic Horses.

What is the main difference between wild and domesticated horse diets?

Wild horses forage many different types of plants, while domesticated horses have controlled diets of hay, grains, and supplements.

Can domesticated horses eat the same plants as wild horses?

Yes, but it’s important to ensure the plants are safe and free from harmful substances. Always consult a veterinarian before making any changes to a horse’s diet.

How can I ensure my horse’s diet is nutritionally balanced?

Use high-quality hay, grains, and commercial feeds. Supplements may be necessary for specific health conditions. Consult resources like the Equine Science Center for guidance.

Performance horses need high-energy feed. — Performance horse need high-energy feed.

Conclusion: What Do Wild Horses Eat vs. Domestic Horses?

Proper nutrition is essential for both wild and domesticated horses. Wild horses naturally forage for various plants, while domesticated horses rely on a controlled diet of hay, grains, and supplements tailored to their specific needs and activity levels. Understanding these differences helps ensure wild and domesticated horses receive the nutrients they need to thrive.

By recognizing the unique dietary requirements of domesticated horses, especially those involved in intensive work, owners can provide balanced nutrition to support their health and performance.

For further reading and resources, visit the American Horse Council.

Call to Action: If you found this information helpful, share it with other horse enthusiasts and consider consulting an equine nutritionist to ensure your horse’s diet is optimal. For more detailed guides and tips on horse care, check out our website, horseracingsense.com.

Here are the direct links to the related articles on feeding horses from your website:

Horse Feeding Basics: A Beginner’s Guide – This article covers the basics of horse feeding, making it perfect for readers looking to understand the fundamentals of horse nutrition.
Horse Supplements: Do Horses Need Them? Which Are the Best? – This article explores the necessity of supplements for horses and which ones are the best.
Guide To Feeding Old Horses: Tips For Senior Horse Care – This guide provides tips on feeding senior horses, which is valuable for owners of older horses.
What Do Horses Eat? An Equine Nutrition Guide – This comprehensive guide provides detailed information on common feeds for domestic horses, including hay and grains.

About the Author: Miles Henry

Miles Henry is a lifelong horseman with over 25 years of experience owning and training Thoroughbred racehorses. He shares expert insights from his personal experiences growing up with horses, including Quarter Horses and Appaloosas, and currently owns seven Thoroughbreds in training.

Learn more about Miles Henry