Equine Nutrition & Feeding
Time-Budgets
Feral Horses
Select highest fiber,
lowest protein content
70% of its day foraging
Stabled Horses
10% of their day feeding
Meal fed
Mastication
•Jaw sweeps 60,000
times/day when grazing
•Saliva contains little, if any
amylase
Left Side of Horse
Right Side of Horse
Digestion
is
organ
specific
8%
Starch digestion
occurs in the
stomach and
small intestines
Amino acids and
fat digested
and absorbed in
small intestine
30%
Vitamins/minerals
absorbed in small
intestine
(Stomach: 15 min.
Small intestine:
30-90 min.)
62%
Fiber digestion
occurs in the
cecum/colon
(48-72 hours)
Stomach
9-15 liters
Trickle feeders
Transit time <2 hr
Cardiac sphincter
does not relax to
allow regurgitation
Small Intestine
30% of GIT, ~70 ft. long
~contains 24 gallons
3 Segments
Duodenum
Jejunum
Ileum
Starch digestion occurs in
the stomach and small
intestines
Amino acids and fat digested
and absorbed in small
intestine
Many Vitamins/minerals
absorbed in small intestine
α-Amylase – low & varies
widely between horses
Large Intestine
Hindgut – 60% of digestive tract capacity
Cecum –
25-35 liters
Large muscular mixing vat
Initiates fermentation
Begins protein degradation & B vitamin
synthesis
Large Colon
50-60 liters
Continuation & completion of microbial
digestion, absorption of VFA, B vitamins
Conservation of electrolytes (Na, Cl, K),
absorption of P
Small Colon
18-19 liters
Primary function is to conserve water
Fiber digesters most active pH of 6.2-6.8
Starch digesters prefer pH 5.2 – 6.0
Microbial Fermentation
Volatile
Fatty Acids
Microbe
Fibrous &
Non-Fibrous
Carbohydrate
Gas
Metabolized
For
Energy
Wasted
Energy
B-vitamins & Vit. K
Protein and Amino Acids?
Aspects of The Foal GI Tract
Small digestive tract
The small intestine does not
increase in length from 4
wks of age
Cecum not fully functional
until 15-24 mo of age
The large intestine
increases with age even up
to 20 yrs
Carbohydrate
s
Total CHO
Non-Fiber
Carbohydrates
Nonstructural
Carbohydrates
Neutral Detergent
Fiber
Neutral Detergent
Soluble Fiber
Hemicellulose
Acid Detergent
Fiber
Sugars
Pectins
Cellulose
Starches
Fructans
Lignin
β-Glucans
How Hindgut Acidosis Can Occur In Hindgut And How It Can Be Attenuated
High Grain or
High Fructans
Increase in VFA&
Lactic Acid of
Hindgut
Time Released
Buffer
Minimal decrease
in pH
Optimal VFA
absorption
Optimal Energy for
Working & Breeding Horses
Significant decrease
In pH
Decrease in fiber fermenting Organisms
Increase in lactate producing organisms
Very low pH
Bacterial lyses
Release of
endotoxins
Laminitis
Subclinical
Acidosis
Irritation & damage
To intestinal mucosa
Inhibition of fiber fermenting
Organisms & lactate
Utilizing organisms
Off Feed
Decreased fiber
digestibility
Colic Symptoms
Stereotypic Behaviors
Pagan, J. 2007. Feedstuffs
Postprandial Cecal pH
Change
7.6
7.4
7.2
Oats
Corn
Hay
7
6.8
6.6
2
3
4
5
6
7
Same DE in each sample, take a look at
the amount of starch though!
