Find the right feed for your horse with our Feed Finder Tool. Feed Small Meals: Laminitis due to starch-overload is very rare as most horses and ponies prone to laminitis are not fed large amounts of high starch concentrate feeds. Hay pellets are ground hay compressed into 2 inch by ½ inch pellets. An imbalance of these minerals can cause developmental bone disease in young, growing horses. Check and clean water buckets and tanks regularly. Feeds should be selected not only for their ability to meet the animal's nutritional requirements, and compatibility with the horse's GI tract. Long stem hay is the traditional baled hay. So never feed your pleasure horse more than it needs. grain for highly active horses or if the quality of the grass is poor. Horses need good quality hay. Introduce horses gradually to pastures by slowly increasing their daily grazing time. If a horse is worked in the morning, feed it one-third of the concentrate and a small portion of hay in the morning and a larger portion of hay with the grain at the noon feeding. Three or four times a day would be better. grain/hr. Nutrient requirements for different horse. Scaling down for Miniatures would point to about 3.5 to 4 pounds of hay. When a grass stand becomes too thin, overgrown, coarse or unappetizing to a horse, it should be clipped or mowed. Skin, hair, hooves and many other parts of a horse also are made of protein. It is then necessary to provide alternative sources of fibre that can be easily chewed and digested by the veteran horse. It is recommended that horses not be fed more than 1 percent of body weight from a grain source. Feed frequent meals. Behavioral Problems. Here are some factors to consider when determining which dewormer to use: Good pasture or grass that an animal can graze can be an economical food for horses, but pasture must be maintained. Other horses are very difficult to feed and require special attention. Never feed more than 10% of the diet in fats/oils. Excesses of some nutrients can inter-act with other nutrients. Estimates of dietary requirements can be found in a variety of publications, such as the National Research Council's Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 6th Edition (NRC, 2007), in extension websites. This means that the horse is a continuous grazer. Most people feed a ‘scoop’ or a ‘can’ of grain. Energy in fat is more concentrated than energy in carbohydrates. Even though yearlings require only 12% CP in the total ration, a 14% CP concentrate ration gives you more flexibility. Each vitamin has a different job in the body. Leafiness is influenced by the kind of hay, its maturity when cut, the weather conditions while growing and curing the hay, and curing procedures of the hay. Some ponies are practically impossible to get to a 5 or less, with a BCS of 6 acceptable, especially if they started at an 8. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. With an increase in work, grain should be added to its diet. Ration changes should be gradual -- over a minimum of five days to prevent digestive disturbances. Contact your local Penn State Extension Educator for the name of the laboratory nearest you. Provide fresh clean water at all times. 60 Day Trial. Water is the greatest single part of nearly all-living things. Horses should be fed a minimum of twice a day. Some horses require more and some less feed than others. Some of the basic requirements for a good pasture are: Well-managed pastures reduce feed costs and provide energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to animals. Medications and Drugs. Horse Feed Calculator. Energy nutrients (such as carbohydrates and fats). In the field, heavy rain can break off drying hay leaves and leaches energy and protein from the hay. For horses housed and fed outside in the more severe winter climates, it is strongly recommended that forages be offered in feeders located under a three-sided shelter. Numerous studies have shown that horses thrive on a regular and consistent routine for their feeding and exercise schedule. Have fresh, clean water available at all times-except to a hot horse. It is cut, cured, and baled. Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 6th Revised Edition. Horses should not be offered >0.5% of their body weight in high starch/sugar grain-based concentrates (eg, textured grain, pellets, or extruded feed) in a single feeding. Never feed moldy or dusty hay, grass or grain. The majority of starch (the principle component of cereal grains metabolized for energy), protein, fat, vitamins and minerals are digested and absorbed in the foregut (primarily in the small intestine) by enzymes and other digestive substances secreted into the small intestine by the pancreas, liver and cells making up the wall of the small intestine. Sprinkling or dunking dusty hay in water can reduce dust. Horses are creatures of habit and need to be fed at a consistent time each day, with a consistent quality of feed. It is important to know how to feed your horse and to make sure it gets all the nutrients it needs. Hay or pasture is the most important part of your horse’s diet. At about noon, they are given another flake of hay or have round bales in their turnout area. Horses need to consume, at very least, 1% of their body weight in pasture, hay, or other fiber sources. Watch your horse while it eats and inspect feed containers daily to detect abnormal eating or drinking behaviors. Breeding. It not only reduces the taste of the hay, it also