A Complete feed is a fortified grain/forage mix that is formulated with high quality fiber sources. This means that the feed contains enough fiber (in addition to minerals and vitamins) that a horse can live on that diet without supplemental hay or pasture.
– Most Complete feeds have a fiber content of 15% or more and use good digestible fiber sources such as alfalfa, beet pulp, and soy hulls. They have both the grain and roughage in them and are designed to (at least) partially replace the forage (hay and/or pasture) in your horse’s diet.
– Complete feeds have been around for many years and can really help during periods of hay or pasture shortages. In the past they usually contained undisclosed forms of fiber and were low in calories so required very high feeding rates. Today, a Complete feed is just that “Complete” and can be fed as the only feed and the lower quality, high fiber diets that are not fortified with vitamin and mineral are typically called “hay extender