Pellets for feeding, pellets for bedding, pellets for fuel. As humans, we don’t come across the term ‘pellet’ nearly as much as we do in horse ownership. 

Equine pellets are versatile, compressed forms of feed or material designed to meet a variety of horse care needs.

Material pellets are also offered as bedding solutions, most commonly used in horse feed, providing a dust-free, absorbent, and easy-to-manage alternative to traditional shavings or straw. Beyond these primary uses, specialty equine pellets are formulated for purposes such as supplement delivery, digestive health support, or even odour control in stables. Their uniform size, ease of storage, and multifunctional applications make equine pellets a practical choice for horse owners seeking to balance efficiency with optimal horse health.

In this article, we discuss the various types of equine pellets, including complete equine pellets for feeding solutions, equine bedding wood pellets, and specialty uses such as supplements and even equine pellets for cat litter. 

Types of Equine Pellets and Their Uses

There are so many types of horse care products delivered in pellet format. 

Pellets are defined as “a small round ball of compressed matter” and are typically compressed feed or raw material. They are a form of solid fuel produced by compressing organic materials, including wood, plastic, and food.

Feed vs. Bedding vs. Specialty Pellets

When we talk about equine pellets, we’re really talking about different categories of products that serve very different purposes in horse care. Some are designed for nutrition, some for comfort, and others for very specific needs.

Comparison of Equine Pellets

When it comes to joint supplements in pellet form, however, you’re often getting a variety of other ingredients in addition to the therapuetic ones. This is because joint supplement pellets have to be formed into a food product, so you need binders, flavourings, and other ingredients to hold the pellets together and to provide nutrional benefit. The issue then lies in the actual therapuetic value that the pellet provides for joint support versus a powdered equine joint supplement like TRI-ACTA that has 100% active, therapuetic ingredients. Often, when you’re combining a supplement into a food product, you need feed more to get the same therapuetic dose that you would get with a powdered supplement. And, in many cases, the pellets can’t guarantee a specific therapuetic dose per scoop, so they give a range. When there’s so many ingredients that must be included in the manufacturing process, it’s much more difficult to be precise with measurements.

What this boils down to is that cost per dose is higher, and you can’t guarantee that your horse is getting a therapeutic dose of joint support. 

With TRI-ACTA for equine, however, every dose is 100% active ingredients and it’s guaranteed that your horse will get a full therapuetic dose every time, just due to the difference in manufacturing and being able to accurately batch test. This means that you save money, and you give your horse more effective joint support at the same time.

TRI-ACTA H.A. for Equine

Our maximum strength formula is perfect for horses that are ageing, experiencing arthritis and stiffness, are in training and competition, or under a heavy workload.

Learn More

Equine Wood Pellets for Bedding

Equine wood pellets are made from compressed sawdust or wood fibres that expand into a soft, highly absorbent material when they become moist. Designed for use in stalls, they provide horses with a clean, comfortable, and low-dust bedding option compared to traditional hay bedding stalls.

Benefits of Equine Bedding Wood Pellets

Horse owners use equine wood pellets by wetting them to break them down into a fluffy, cushioned bedding layer that provides comfort and cleanliness for the horse.

Equine wood pellets for bedding provide several benefits.

• Highly absorbent: The pellets soak up urine efficiently, locking in moisture and ammonia odours.

• Low dust: Compared to traditional shavings, pellets produce less dust. 

• Easy to manage: Dirty spots can be removed quickly without throwing out large amounts of clean bedding, reducing waste.

• Cost-effective: Because they expand and last longer, they can be more economical than shavings.

• Eco-friendly: Made from natural wood byproducts, they’re biodegradable and sourced sustainably.

Refer to the chart below for a comparison of the features of wood pellets vs straw shavings.

Differences Between Equine Pine Pellets and Mixed-Wood Products

When choosing pellet bedding for your horse, you’ll likely find several options on the market. Among them, equine pure pine pellets are the favourable choice for many modern horse riders over mixed-wood or other wood pellet products. Softwoods such as pine and spruce are especially valued in livestock bedding because they offer superior absorbency and comfort compared to hardwoods.

There are five key benefits to equine pure pine pellets.

1. Wood Composition: Pine pellets are manufactured with exclusively softwood pine, naturally low in oils that can cause irritation.