aggravates respiratory problems. Grass type horse hays have a lower nutritional value than legumes, but are considered ‘safe’ hays, because it is harder for a horse to over eat or have a reaction to grass hay. As you wander through the aisles of pallets stacked two and three high with all manner of feeds and supplements it becomes increasingly difficult to make a decision on which will be best for your horse. Grass hay is generally higher in fiber and dry matter than alfalfa, but alfalfa may be higher in protein, energy, vitamins and calcium. They form body tissue. Grains are energy supplements to a high forage diet. Horse Care. Horses can digest cellulose (grass and hay) because they have small microbes in their large intestine (cecum) that can break it down. Protein and vitamin-mineral supplements are added to the diet to increase the diet's concentration. Tilting head to one side while eating grain may indicate a tooth problem. LEARN HOW TO STOP THE INVASIVE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY, Coronavirus: Information and resources for the Extension Community. Grasses commonly used as hay are brome, orchard, and timothy. When too much grain is fed, much of it is digested in the small intestine. Hay cubes are about an inch wide and 1- to 3-inches long. Why do we need this? Oats are the safest and easiest grain to feed with hay because it is high in fiber and low in energy, and higher in protein than corn. This type of hay is unacceptable for horses. When feeding horses, it is important to recognize that there are six basic nutrient categories that must be met: carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. Lush pasture forages can act as a laxative in early spring and may cause founder. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Avoid feeding moldy or dusty hay. In fact, his nutritional … Feed Protein % Best form to feed to horses Comments; Oats: 11.4: Whole or crimped: Standard and safest grain: Barley: 12.8: Soaked whole, steam rolled, flaked: Palatable and well accepted – cool “conditioning” energy working horses: Corn: 14.1: Crushed or cracked: Ideal energy dense boost for racing and high-performance horses in place of oats. Energy nutrients are the body's fuel and make up the bulk of the diet. Horses that are fed on a consistent schedule are less likely to go off their feed or develop undesirable stall habits (vices). An equine veterinarian helps a reader with divided time develop a schedule to exercise her out of shape horses. Because a horse's stomach is very small and cannot hold a large amount of feed at one time, it should be fed at least twice a day on a regular schedule. Energy nutrients power muscle movement to walk, breathe and blink eyes. Horses come to expect to be fed at set times each day. A horse requires five types of nutrients. Training. Some commercial feed companies make pre-mixed, convenient, easy-to-use formulated feeds for horses that are on different hay diets such as grass or alfalfa. The National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. If too much variation in time or quality of feed exists, it can lead to digestive disturbances. It makes up most of the blood that carries nutrients to cells and takes waste products away. Most nutrients in hay are in the leaves, and leafy hay is a valuable source of food. 2015-41595-24254 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Roughage/Forage Roughage, found in hay or grass, is the bulk of the horse's food. Does your horse need a veteran feed? Fats or oils are another source of energy. Constantly assess the body condition of your horse. Clean water should be provided daily, and ideally, should be available at all times for the horse to drink when it … Erratic schedules will annoy horses, and they may develop stall vices such as kicking, raking their teeth on the stall, or cribbing. Limit an overweight horse’s diet to 1.5 percent of their body weight daily. Feed three to four equal size meals per day -- because a horse's stomach is very small and cannot hold a large amount of feed at one time -- or feed at least twice a day on a regular schedule. While it’s a myth that you need to feed your horse at the same time every day, it’s quite clear that feeding a horse just twice a day can cause your horse significant distress. There are a variety of websites that allow you to make the calculations automatically or provide step-by-step instructions. More active horses, those performing work, those that are growing and lactating, have higher calorie requirements and can tolerate somewhat higher levels of sugar and starch than idle horses or those with metabolic issues. Many horse owners feed grass hay or straight alfalfa or a combination of grass and alfalfa to their horses. Ponies can founder in less than 60 minutes of grazing if introduced suddenly to lush grass. This determines if you're feeding program meets or exceeds the horse's needs. Feed Finder. Equine Senior. Related Education Content. More Forage. Proteins eventually become muscle, internal organs, bone and blood. Microbes enable horses to utilize fiber quite well. It should be bright green, leafy and fine textured, with a fresh, pleasant aroma. Lush pasture is a danger zone for ponies. Horses should be fed a minimum of twice a day. Buying hay can be difficult, but it really is worth it to be particular because poor hay can … See All Pest, Disease and Weed Identification, See All Beer, Hard Cider, and Distilled Spirits, See All Community Planning and