A Healthy Diet for Horses

Maintaining a healthy diet for horses is the cornerstone for equine wellbeing. Regular review of the horse’s diet should be considered throughout the different seasons of the year. Needs change not only due to season, but to workload, age and condition.

History of the horse

Some communities in the world keep horses as working animals. Historical records state that the Botai Culture of Kazakhstan started domesticating horses between 6000BC and 5500BC. They kept them for milk and meat. Although horses are non-ruminants, they require large amounts of plant fiber. Microorganisms in the cecum break down cellulose. The following are six things that a healthy diet for horses should contain.

1. Protein

Most horse owners have a murky understanding of the right protein intake of horses. They break down proteins into amino acids inside their small intestines. They then recombine them to make proteins that form hair, hoof, and muscle. The quantity of protein that a horse can synthesize depends on the amount of amino acids that get depleted fast.

Lysine is the main protein that most horse feeds contain. It adds the protein quality of feeds without increasing their total amounts of protein. Mature horses need a protein percentage of up to 12 percent.

2. Vitamins

Vitamins are vital organic compounds that are classified into two groups; fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, K, D and E, and water-soluble vitamins such as the B-complex vitamins. Horses synthesize the vitamins they need. So, you don’t have to provide them with vitamin supplements. Some horse owners do horse feed shopping using digital assistants that help them pick the right feeds for their equines. Horses store fat-soluble vitamins in their bodies and excrete excess water-soluble vitamins in their urine.

3. Fats

High-fat diets are a new trend in horse keeping. Research shows that horses tolerate high levels of fat in diets, unlike donkeys. It is a rich source of energy for them. Commercial feeds without additional fats have up to 4 percent fat. But, some feed manufacturers are supplementing them with stabilized oils to increase their fat content to 12 percent.

4. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates form the largest part of horse feed. They are classified into non-structural carbohydrates like starches and sugars, and structural carbohydrates such as fibre. Horses get fibre from hay and grass. They digest it in their intestinal tract. Microorganisms in the colon and cecum break down structural carbohydrates into an absorbable energy source. Veterinarians recommend feeding equines with hay that doesn’t contain dust and mold.

5. Minerals

Minerals are essential inorganic elements that horses need to function properly. You can find them in stores and feed shelves at affordable prices. Even so, horses of different ages, health conditions, and levels of activity have varying mineral needs. Biotin, copper, and zinc improve hoof strength in horses. But, they are toxic if taken in excess.

6. Water

Horses take a lot of water daily. For example, an 1100 pounds equine taking a dry forage diet will need 7 gallons of water daily. The water intake might double if the temperature rises to extreme levels. Surprisingly, horses drink more water during winter. Insufficient water intake causes colic in horses and impairs digestion.

Horses have higher nutritional requirements than donkeys and zebras. Also, the requirements of horses vary based on age, gender, and the level of activity. Generally, horses take small portions of food throughout the day. The National Research Council (NRC) has outlined the nutrient requirements that a horse-feeding program requires.

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Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.