Question

Is there such a thing as a gluten-free horse feed?

Answer

Gluten is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related grain species, including barley and rye. Therefore, any feed that contains wheat or barley will have some gluten, though the quantity may be minuscule.

For a completely gluten-free feed, you would have to look for an alfalfa (lucerne)-based product.

The other option is to make your own feed with our Micro-Max(opens new window), which is an alfalfa-based vitamin and mineral supplement. Add oats, beet pulp, or rice bran or any combination to meet your horse’s energy requirement. For horse owners in Australia and New Zealand, you could use Gold Pellet(opens new window) supplement.

Once you have a combination that suits you and your horse, have a qualified equine nutritionist review the diet to be sure the horse is consuming sufficient quantities of all pertinent nutrients.