The Scoop on Grains and Concentrates

cereal grains may be processed include steam flaking crimp rolling extruding and cracking. Grains are in general low in fiber and high in energy particularly if processed but there are differences in the relative amount of different nutrients in each cereal grain. For example corn is higher in energy than oats or barely. Oats one of the most popular grains to feed horses are higher in fiber than corn and barley. Again processing these grains will improve digestibility in other words processing grains will increase the amount of nutrients that the horse can get from the grain. These days grain is rarely fed by itself as a concentrate instead it is often incorporated into pellets or mixed with pellets to make sweet feed.
Commercial Grain Pellet Mixes 
Commercial grain and pellet mixes are another feed option for your horse. They contain a mix of concentrates which provide energy protein vitamins and minerals that are specific are balanced based on a horses nutrient needs. Commercial mixes eliminate the guesswork of providing the appropriate amounts of minerals and vitamins in balanced quantities. Adding additional grains to commercial mixes will interfere with the nutritional balance of the feed.
Sweet feedtextured Feed
Textured feeds are a mixture of several cereal grains and molasses which is why it is often referred to as sweet feed. A balancer pellet is often included providing minerals and vitamins. Other ingredients may also be added such as rice bran beet pulp and powdered fat. Sweet feed is palatable to most horses. This sweetsmelling feed may mold if stored or kept in hot humid areas. The addition of molasses eliminates dust and increases palatability.
Pelleted Feed
Pelleted feeds often contain the same ingredients as sweet feeds. The ingredients are first ground then steamtreated and then forced through a pelleting die. Pellets stop picky eaters from sorting

ingredients in their feed. Pelleted feeds have a longer shelf life and are not as likely to mold.  It is important to note that hay pellets are different from pelleted feeds and are considered a form of forage not concentrate.
Extruded Feed
Similar to pelleted feed extruded feeds are uniform and the horse will not be able to pick through the ingredients. It is prepared the same way as pelleted feed but has an additional step where the feed is cooked under high temperature and pressure before it goes through a die. This helps to break down some of the structures within