Corn
4.3#
Oats
2.71#
5.0#
1.82#
Starch Comparisons (what’s low, what’s high)
Ingredient
NSC
% DM
Sugar
Starch
Pectins
Beta-Glucans
-------------------------- % of NSC ---------------------
Alfalfa hay
23.0
0.0
40.9
33.0
Grass hay
17.2
35.4
15.2
49.4
Barley
61.8
9.1
81.7
9.2
Corn
71.4
20.0
80.0
0.0
Oats
42.4
4.4
95.6
0.0
Wheat
73.8
8.9
80.2
10.9
Distillers
10.3
0.0
100.0
0.0
Corn gluten feed
24.7
3.7
71.2
25.1
Corn gluten meal
17.3
0.0
69.4
30.6
Soyhulls
14.1
18.8
18.8
62.4
Soybean meal, 44%
34.4
25.0
25.0
50.0
Wheat midds
31.2
10.0
90.0
0.0
Starch Digestion
Critical capacity for hydrolysable
carbohydrate overload ~0.4% of BW
Maximizing starch digestion in small intestine
Properties of the starch granule
Grain processing
Plant cell walls
Transit time through the small intestine
Availability & concentration of enzymes
Cuddeford, D. 1999; Harris et al. 1999
Comparison of Small Intestinal Starch
Digestibility of Processed Corn
Whole corn
Crushed
corn
Ground corn
Popped corn
Starch intake 1.9:1.0
(g/kg
BW/meal)
Morning:eveni
ng
1.9:1.1
2.1:2.0
1.3:1.5
Preileal starch 28.9
digestibility
(%)
29.9
45.6
90.1
Processing affects the site of starch digestion.
REMEMBER!
“The number one cause of deaths from
colic is from starch overload due to
feeding mismanagement.”
Dr. John Reagor, PhD
Chief of Toxicology
Texas Veterinary Medical
Diagnostic Laboratory
Building a Horse Ration
Start with horse needs
Maximize forage
Add energy if needed
Add protein & minerals if needed
Consider adding vitamins &
supplements
Consistency is key to good
feeding practices
Feed concentrate that makes-up the difference between nutrients
needed & nutrients in roughage
1. Know What & How Much
Your Horse is Eating
Grain
Hay
Supplement
Pasture
2. Know Your Horse
& Provide Feed Based on:
Class
Weight
Body Condition Score
Stage of production
Age
Activity level
Growth
Nutrient Requirement Varies With
Class of Horse
Adult (no work)
Working
Light exercise
Moderate exercise
Heavy exercise
Very heavy exercise
Stallions
Pregnant Mares
< 5 mo
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th,
11th mo
Lactation
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th mo
Growing
4, 6, 12 mo
18 mo
Light exercise
Moderate exercise
24 mo
Light exercise
Moderate exercise
Heavy exercise
Very heavy exercise
3. Feed According to Body Wt.
 Feed intake usually expressed as
 % of Body Weight
 Lbs feed/100 lbs body weight
 Free Choice
 Forages
Provide fiber & energy
At least 1% of body weight (dm basis)
Concentrates
Provide energy
Supplements
Provide protein, minerals and vitamins
How Much Hay & Grain Should an
800 lb. Yearling Foal Receive?
Total Intake:
Forage Intake:
Concentrate Intake:
How Much Hay & Grain (800 lb. Yearling)?
Total Intake: 20 pounds
800 x .02 = 16 pounds
800 x .03 = 24 pounds
Forage Intake: 10 pounds
800 x .01 = 8 pounds
800 x .015 = 12 pounds
Concentrate: 10 pounds (20 total–10 forage)
800 x .01 = 8 pounds
800 x .02 = 16 pounds
4. Know Your Forage
Forage quality depends on:
Pasture vs hay
Legume vs grass
Cool vs warm season species
Plant maturity
Growing conditions
Harvest conditions
Forages are the Foundation
Pasture, Hay
Grass
Bromegrass
Orchardgrass
Tall Fescue
Timothy
Grain Hay
Oat Hay
Wheat hay
Straw
Legume
Alfalfa
Birds Foot trefoil
Clovers
Lespedeza
5. Maximize Pasture Production
Fertilize grasses
Overseed
Frostseed
Interseed
Rotationally graze
Control weeds
Avoid overgrazing
Correct stocking density
6. Evaluate Hay Quality
Visually
Stage of Harvest
Leafiness
Color
Odor
Softness
Penalties
7. Match Hay Quality to the Horse
8. Evaluate Hay Substitutes
Handout: Hay Substitutes
Note:
Fed as sole part of diet?
