Best Fiber-Rich Foods for Horses

Ranked by fiber content among foods safe for horses in the Creature Feast catalog.

Timothy Hay 10-12kg daily for a 500kg horse (2% body weight) Timothy hay is the gold standard forage for horses. Its long-stem fiber drives hindgut fermentation, promotes gut motility, and requires extensive chewing that produces saliva to buffer stomach acid. It should be the foundation of every horse's diet, available for as much of the day as possible.

Alfalfa Hay 1-3kg daily, mixed with grass hay Alfalfa hay provides good fiber along with higher protein and calcium than grass hay. It is an excellent supplement for growing horses, lactating mares, and hard-working performance horses, but should be mixed with grass hay for maintenance horses to avoid excess calories and calcium.

Beet pulp 0.5-1kg dry weight daily, soaked before feeding Beet pulp is a superb supplemental fiber source for horses — it is highly digestible and ferments well in the hindgut. Soaked beet pulp adds hydration along with fiber, making it especially valuable in winter when impaction colic risk increases.

Oats per 100g: approximately 11-13g fiber Oats provide moderate fiber (about 12% crude fiber) from their hulls, making them one of the safest grains for horses. The fiber content helps buffer the starch load compared to hull-less grains.

Barley per 100g: approximately 4-6g fiber Barley offers some fiber, though less than oats. It should be processed (rolled or steam-flaked) for horses to improve digestibility. Whole barley passes through largely undigested.

Apple 1-2 medium apples as a treat, cut into quarters Apples are a fiber-contributing treat that most horses love. The pectin fiber in apples is beneficial for gut health. Always remove seeds and cut into pieces to prevent choking.

Carrot 2-4 medium carrots daily as treats Carrots provide moderate fiber and are one of the most popular horse treats. Their crunch and sweetness make them ideal for training rewards or hiding supplements.

Peas per 100g: approximately 5-6g fiber Peas offer good fiber and protein. They can be fed as a supplemental feed ingredient, though they are not a traditional horse feed. Introduce gradually.

Dandelion greens a handful as part of grazing or treats Dandelion greens are a nutritious wild forage that horses naturally graze on in pasture. They provide fiber along with a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals.

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Pumpkin a few chunks (200-300g), occasional treat Pumpkin flesh provides soluble fiber and is a safe seasonal treat for horses. Its water content also contributes to gut hydration.