Ever picked up a feed bag or supplement tub and found yourself squinting at the label, trying to make sense of words like “analytical constituents” or “crude protein”? You’re definitely not alone.
These labels are supposed to help us make better choices for our horses, but between confusing ingredient names, percentages, and the occasional marketing fluff, they can end up feeling more like a puzzle.
But don’t worry. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to confidently read and decode equine feed and supplement labels so you know exactly what you're putting into your horse’s body.
The Basics: What’s on the Label?
Almost every equine feed or supplement label includes a few key elements:
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Product Name and Intended Use (e.g., “Performance Balancer” or “Joint Supplement”)
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Ingredients List
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Analytical Constituents (aka: Guaranteed Analysis)
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Additives (like vitamins, minerals, or probiotics)
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Feeding Directions
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Batch & Expiry Info
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Manufacturer Contact Information
It might look like a wall of small print, but each of these pieces tells you something important, especially if you're trying to cut through marketing claims and make nutrition-based decisions.
Understanding the Analytical Constituents (a.k.a. Nutrient Breakdown)
This section is the nutritional snapshot of what’s actually in the product. It's usually expressed in percentages (%) or units like mg/kg or IU/kg. Here's how to make sense of it:
Crude Protein
This tells you the total protein content, but not the quality or source of that protein. Still, it's useful for knowing how much your horse is getting per serving. For instance, if a feed contains 12% crude protein, there are 12g of protein per 100g of feed.
Pro tip: For muscle-building and tissue repair, look for products with high-quality protein sources like linseed or alfalfa.
Crude Fat (Oils)
Listed as “oil content” or “crude fat,” this shows how much fat is in the feed a concentrated energy source. Great for weight gain and performance horses needing slow-release energy.
Crude Fibre
A crucial one. This number reflects how digestible the feed is. Higher fibre is better for horses prone to weight gain or needing gut support. Low fibre might mean the feed is cereal-heavy, not ideal for sensitive or laminitis-prone horses.
Ash
Total mineral content. Not especially useful unless you're comparing two very similar products, but extremely high ash levels can sometimes indicate overuse of filler minerals.
Moisture
This tells you how much of the product is water. A dry product with low moisture means nutrient levels are more concentrated per kg.
Additives: The Tiny-but-Mighty Extras
This section lists vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or functional ingredients added to the base mix.
They’re often given in:
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mg/kg (milligrams per kilogram)
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IU/kg (International Units for things like Vitamin A, D, E)
This is where things can get misleading. Just because an ingredient is listed doesn’t mean it’s in a useful quantity. You need to consider the actual serving size your horse gets.
For example:
A supplement may say it contains 20,000 mg/kg of magnesium — but if the feeding rate is only 10g per day, your horse is only getting 200mg per day.
So always divide the mg/kg by 1,000 and multiply by the daily feeding amount to see what your horse is actually getting.
The Ingredients List: What's Really In It?
Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, meaning the first few ingredients make up the bulk of the product. So this part is your best clue into whether it’s nutrient-dense or packed with fluff.
What to Look For:
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Named sources like “linseed meal” or “calcium carbonate” — these are clear, transparent ingredients.
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Generic terms like “plant by-product” or “protein meal” — these can hide low-quality or unknown sources.
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Hidden sugars like molasses, dextrose, glucose syrup, or even chicory pulp. These sweeten the product but aren’t always suitable for sugar-sensitive horses.
If you see things like wheatfeed, oatfeed, lucerne chaff, or soya hulls, these are often used as fillers. They're not necessarily harmful — but they don’t always add nutritional value. They bulk out the product and can make it seem more "horse-friendly" than it really is.
Feeding Directions: The Often-Ignored Goldmine
This isn’t just a suggestion — it’s a big piece of the puzzle. The recommended daily amount affects how much of each nutrient your horse actually gets.
Let’s say a supplement has amazing levels of Vitamin E — but the feeding rate is 10g/day. Unless the levels are extremely concentrated, it may not deliver a meaningful amount.
Check these every time:
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Per day amount in grams
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Scoops vs. grams (Always weigh your scoops - or use EquiPacs CustomPacs for complete peace of mind you get the right servings EVERY time!)
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Per 100kg bodyweight vs. total bodyweight feeding
Also be wary of “top-dress” supplements that claim to work in tiny quantities. If something says "just 5g a day!" but lists 10+ ingredients — you’re likely getting trace amounts of each.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Here are a few label tricks that sound impressive but aren’t always what they seem:
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“Proprietary blend” – No transparency about individual ingredient amounts.
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"Organic minerals" – Sounds fancy, but not all organic forms are more effective.
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“Natural” or “Herbal” – Has no regulation. Could mean a single speck of herb or a true therapeutic serving.
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Buzzwords like “superfood” or “detox” – Without the science or feeding rate to back it up.
Knowledge Is Power (and Peace of Mind)
Learning how to read your horse’s feed or supplement label isn’t just about dodging bad products, it’s about making informed, confident decisions based on your horse’s real needs.
The equine nutrition industry isn’t always transparent, and unfortunately, marketing can often sound more scientific than it actually is. But when you understand how labels work, you're much harder to mislead.
At Equipacs, we’re passionate about cutting through the noise and offering clear, honest formulations — with exactlywhat your horse needs, and nothing they don’t.
Want help building your horse’s diet or decoding a label?
Drop us a message — we’re happy to help, without the sales pitch.
????️ Explore our range of clean, functional ingredients at www.equipacs.co.uk