1) Here are 9 rules of feeding – why are they important?
a) Feed little and often
b) Plenty of bulk – The horses’ digestive system needs to be constantly filled to
work efficiently. Bulk foods such as hay and grass achieve this.(at least 50-75%
roughage)
c) Feed according to his condition and work level.
d) Make no sudden change to the diet – All alterations to diet must be gradual to
avoid digestive problems.
e) Do not feed directly before exercise – This can cause colic and breathing
problems. A horse must be allowed at least one hour after a feed before he is
worked.
f) Routine – Horses are creatures of habit and need to be fed as near as possible
at the same time each day.
g) Cleanliness – All utensils must be kept scrupulously clean.
h) Always have fresh, clean water available
i) Salt or a salt block should be provided
2) 6 classes of nutrients – whether people, horses, worms or oak trees a) Water, Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fats, Vitamins and Minerals
b) What does each do?
c) Catagories – Proteins –AA, 10 esential PVT TIM HALL
i) Phenylalanine - Produces adrenalin & noradrenalin; is an anti-depressant
ii) Valine - Regulates protein turnover and energy metabolism along with isoleucine and leucine;
vital for muscle coordination
iii) Tryptophan - Produces serotonin and is a mood stabilizer; precursor to niacin and may aid in
blood clotting
iv) Threonine -Enhances growth and food efficiency; produces adrenalin and is a precursor to the
thyroid hormone
v) Isoleucine - Helps form hemoglobin and fights nervous system degeneration
vi) Methionine - Important for hair coat and growth; helps prevent deposits and adhesions of fat in
the liver; essential for selenium bioavailability; second only in importance to lysine as a limiting
amino acid
vii) Histidine - Maintains plasma, hematocrit and serum albumin; releases histamine from the body;
helps treat arthritis; stimulates stomach acid secretion and improves appetite
viii) Arginine - Stimulates insulin and growth hormone release, helpful as nutritional aid in cancer
therapy; stimulates immune system by boosting T-cell production
ix) Leucine - Keeps muscle protein from degrading
x) Lysine - Enhances growth and nitrogen balance; promotes bone growth in foals; stimulates
gastric juices. Most often limiting
d) Carbohydrates – glucose alpha or beta bonds. Mammals cannot break down
beta bonds.
e) Fats – needed in small amounts. Good source of energy. Omega 3 and 6 are
both essential fatty acids, but a high 3:6 ratio reduces inflammation, rheumatoid
arthritis and heart disease. Best oil is fish oil, followed by linseed oil, then soy oil.
If trying to put on weight, oil often better choice than grain.
f) Minerals – 5 needed in gram amounts, 8 in mg (trace) amounts Many need to
be in correct ratio with each other. Many occur in adequate amounts in typical
diet.
i) Calcium, Phosphorus ratio: Between 1:1 and 2:1 (higher in foals) Important
not to overdose.
ii) Potassium and Sodium are excreted in sweat – may have to be
supplemented in hot weather (electrolytes)
iii) Magnesium is usually adequate in diet, unless only grass hay or excessive
calcium.
iv) Trace minerals usually adequate in diet except sometimes selenium
g) Vitamins – fat and water soluble
i) A may be an issue in winter, less in hay than in grass
ii) D may be necessary for horses kept inside. Over supplementation very bad.
iii) B and C – can’t overdose, some evidence they do some good in hard-working
horses
h) In general, check with nutritionist before supplementing
3) So how much do you feed?
a) 1 .5 – 2% of body weight.
b) Tables for amount of protein
c) Nutrition analysis of hay is important. In general good grass hay is around 6-8%
protein, with about 1:1 or 2:1 Ca:P ratio. Legume hay is around 12-16% protein,
with a Ca:P ratio of 3:1 or higher.
d) Supplements like bran and beet pult provide fiber, but not much energy. Bran
can be high in phosphorus.
e) Some older horses develop Cushings disease – eliminate sugars and starches.