Basic equine nutrition

Search for:. The FeedBank is a reference database providing nutrition information on components in the equine diet. Listing in the FeedBank does not imply endorsement by Mad Barn.

A sound nutritional program is important to ensure that horses are happy, healthy, and perform to their best. When teaching an audience about equine nutrition, it is best to start with the digestive anatomy and physiology because it directly relates to what, how, and when a horse is fed. This publication provides educators with information about the anatomy and function of the digestive system along with specific points to make when teaching about sound feeding management practices. Forages for horses, like pasture and hay, contain water, protein, fat, structural carbohydrates i. It was only in the last few thousand years that cereal grain-based concentrates high in non-structural carbohydrates were added to the diet to help meet the energy demands of the equine athlete. The digestive system of the horse can be divided into the foregut consisting of the mouth, esophagus, stomach and small intestine, and the hindgut consisting of the cecum, large and small colon, and rectum.

Basic equine nutrition

Carey A. Williams, Ph. Horses are non-ruminant herbivores hind-gut fermentors. Their small stomach only has a capacity of 2 to 4 gallons for an average-sized lb. This limits the amount of feed a horse can take in at one time. Equids have evolved as grazers that spend about 16 hours a day grazing pasture grasses. The stomach serves to secrete hydrochloric acid HCl and pepsin to begin the breakdown of food that enters the stomach. Horses are unable to regurgitate food, so if they overeat or eat something poisonous vomiting is not an option. Horses are also unique in that they do not have a gall bladder. This makes high fat diets hard to digest and utilize.

The large colon is approximately 12 feet long and can be divided into four main sections. In these situations, it is important to remember that it may take a few days to a week for a horse to naturally increase the numbers of gut microbes so that it can basic equine nutrition utilize forages in its diet again.

A balanced diet is just as essential to your horse's health as it is to yours. No matter what your horse's age, these nutrients are essential for good health and strong bones and muscles. Adequate water intake is essential for the absorption of other nutrients, digestion, and temperature regulation. Although you may not be able to force a horse to drink, you can make drinking water more tempting by:. Offering fresh water daily rather than topping off buckets and troughs. Using bucket heaters or tank de-icers to prevent water from freezing. Increasing thirst with salt blocks or electrolyte supplements if your horse doesn't drink enough.

However, enzymatic digestion of carbohydrates, protein, and fats is also of major importance. This occurs in the small intestine, which is the primary site of absorption of sugars, amino acids, long-chain fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. Any of the nutrient sources that escape small intestinal digestion and absorption are passed on for microbial degradation in the large intestine, where byproducts of microbial fermentation, such as volatile fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins, are absorbed. Fermentation is altered by the type of substrates available as well as by body temperature and pH. Current recommendations are that horses receive at least 1. This can include pasture or range grasses, legumes, or preserved forages such as hay, haylage, forage substitute eg, hay cubes, hay-based pellets, beet pulp , or other high-fiber sources. The average maximum daily dry matter intake by equine animals is usually 2. These intake limitations should be considered when calculating rations for equine animals. Water requirements vary with environmental conditions, amount of work or physical activity being performed ie, water lost through sweating , type and amount of feed dry feeds need more than succulent grasses , and physiologic status of the animal.

Basic equine nutrition

Horse Nutrition. Sort by: Date. Updated: February 23, Would your horse benefit from nutritional supplements? How do you know which ones to choose? In this recorded webinar, learn the basics of determining what supplements can be helpful and how to choose what is best for your horse. With so many brands and varieties of horse feeds, how do you know which to choose? In this recorded webinar, learn about the unique features of the horse's digestive tract and how it relates to proper feeding management.

Black ops 2 controls ps3

It has 18 carbon atoms and a double bond in trans configuartion between carbons 9 and More water will be needed during periods of heavy exertion, when it's hot or if a mare is lactating. Calcium Calcium is important for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Large Colon The large colon is approximately 12 feet long and can be divided into four main sections. Alpha-Linolenic acid Alpha-Linolenic acid C is a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid. DHA plays important roles in brain health and inflammation regulation. Horses that are under heavy exercise or under increased levels of stress also may benefit from vitamin E supplementation. The FeedBank is a reference database providing nutrition information on components in the equine diet. Vitamin E is found in fresh green forages, however, the amount decreases with plant maturity and is destroyed during long term storage. In order to determine the nutrient content in forage it is best to take samples and get them analyzed by a forage testing lab contact your local County Extension Office for testing information or see the fact sheet, FS, Analysis of Feeds and Forages for Horses. Organic Minerals. Pyridoxine Pyridoxine , also known as vitamin B6, plays a role in blood sugar regulation, muscle development, mood regulation, hormone production and joint health. Feeding horses properly is a science, but it also can be made relatively simple by relating digestive anatomy and physiology to everyday feeding management practices. Feed by weight not volume!

Kylee J. Duberstein, Ph.

Lastly, the microbial population can decrease substantially when forage is withheld from horses for longer than 8 hours or in cases where a horse experiences bouts of diarrhea. Manganese Manganese is crucial for bone formation and antioxidant protection. These recommendations are based on NRC recommendations as well as the composition of their feed. It is important for vision, reproductive health in mares and for maintaining immune function. Horses are also unique in that they do not have a gall bladder. The main building blocks of protein are amino acids. It is named this because its function is to ensure movement of digesta into the cardiac region of the stomach, but not back into the esophagus. Vitamin A Vitamin A retinol is made from the precursor beta-carotene. Calcium Calcium is important for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Forage is the base! Soluble Protein SP Soluble Protein is the soluble fraction of the protein that is readily available to the horse. Therefore, horses should have their daily feed ration divided up into small meals throughout the day. The majority of fat, protein, simple sugars, vitamins, and minerals are digested and absorbed in the small intestine.