Advantages and
disadvantages
Special comments
Compare on cost per pound of
Digestible Energy (DE)
Hay Substitutes
Hay cubes
Haylage
Beet pulp
Rice bran
Wheat barn
By-products from grain harvest
Straw
Complete Feed with >15%
9. Control Loss by Method
of Storing Hay
Square Bales
1. Barn or some kind of
permanent structure
2. Tarp with hay stacked
off the ground
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Round Bales
Barn
Tarp
Sleeves or bonnets
Plastic wrap
Net wrap
Twine wrapped,
outside
Round Bale, Hay Storage
Losses
Storage Conditions
Approximate Dry
Matter Losses, %
Outside, on ground, without cover
13-30+
Outside, on ground, plastic or tarp cover
8-9
Outside, on drained surface, without cover
7-8
Outside, on ground, net wrapped
6-7
Outside, on ground, full plastic ‘sleeve’
5-6
Outside, drained surface, plastic or tarp cover
5-6
Inside bale storage
5
10. Control Hay Loss in Feeding
Method of Feeding
% Loss
Unprotected round bales fed free choice on
the ground
Protected round bales fed in a feeder
25
Square bales fed on the ground
25
Square bales fed in a feeder
5
5
Control Hay Loss in Feeding
Use a container for hay
Hay feeder
Feed bunk
Hay net
Limit the amount of time
to access round bales
Feeders should be no
higher than shoulder
level
11. Feed by Weight
NOT Volume
Weights vary by:
Feed type
Processing method
So, the amount of
energy provided
varies
Calculating Nutrients
3-lb coffee can full of
32 lb/bushel oats = 2 1/2 lbs
34 lb/bushel oats = 4 lbs
corn or pellets = 5 lbs
Oats = 1.46 Mcal/lb
Corn = 1.76 Mcal/lb
2.5 * 1.46 = 3.65 Mcal
5 * 1.76 = 8.8 Mcal
Hay
Bale 40-130 lbs
10 flakes/bale
Avg 4” flake alfalfa 5 lbs
Avg 4” flake grass 3 lbs
Alfalfa = 1.10 Mcal/lb
Grass = .99 Mcal/lb
5 lbs * 1.10 = 5.5 Mcal
3 lbs * .99 = 2.97 Mcal
Forage Isn’t Everything
Most do not have all the minerals &/or
vitamins a horse requires. Four ways to
add these.
1. Add 1 to 4 oz mineral or mineral/vitamin
supplement per day or
2. Add 1 to 2 lbs ration balancer (mineral plus
protein) per day or
3. Feed 5 to 7 lbs fortified grain per day or
4. Feed 12 – 14 lbs complete feed (forage & grain)
12. Evaluate Your Mixed Feed
Relative quality of the
ingredients
Amount of crude fiber &
energy
Price –
Cost/pound
Cost/pound of nutrient
Grain Intake Comparison
Energy Sources - Grains
Oats
Barley
variable
crimped vs. whole
Corn
cracked, steam rolled
Sorghum & wheat
less than 30%
rolled, cracked, flaked,
Fat/Fatty Acids
• No gall bladder
Horses can be safely fed up
to 20% fat in the total diet
Energy from fat is 90%
utilizable
Often used to supplement
calories for hard-working
horses and hard keepers
 Reduction in DM intake &
bowel weight
 Calmer temperament
Protein
Muscle & bone growth, milk
production, fetal growth, normal
metabolism
Requirements can be met with
good quality hay or pasture forage
Low requirements for maintenance
Quality = amino acid balance
Very important for young horses
Lysine, methionine, tryptophan
most limiting for growth & milk
production
Minerals
Content in the diet
Determined by soil & water
Quality of feed & proportion of grain to hay
Macro-minerals
Ca & P - quality forages usually provide adequate amount
This ratio is very important: 1.5:1 to 2:1
Grains are rich in P and low in Ca
NaCl (Salt)
Salt block will meet many horse’s needs
If horses sweat a lot - need salt in the ration
Trace Minerals
Look for iron, zinc, copper, selenium
Minerals
Macro-minerals
–
–
–
Ca & P - quality forages usually
provide adequate amount
This ratio is very important:
1.5:1 to 2:1
Grains are rich in P and low in
Ca
NaCl (Salt)
Salt block will meet many
horse’s needs
If horses sweat a lot - need
salt in the ration
Trace Minerals
Look for iron, zinc, copper,
selenium
A guide to the
recommended
concentrations of
trace elements in
the diet, mg/kg dry
matter. (Modified
from
the NRC 2007).
