Horse Sweet Feed — Livestock Feed Analysis
Horse sweet feed is a textured feed combining crimped oats, cracked corn, barley, pellets, and molasses in a palatable mix formulated for equines. With 12% crude protein and 72% TDN, sweet feed provides moderate energy suitable for horses in light to moderate work. The molasses coating (typically 8-12% of the mix) provides palatability and reduces dust, making sweet feed one of the most readily accepted horse feeds. However, the high sugar and starch content of sweet feed makes it unsuitable for horses with equine metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, or a history of laminitis. Sweet feed should be stored carefully as the moisture from molasses promotes mold growth in warm conditions. Feeding rates for horses range from 0.5% to 1.5% of body weight per day depending on the horse's workload, with the balance of the diet provided by quality hay or pasture.
Which Animals Can Horse Sweet Feed Feed?
The table below shows how Horse Sweet Feed performs as a sole feed source for each of the 20 livestock species in our database. At 12% crude protein and 72% TDN, this feed meets the protein requirement for animals needing up to 12% CP and the energy requirement for animals needing up to 72% TDN. In practice, feeds are rarely used as the sole source; this analysis helps determine where horse sweet feed fits in a mixed ration.
| Animal | Needs CP | Needs TDN | As-Fed/Day | CP Met? | TDN Met? | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beef Cow | 7% | 52% | 27.3 lbs | Yes | Yes | $143.18 |
| Dairy Cow | 16% | 70% | 55.7 lbs | No | Yes | $292.33 |
| Horse | 10% | 55% | 25.0 lbs | Yes | Yes | $131.25 |
| Meat Goat | 10% | 55% | 6.0 lbs | Yes | Yes | $31.32 |
| Dairy Goat | 14% | 65% | 6.8 lbs | No | Yes | $35.80 |
| Sheep | 10% | 55% | 6.0 lbs | Yes | Yes | $31.32 |
| Pig (Sow/Boar) | 14% | 75% | 13.6 lbs | No | No | $71.59 |
| Pig (Grower/Finisher) | 16% | 80% | 8.5 lbs | No | No | $44.74 |
| Chicken (Layer) | 16% | 70% | 0.2 lbs | No | Yes | $1.19 |
| Chicken (Broiler) | 20% | 78% | 0.3 lbs | No | No | $1.79 |
| Turkey | 22% | 75% | 1.0 lbs | No | No | $5.22 |
| Duck | 16% | 70% | 0.4 lbs | No | Yes | $1.88 |
| Rabbit | 16% | 65% | 0.3 lbs | No | Yes | $1.67 |
| Llama | 10% | 55% | 7.2 lbs | Yes | Yes | $37.59 |
| Alpaca | 10% | 55% | 3.1 lbs | Yes | Yes | $16.11 |
| Donkey | 8% | 50% | 8.5 lbs | Yes | Yes | $44.74 |
| Bison | 7% | 52% | 40.9 lbs | Yes | Yes | $214.77 |
| Elk | 12% | 60% | 22.7 lbs | Yes | Yes | $119.32 |
| White-tailed Deer | 12% | 60% | 5.7 lbs | Yes | Yes | $29.83 |
| Miniature Horse | 10% | 55% | 6.8 lbs | Yes | Yes | $35.80 |
Cost Comparison with Similar Feeds
Selecting the most cost-effective feed requires comparing both the as-fed price and the price per ton of dry matter. The table below compares Horse Sweet Feed with other feeds in the complete-feed category and common reference feeds. The cost per ton of dry matter accounts for moisture content, providing a fair comparison between feeds with different moisture levels.
| Feed | DM % | CP % | TDN % | $/Ton | $/Ton DM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass Hay | 88% | 8% | 52% | $150 | $170 |
| Alfalfa Hay | 90% | 18% | 58% | $250 | $278 |
| Whole Corn | 88% | 9% | 88% | $220 | $250 |
| Layer Pellets | 90% | 16% | 70% | $400 | $444 |
| Broiler Starter | 90% | 22% | 78% | $450 | $500 |
| Horse Sweet Feed | 88% | 12% | 72% | $350 | $398 |
Feeding Guidelines for Horse Sweet Feed
When incorporating horse sweet feed into a livestock feeding program, consider the following nutritional characteristics. With a dry matter content of 88%, each pound of as-fed horse sweet feed provides 0.88 lbs of actual dry matter. The crude protein content of 12% means that each pound of dry matter delivers 1.9 grams of crude protein. The TDN content of 72% indicates the proportion of the feed that is digestible and available for energy.
The cost of horse sweet feed at $350 per ton translates to $0.175 per pound as-fed or $0.199 per pound of dry matter. When evaluating whether to use this feed, compare the cost per unit of the nutrient you are trying to supply. If you need protein, calculate the cost per pound of crude protein. If you need energy, calculate the cost per unit of TDN. The most economical feed choice depends on which nutrient is the limiting factor in your ration and the relative prices of available feeds in your local market.
Storage requirements vary by feed type and moisture content. Feeds with less than 15% moisture (most dry hays and grains) can be stored in open-sided barns or covered stacks for months to years without significant nutrient loss. Feeds with higher moisture content require either airtight storage (silage, haylage) or must be consumed within days of delivery (wet brewers grains, wet distillers grains). Proper storage prevents mold growth, mycotoxin contamination, and dry matter losses that can significantly increase the effective cost per unit of nutrition delivered to the animal.
Always introduce new feeds gradually over a period of 7-14 days, increasing the proportion of the new feed while decreasing the old feed by equal amounts each day. Sudden dietary changes disrupt the microbial population in the rumen (for ruminants) or the hindgut (for horses), potentially causing digestive disturbances ranging from mild loose stools to life-threatening acidosis or colic. This gradual transition is especially important when switching between forages and concentrates, or when introducing high-starch feeds like corn or barley to animals previously consuming an all-forage diet.
Other Feed Types
Compare nutritional profiles and costs for all livestock feeds in our database.