Compound Horse Feedstuff Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Global Compound Horse Feedstuff Market Trends and Insights

Rising equine sports participation

Competitive horses consume 25-30% more calories than maintenance animals, and sanctioned events have expanded 15% year over year in major markets, lifting demand for performance-grade rations that sustain energy and speed recovery. Governments in Asia-Pacific invested USD 2.3 billion during 2024 to upgrade arenas, spurring grassroots riding clubs. Recreational riders also emulate elite diets, creating steady demand across all activity levels. This trend extends beyond elite competition to amateur participation, where weekend riders increasingly adopt professional-grade nutrition protocols. The ripple effect creates sustained demand for premium feed formulations that can deliver consistent performance benefits across diverse activity levels.

Growth of premiumization in pet nutrition

Owners adopt companion-animal benchmarks, favoring human-grade ingredients and traceable supply chains. Average feed prices jumped 18-22% during 2024 as digestibility, palatability, and condition-specific claims trumped cost. Surveys show veterinarians shape 67% of premium purchases, and breed or life-stage Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) widen shelf assortments, anchoring higher margins. The trend particularly resonates with urban horse owners who view their animals as companions rather than livestock, driving sustained margin expansion across the premium segment.

Adoption of precision nutrition programs

The Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and automated feeders trim waste by 12-15% and elevate weight-gain efficiency by 8-10%, delivering rapid payback for commercial barns^{[1]Source: Martin Zuidhof, “Precision Livestock Feeding,” sciencedirect.com}. Real-time data sync with veterinary portals permits micro-adjustments that improve feed conversion by 20-25% among performance stables. Falling hardware costs and app-driven dashboards help mid-size operations adopt precision protocols.

Expansion of equine therapy centers

More than 4,800 certified programs operated worldwide in 2024, each requiring rations that support calm demeanor and gastrointestinal stability. Low-starch, high-fiber lines meet insurance-funded therapy protocols, and aging populations in developed economies underpin demand relevance. Insurance coverage expansion for equine therapy services in several jurisdictions has improved facility economics, supporting sustained feed demand growth. The demographic shift toward aging populations in developed markets is driving particular growth in therapeutic applications, where horses serve as mobility and mental health support tools.

High cost volatility of key cereals

Corn and oats make up about 70% of production costs. Although the USDA pegged 2025 corn at USD 1.06 per metric ton, erratic weather and export swings fuel price swings^{[2]Source: USDA, “World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates,” usda.gov}. Manufacturers trial alternative grains yet must validate nutrition profiles and win label approvals, raising formulation expenses. The feed manufacturers are increasingly adopting alternative grain sources and flexible formulation strategies to mitigate price risk, though these adaptations often require extensive nutritional testing and regulatory approval. The concentration of grain production in specific geographic regions amplifies supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly for markets dependent on imports.

Concerns on feed toxin contamination

Mycotoxin incidents, such as the fatal 2024 ionophore mix-up, spurred zero-tolerance rules and pushed testing costs up to 12% higher^{[3]Source: Feed Strategy, “Macro Trends for the Feed Industry in 2025,” feedstrategy.com}. The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) shifting additive approval framework elongates development cycles, favoring companies with robust quality systems. Zero-tolerance policies in competitive equestrian circuits have forced manufacturers to implement stringent cleaning protocols and segregated production lines to prevent medication carryover.

Segment Analysis

By Feed Type: Pelleted formats consolidate leadership

Pelleted Feed captured 42.5% revenue in 2024. Uniform nutrient density and favorable flow characteristics reduce selective feeding and labor, aligning with large-scale operations. The compound horse feedstuff market size attributable to concentrates and supplements is anticipated to rise at an 8.1% CAGR as precision-nutrition adoption grows. Textured feeds, at 28% share, drive loyalty but face waste and storage concerns. Complete Feed holds 18% share, posting 4.2% growth as convenience-minded owners embrace all-in-one solutions. Advances in extrusion allow inclusion of fragile vitamins while safeguarding palatability. Total mixed ration trials reported 47.53% body-weight gains, encouraging experimental blends.