These will need to
be adjusted to suit
individual
circumstances,
growth rate and
appetite etc.
Vitamins
Fat soluble:
- stored in body - A, D, E, K
- Toxicity’s can occur if fed in excess
Water soluble:
- must be continuously supplied
- B-complex; niacin, thiamin, riboflavin
•High quality fresh forages = maintenance for mature horses
•Hay is poor in Vit A, supplement Vit A in the ration
•Exposure to sunlight provides Vit D
•Supplement Vitamin E
Guide to recommended levels of Fat-soluble vitamins (need to be
adjusted according to individual
circumstances).
13. Control Waste in Feeding
Grains & Mixes
Use a storage
container
Buy a monthly
supply
Feed in a container
Trough
Pan
Bucket
14. Do the “Little Things”
Feed smaller
amounts more often
Feed individually if
possible
De-worm regularly
Float the teeth
Provide shelter and
bedding
Always have fresh,
clean water
15. Formulate the Total Ration
REINS
Work with a
consulting
nutritionist
Water
Essential for all body functions
Temperature regulation
Feed digestion
Amount of water intake
Level of exercise
Ambient temperature
Quality of feeds in ration
Proportion of diet that is forage
Minimum 1 gallon/100 lbs BW/day
Maintenance
Dry matter intake: 1.5-2.0%
of the BW
Feed selection
Good quality grass hay
→ 0.8-0.9 Mcal DE/lb
Alfalfa → 0.9-1.2 Mcal
DE/lb
Traditional concentrates
(3-3.5% fat) → 1.25 Mcal
DE/lb
Fat added (6% Fat) →
1.45 Mcal DE/lb
Maintenance
Physiological Maintenance
2007 NRC
Low Maintenance
DE req. = 30.3 kcal/kg * BW (kg)
CP req. = 1.08 * BW
Average Maintenance
DE req. = 33.3 kcal/kg * BW (kg)
CP req. = 1.26 * BW
High Maintenance
DE req. = 36.3 kcal/kg * BW (kg)
CP req. = 1.44 * BW
Recommended Daily Feed Intakes as
% of Body Weights
Class
Forage
Concentrate
Total
Example
1,000 lb
horse
Mature (Idle)
1.5 - 2.0
0.0 - 0.5
1.5 - 2.0
15-20 lb
Geriatric
0.8 – 2.0
0.5 – 2.0
1.5 – 3.0
15-30 lb
Geriatric Horses
Nutrient Considerations
Reduced salivation
CF digestibility ↓
Total fiber < 30%
CP digestibility ↓
12-14% CP
Energy:
Increase soluble carbohydrates,
fats, & oils
Caloric Restrictions
Supplement minerals & vitamins including
vitamin C
Typical Nutrient Content of some Senior-type Feeds
Crude Protein
12-14%
Crude fat
Not less than 5%
Crude fiber
Not less than 16%
Lysine
0.6-0.7%
Ca
0.6-1.2%
P
0.4-0.8%
Mg
0.15-0.30%
S
0.15-0.30%
Cu
26-55 ppm
Zn
100-220 ppm
Vit A
1500-3000 IU/lb
Vit E
40-80 IU/lb
Biotin
0.4-0.5 mg/lb
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
2.2-2.6 mg/lb
Vitamin C
5-10 g/day
SELECTION OF FEED FOR THE
GERIATRIC HORSE
Hay cubes, ground hay, wet down hay
Soft Multiform feed
Moderate fat level - 5% fat
Highly digestible fiber sources
Guaranteed amino acid levels- rebuild
muscles
Direct fed microbials & Yeast Cultures
Stabilized high fat rice bran, ground
flaxseed, beet pulp
Organic trace mineral complexes – avoid
stress from excess mineral intake
Feeding The Athlete