2. Safety for Horses: Pine is non-toxic when pressed correctly.

3. Absorbency: Pine pellets are highly absorbent and can hold several times their weight in moisture.

4. Odour Control: Pine is naturally deodorizing.

5. Stall Cleanliness: Pine pellets are broken down into fine, soft bedding that’s easy to spot clean.

Tractor Supply Equine Pellets: A Popular Choice

Tractor Supply Pelletized Bedding, also called Tractor Supply Equine Pellets, offers a reliable bedding solution that provides your horse with a clean, comfortable, and low-dust environment. Made from 100% natural pine softwood, these compressed pellets expand rapidly when moistened, creating soft, absorbent bedding that’s easy to manage. The low-dust formulation is also mould and bacteria-resistant for improved hygiene in the stall.

The key benefits of Tractor Supply Equine Pellets include:

• Made from natural softwood pine fibres for maximum absorbency.

• Expands into soft, cushiony bedding when moistened.

• Low-dust formula helps support respiratory health.

• Naturally controls odours for a fresher stall.

• Easy to clean and highly economical.

• Ideal for horses, but also suitable for other livestock and small animals.

According to the Tractor Supply company website, customers say, “The pine pellet bedding is a versatile and affordable product that can be used for various purposes, such as cat litter and small animal bedding.”

Availability of Tractor Supply Equine Pellets Across North America

Made in the USA from 100% locally sourced natural biomass, the product is available in equine stores across the United States. The product retails for $7.79 USD for a 40 lb bag.

Looking for equine pellets near me? For a similar Canadian alternative, try LacWood Pure Pellet Bedding. This Canadian-made product is readily available at retailers, including Home Hardware, for $10.49 for an 18.14 kg bag. Featuring 100% pine and spruce, LacWood Pure Pellet Bedding offers a fresh pine scent while creating a soft, comfortable, and shock-absorbing environment for your horse.

Equine Pellets for Feeding: Nutrition & Energy

Many commercially-made horse feeds offer their products in pellet format. Not only are equine pellets a lot less messy than other feed types, but pellets offer all the nutritional benefits of the feed in a compact form. 

Overview of Feed-Grade Pellets

Equine feed-grade pellets are a type of horse feed made by compressing ground ingredients into small, uniform pellets. They are designed to provide a consistent and balanced source of equine nutrition, making feeding easier and more efficient.

Feed-grade equine pellets contain the following ingredients:

• Forage (alfalfa, grass, or hay)

• Grain

• Fibre

• Fats

• Vitamins

• Minerals

One of the main advantages of feed-grade pellets is their versatility. They can be used as a complete feed, a partial forage replacement, or a supplement to an existing hay-based diet. Many formulations are tailored to meet specific needs, such as senior horses, performance horses, or horses with metabolic concerns, by adjusting the protein, fat, and fibre content accordingly. Some pellets are fortified with digestive aids like probiotics, prebiotics, or yeast cultures to support equine gut health.

Horses can sort through grain or textured feeds; consuming equine pellets allows them to digest the complete nutritional benefits of their food. 

Making equine pellets for horse feed involves the following steps:

1. Grains are dried and finely ground, breaking up the seed coatings and kernels.

2. Vitamins and minerals are mixed and ground into a fine meal.

3. The meal is exposed to steam and high pressure in a pellet mill.

4. The pellets are formed into the desired size and texture.

5. The pellets are cooled and dried, and prepared for packaging.

Equine alfalfa pellets are a popular, high-protein forage option for horses, made by compressing chopped alfalfa into dense, uniform pellets. 

Key benefits of equine alfalfa pellets include:

1. Provide a convenient and consistent alternative to traditional baled alfalfa.

2. Contain 15-20% crude protein.

3. Source of calcium.

4. Dust-free course of clean forage.

Feeding Best Practices With Alfalfa and Specialty Pellets

Alfalfa is a popular type of forage for horses and is frequently included in commercial equine feeds. As a legume forage, it can be processed and preserved in several forms, including hay, cubes, or pellets. 

Feeding best practices for alfalfa pellets depend on how you are using them in your horse's diet. If you are supplementing an already forage-rich diet, you will need to give fewer alfalfa pellets than a horse with a low-forage diet. As a general rule, alfalfa pellets should be supplemented at a rate of 1.5-2.5% of the horse's body weight. This works out to be about 1-5 pounds, depending on the weight of your horse. 

As for specialty pellets, these are given as supplements in addition to your horse's diet. Specialty equine pellets are manufactured with specific guidelines; therefore, it is best to consult the product label for accurate directions. Check with your vet before introducing more than the recommended amount of any equine pellets. 