Manufacturers enrich pellets with controlled-release starch and supplemental fat to meet high caloric needs without glycemic spikes, bolstering safe-energy delivery for sport horses. Widespread pelleting dovetails with automated feeders that portion rations precisely, supporting data-driven barns and reinforcing volume throughput in the market.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Ingredient Type: Protein Meals accelerate

Cereal-based diets remained dominant with a 57.6% share in 2024, yet growth cooled to 3.8% as owners sought superior amino-acid density. Protein Meals are set for a 7.9% CAGR on the back of muscle-building demand. Dual-protein strategies that pair soybean or canola meal with synthetic lysine fine-tune essential amino-acid ratios and satisfy performance barns. Fiber Additives account for a 15% share and rise 5.1% annually as prebiotic research underscores gut health benefits. Oils and Fats, now 8%, grew 6.8% in 2024 as omega-three enrichment links to anti-inflammatory advantages.

Functional blends now embed probiotics, enzymes, and chelated minerals. Pea protein appeals to non-GMO buyers, and mechanized micro-dosing systems allow consistent nutrient inclusion, elevating premium label credibility in the horse feed market.

By Horse Age Group: Senior cohort expands fastest

Adult horses generated 45.6% 2024 turnover and will progress steadily at 4.8%. Senior diets will progress at an 8.7% CAGR, reflecting veterinary care improvements that extend equine lifespans and heighten owner attachment. Formulators prioritize digestibility, vitamin E, and omega-three fortification to offset metabolic decline. Foals and Yearlings share 25% of demand and expand 6.2%, helped by empirical links between early nutrition and lifelong performance. Lysine-rich mare feeds enhance milk yield and foal development in controlled studies, supporting premium pricing.

Manufacturers cultivate cradle-to-grave brand loyalty by aligning SKUs with each life stage. Senior pellets employ extruded grains for softer chew and buffered calcium to lower ulcer risk, while growth rations integrate chelated trace minerals to spur bone maturation.

By Form: Dry remains dominate, cubes grow fastest

Dry formulations held a commanding 72.0% share, with long shelf life and compatibility with bulk delivery infrastructure. Cubes/Blocks will outpace others at a 9.1% CAGR as dust-free handling attracts owners of respiratory-sensitive horses. These compressed feeds also fit pasture feeding with minimal equipment. Liquid/Mash lines sit near 8% share, leveraging rehydration and recovery positioning. New pouch concentrates dilute at the barn to cut freight weight, and gel feeds marry hydration with nutrient payloads.

Portable cube dispensers used during travel protect portion control for competition horses. In parallel, InstaMix liquid concentrates integrate electrolytes and branch-chain amino acids, commanding premium prices and extending brand differentiation.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Distribution Channel: E-commerce upends legacy retail

Offline retail still owns 63.3% revenue due to immediate availability and expert counsel from feed stores and veterinarians. Online retail will post an 11.7% CAGR as subscription services deliver convenience and cost savings. Digital channels bypass distributor margins and collect consumption data for targeted upsells. Shipping heavy feed remains a hurdle, so hybrid click-and-collect models are gaining traction.

Influencer content and social ads accelerate trial, while mobile apps help owners calculate rations by weight and workload, nudging supplementary purchases. Recyclable, courier-grade multi-wall bags reduce damage and elevate unboxing visibility, reinforcing brand equity within the horse feed market.

Geography Analysis

North America led the horse feed market with 32.8% revenue in 2024. More than 30 million Americans engage in horse activities, generating USD 122 billion in annual economic output. Canada’s regulatory overhaul raised safety and traceability barriers, prompting product upgrades. Steady 4.2% regional CAGR is driven by premiumization, precision-feeding uptake, and stable therapy demand. Firms exploit robust distribution grids and advanced veterinary ecosystems to introduce high-margin offerings, while e-commerce subs and micro-fulfillment centers tighten service windows.

Asia-Pacific will log the speediest 8.8% CAGR through 2030. Although China’s equine headcount shrank from 3.72 million in 2021 to 3.59 million in 2023, the surviving population now serves leisure and sport and thus demands higher-grade feed. Government grants and corporate sponsorship expand show-jumping circuits and therapy centers. Rising middle-class incomes in urban China, Japan, and Australia elevate willingness to pay for imported brands. Local mills partner with multinationals for Western-grade formulations, balancing cost with performance expectations.

Europe held 28% revenue share and advanced 4.0% in 2024. The continent’s equine economy generates EUR 100 billion (USD 108 billion) each year and underpins significant employment. Organic and non-GMO claims resonate as sustainability rules tighten. Environmental directives constrain phosphorous output, pushing enzyme-aided feeds, while animal-welfare mandates drive medicated-free claims. Brexit-induced trade uncertainty led UK firms to rework supply chains, yet demand persists in show-jumping hubs.