Can horses consume hemp protein?

Hemp products are a good source of protein for horses which require 1.4-2.75 lbs of protein per day. The best source of hemp protein for horses is hemp protein powder (14g per 2 scoops). Alternatively, hemp hearts contain 10g per 3 tablespoons and seeds contain 6.31g per 2 tablespoons.

Imagine, giving your horse a healthy source of protein. Horses who struggle with inflammation or adverse skin reactions can benefit from consuming hemp.

Luckily for you, I’m going to show you the best way to incorporate hemp protein into your horses diet. Do you know how much protein your horse needs? Don’t worry, we’ll make it easy to get the required amount.

How Much Protein Does A Horse Need 

Horses require anywhere from 1.4-2.75 lbs of protein per day. Typically, horses with a light workload need less than 2 lbs of protein per day. However, broodmares and moderate-heavy working horses need more than 2 lbs daily.

Horses intake protein when grazing and from their feed. If protein intake is not being met, that is when supplementing can be beneficial.  

Depending on the horse’s age and physical requirements, the amount of protein intake needed daily can vary. Horses require different amounts of protein throughout stages of life. This can also vary with the weight of the horse. 

In this chart, we can see some general protein needs from Kentucky Equine Research. This is a guide, and each horse’s individual needs can be discussed with your veterinarian.

 

 

If you think your horse isn’t getting enough protein in its diet based on this chart, supplementing with hemp could be the perfect nutrient-dense solution.

How Much Protein Can Be Found In Hemp Products

Hemp products contain anywhere from 6-14g of protein. Using hemp products is a safe supplement for your horses nutritional needs.

Protein can be found in hemp-based products for supplementation. Hemp seed oil does not contain protein, so avoid it if you’re targeting protein benefits. The best products containing protein include hemp protein powder, hearts, and seeds.

Each product and brand vary in protein and nutritional value. However, here are some examples of protein levels found in some basic products.

 

 

Clearly hemp is a great way to pack protein into your horse’s diet!

Hemp is a Comparable Protein to Soy in Feed

Do you know where your horse is getting its protein content when it comes to feed? For years soybeans have dominated the ingredients in our animal feed. Unfortunately, some horses have developed sensitivities to soybeans and soybean oil. 

The rise of hemp-based products offer an alternative to soy-based feeds with comparable protein levels. 

Horse Health Reactions To Bad Feed

If your horse is not getting the essential nutrients it needs, it is time to examine your feed choice. Your horse may exhibit signs of

• Respiratory complications

• Skin Reactions

• Digestive Difficulties

• Inflammation

Soy these days is often GMO fortified. This is not something that is naturally occurring in a horse’s diet and can have adverse side effects like the ones listed above.  

Switch to a feed that has hemp meal and see your horse’s health improve! Hemp has comparable protein levels and is loaded with nutrients to support a healthy diet. 

Summary: Hemp protein for horses

As you can see, hemp products can be a good source of protein for horses. Horses require anywhere from 1.4-2.75 lbs of protein per day. Hemp products are a good way to supplement your horses protein intake.

The amount of protein your horse needs will vary depending on age, weight, and activity level. Typically, horses with a light workload need less than 2 lbs of protein per day. However, broodmares and moderate-heavy working horses need more than 2 lbs daily.

Hemp protein powder is a good source of protein for your horse, containing 14g per 2 scoops. Alternatively, your horse can snack on hemp hearts and seeds.

You may also see benefits for switching your horses feed to hemp products. Hemp contains numerous benefits and can combat adverse effects of soy feed.