Lighter color oats are most often used as food oats, darker color oats as feeds. Many of the pigments in the oat kernel hull are water soluble and can stain the oat kernel making them unattractive for food use. Oats must be dehulled before they can be used for food. Most oats are used for feed and fed with the hull on. Red oats are often considered to be hay oats.
Most grey oats are winter types.
Many horse owners in the United States think white oats are the best oats for horses. In Australia, horse owners prefer black oats. Both winter and spring varieties are grown with spring types dominant.