Wild horses are widely recognized for their grazing habits, spending much of their time consuming various grasses. While grass forms the bulk of their diet, these adaptable herbivores consume a much broader range of plant materials than many people might realize. Their ability to thrive in diverse environments stems from a flexible diet that incorporates numerous other vegetative sources. This dietary versatility allows them to meet their nutritional needs even when primary forage is scarce.
Beyond Grass: Primary Plant Alternatives
Wild horses regularly incorporate forbs and browse into their diet. Forbs are broad-leafed herbaceous plants that provide essential nutrients. These include dandelions, clover, and various wildflowers, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When grasses are less abundant or offer lower nutritional value, forbs become an important supplement, sometimes constituting around 10% of their diet.
Browse refers to the leaves, twigs, and young shoots from shrubs and trees. Wild horses consume woody plants such as sagebrush, juniper, rabbitbrush, aspen, willow, and cottonwood. This forage becomes especially important during colder months or in arid regions when green grasses are not readily available. Woody plants can comprise as much as 30 percent of a wild horse’s diet.
Diverse Dietary Additions
Wild horses also seek out other food sources to supplement their primary diet. Bark, particularly from trees like aspen, willow, and cottonwood, is consumed in winter when other vegetation is sparse. This provides sustenance and fiber during scarcity. Roots can also be part of their diet, unearthed by foraging, especially when other food sources are limited. Grass seed heads are a source of protein, minerals, and vitamins.
While not a primary food source, wild fruits like berries and apples are consumed when seasonally available, offering additional nutrients and energy. Cacti, such as the prickly pear, can provide both food and water during dry spells in desert environments. Horses may also consume soil or visit mineral licks to obtain essential minerals lacking in their plant-based diet.
Adapting to Environment and Season
A wild horse’s diet is dynamic, influenced by its environment and changing seasons. Horses in desert habitats, for example, rely on tough, desert-adapted vegetation, including certain cacti for hydration. In contrast, those in more temperate regions might have access to a wider variety of lush grasses and forbs during spring and summer.
During winter, when grass is covered by snow or dormant, wild horses shift their foraging efforts. They may dig through snow to find forbs and weeds, a technique known as “cratering,” or resort to eating tree bark, twigs, and dead leaves. This adaptability allows them to adjust food choices to prevailing conditions, ensuring sufficient sustenance year-round. Their ability to utilize diverse plant resources is central to their survival across varied landscapes.