🌽 Feeding Corn to Horses: Risks, Benefits, and Vet Advice for 2025 🐴⚖️

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

As a horse owner, you’ve probably seen corn show up in commercial feeds or as a cheap energy source at feed stores. But should you feed corn to your horse in 2025? Is it safe? Is it healthy? Let’s dive into the facts and risks of this starchy grain. 🧠🐎

🌽 What Is Corn in a Horse Diet?

Corn is a cereal grain high in non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs), primarily starch. It contains:

• 🔥 Twice the energy of oats by weight
• 💪 Moderate protein levels (around 8–9%)
• 🍬 Very low fiber and very high starch content

It's often used as an energy booster for working horses—but not without potential downsides. ⚖️

✅ When Corn Might Be Useful

Corn can be an effective feed addition in some specific cases:

• 🏇 High-performance horses needing extra calories
• 🧓 Senior horses struggling to maintain weight
• 🍼 Lactating mares with high energy demands

Because it's energy-dense, small amounts can help with weight gain or energy restoration. However, it's rarely fed whole—typically it's cracked, steam-flaked, or ground for easier digestion. 🔥

⚠️ Why Corn Can Be Problematic

Despite its energy content, corn has several significant nutritional concerns:

1. 🚨 High Starch = Risk of Colic and Laminitis

Corn is nearly 70% starch. If undigested starch reaches the hindgut, it disrupts the microbial population, causing:

• ⚠️ Hindgut acidosis
• 💥 Gas colic
• 🔥 Laminitis or founder

Horses are not equipped to handle large starch loads, especially from highly processed grains. ❌

2. 🧪 Calcium-Phosphorus Imbalance

Corn is high in phosphorus and low in calcium—about a 1:20 Ca:P ratio. If fed in large amounts, it can:

• 🦴 Leach calcium from bones and tissues
• ⚠️ Lead to developmental bone disorders in foals

Balancing with alfalfa or calcium-rich sources is essential if corn is part of the ration. ⚖️

3. ❌ Not Suitable for Insulin-Resistant Horses

Corn is one of the worst choices for horses with:

• 🧬 Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
• 📉 Insulin resistance (IR)
• 💔 Cushing’s disease (PPID)

The high glycemic index can spike blood sugar and trigger laminitis episodes in sensitive horses. 🚫

📦 Corn in Commercial Feeds: What to Watch For

Many commercial feeds contain corn or corn byproducts as energy sources. This isn't automatically bad, as these feeds are usually:

• ⚖️ Nutritionally balanced with added vitamins and minerals
• 🧪 Designed for specific activity levels or metabolic needs

Always choose feeds with known NSC levels and monitor your horse’s response. 📊

🛑 When to Avoid Corn Altogether

Steer clear of corn for horses that are:

• ⚠️ Overweight
• 🐢 Sedentary or lightly exercised
• 🧬 Metabolically compromised

Feeding corn to these horses increases the risk of metabolic dysfunction and digestive disease. ❌

🧩 Safer Alternatives to Corn

If your horse needs more calories but you want a safer option than corn, consider:

• 🥣 Beet pulp – High fiber, low sugar, safe for IR horses
• 🧈 Stabilized rice bran – High fat, low starch
• 🌱 Alfalfa pellets – Rich in protein and calcium

These options provide energy without the risks of starch overload. ✅

📲 Ask A Vet Before Adding Corn

Curious if corn fits your horse's needs? Visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App for feed audits, metabolic reviews, and custom nutrition plans. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the Ask A Vet team can help you balance risk and reward based on your horse’s age, condition, and lifestyle. 💬🧠

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, corn is not evil—but it’s also not ideal for most horses. Feed it sparingly, balance the minerals, and always put gut health first. When in doubt, choose safer calorie sources with fewer metabolic risks. 🌽🐴

Need a custom feed plan or NSC-safe alternatives? Visit AskAVet.com to get started today ⚖️🧪