Feeding Draft Horses: The Complete 2025 Guide

Draft horses are the gentle giants of the equine world, celebrated for their power, endurance, and loyalty. But with great size comes greater and different nutritional needs. Their slow metabolism, easy-keeper tendencies, and genetic risks like PSSM (PSSM1/PSSM2) mean they require a carefully balanced diet—not just more of everything.

These breeds were bred for power, not speed—and they tend to thrive on high-fiber, low-starch, low-sugar diets. But traditional feeding myths (which we are going to addressing in the following sections) —like giving them buckets of oil or excessive grain—can do far more harm than good.

Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Draft Horses

Why Draft Horses Need a Unique Diet

Draft horses differ significantly from light breeds. Their larger body mass and slower metabolism require a specific balance of fiber, calories, and nutrients. They’re more prone to weight gain, being considered “easy keepers”, and metabolic issues, which means overfeeding can be just as dangerous as underfeeding, leading to an increased risk of mechanical laminitis.

Draft horses don’t need grain in their diet, nor I think they should be fed any. A forage based diet with adequate vitamin and mineral supplementation can meet their energy and protein needs without adding any starch to the diet, especially if the horse is not on heavy work.

One of the most persistent myths in draft horse circles is that adding 2+ cups of vegetable oil daily is the magic fix for PSSM (PSSM1 or PSSM2/MIM). This advice originally came from early studies by Dr. Beth Valentine, DVM, PhD, in the early 2000s. While it helped in the short term, more recent research reveals that feeding large amounts of oil to horses—especially drafts—can backfire.

What We Know Now:

• Oil is energy-dense but not nutrient-dense. Feeding 1–2 cups of oil daily adds 2,000–4,000 calories—but zero fiber, protein, vitamins, or minerals.
• Oil intake can disrupt the gut microbiome, potentially leading to hindgut acidosis and reduced fiber digestion, therefore horses could becoming laminitic.
• Oil may impair insulin sensitivity, especially in already metabolically challenged easy keepers.
• Draft horses often don’t need extra calories—they need better mineral balance, more movement, and a low-NSC diet.

Mad Barn (2025) and Dr. Christina Fritz now recommend high-fiber, low-sugar, mineral-balanced diets for PSSM horses—not oil loading.

Essential Components of a Balanced Draft Horse Diet

Forage and Hay Types

If there’s one rule you follow from this entire guide, let it be this: Draft horses need hay. And lots of it.

Hay should form the basis of your horse’s diet — ideally 2%–2.5% of their body weight daily. So for a 2,000 lb (907kg) draft horse, it approximately needs 40-50 lb (18-22kg) of hay dry matter every day. Draft horses do best on low-NSC, high-fiber hays that mimic the rough, mature grasses they evolved to eat.

Let them eat as much as they want—within reason. Free-choice hay is ideal if you’re offering the right kind of hay and managing intake with a slow feeder or small-hole net.

Coastal Bermudagrass, rhodes grass and teff grass (with hay analysis) hay are normally low in NSC, which is what we aim for when feeding any draft breed. What’s the right type of hay for my horse? And what are the differences?

Hay Testing

Don’t trust looks. Don’t trust “my hay guy says it’s good.” Run a hay analysis. It’s cheap, fast, and tells you what’s actually going into your horse.

If you’re managing a draft with metabolic concerns, or just trying to prevent problems, hay testing is non-negotiable. It will give you a clear picture of what you are feeding as a base, to know how to supplement and feed a balanced diet.

Grain and Concentrates

Feeding a draft horse isn’t complicated—but it can go very wrong if you’re still clinging to old-school advice or buying into feed marketing hype. These are the most common mistakes I see in barns, online forums, and unfortunately, even from some well-meaning vets and farriers.

Mistake #1: “Drafts need grain to maintain their weight”

This is not true. Most draft horses are easy keepers with slow metabolisms. Feeding grain to keep weight on them is like pouring petrol on a candle to keep it lit—it’s unnecessary and dangerous.

Grain-based feeds (especially sweet feeds, COB, and commercial mixes) are:

• High in starch and sugar
• Pro-inflammatory
• A direct trigger for PSSM symptoms, insulin resistance, and laminitis

Even “low starch” pelleted feeds often hide their sugar content under different labels, so it’s important to read the ingredient list. If your draft horse is holding weight on hay (which most do), they do not need grain. And if they’re not holding weight, the solution is still not grain—it’s usually forage quality, underlying health issues, or mineral imbalance.

