Selecting the right chaff for your horse is one of the simplest yet most important decisions you can make for their daily nutrition. With so many varieties on the market — lucerne, oaten, meadow, timothy and blends — it can be difficult to know which option best suits your horse’s age, workload, temperament and dietary needs. As a New Zealand-owned producer of premium chaff, Future Feeds understands the importance of choosing correctly. This guide walks you through the key factors to consider.

1. Understand your horse’s nutritional needs

Every horse is different. Young, growing horses and performance horses generally need higher levels of protein and energy. In contrast, good doers, older horses, or those prone to weight gain often require fibre-dense, low-energy options. Lucerne chaff is high in protein and digestible energy, making it ideal for working horses, mares in foal and horses needing improved topline. Oaten or meadow chaff, on the other hand, typically suits horses needing a lighter feed.

2. Consider dust levels and respiratory health

Dust in feed is a significant contributor to respiratory irritation and conditions such as COPD. Horses kept in stables or dusty paddocks are especially vulnerable. High-quality chaff should be dust-extracted, clean and consistent. Future Feeds’ processing system ensures exceptionally low dust levels, protecting your horse’s breathing while also improving palatability.

3. Leaf content matters more than you think

Many owners overlook leaf content, but it has a major impact on nutritional value. Leaves contain most of the plant’s protein and energy. A chaff with a high leaf-to-stem ratio ensures better nutrition without needing to increase the overall quantity fed. This is particularly true with lucerne. Choosing a brand that grows, harvests and processes its own lucerne — such as Future Feeds — gives owners confidence that leaf retention has been prioritised.

4. Choose the cut length suited to your horse

Finely cut chaff improves digestion and reduces the risk of selective eating. Longer cuts may cause some horses to sort their feed, leaving behind the nutritious parts. Consistent cut length also helps support safe chewing and slows fast eaters, contributing to better gut health.

5. Match the chaff to the rest of your feed

Chaff is often fed alongside concentrates, balancers or supplements. If your horse already receives a high-energy pellet or grain, a lighter chaff such as meadow or oaten will balance the meal. For horses on low-calorie, forage-only diets, lucerne chaff may provide the extra support they need without relying on pellets.

6. When in doubt, mix chaffs

If you are transitioning your horse between seasons, workloads or conditions, you can blend chaffs for a smooth dietary change. For example, mixing lucerne and oaten offers a moderate protein level that suits a wide range of horses. Always introduce changes gradually over 7–10 days.