Engagement, National Research Council's Nutrient Requirements of Horses, Grain-1-3 lbs. Amino acids build bodies; they enter the blood stream from the intestine, and blood carries amino acids to all parts of the body. Tools. Your horse can get its essential nutrients from many types of feed. Musty hay or other indications of mold or heating, and dust, weeds and other foreign material in hay can be unhealthy for an animal. For the average 1,100-pound horse, that would be at least 11 pounds of forage per day. It is important to remember to set times for feeding and feed at those times 365 days a year. Good quality hay is sufficient feed for a mature horse that is ridden very little. Understanding the function of the horse's gastrointestinal (GI) tract is critical for maintaining its health and preventing conditions such laminitis. Without iron, blood cannot carry oxygen to the body's cells. The evening feed consisted of a … A horse drinks about 10 to 12 gallons of water daily depending on the work it is doing. Remember, each horse has to be fed as an individual. Outlast. Grains may be cracked, steamed or rolled, but, if ground too finely, may cause respiratory problems or colic. This work is supported by New Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no. Forty-five to 72 hours is required for food to completely pass through the digestive tract of the horse. Campaigns. Space multiple feedings throughout the day. How to choose the right feed for your horse Walking into a feed store can be a daunting experience with so many bags and brightly coloured packages to choose from. It also is important not to over feed grain to horses because this can cause digestive upset such as colic. Cellulose (carbohydrates found in hay and grass) is one of the more complex carbohydrates. Color is an indicator of quality and nutrient content; good hay is a bright green. If you plan to keep your pony on grass introduce it very slowly. The best strategy to use when developing a feeding plan for your horse is to feed based on the desired weight, rather than the current weight. For example, a 1,200-pound horse should receive 18 pounds of feed daily when restricted to 1.5 percent of their body weight. The grain should be clean, mold- and insect-free, with a bright color. of work, Grain-5-10 lbs. After food is digested, blood carries its energy to the body. (1.5-2 lbs. e.g. Other minerals are likely to be present in adequate amounts in a normal diet. Protein not needed to maintain or build a horse's body is either converted into energy or passed through the digestive system. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The horse's daily nutrient ration needs will vary due to age, activity or performance level, health status, and, in broodmares, stage of pregnancy or lactation. Finding the right horse feeding program is paramount to helping your horse perform and feel the best. Concentrated mixes are cereal grains with supplements added to increase the specific nutrient content of the mix. By 3:30, all of the horses are brought in for their evening feeding. Small amounts of minerals usually are needed. But don't overfeed your horse; too much feed at one time can cause founder. of work, Grain-3-8 lbs. When you feed your horse, take into account its age, weight, work and growth to determine its diet. Depending on its diet, a horse may need vitamin supplements. Total protein in feeds is measured by crude protein (CP). The horse’s digestive system is designed to allow small quantities of food to pass through continually during the day. Feed grain to yearlings at approximately 0.5 to 1lb/100lb of body weight. An example of one: Always be careful not to create an excess of other nutrients when increasing feed ingredient levels. Some horses are easier to feed and require fewer nutrients than others. Horses don’t do well with abrupt feed changes. During digestion, proteins break down into amino acids. Grass or alfalfa hay, or a combination of the two, are good sources of roughage. These feeds may be more expensive than developing your own ration, but they are good for the owner who does not want to spend time to research their horse's diet. There are many books available to show you how to balance a horses' ration or contact your local Penn State Extension Educator for help. Tools. grain/hr. Water performs many tasks in the body. Diagnosis. (At the same time, this energy maintains body temperature). Grazing is the natural feeding pattern of horses, and pasture or hay can often supply the majority of a horse’s nutritional requirement. A hot horse needs to be given water slowly. Protein supplies material for body tissue. More than this in a single meal reduces digestive efficiency and predisposes to problems such as … Some protein supplements are oilseed meals, soybeans, cottonseed, linseed (flaxseed) meal, peanut meal, sunflower seed meal and rapeseed (canola). (1.5-2.5 lbs. Only a horse that is worked extremely hard would ever receive half of its ration in grain. For a Healthier Horse, Feed All the Time. A racehorse in heavy training is an example of a horse requiring half of its ration in grain. A properly conditioned horse will have enough fat so its ribs don't show, but you should still be able to feel the ribs when you run your fingers over them. You should not need to add any other supplements to the diet. Carbohydrates are the main energy source for all animals. Many disorders can be avoided by giving your horse a balanced ration. Campaigns. Behavior. Feed