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of naked oats will have higher energy and protein levels than a kilogram of conventional oats because some of the weight of conventional oats is due to the husks. A lesser amount of naked oats needs to be fed because of this. Naked oats are intended to feed to performance horses because they contain up to twenty seven percent higher energy content than conventional oats. Because naked oats have no husk the fiber content is reduced. When the fiber content is reduced the overall forage level in the diet must be increased (Brega 101) in order to keep the digestive system in working order.

For most horses barley has less of a heating factor than oats. This means that there is less energy output from barley than from oats. The reason for less heat is rumored to be that barley is less digestible than oats when it comes to the small intestine. Barley grains should equate to no more than fifty percent of the horse's total concentrate ration. It should be no more than fifty percent because of its relatively low fiber content. Barley is often used to put weight on a horse and keep it there. Barley grains are plumper and rounder than oats and they can be fed cooked and crimped.

Maize is a feed source that has a high energy content but it contains little fiber. Normally maize is fed cooked and flaked. It should be bright and golden colored, as well as crisp and clean. Maize should not make up more than twenty five percent of a horse's ration because of the fact that it is so high in energy yet so low in fiber. This becomes an issue when the maize has to be digested because there is not enough fiber for this feed to be processed correctly and can lead to colic or laminitis.

Forages

A horse in its natural, feral state will get virtually all its nutritional requirements from grass but in order for horses to perform and "expend high levels of energy," a domesticated horse needs to be fed concentrates. It is important that a grazing habit should be encouraged in horses, either by increasing turnout or feeding more hay. Hay, haylage, and silage are three ways to incorporate more forage in the horse's diet.

Hay, Haylage, and Silage

Good quality hay will provide an energy source on a slow release basis. This means that since the fiber is fermented for long periods of time, anywhere from twelve to twenty four hours, the result is a regular, even release of nutrients. This constant release of energy is what nature intended because the horse's hind gut is designed to ferment and digest

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