Top Tips for Equine Nutrition

Information on Feeding Horses a Balanced and Nutritious Diet, Including the Role of Hay, Grains, and Supplements

If you own a horse or plan to get one, you may wonder how to feed your equine friend. Horses have unique digestive systems that require special attention to their nutritional needs. Here we will provide some basic information on equine nutrition and how to feed horses a balanced and nutritious diet, including the role of hay, grains, and supplements.

The Basics of Equine Nutrition

Horses are herbivores, meaning they eat mostly plant material. They have evolved as grazers that spend about 16 hours grazing pasture grasses or other forages. Their digestive system consists of a small stomach, a long, small intestine, and a large hindgut where fermentation of fibre occurs by bacteria and protozoa.

The essential nutrient for horses is water. Horses need access to clean and fresh water, especially in hot weather or when exercising. Horses can drink up to 10 gallons of water daily, depending on their size, activity level, and environmental conditions. Dehydration can lead to serious health problems such as colic, kidney failure, and poor performance.

The second most important nutrient for horses is forage. Forage is any plant material that provides fibre, such as grass, hay, or haylage. Forage is the basis of a horse’s diet and should make up at least 50% of their daily intake by weight. Forage provides horses with energy, protein, minerals, vitamins, and water. It also helps maintain a healthy digestive system by stimulating chewing, saliva production, and gut motility.

Ideally, horses should have access to fresh pastures as much as possible. Pasture provides high-quality forage that is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. However, not all horses can graze freely due to limited land availability, seasonal changes, or health issues such as laminitis or metabolic syndrome. In these cases, horses should be fed hay or haylage as a substitute for pasture.

Hay is dried grass or legume that has been cut and baled. Hay can vary in quality depending on the plant type, the maturity stage, the harvesting method, and the storage conditions. Grass should be clean, dry, green, leafy, and free of mould, dust, weeds, and toxic plants. Hay should be tested for nutrient content and moisture level before feeding.

Haylage is grass or legume cut and wrapped in plastic while still moist. Haylage has a higher moisture content than hay (40-60% vs 10-20%) and undergoes fermentation by beneficial bacteria that preserve the nutrients and prevent spoilage. Haylage has a higher energy and protein content than hay but a higher risk of contamination if not properly made or stored.

The Role of Grains and Supplements

While forage should be horses’ primary nutrition source, some horses may need additional energy or nutrients to meet their needs. This is where grains and supplements come in.

Grains are seeds of cereal crops such as oats, barley, corn, or wheat. Grains are high in starch and sugar, which provide quick energy for horses. Grains are also high in protein and phosphorus but low in calcium and fibre. Grains should be fed in small amounts (no more than 0.5% of body weight per meal) and preferably processed (cracked,

rolled or pelleted) to improve digestibility.

Supplements provide extra vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, probiotics, or other substances that may benefit horses. Accessories are not necessary for all horses but may be helpful for some horses with specific conditions or requirements, such as pregnant or lactating mares, growing foals, senior horses, performance horses, or horses with health problems such as arthritis, ulcers, or allergies.

Supplements should be chosen carefully based on the horse’s needs and product quality. Supplements should not be used to replace a balanced diet but rather to complement it. Accessories should also be fed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and with veterinary guidance.

Summary

Equine nutrition is a complex topic that requires careful consideration of the horse’s individual needs,

the available feed sources,

and the potential benefits and risks of each feeding option.

The key points to remember are:

– Water is an essential nutrient for horses and should always be available.

– Forage is the basis of a horse’s diet and should make up at least 50%.

– Variety of nutrients and the timing of food soon after