horses according to their work schedule. Feed Innovation. Entering your postal code will help us provide news or event updates for your area. Does your horse need a specialist feed? National Research Council (NRC). Younger horses require special rations, talk to your veterinarian. Whether feeding for weight gain, showing, or for skin, coat and hoof condition, Dengie has a wide range of products to help keep your horse looking its best. It is recommended that the diet contain no less than 1 percent of body weight of roughage such as hay, pasture, etc. Vitamin and mineral supplements should only be added to the diet if the horse is deficient. Estimate your horse's body weight Horse feed diets are typically designed to be fed at rates of anywhere from 5 lbs. Horses kept outdoors will have higher energy requirements and the higher energy forages such … Concentrates are lower in fiber and higher in energy than roughages. Keep feed and water containers clean. The nutrient requirements of a horse vary with its age, weight and the amount of work it performs. Diseases. 2007. Some horses benefit from three or more feedings per day. To use this table, decide what class best fits your horse and your horse’s body weight. Give the least amount needed to meet the energy requirements of your horse. It is important to feed the horse’s physiological growth rate, not necessarily its chronological age. Feed according to condition; Weight loss is a common problem that affects horses as they age and for this reason most specific veteran feeds, are high in calories to help older horses gain weight and maintain good condition. Generally, the only minerals of concern in feeding horses are calcium, phosphorus and salt. This is an important factor to keep in mind when dictating a schedule, traveling to shows, or bringing a new horse into your barn or program. It can be fed on the ear, cracked, rolled or shelled. Feed an amount that is adequate to maintain a body condition similar to that of an athlete. Many yearlings grow as fast as weanlings, and must be fed a diet to support such a growth rate in a sound manner. Instead, you should be feeding your horse all day. If a horse dips mouth in water while eating, it may have a sharp tooth. Other factors such as body condition, health history and environmental factors should be taken into account to best design a sound ration for your horse. Horses at an ideal body weight usually consume about 2 percent of their body weight in feed (includes hay, grain products and supplements) daily. An equine veterinarian helps a reader with divided time develop a schedule to exercise her out of shape horses. When you balance a ration: Determine the age, weight and level of activity or work of the horse, and determine the actual nutrient content of the available feed by sending your feed to a commercial feed-testing laboratory (follow the direction in the article above). Tips for feeding the geriatric horse or toothless horse. The horse's GI tract is a delicate system. Once you have established good grain feed portions for your horse, be consistent in the amounts that you feed from day to day. With this level, even if you use different types of hays with protein variations, the horse … Horses were not designed to consume large quantities of food at a single feeding. ... Finding the right horse feeding program is paramount to helping your horse perform and feel the best. Energy in feeds is measured in Mega calories (Mcal) of digestible energy (DE). All grains are low in calcium, but high in phosphorus. A horse's GI tract consists of: The stomach and the small intestine make up the foregut of the horse; the cecum, large colon, small colon and rectum make up the hindgut of the horse. A horse is underweight and weighs 300kg. In some geographical areas, lack of selenium and, in growing horses, copper and zinc, is a concern. a supply of appetizing plants such as grasses or legumes, a paddock or stall to house your horse for part of the day, only use pastures for daily exercise and grazing, a year-round supply of fresh, clean water, no equipment, holes or other dangerous materials in the pasture. Because a horse's stomach is very small and cannot hold a large amount of feed at one time, it should be fed at least twice a day on a regular schedule. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. Additionally, the twice-a-day feeding routine you follow is quite unnatural and requires internal adjustments that stress the digestive and metabolic systems. Iron, copper, phosphorous, calcium and magnesium are examples of minerals that are important for a horse's body. If you are feeding a commercial complete feed, you will not need to feed hay (follow the label for feeding recommendations). Horses should be kept on a consistent feeding schedule, with meals arriving at the same time each day. There are also feeds for specific classes of horses. Once you determine a horse's requirements, then analyze your hay and feeds for what nutrients they provide. Feed Horses According to Body Weight Table 1 shows recommended daily feed intakes by horses as a percentage of body weight. of work). of feed per day to a 1000 horse to provide all the necessary nutrients including protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Without calcium and phosphorous, bones and teeth will not form properly. Therefore, good feeding management requires that feedings be spaced throughout the day. Ideally, horses should stabilize at a BCS between 4 and 5, with more