Mistake #2: “Oil adds safe calories for PSSM horses”

The advice of feeding horses a high fat diet originated in early PSSM1 studies in draft breeds—but that was 20 years ago, and the industry hasn’t let it go.

Here’s the truth: horses are not built to digest large volumes of oil or fat. They don’t have a gallbladder. Their bile trickles into the gut in tiny amounts—just enough to process the essential fatty acids from forage, not a cup of corn oil or linseed every morning.

What happens when you dump oil into the feed bowl?

• It floats on top of the digesta, coating everything else (starch, protein, fiber)
• It blocks enzymes like amylase and pepsin from reaching them because they are water soluble and cannot go through fat
• It passes into the hindgut undigested, killing fiber-fermenting microbes
• It increases the risk of dysbiosis, leaky gut, colic, and laminitis
• And no, it doesn’t provide “clean energy”—it provides a metabolic mess

⚠️ Even linseed oil—often sold as “healthy”—is still an added oil. Chia seeds or ground flax? Sure, because it is in a more natural state the horse can digest. But if it pours, it doesn’t belong in your horse’s gut.

If your draft has PSSM, focus on low-NSC forage, vitamin E, acetyl-L-carnitine, quality amino acids and movement. If they need more calories, use soaked beet pulp, sainfoin, or a protein-balanced forage chaff—not liquid fat.

👉 Want the full explanation? Read our PSSM guide here.

Mistake #3: “More size = more feed”

Draft horses do require more forage by volume—but not more concentrates, not more protein, and certainly not more sugar.

Here’s what too much concentrated feed can cause in drafts:

• Tying up
• Shivers
• Laminitis
• Gastric ulcers
• Chronic lymph swelling (CPL)
• Fatigue, poor hoof quality, and mystery behavior issues

More hay? Yes. More feed? Nope.

Salt, Minerals, and Supplements

When it comes to feeding draft horses, this is where a lot of well-meaning owners fall short. If you’re feeding mostly hay—and you should be—then your horse is missing key nutrients that hay simply can’t provide.

First up is salt. Every draft horse should get plain, loose salt added to their daily feed—ideally two to four tablespoons per day, depending on the weather and workload. Salt blocks are basically useless for meeting baseline needs. They’re fine for backup, but don’t rely on them. On hot days or during exercise, adding a simple electrolyte blend can help replace what’s lost in sweat and keep hydration on track.

Next is mineral balance, and this is where things get serious. Forage is almost always low in copper, zinc, selenium, and often magnesium—minerals that are essential for hoof health, skin integrity, muscle function, immune resilience, and proper metabolic regulation. Draft horses, with their larger body mass, have even higher absolute requirements. This is why I strongly recommend adding a good forage-balancing mineral supplement. That could be a high-quality, all-in-one ration balancer like Mad Barn’s Omneity, or a custom mineral mix based on your hay analysis. Either way, skipping this step is a recipe for weak hooves, poor topline, dull coat, chronic skin problems, and preventable metabolic issues.

Chia seeds are also a great addition. They provide omega-3s in a whole-food format the horse can actually digest—unlike liquid oils—and support hydration, skin, hooves, and anti-inflammatory balance. For horses with PSSM or heavy workloads, acetyl-L-carnitine may be useful to help shift energy metabolism in a safer direction.

And if your draft has weak or brittle hooves, consider adding a targeted hoof supplement that provides biotin, zinc, methionine, and copper—not just biotin on its own.

Water

Don’t underestimate how much water your draft horse needs. These horses can drink 20–25 gallons (75–95 liters) per day—far more than a typical riding horse. One or two buckets just won’t cut it. Make sure fresh, clean water is always available, especially in hot weather or if you’re feeding dry forage like hay. Without enough water, your horse risks dehydration, impaction colic, and other avoidable health issues.

Feeding Draft Horses Based on Their Activity Levels

One thing I will always recommend —regardless of whether your draft is pulling logs or living the slow life—is to offer hay free choice. supports gut health, prevents ulcers, reduces boredom, and keeps metabolism steady. To avoid waste and slow down intake, use hay nets or slow feeders. These tools encourage natural foraging behavior and if done correctly, will save you time and effort.

Learn more in our guides on hay nets and their uses and slow hay feeding systems.