Levels of Performance/Work
 Light – Recreational riding, beginning of
training programs, Show horses
(occasional)
 Moderate – School horses, Recreational
riding, Show horses (frequent), Polo, Ranch
 Heavy– Ranch, Polo, Show horses
(frequent, strenuous events), Low-medium
eventing, Race training (middle stages)
 Very Heavy – Racing, Elite 3-day event
Aerobic and Anaerobic Metabolism
During exercise, ATP is generated from
breakdown of:
Glucose
Fatty acids
Amino acids
ATP low in muscles; essentially no storage
Continuous ATP production vital for athletes
Simplified Energy for Muscle Contraction
Blood Glucose
Free Fatty Acids
Lipolysis
Muscle Glycogen
Lactate
Creatine
Phosphate
Pyruvate
ATP
Oxidative
Metabolism
CO2and
Water
O2
Energy
Predict substrate used based on type
of exercise performed
Endurance
Long term exercise utilizes fatty acids as
primary energy source
Needs muscle glycogen as well
Racehorse
Predominately uses muscle glycogen
stores
Work
ENERGY, ENERGY, ENERGY
Electrolytes & water  muscle function and
fluid balance
Forage is not enough for 1+ hour/d moderate
work. Starch is necessary for replacing
glycogen stores.
Required Energy
Activity
Maintenance
DE (Mcal/d)
16
Light
20.0
Moderate
23.3
Heavy
26.6
Very Heavy
34.5
• Non-Structural CHO’s
•Sugars & starches
•↓ intestinal pH &  risk
of colic
•Fiber
•Beet pulp or soy hulls
•↓ glycogen usage
•Fat
•Protein (minimal usage)
Feeding Guidelines for
Performance Horses
Starch is necessary for replacing glycogen stores.
Hay
Feed at least 50% of total ration as forage (pasture &/or hay)
Preferably high quality grass hay or alfalfa/grass mix
Exercising horses do not need high levels of protein
More important – quality of protein
Horses should be fed to meet their immediate needs
Cut grain on rest days
Feeding Guidelines for
Performance Horses
Hay requirement
Feed at least 50% of total ration
as forage (pasture &/or hay)
Preferably high quality grass hay
or alfalfa/grass mix
Exercising horses do not need high
levels of protein
More important – quality of
protein
Horses should be fed to meet their
immediate needs
Cut grain on rest days
FAT SUPPLEMENTATION
• No gall bladder
Max ~20% in total diet
Energy from fat is 90%
utilizable
 Reduction in DM intake & bowel
weight
 ↓ metabolic heat production
 Improvement of acidemia during
high-intensity exercise
 Calmer temperament
FAT SUPPLEMENTATION
 Enhanced stamina
  capacity for uptake & oxidation of
fatty acids in muscle
 Dose dependent  in activity of
lipoprotein lipase & skeletal muscle citrate
synthase & β-hydroxy acyl-coA
dehydrogenase
 Concomitant decrease in use of
endogenous carbohydrate stores Muscle glycogen sparing
Min. 3 weeks for response
Add 6-10 weeks before performance
Breeding Animals
Open Mare
Maiden mare
Barren mare
Gestating mare
Lactating mare
Stallion
Open & Barren Mares
Flushing- Increasing energy intake 20-25% ~3
wks prior to breeding.
