Overview
Horses that live in a corral or pasture generally are not working as hard as those who live in a stable. Because of this, the horses do not need the concentrated grain-based foods that racehorses, show horses or breeding horses do. Horses that live in corrals or pastures still need access to fresh water at all times and a place for shade.
Hay
The most important horse corral food is good quality hay. It needs to be green and sweet-smelling. Hay takes a long time to eat, which not only makes it easier on a horse's digestive system than grain feeds, but helps to alleviate boredom. When horses get bored, they have a tendency to eat strange and potentially hazardous things like dirt, fencing, acorns or their own tails.
Misconceptions
A horse cannot survive just on the grass and plants within the corral fence. They will be grazed in no time, leaving the corral stripped bare of vegetation. This is why it's best to use hay as the main staple of horse corral food and also to rotate the grazing area of the horse every three to six days to avoid overgrazing.
Poisonous Plants
Before allowing horses inside of a corral or pasture, you need to check to be sure poisonous plants aren't growing. These include yew trees, red maple trees, ragwort, buttercups, nightshade, bracken, hemlock, jimson weed and ornamental shrubs. Horses cannot instinctively tell which plant is OK and which is poisonous. If it's within the reach of their mouths, they will eat it.
Size
To keep an average-sized (1,000 - 1,200 pound) horse at pasture, you need at least 3 acres, with rotating the horse from one acre to another every few days. If the horse's corral is immobile and rotating grazing space is impossible, then you have to supplement with hay entirely, using two or three flakes per horse per day.
Other Feeds
Horse corn and grain are not recommended feeds for horses that live outside mostly in pastures and corrals and aren't ridden very often. These feeds are far too rich and may give the horse colic as well as making the horse overweight. The occasional treats such as carrots or apples are OK for corral-confined horses. Sugar cubes are not OK, as they will make the horse hyper and hurt the horse's teeth.
Temporary Corrals
If possible, use of temporary corrals can help with overgrazing in a large pasture or corral. These are usually kits made up of portable electric fencing. Some others are made up of collapsible fencing. The use of temporary corral is good for trail rides, camping trips, horse shows (where allowed) and emergencies.
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