1. Always put forage first.
A.
Grass and hay are the most natural feeds for horses and should
be selected to meet most or all of their fiber, protein and
energy needs.
B.
Be sure to match the forage to the horse's needs according to
breed, body weight, condition, work load and reproductive
status. This is the most difficult part, but don't compromise
and settle for forage that is easy to obtain, if it is not right
for your horse.
C.
For proper functioning of the digestive tract, always feed 1.5
to 3.0% of body weight daily as forage.
2. Feed balanced minerals
and vitamins
A.
Forage is not a reliable source of vitamins and minerals, so
they must be provided separately.
B.
Minerals and vitamins must be provided in proper amounts and
ratios, because they affect the functioning of other minerals
and vitamins.
C.
Trace-mineral salt blocks are missing several key major
minerals, like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. And, they do
not provide the correct amounts of trace minerals for horses. GROSTRONG® Minerals are specially formulated to provide 27
vitamins, minerals and electrolytes in the correct proportions
for horses, for only about 8-12 cents per horse daily.
3. Choose fats before grains.
A.
When more energy is needed than forages alone can provide, using
fats instead of grains results in less risk of colic, founder,
tying-up and ulcers.
B.
Fats provide 225% as much energy per pound as grains. This
allows you to keep feeding a lot of forage and small amounts of
fat, instead of replacing good forage with large amounts of
grains to meet your horse's energy needs.
C.
Fats provide numerous benefits over grains for working horses,
growing horses and broodmares. See NATURAL GLO® stabilized rice
bran section for information on our preferred fat source.
So, in conclusion, nutrition can be
simplified, by starting with forage, using vitamins and minerals
balanced for horses and choosing fats before grains when
additional energy is needed.
Please see table below for percentages
of forage, fats, fermentable fibers and grains in forage-based
rations.
Give your horse a treat!
Table 1. Percentages of Digestible
Energy (DE) Provided Per Feed Category in Forage-Based Rations
|
Class of Horse |
Forage |
Vitamin/
Mineral |
Fats/
Fermentable Fibers |
Grains |
| Maintenance |
100% |
YES |
0% |
0% |
| Light to Moderate Work |
80-100% |
YES |
0-20% |
0% |
| Growing, Lactating, Hard Work |
60-70% |
YES |
20-40% |
0-10% |
For More
Information e-mail at
AN_EquineHelp@admworld.com
or call toll free
EQUINE
NUTRITION HELPLINE
1-800-680-8254
7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Central Time
ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc.
1000 North 30th Street P.O. Box C1 Quincy, IL USA 62305-3155