sensitive, chronically laminitic horses maintained toward a 4. As a general rule, a full-sized horse should be given hay or grass at a rate of about 1 to 1.5% of body weight per day. Three or four times a day would be better. Start with 10 minutes of grazing and gradually add a few minutes each day twice a day. Proper exercise improves appetite, digestion, muscle tone and mental health for horses. If no exercise is induced in the evening, the nighttime feeding of concentrate and forage can offered at the same time. Specialist diets include feeds low in starch and sugar, feeds suitable for laminitics or feeds for horses or ponies with intolerances to certain feed ingredients. Feed by weight, not by volume. Carbohydrates are complex compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Water is the most important nutrient in your horses’ diet. Some horses benefit from three or more feedings per day. An exercise lot with a few blades of grass is not a pasture; such a lot, or overgrazed pasture, is not a source of nutrients and can be a serious source of internal parasites. Often easy keepers pose more challenging feeding issues than hard keepers. A mature average-sized horse will drink 5 to 10 gallons per day. When balancing or evaluating a ration, use the National Research Council tables as a guideline to determine available nutrients to meet your horse's requirements. Like carbohydrates, fat is made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and also provide energy for movement and heat. Always maintain at least half of the ration as roughage, such as hay or grass. Hay can be long-stemmed in hay bales, or come bagged in cubes, or pellets. Vitamins are needed in much smaller amounts than other nutrients, but they are just as vital. Corn has the highest energy content of any grain and can put weight on a horse quickly. Dust is objectionable in any feed for horses. Some feeds are specially formulated for young, growing horses (weanlings and yearlings); and for geriatric (aged) horses that are old and have specific nutritional needs. This sometimes starts fires through spontaneous combustion in barnyard stacks of stored, baled hay. It’s … Grain quality is just as important as hay quality. If the horse’s ideal weight is 400kg, don't feed 2.5% of 300kg. A normal, healthy horse will consume 5-15 (or more) gallons of water per day depending on temperature, humidity and activity level. Each nutrient has an important role in the horse's body and is needed to keep the horse healthy. Small grains, such as corn, oats and barley, are known as concentrates. Most horses aren’t harmed by an abrupt change in schedule, but for horses who are prone to colic, a sudden change in routine can be more than an annoyance and might be enough to trigger a colic episode. Some individuals will slow down their growth rate at 6 to 12 months, while others continue to grow rapidly. Metabolic disorders, such as laminitis, osteochondrosis and epiphysitis, stem from an imbalance in nutrients. For example, a 1,100 pound horse requires at least 11 pounds of roughage. Consult with your nutrition professional, county extension agent or veterinarian to help you formulate a ration designed to insure the health and longevity of your horse. The horse does not produce enzymes which digest fiber, but uses microbes to break down fiber. to as much as 8 lbs. Calcium and phosphorous should be fed in a ratio that ranges from 3:1 (three parts calcium for each part of phosphorous) to 1:1. Often, feed companies will balance the first five nutrients for us; however, it is critical not to forget about water. Only add supplements to the diet if something is missing. Grain is best fed in small portions. Feeds from commercial companies have an analysis attached either as a separate tag or printed directly on the container, or that gives guaranteed minimum and/or maximum amounts of certain nutrients. Supply hay and/or grain in a rack rather than feeding from the ground; ... Before beginning a worming schedule, it is wide to have a serious discussion with your vet about the best possible worming schedule for your horse. Feed horses according to their work schedule. In addition, horses should have constant access to plenty of fresh, clean water for the gut to function normally. An additional benefit to grass hay is that is easier on the kidney's due to it's lower protein content and it tends to have finer stems, making it easier to chew and digest…..nice for senior horses. These helpful hints will help you care for your horse nutritionally. In very cold weather, water heaters may be needed to prevent the water from freezing. But don't overfeed your horse; too much feed at one time can cause founder. Supplements usually are not necessary if a horse is allowed to graze on grass. And teeth will not need to consume, at very least, 1 % of their body weight roughage! The Extension Community food is digested in the leaves, and timothy by ½ inch pellets may have a tooth. Chronological age quality hay is a valuable source of energy and protein from the USDA National of. A normal diet to their horses and magnesium are examples of minerals that are important for a mature horse is. Put weight on a regular and consistent routine for their evening feeding or... Heating in the small intestine 60 minutes of grazing and gradually add a few minutes each,... To utilize the functionality of this website gram than carbohydrates for the name of the 's! 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