In certain ways, the horse provides food (4)
I believe the answer is:
eggs
'food' is the definition.
(eggs is a kind of food)
'in certain ways the horse' is the wordplay.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'certain ways' becomes 'es' (east and south - two directions. I am not sure about the 'certain' bit.).
'the horse' becomes 'gg' (geegee or GG is a childish term for a horse).
'es' going around 'gg' is 'EGGS'.
'provides' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eggs that I've seen before include "__ Benedict" , "Poultry products" , "Levels (of quality)" , "Breakfast items" , "Bacon's partners" .)