With the advent of commercial feeds and complete rations available through most tack stores and feed mills, designing a balanced ration for your horse need not be a time-consuming or difficult chore. With a basic understanding of the nutrients required by every horse, the different sources for nutrition and what your horse's stage of life is and his amount of work, each owner can confidently maintain good health.

All horses require the six basic nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins, minerals and water. Carbohydrates and fat provide the majority of energy to the horse; they are supplied mostly through concentrates. Protein is the building block for the horse, used to form muscle, hormones, hoof and hair, among other tissues. The horse requires vitamins in very small amounts to help as catalysts that prompt reactions in the body tissues. The fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are synthesized by the horse, while the water-soluble ones (B-complex and C) must be found in the diet. Minerals are required in varying amounts and are in three categories: major, macro and trace. Since they are found in the soil, different regions of the country have different dietary mineral requirements. Water is a crucial nutrient that must always be provided by a fresh and clean source. Requirements vary by environment, feed and work.

The common feeds can be separated into three categories: roughages, concentrates and supplements. Both pasture and hay are roughages, and are generally high in fiber and low in energy. Legume hays (alfalfa, clover, etc.) are higher in protein, energy, calcium and vitamin A. They must be fed carefully as these amounts may unbalance an otherwise sound ration. Grass hays (timothy, brome, Kentucky bluegrass, etc.) are usually more affordable and contain nutrients closer to the horse's requirements. Hay quality is a key element to horse health. Most important, the hay must dust and mold free; their presence may cause respiratory and digestive problems. Weeds also are undesirable, as they add woody material that has a low palatability and digestibility. The stage of growth also affects hay quality. As the plant matures the protein content, digestibility and palatability declines and fiber content increases. Check the hay for its stem to leaf ratio; the stemmier it is the later in its growth stage it was harvested. Look for a high proportion of leaves, as that is where the highest percent of nutrients is. One other criterion to hay quality is storage. The bales should be kept dry and unexposed to sunlight. Nutrient content decreases through the first six months of storage, but if storage conditions are adequate the loss should then plateau.

Pasture is an excellent source of roughage, as it allows the horse to follow its natural inclination to continually graze, but it is also subject to varying quality. Nutritional value depends on the type of grass present and growing season. Early in the season the grass has a high-moisture and low-energy content. As the season continues the moisture content drops, while the nutrients increase. The geographical area will determine what plants will grow healthily, generally there should be a mix of one or two grasses with one or two legumes. If possible the pasture should be split into two or more, smaller ones so that they can be rotated, keeping overgrazing and trampling at a minimum. Good management practices will contribute to a healthy and valuable pasture. Fertilizers can help keep the proper balance between grasses and legumes, but must be selected according to each region's soil type. Irrigation may help pastures that would otherwise be stressed by lack of water. If the horses are not grazing one part of the pasture, move the water supply, salt or feed to encourage its use. The pasture can also be mowed at regular intervals to keep weeds under control, and picking up manure will help decrease parasites and promote even grazing.

Concentrates are the grains in the ration, which are higher in energy and lower in fiber than roughages. Oats, barley and corn are the most common grains fed to horses. These grains are all palatable to the horse, with varying levels of energy and protein. Mixed together they make an excellent ration. The kernels are usually processed by rolling, crimping or cracking. It is then easier to chew and the digestive juices have better access to the kernel. However, after processing the nutrients will deteriorate faster in storage. Each grain has a different density so they need to be fed by weight, not volume, to be accurate, especially when mixing your own ration or changing the diet. Commercially prepared feeds are easily fed and are of a consistent mix. The owner must be able to accurately read the feed label to evaluate the concentrate for their horse and feed the proper amount.

Supplements are fed to increase the nutritive quality of the ration. The four types are protein, vitamin, mineral and a combination of the three. Protein supplements may be fed when the horse has a high protein requirement, animals that are growing, lactating or in the later stages of pregnancy. Most rations contain excess protein; as protein is expensive to feed, it is more economical to watch your horse's requirements and keep to them. Vitamin supplementation is rarely needed, and it is very uneconomical to feed an excess. Carefully evaluate the ration before adding a vitamin supplement. Injectable vitamins should be used only under a veterinarian's authority to treat a disease or a deficiency. Mineral supplements are often needed to balance the mineral content in the ration. Most horse owners provide a salt block to their horses, while others have a trace mineral block available. The horses will usually regulate their intake of free-choice minerals.

When balancing a ration it is crucial to know the horse's stage of growth and amount of work produced. Each class has very specific requirements that must be met, and it is the owner's responsibility to see that the feeds are proper. Not only must the concentrate portion and roughage portion be balanced individually, but the entire diet, including supplements, must be balanced together.

Understanding where your horse's needs lie and carefully monitoring feed quality and intake can help the conscientious owner provide the best nutrition possible. Keeping the diet consistent in both feed type and timing and making changes gradually can further ease feeding worries. Every owner should have ready access to the National Research Council's Nutrient Requirements of Horses to help them evaluate their animal's needs and provide every nutrient in the proper amount and form. Healthy horses are more productive and easier to care for, not to mention happier. Proper nutrition is the first step in managing your horse's to keep them in peak condition.

 

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