Transcript Unit 8: Horses

Unit 8: Horses
Unit 8: Horses
 Nutrient Requirements
 Opinions are highly divided on many
nutrient needs
 Varies w/ the breed/use of the horse
 Energy
 Depends on size and type of work
 Pregnancy doesn’t increase energy
requirement significantly
 Except during last 3 mos
 Lactating mares should be supplemented
Unit 8: Horses
 Protein
 Ignore high cost proteins and amino acids
 Unclear how much is needed/used
 Supplemental protein is often not needed in
older animals
 Grain and/or pasture, hay will meet needs
 Unless roughage is poor
 1 lb CP/100 lb BW enough protein for
maintenance
 Pregnant mare .35lb + maintenance
 Lactating mare .04 lb/lb milk + maintenance
Unit 8: Horses
 Minerals
 Important for feet/leg soundness
 Ca/P
 1.5:1 or 2:1 ratios should be sufficient
 Depends on size, age, work
 Salt
 85g/d
 .5% of the total ration
 Both nutrient and condiment
Unit 8: Horses
 TM
 TM salt will likely cover all needs
 Data is lacking to support specific needs
 Lost cost insurance for improved production
 Vitamins
 Also limited information on needs
 Affected by size, age, workload
 Vit A
 Pasture will supply usually
 Supplement if stalling
Unit 8: Horses
 Vit D
 Supplement when horses are kept inside a
lot
 Sunlight will help supply
 Vit E
 Maybe most important mineral
 Works w/ selenium
 Prevents muscle degeneration, fat disease in
foals
 1% of Vit A supplementation
 Vit C
 Horse can synthesize its own
Unit 8: Horses
 B vits
 Most requirements are based on swine data
 Feeds for Horses
 Forages
 Hay or pasture at 1-2 lbs/100 lb BW
 Weight quality heavily in the ration
 Feeding Hay
 Moldy/dusty hay can cause colic
 Poor quality hay in large amounts will reduce
GI movement, cause impaction
 Be cautious w/ very high quality hay
Unit 8: Horses
 Bromegrass, orchard grass, timothy, bermuda
grass mixtures are excellent for horses
 Legume hays should be mixed either in the
field or at feeding to prevent health problems
 Pastures
 Pasture mixes should be similar to hay
 No grain supplementation needed for horses if
high quality pasture is available
 Maybe only weanlings, yearlings, lactating
mares, performance horses
Unit 8: Horses
 Concentrates
 Oats
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Most widely used and most popular
Use clean, high quality grain
Dusty may cause colic
May roll/crush for older horses
 Corn
 Should be cracked, coarsely ground, or rolled
 Higher in energy than oats
 Most mix corn/oats
Unit 8: Horses
 Protein supplements
 SBM
 High quality
 Economical
 Linseed meal
 Provides bloom and luster for haircoat
 Pelleted is best to reduce dust
 May be more expensive