Draft horses are prone to weight gain—even on hay alone. Their slow metabolism and efficient digestion mean you need to stay one step ahead. Keep them in a healthy body condition (BCS 4–6) without letting things slide into obesity. Tools like grazing muzzles, drylot turnout, and slow feeders can help limit calorie intake without restricting forage access. And for sound, healthy horses, daily low-impact exercise—even just 30–45 minutes—goes a long way in preventing metabolic issues.

They also benefit greatly from regular turnout and movement. Extended stall time increases the risk of stocking up, poor circulation, and metabolic stagnation. Whenever possible, allow your draft horse to move freely—ideally in a space that encourages natural, low-intensity walking throughout the day.

Learn more about using a track system (Paddock Paradise) to promote healthy movement and support both physical and mental well-being.

Idle Horses (Maintenance / No Work)

These horses are just living life—pasture ornaments, companions, or semi-retired seniors. And they can maintain weight just fine on hay and minerals. In fact, overfeeding is the bigger risk here.

Example diet:

• Ad libitum hay, low in NSC (<10-12%), ideally tested
• Ration balancer or forage-matched mineral supplement
• Loose salt (30–60g per day)
• Optional: beet pulp or pellets to carry mineral supplement

What to Avoid:

• Alfalfa, unless the horse is underweight and tolerates it
• Grain of any kind
• “Weight builder” feeds
• Liquid oils (yes, even linseed)

Light Work (Driving, Light Riding, Trail, Therapy, etc.)

These horses are working—but not hard enough to justify massive feed increases. The biggest shift here is not more feed, but better protein and mineral support, and maybe a few extra calories if needed.

Example diet:

• Free-choice grass hay, possibly with 10–20% alfalfa or sainfoin added if needed
• Ration balancer or custom minerals (absolutely essential)
• Salt + electrolytes in warmer months
• Soaked beet pulp or grass/sainfoin/alfalfa pellets for extra calories or protein
• Vitamin E (1,500–3,000 IU/day)

Optional:

• Older horses may benefit from higher protein to preserve muscle
• Chia seeds for omega-3s
• PSSM-prone horses need strict NSC control, extra vitamin E, magnesium, and possibly acetyl-l-carnitine

Heavy Work (Logging, Farm Labor, Pulling, Competitive Driving, etc.)

Now we’re talking about actual calorie burn—and yes, these horses will need more energy. You can meet increased needs with the right forage and fiber-based feeds.

Example diet:

• High-quality grass hay, free-choice, with added alfalfa or sainfoin
• Agrobs flakes or hay pellets as needed
• Ration balancer with beet pulp as a base, including ground flaxseed and/or chia for a little extra fat
• Salt + full-spectrum electrolytes (especially in warm weather)
• Vitamin E up to 5,000 IU/day in very heavy workloads

This is meant to give you an idea of what I would feed this horses. You can mix it up, you can find a more really good ration balancers that will suit your horse’s high demands, without adding any starch or fillers to his diet.

⚠️ Even at this level of work, most draft horses still don’t need grain. If more calories are needed, add more forage or pellets. Do it slowly and monitor body condition.

Common Health Problems Caused by Poor Feeding

Feeding draft horses the wrong way doesn’t just lead to a chubby horse with a shiny coat—it can trigger serious, long-term health problems. These horses may be large and sturdy, but they’re also uniquely vulnerable to metabolic and musculoskeletal issues when their diet doesn’t match their biology.

Here are some of the most common problems linked to poor feeding practices in drafts:

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM)

One of the most widespread muscle disorders in draft breeds—especially Belgians and Percherons. PSSM is made worse by high-starch feeds and sugar, and is best managed through a low-NSC diet, mineral balancing, and consistent turnout. Grain or molasses-rich feed can lead to tying-up episodes, soreness, and poor performance.

Learn more in our PSSM guide.

Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL)

While the exact cause is unknown, CPL—a progressive swelling of the lower legs in feathered draft breeds—can worsen with poor diet. High-starch, high-sugar, or inflammatory feeds may aggravate circulation and lymph flow. Obesity and lack of movement also increase the risk. A high-fiber, anti-inflammatory feeding strategy can help support better outcomes.

Insulin Resistance & Laminitis

Draft horses are easy keepers by design, making them highly susceptible to insulin dysregulation when fed grain, sweet feeds, or unrestricted lush pasture. Over time, this can trigger metabolic laminitis—often chronic, painful, and totally preventable with a low-NSC, forage-first diet.