Complete Equine Pellets vs. Forage Supplements

Complete equine pellets are formulated to serve as the main or sole source of a horse’s diet, replacing most, or even all, of their hay and grain intake. In contrast, pelleted forage supplements are intended to complement an existing forage-based diet, helping to fill in nutritional gaps that hay or pasture alone may not cover.

Refer to the chart below for a comparison of complete equine pellets vs. forage supplements.

For horses that have trouble chewing hay, are underweight, an old horse, or require a hay alternative, complete equine pellets are likely the more suitable option. If your horse is consuming good-quality hay but needs additional nutrients, a forage supplement pellet can help balance the diet without contributing unnecessary calories.

Additional supplements to add to your horse’s diet include joint supplements for horses. TRI-ACTA for Equine is a preventative joint supplement designed to promote joint mobility and flexibility and decrease stiffness. Made with 100% active ingredients, including chondroitin, glucosamine, and MSM, TRI-ACTA can easily be mixed with equine pellets for feed.

TRI-ACTA for Equine

Providing preventative support for younger horses and helping mitigate the early onset of joint degeneration and other mobility issues.

Learn More

Specialty Equine Pellets for Health Support

Specialty equine pellets for health support are designed to target specific areas of your horse’s well-being. Unlike standard feed pellets that provide general nutrition, specialty equine pellets are formulated with functional ingredients, like probiotics, prebiotics, herbs, vitamins, and minerals. Equine pellets for health support things like digestion, immune health, joint mobility, and hoof strength. 

Other common formats of equine supplements include:

• Powder

• Paste

• Gel

• Liquid

Equine Psyllium Pellets For Digestive Health and Sand Colic Prevention

Equine psyllium pellets are a specialized equine supplement designed to support digestive health and help prevent sand colic. Typically occurring in areas with poor vegetation growth, sand colic refers to abdominal pain caused by a horse ingesting sand.

Derived from the husks of the psyllium seed plant, equine psyllium pellets form a gel-like consistency that works to bind and remove sand, dirt, and other indigestible debris that can build up in the horse’s intestines and cause sand colic.

Equine Bluelite Pellets for Hydration and Electrolyte Balance

Equine electrolyte pellets are another example where key supplements are delivered in a convenient, compressed format. Electrolyte pellets for horses are specially formulated supplements designed to help horses replenish minerals lost through sweating, especially during intense exercise, hot weather, travel, or stress. 

Equine electrolyte pellets play the following key roles:

1. Maintain hydration 

2. Increase muscle function

3. Trigger nerve activity

4. Improve overall performance 

5. Aide with exercise recovery 

Equine Bluelite Pellets Electrolytes for Horses are electrolyte minerals including sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, in addition to vitamin E as an antioxidant.

How These Supplements Fit Into a Horse’s Overall Diet

Electrolyte pellets and other types of horse supplements are designed to be paired with a proper nutrition plan. A healthy horse diet is built on high-quality forage, clean water, and the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and protein, with salt provided daily. Grains and fats are added when extra energy is needed, while supplements can support specific health or performance needs.

Horse supplements like TRI-ACTA for Equine are delivered in a convenient powder format that’s easy to mix in with equine pellets and other types of horse feed. Delivering a potent blend of glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM, these key ingredients work together to support joint health by promoting cartilage repair, reducing inflammation, and maintaining mobility in horses. For active horses, senior horses, or those recovering from injury, TRI-ACTA H.A. for Equine contains the key ingredients of TRI-ACTA, with the added benefit of hyaluronic acid - to increase the viscosity of synovial fluid and lubricate articulating joints.

Beyond Horses: Alternative Uses of Equine Pellets

Although equine pellets are primarily intended for horse feed or bedding, their versatility allows them to serve many other purposes in the barn, around the garden, and even inside the home. Equine pellets have a compressed form that makes them convenient to handle, store, and transport, while their absorbency and low-dust qualities make them ideal for multiple purposes in animal care and agriculture.

Equine Pellets for Cat Litter vs. Traditional Clay Litter

Equine pellets serve purposes far beyond the barnyard. Many cat owners prefer using equine pellets for cat litter rather than the traditional clay litter. 

Refer to the chart below for an overview of equine pellets for cat litter vs. traditional clay cat litter.

