Nutrition in Horses
As already discussed, FEED is the important aspect of management of the
environment of the horse. Unless the horse is fed properly, its maximum
potential in reproduction, growth, body form or conformation, speed,
endurance, style, and attractiveness cannot be achieved. All other aspects of
horse ownership or management are irrelevant. There are factors other than
the general influences previously discussed that will affect equine nutrition.
The following conditions or factors make it imperative that nutrition of
horses be the best that science and technology can devise, and that nutrition
is an individualized routine that should be designed for a specific horse.
1. __Confinement____________- Most horses are kept in some type and
level of confinement. That level will affect their nutritional
requirement because of exercise level, climatic environment, feed
type, etc.
2. __Age- 4 periods of change__- The nutritional requirements of a
horse changes as the horse ages. Can be divided as: birth to 1 year of
age, 1-5 years of age, 5-15 years of age, 15 + years of age. All are
important, but birth to 1 year is the most critical. A foal grows
75-80 % of its mature size by 1 year of age.
3. __Use____________________- Use of the horse will determine the
level and specific nutritional requirement of the horse. Changes
because of development requirement, exercise, endurance
requirements, condition level, and performance ability are affected by
nutrients supplied to the horse at specific levels.
4. __Stress_________________- All horses are subjected to stress at
times at various levels. The greater the excitement, fatigue,
management of the horse, and temperament all cause stress to the
horse. Horses are affected by stimulus differently and the nutritional
requirement of the horse changes with the stress level of the horse.
5. __Size/Conformation/ETC_- Every horse is different! Obviously, the
larger the horse, usually the greater the nutrient requirement, but
horses vary in metabolism, tract size, muscle character, desired
condition, and to some degree, type.
It is important to understand the impact that feed has on the individual horse.
The average horse consumes __11,000___ pounds of feed (grain, hay, or the
equivalent in pasture) each year. Horses usually do not reach maturity until
_4-5__ years of age, and are growing until that time. There are growth
energy requirements in addition to maintenance and work energy
requirements prior to maturity. Therefore, there are additional influences on
nutritional requirements:
1. ___Exercise______________- Exercise levels will affect the nutrient
intake requirement, because as exercise increases, more nutrients are
used, and consequently must be supplemented to replace those used.
2. ___Pregnant/Lactating______- A mare that is gestating must supply
nutrients to the growing fetus as well as those needed for her own
body. A lactating mare continues to provide nutrients to her foal
through the production of milk, and must be supplied with additional
nutrients in her diet to meet these needs.
3. ____Environment__________- Temperature, exposure, competition,
photoperiod, etc. will all affect the requirement of specific nutrients by
the individual horse. Environment takes into consideration all conditions
the horse is kept under and exposed to.
4. ____Health______________- A healthy horse is more feed efficient,
and requires less feed than an unhealthy horse. Animals affected by
parasites, elevated TPR’s, disease, adverse genetic conditions, etc. all
require a higher level of nutrient intake in order to carry out normal
metabolic function.
Digestive System of the Horse:
Mouth- 1st part of the alimentary canal. Consists of teeth (24 upper and
lower molars, and 12 incisors) Digestion starts in the mouth- feed is
masticated and moistened by saliva- mature horse secretes 10 gallons or 85
lbs of saliva daily! Saliva contains enzyme ptyalin that begins to break
down starches to monosugar level.
Esophagus- Passageway for feed to be directed to stomach
Stomach- The horse stomach functions ideally at 2/3 capacity. Secretes
gastric juices that contains acids and enzymes that break down complex
nutrient to basic level so that they can be absorbed into the blood and used
by the horse. Nutrients are digested to 97% in the stomach.
Small Intestine- Approximately 70’ in length in the adult horse. Liver and
pancreas secrete enzymes that are deposited in the small intestine that further
breaks down feed components not digested in the stomach.
Large Intestine- Approximately 20 gallon capacity not including the cecum.
Site of final digestion, and final absorption of nutrients. Comprised of the
cecum, great colon, and small colon. The colon is also responsible for the
formation of dung as water is removed from waste components not
absorbed.