Being able to read a feed tag correctly is important to understanding what you are feeding your horse.
At the top of the typical feed tag will be the name of the feed, followed often by a brief explanation of the purpose of the feed. Sometimes this alone can help you to choose the correct commercial mix to feed your horse.
Next is usually the guaranteed analysis. This is a list of the minimums and maximums for some of the nutrients the company is guaranteeing will be in that feed mix. Some of the nutrient levels are required to be listed, including crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber.
The ingredient list usually follows the guaranteed analysis. This list tells you the feedstuffs that were used to mix this particular feed. They are usually listed in order from greatest amount used to least amount used. Some feed tags list the ingredients specifically (i.e., wheat middlings). Other tags list "processed grain by-products" or other "products." These general classifications are used so the company can substitute feedstuffs from within the same product category without having to rewrite the feed tag and to be able to use least-cost items in the feed.
Feed tags will also include directions on how to feed this particular mix. These are usually good rules of thumb to follow if you don’t already know how much your horse needs to eat. Follow the directions, monitoring your horse’s body condition to determine whether or not you need to change the amount you are feeding.
The last thing on the tag is the name and address of the manufacturer.
One other piece of information that shows up on a feed tag is the weight of the feed in the bag. This can be seen at the top of the tag or at the bottom, depending on the manufacturer’s wishes.