Equine pellets are great for cat litter and equally effective in small animal habitats like hamster cages and rabbit hutches. Their high absorbency makes cleaning easier while controlling odours, a major advantage if your pet’s enclosure is kept indoors.

Other Creative Uses

Beyond the litter box and pet cages, equine pellets serve many unique purposes in the garden and home, thanks to their absorbency, composition, and biodegradability. 

In the garden, both used and unused equine pellets can be mixed into the soil as a compost-friendly amendment. As they break down, they help retain moisture, improve soil structure, and boost organic content. 

Equine pellets' high absorbency around the home or barn makes them great for soaking up spills or controlling moisture in damp areas. Because of their fresh pine scent, equine pine pellets can be used to deodorize closets, boot trays, or storage bins.

Here is a list of four creative uses for equine pellets:

1. Garden Mulch: Pellets expand into soft, absorbent material when wet, helping soil stay damp longer.

2. Composting: Pellets are essentially compressed sawdust, which provides carbon to balance out nitrogen-rich greens like food scraps, grass clippings, or manure.

3. Moisture Absorber: Place in trays in basements, tack rooms, or RVs to reduce dampness and smells.

4. Large Spill Cleaners: Ideal for absorbing oil and grease spills in garages or barns.

Equine pellets also make great materials for arts and crafts projects with your little ones. Toddlers love using equine pellets in sensory bins, especially when placed in water to watch them expand. You can also use equine pellets as eco-friendly building materials for birdhouses and small-scale building projects. 

Tips for Storing and Using Equine Pellets

Whether you are using equine pellets for feed or bedding, proper storage is essential to maintaining their quality, safety, and effectiveness. 

Here are a few reasons why proper storage matters:

• Moisture Protection: Equine pellets are naturally absorbent. Proper storage prevents exposure to humidity or dampness.

• Preserve Nutritional Value: Proper storage prevents deterioration from light, heat, or moisture for feed-grade equine pellets or equine alfalfa pellets.

• Prevent Contamination: Equine pellets tend to attract insects or rodents if not stored properly.

• Extend Shelf Life: Proper storage in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area makes equine pellets stay fresh and usable for longer.

Proper Storage to Prevent Mould and Moisture Damage

Proper storage is necessary when you store equine pellets and other types of animal bedding and feed.

Here’s a clear step-by-step guide for proper storage of equine pellets to prevent mould and moisture damage:

1. Choose a Dry Storage Area: Keep pellets in a location protected from rain, snow, and moisture.

2. Elevate Off the Ground: Store bags on wooden pallets or shelves.

3. Keep Bags Sealed: Leave pellets in their original packaging until use.

4. Use Airtight Containers for Long-Term Storage: Use plastic bins or metal storage cans to block humidity and pests.

5. Monitor for Moisture: Check the pellet bags regularly for dampness, leaks, or condensation.

How to Expand Bedding Pellets Correctly With Water

Setting up a stall with equine pellets may feel a little tricky at first, but once you learn how to expand them properly with water, the process becomes simple and efficient. Many horse owners find this method far easier to manage than maintaining a traditional straw-filled stall.

Follow these instructions for how to expand bedding pellets correctly with water:

1. Prepare the Stall or Area: Remove old bedding and rake or sweep the floor.

2. Place Pellets in the Stall: Pour pellets directly onto the stall floor or into a muck bucket.

3. Add Water: Use warm water to pour evenly over the pellets.

4. Allow Pellets to Absorb: Let pellets sit for 15–20 minutes while they soak up the water.

5. Break Up Clumps: Use a shovel and spread the expanded pellets until they make a fluffy, sawdust-like consistency.

6. Maintain the Bedding: Remove wet spots and manure daily and top with fresh expanded pellets as needed.

Final Thoughts

Equine pellets offer a practical and versatile solution for feeding, bedding, and everyday tasks around the barn and home. Whether you're focused on nutrition, comfort, or convenience, pellets deliver an efficient solution for multiple aspects of horse care. 

While a pellet-based routine covers the basics, don’t overlook your horse’s joint health. Consider adding a targeted joint support supplement like TRI-ACTA for Equine to your daily horse care routine. With a potent blend of ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM, TRI-ACTA for Equine offers the preventative support you need to keep your horse’s joints in optimal condition.

Purchase TRI-ACTA online or learn where to buy at a store near you.

TRI-ACTA H.A. for Equine

Our maximum strength formula is perfect for horses that are ageing, experiencing arthritis and stiffness, are in training and competition, or under a heavy workload.

Learn More