All horses, no matter what age, need a properly balanced diet that is built around a forage base. Their bodies are built to use forage best. Feeding horses is simple and needs to be kept that way.
Horses require grain less often than owners think.
Hard-working horses, such as race horses or eventing horses that train every day, may need grain to maintain their body condition. Nursing mares may also need grain to help them maintain body condition. Hard-working horses have a higher energy demand than others, especially if they start in poor body condition. These animals may benefit from the extra energy that corn adds to the diet. Proper mineral balance is also very important in the horse's diet at all stages of life.