Polo Pony Feeds

Grain Feeds

Whole or crushed oats, shelled or cracked corn, rolled barley and sweet feeds are the most popular grains. Sweet feeds are a mixture of several crushed grains combined with molasses. All of them are excellent grain feeds. Grain should be clean, free of dust, bugs, mold and musty odors.

Pellet Feeds

Pellets are clean and convenient to handle and store. Pellets can be a complete feed or made of hay or grain only. Pellets should be kept fresh, free of moisture, mold, odors or other signs of spoilage.

Complete Feeds

Complete feeds combine calories, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber into a single form. They are available as pellets, textured feeds, extruded nuggets, and fortified hay cubes.

Alfalfa hay is most commonly used in complete feeds. Beet pulp is another fiber source commonly used in complete feeds. The hulls from grains and nuts are also used as fiber sources in complete feeds.

Equine nutritionists recommend that horses receiving complete feeds also get a minimal amount of hay in their diets as a precaution against colic and to satisfy the horse's chewing needs.

Although complete feeds offer a convenient way to buy and store nutritionally balanced feed, don't give up the hay.

Feed Analysis

You can scientifically evaluate your feed at your County Extension for about $39. They report on levels of protein, energy, fat and minerals.