1. It is important to remember that the horse needs to be fed, but also the microbes need to be fed as well.
    1. Proper feeding can reduce the incidence of colic and other digestive problems.
    2. The horse is a grazing animal, and therefore performs optimally when a slow steady supply of fermentable material is allowed for the microflora.
    3. Research has shown that feeding several times a day is best – especially when large amounts of grain are fed.  The same research showed that on a high energy, low fiber diet and fed twice a day, microbial activity was adversely influenced, and predisposed the horse to more spontaneous digestive disturbances.
    4. Therefore, when feeding grain, three or more feeding per day is recommended.
  2. Remember that dietary ingredients can influence microbial activity.
    1. High starch or grain intake decreases the relative amount of acetate production and increases the relative amount of propionate.
    2. Dietary changes should be made gradually to allow for proper corresponding microbial changes to occur.
    3. Abrupt changes in the horses diet can alter microbial population, intestinal pH, and kill certain types of bacteria which may lead to endotoxin release.
    4. It is suggested that the release of endotoxin is one of the causes of founder (or laminitis).
    5. It is recommended that forage be fed at 1 lb dry matter per 100 lb of body weight in order to maintain proper microbial activity.

 

General Nutrient Requirements of the Horse

  1. Horses can survive very well on pasture (when ample minerals are provided)
  2. Horses require energy like all animals, but the potential exists for energy intake to be problematic
    1. Normal Requirements, Mcal/d (BW and ADG in kg):

                                                               i.      Maintenance = 1.4 + 0.03BW

                                                             ii.      Weanlings = 1.4 + 0.03BW + 9ADG

                                                            iii.      Yearlings = 1.4 + 0.03BW + 16ADG

                                                           iv.      Long Yearlings = 1.4 + 0.03BW + 18ADG

                                                             v.      2 Year Olds = 1.4 + 0.03BW + 20ADG

    1. Energy for work depends on (4 to 16 Mcal per hour of work):

                                                               i.      Type of work

                                                             ii.      Speed of work

                                                            iii.      Terrain over which the work is done

    1. Obesity
    2. Founder (laminitis)
  1. Protein deficiency usually results in a reduced appetite
    1. Microbial synthesis occurs at the end of the GI tract (after absorption of AA)
    2. High quality protein is recommended
    3. Feed to meet the horses amino acid needs
  2. Minerals are not usually a problem
    1. Deficiencies result in weakened bones, and lead to leg problems

                                                               i.      Ca and P are NOT the only minerals necessary, but no information is currently available

    1. For Ca and P it is important to remember

                                                               i.      Adequate amounts of each is needed

                                                             ii.      The suitable ration between the two is needed

                                                            iii.      Vitamin D must be available

    1. Salt (NaCl) is often forgot about by horse owners, but is especially needed by horses because they are one of the few farm animals that sweat (loosing tremendous amounts of salt)
  1. Most vitamins are adequate for horses.
    1. Vit. A should be checked in the horses diet

                                                               i.      When grazing green grass or fed green hay, should not be a problem

                                                             ii.      If fed feeds low in carotene, especially in the winter, supplementation is advisable

    1. Vit. D may be a problem for horses confined to the stable for most of the day (sunlight)

                                                               i.      Most feeds are low in Vitamin D

                                                             ii.      Usually feed 10 to 15% of the Vitamin A

    1. Vit. E

                                                               i.      Recent research INDICATES that vitamin E and Se can assist “tying up” in intensively trained animals

                                                             ii.      Usually feed 1% of the Vitamin A

    1. B vitamins

                                                               i.      For mature non-working horses, it is believed that microbial synthesis and subsequent absorption (with water) in the Large Intestine satisfies the needs of the animal.

                                                             ii.      Producing (working, growing, etc.) horses may require supplemental B vitamins.

                                                            iii.      Very little research has been done regarding B vitamin requirements.