Dr. Bill Collins

Studies by biochemist Dr. Bill Collins of the Eastern Cereal & Oilseed Research Centre in Ottawa, Canada, show that although the vitamin E content of oats is low, they also contain high levels of other antioxidants that act to fortify their vitamin E. Still, good quality forage, oats, and free choice trace mineralized salt are a suitable diet for mature adult horses in light work or maintenance.Horse owners whose horses have higher energy or protein needs now have more choice when it comes to buying oats.In addition to traditional hulled oats, hulless oats are now available in the American market.Hullness oats substantially improve on a diet of traditional hulled oats and hay.This is especially true when it comes to feeding young, growing horses, broodmares, and horses doing moderate to heavy work.With, an average (a), 27 percent more protein than traditional hulled oats and 49 percent more fat, hulless oats offer hard working horses and broodmares the additional nutrients and calories they need.Broodmares on grass hay may need additional calcium which can be supplied by top dressing hullness oats with dicalcium phosphate (see table).

Studies by biochemist Dr. Bill Collins of the Eastern Cereal & Oilseed Research Centre in Ottawa, Canada, show that although the vitamin E content of oats is low, they also contain high levels of other antioxidants that act to fortify their vitamin E. Still, good quality forage, oats, and free choice trace mineralized salt are a suitable diet for mature adult horses in light work or maintenance.