Hindgut Acidosis & Colic

Draft horses are especially prone to colic and gut dysfunction when their diet doesn’t support healthy fermentation. Too much starch, unsoaked beet pulp, or added oils can disrupt the hindgut microbiome, leading to gas buildup and acidosis. But colic also happens when horses go too long without forage. Long fasting periods reduce saliva, slow gut motility, and cause acid to accumulate—especially risky for large-bodied horses. Free-choice hay, offered through slow feeders, is one of the best ways to prevent both colic and ulcers.

Poor Hoof Quality, Skin Issues, and Chronic “Mystery” Inflammation

A lack of copper, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E is usual in hay-only diets—and drafts (and all other horses) need these in appropriate ratios to support hoof integrity, immune health, and detox pathways. If your draft has weak feet, persistent skin crud, or doesn’t quite “thrive,” it is probably because the minerals aren’t right.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What grain is best for draft horses?

Honestly? None—at least not for most. Draft horses are typically easy keepers with low energy needs, and grain feeds (especially sweet feeds or high-starch blends) often do more harm than good. If extra calories are needed, it’s safer to feed beet pulp, soaked hay pellets, or high-protein forage sources like sainfoin. Skip the oats and go forage-first.

Remember that you don’t have to feed grain to meet your horse’s nutritional needs, if that is what you are looking for, then a ration balancer or a vitamin mineral mix is actually what you need. Then your job is to find one that matches with the forage you are feeding and your horses needs. For example: are you looking for a ration balancer with added beet pulp to boost calories, or with chia seeds to increase omega fatty acids. etc.

Q2: How much hay should a draft horse eat?

Plan on feeding 2–2.5% of your horse’s body weight in hay per day—that’s 40 to 50 lbs of dry matter for a 2,000 lb draft. Free-choice hay is best, offered in slow feeders or nets to support gut health, prevent ulcers, and mimic natural foraging behavior.

Q3: Can you feed draft horses like light horses?

Not exactly. While the basic principles are the same—forage first, balance minerals—draft horses have unique needs due to their size, metabolism, and health risks like PSSM, shivers, or CPL. They usually need more hay by volume, less concentrated feed because they tend to be “easy keepers”, and more precision in mineral balancing.

Q4: Should I feed beet pulp to my draft horse?

Yes, beet pulp (unmolassed) is an excellent feed option for draft horses—especially those in light or moderate work, or those needing extra calories without excess sugar or starch. It’s safe for PSSM horses and easy on the gut. Just be sure to soak it thoroughly before feeding.

Q5: How often should a draft horse be fed?

Ideally, your draft horse should have constant access to forage through hay or pasture. If you’re offering meals, split them into 2–3 smaller feedings per day to prevent digestive upset. But again, forage fed free choice—through slow feeders or nets—is always preferred.

Q6: Are supplements necessary for draft horses?

Yes—especially vitamins and minerals. Hay alone doesn’t provide enough trace minerals like copper, zinc, or selenium, and most drafts need a balanced ration balancer or custom mineral mix to stay truly healthy. Additional supplements (like vitamin E or acetyl-L-carnitine) may be needed in specific cases, but the foundation is always a well-balanced forage-based diet.

Final Thoughts: Feeding Draft Horses the Right Way

Feeding a draft horse isn’t about fancy products or complicated feeding charts. It’s about going back to basics—and doing them right.

These horses do best on a simple, forage-based diet. That means giving them plenty of hay, balanced minerals, and keeping their meals as natural and consistent as possible.

Here’s the bottom line:

• Feed hay first—and feed it often
• Use slow feeders or hay nets to prevent waste and keep them chewing all day
• Avoid grains, sweet feeds, and added oils—they cause more problems than they solve
• Balance the minerals
• Give them space to move—stall time should be the exception, not the routine

Poor feeding is behind a lot of the health problems we see in drafts: PSSM, laminitis, colic, CPL, weak hooves, and weight issues. But the good news? Most of it is preventable.

Feed them like a horse. Feed them often. Keep it simple.
They’ll thank you for it—with soundness, strength, and a shine you won’t get from a feed bag.

Want to keep learning? Check out our guides on hay testing, feeding horses with PSSM, slow feeding systems, and track systems for turnout.

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