Maintain optimum body condition
Late Pregnancy
Last 3 months - Unborn foal
growth averages 1 lb/day
During the 10th month, the
largest amount of mineral
retention occurs in the unborn
foal
“In the last trimester of
pregnancy, the mare should
be on a ‘growth- type’ feed
formula,”
A balanced feed will decrease
severity of orthopedic
problems in foals
Feed Consumption (% BW)
Mare
status
Forage
Concentrate
Total
Early
pregnancy
1.5-2.0
0-0.5
1.5-2.0
Late
pregnancy
1.0-1.5
0.5-1.0
1.5-2.0
•Adding concentrate to late pregnancy
mares accounts for limited energy &
acclimates microbes
•Allow 1 wk to 10 d for mares to adjust to
intake changes
Lactating Mare
Lactating Mare
28
Daily Milk Production (lbs)
Mares produce average
of 24 lbs (3 gallons)
milk/day
High producing mares
give as much as 32 lbs
(4 gallons) milk/day
Low producing mares
often produce 21 lbs (2.5
gallons)
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
15
30
45
60
90
Time (days)
Y = a x (d0.0953)x c(-0.0043d)
Y= daily milk yield in kg;
a=0.0274287x mature wt in kg & d = day of lactation
120
150
Feed Consumption (% BW)
Mare
status
Forage
Concentrate
Total
Early
lactation
1.0-2.0
1.0-2.0
2.0-3.0
Late
lactation
1.0-2.0
0.5-1.5
2.0-2.5
Heavy milkers may require as much as
1.75-2.0% (17.5-20 lbs for a 1000 lb mare) of
BW in concentrate feed/day
Approximate Amounts of Grain (lb) Needed with
Hay for Broodmares
1100 lb mare
1300 lb mare
DE Req (per
lb of feed)
Mcal
Avg Hay
lb
Good Hay
lb
Avg Hay
Lb
Good Hay
Lb
Barren Mare & 1st
2/3 of pregnancy
(maintenance)
1.00
3.0
-
4.0
-
Pregnancy (last 90
days)
1.10
7.0
5.0
8.0
5.0
Lactation (1st 3
months)
1.20
14.0
12.0
16.0
14.0
Lactation (3 months
to weaning)
1.10
9.0
6.0
10.0
6.0
Nutrition of the Broodmare. KY Cooperative Extension
Body Condition Score
Reason: Standardized scale for estimating and
comparing body fat
Developed in 1983 by Dr. Don Henneke
System for assessing subcutaneous fat
Nine levels of body condition
Six body areas of fat storage
Uses
Research
Feed management
Health management
Body Condition Scoring
1-3 Poor-Thin
4
Can see ribs,
vertebra ridge evident
5 Back flat, can’t see
ribs, but can feel them
6 Crease down back, fat
deposits
7-9 Fleshy - Extremely fat
Time & Additional Grain
Required To Improve
BCS by 1 level
Improving 1 Condition Score
Days Needed
Daily Gain
60
0.75 lbs/day
Additional Grain
Needed
4.5 lbs/day
90
0.50 lbs/day
3.0 lbs/day
120
0.40 lbs/day
2.3 lbs/day
Economic Optimum
Mares with scores of 5.5-7.5
Spend fewer days at the breeding farm
Less time open
Body Condition Affects Reproductive
Performance
Mare managers should monitor body
condition on a regular basis
Mares should be optimum condition for
breeding
Body Condition Score
Reproductive performance of mares in varying body condition
Body Condition
Cycles per Conception
Conception Rate (%)
<4.5
2.8
71
5.0-6.5
1.4
93
>7.0
1.4
96
From Nutrition & Feeding Management of Broodmares
Body Condition Score
Condition score of 5 or less in milking
mares - do not have enough stored
fat to support efficient reproductive
performance
Mares with BCS of 5 or less
More likely to skip a breeding
season
Incidence of embryo loss increase
Body Condition Score
Weight loss by pregnant
mares does not affect
foal’s birth weight, but
may decrease mare’s
colostrum and milk
production.
