Horses - What do Horses Eat?

Horses are adapted to graze on grass. They have a relatively small stomach, but long intestines to provide them with a steady stream of nutrients throughout the day. Unlike cows, horses are not ruminants and they only have one stomach. They are, however, able to  use cellulose (a main component in grass) as a food source, unlike humans. 

Photo 317964702 © Melanie Hobson | Dreamstime.com

An adult horse has twelve incisors at the front of the mouth, for cutting grass as they bite. They have twenty four further molars and pre-molars for chewing. Horses have a very good sense of taste, so they can pick through their feed using their prehensile (capable of gripping) lips, sorting out even the smallest grains to select their favourites.

Horses are unable to vomit, so if they develop problems with their digestion, these can prove fatal. 

 

Browse More Factsheets

We have a range of over 200 fact sheets on lots of species and environmental issues. Explore them all by clicking the button below.

Our Supporters

Green Sustainability Magazine
F & S Energy
Kidd3r
Frogbikes
Buster Books
Michael O'Mara Books
1% For The Planet
Eurostar
Canva
Garfield Weston Foundation
Surrey Environment Partnership
We have the POWER
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council
Essex County Council
Luminous Energy
Spots and Stripes
Postcode Local Trust
Sureserve Group plc
Somerset County Council
Google
R&Co4Generations