Body Condition Score
Maximize Reproductive Efficiency
Moderately fleshy to fat mares can be expected to
Cycle earlier in the year
Have fewer cycles per conception
Have a higher pregnancy rate
Maintain pregnancy more easily
Mare prior to breeding should have a BCS of 6 or
greater and fed to maintain weight.
BCS of 5.0 is marginal especially for lactating mare.
Lactating Mares
Early lactation weight loss
in mares that foal in thin
condition
lengthen rebreeding
time
lower conception rates
threaten the subsequent
pregnancy
Body Condition Score
Excess obesity (BCS
8 or <) doesn’t appear
to affect pregnancy,
foaling ease, foal’s
birth weight, or
reproductive
efficiency.
May decrease milk
production
Feeding The Growing Horse
Goals
Maximize genetic
potential for
growth
Sound
musculoskeletal
system
•Nutrient Balance is important
•Requires higher quality feeds
•Growth rate & age determines requirements
•Growing till reach 30 months
Average Daily Gain
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0
2
4
6
8
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Month of Age
Nutritional Strategies Aimed at Minimizing DOD
Rations
should be
balanced to
promote a
consistent
growth
curve
Requires
periodic
updating
of the
ration
www.Foalcare.com
Size Matters at the Sales
Amount of Feed Recommended for
Growing Horses
Lb grain mix/day/mo of
age
Horse
Age (mo)
Grain mix
% in total
diet
Lb Grain
Ponies
Mix/100 lbs
body wt/d
Others
Nursing
foals
0-4
100
0.5-0.75
.25
1.0
Weanlings
4-12
70
1.7-2.0
0.5
1.5
Yearlings
12-18
60
1.3-1.7
Long
Yearlings
18-24
50
1.0-1.25
Two-year
olds
24-36
50
1.0-1.25
For all age horses feed
grain only up to a max.
of 0.9 lb/100 lb of
anticipated mature
wt/day
Nutritional Strategies Aimed at Minimizing DOD
Feed selection
High quality forage is a must
Grain mix concentrates formulated specifically for growing
horses
Improper use of supplements
Feed amounts
Forage
Minimum of 1 lb / 100 lb BW / d
Fed to appetite is best
Concentrate
~ 1 lb / 100 lb BW / d
Max. 8 to 10 lbs /d
Monitor The Growth
Process
Daily Intakes
Body Weight
Average daily gain
Signs of Skeletal Abnormalities
Physitis
Joint effusion
Lameness
Feeding Guidelines & Strategies To
Minimize Risk Of Hind Gut Dysfunction
Consider..
Body condition
Stage of production
Quality of feeds
available
Feeding Guidelines & Strategies To Minimize
Risk Of Hind Gut Dysfunction



Check for Refusals
Change type &
amount of feed
gradually. 7-10 d
period
Provide Salt
Feeding Guidelines &
Strategies To Minimize Risk
Of Hind Gut Dysfunction
Control amount of NSC (sugar, starch & fructan) the horse
consumes.
Minimize the flow of fermentable polysaccharide to the
large intestine
Feed starch sources little and often i.e., less than 5g
oats/(2g starch)/kg body weight/meal
Pre-feed forages
Feeding Guidelines &
Strategies To Minimize Risk
Of Hind Gut Dysfunction
Minimize the flow of fermentable
polysaccharide to the large intestine
Limit rate of concentrate intake
through physical obstruction
Maximize substrate (glucose)
availability to the performance
horse
Ensure good occlusion of teeth
through regular dentistry
Feeding Guidelines & Strategies To Minimize
Risk Of Hind Gut Dysfunction


Group Feeding Should Account
for Dominance Hierarchies
Recognize Feeding-Related
Behavior Problems