Madeleine Hull
Horses are fibre-digesting machines, and hay is an important part of their diet. However, a hay-only diet may not provide all the nutrients they need. The nutrient needs of a horse change with age, exercise, and work intensity. It is important to be aware of the weight of the hay flakes and to have the hay tested to determine its nutrient levels. Depending on the origin of the forage, additional minerals and vitamins may be required to balance out deficiencies. A veterinarian or equine dentist should also routinely examine and treat the horse's teeth. A sudden change in a horse's diet can cause colic, so any changes should be made slowly over several weeks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of hay | Horses require at least 1% of their body weight in forage per day, which equates to a minimum of 10 pounds of hay per day for an average 1,000-pound horse. |
| Hay quality | Hay should be tested to identify nutrient deficiencies, as nutrient levels vary depending on factors such as time of day cut and use of fertilizers. |
| Nutrient requirements | Depending on age, metabolism, weight, maintenance, growth, exercise, and pregnancy/lactation, horses may require additional vitamins, minerals, protein, and amino acids. |
| Supplementation | Multi-vitamin and mineral supplements should be considered, with specific supplements depending on the type of hay (e.g. Bermuda grass hay or alfalfa hay). Ration balancers can also be used to provide vitamins, minerals, and protein at low feeding rates. |
| Diet transition | Any changes to a horse's diet should be done slowly over a period of 3 to 4 weeks to reduce the risk of colic and allow the horse's digestive system to adapt. |
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What You'll Learn
Ensure a minimum of 1% of body weight in forage per day
To ensure your horse is healthy and happy, it is important to meet their nutritional needs. The amount of hay fed to a horse should be based on its body weight. Every horse, regardless of its age or performance level, requires at least 1% of its body weight in forage per day for its digestive tract to function properly. For example, a 1,000-pound horse requires a minimum of 10 pounds of hay per day.
The nutrient needs of a working horse change with the intensity and duration of exercise. Exercise will increase your horse's nutrient needs. Therefore, it is important to weigh a few flakes of hay to understand the amount of hay to feed in weight rather than "flake". Hay should be laboratory-tested to identify any nutrient deficiencies. Nutrient levels vary from flake to flake and from one section of the pasture to another. Hay will differ based on the time of day it was cut and whether fertilizers were used.
If your horse is an adult with little to no work, hay may provide enough amino acids to meet its daily requirements. However, if your horse is on a weed pasture or does more than that, you may need to add a ration balancer, which provides vitamins, minerals, and protein. A horse's diet should be switched slowly, as a sudden change in diet can cause colic.
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Provide a vitamin and mineral supplement
Hay is an important part of a horse's diet, but it may not meet all of their nutritional requirements. The nutrient levels in hay vary from flake to flake and from one section of the pasture to another. Factors such as the time of day the hay was cut and whether or not fertilizers were used can also affect its nutritional content. Therefore, it is important to have your hay tested to identify any nutrient deficiencies and determine if additional vitamin and mineral supplements are necessary.
Most commercial feed companies offer vitamin and mineral supplements that complement the nutrient content of forages. These are commonly called ration balancers and provide vitamins, minerals, and sometimes protein. When choosing a supplement, consider the type of hay you are primarily feeding your horse. For example, if you are using mostly Bermuda grass hay, choose a supplement that completes and balances the vitamins and minerals specific to this type of forage. On the other hand, if you are using mostly alfalfa hay, select a supplement that fills the nutritional gaps for this type of legume forage.
In addition to vitamin and mineral supplements, you may also need to provide additional protein, especially if your horse is working or exercising. A ration balancer that includes protein can be a good option in this case. Alternatively, you can add quality protein to your horse's daily feed, such as non-lucerne chaff and beet, which also provides omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.
It is important to introduce any new supplements slowly to avoid digestive issues. A simple plan of transitioning over 3 to 4 weeks can help ensure a healthy change for your horse's diet. Additionally, consider consulting with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to determine the specific vitamin and mineral needs of your horse based on their age, weight, exercise level, and overall health.
By providing a well-balanced diet that includes necessary vitamin and mineral supplements, you can help keep your horse happy and healthy.
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Weigh hay to understand nutrient levels
Hay is a main source of forage for horses, and knowing what nutrients it offers is important for understanding what else needs to be provided in the diet for optimal nutritional health. The weight of the hay is important because nutrient levels vary from flake to flake and from one section of the pasture to another. Hay will differ based on the time of day it was cut and whether or not fertilizers were used.
The weight of the hay a horse should be fed is based on the horse's target body weight. Horses require at least 1% of their body weight in forage per day for their digestive tract to function properly. This means that an average 1,000-pound horse requires a minimum of 10 pounds of hay per day. For most adult horses, a crude protein concentration of 10-14% DM from hay will provide maintenance protein requirements when the hay is fed at 1.5-2% of the horse's body weight. Crude protein is a measurement of nitrogen and an estimate of the total protein content of the hay. Alfalfa hay tends to have higher crude protein levels ranging from 15-22% compared to grass hays, which are typically lower, averaging 7-14%.
The National Research Council's Nutrient Requirements of Horses publication provides suggested nutrient levels for horses at various stages of development. Age, weight, and use influence the amount and quality of feed a horse needs. All horses need sources of energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Pasture and good-quality hay can supply the energy requirements for the maintenance of a mature horse. The harder and longer a horse works, the more energy it needs.
A detailed analysis can be done for all forages, including pasture and hay, and provides valuable information about digestibility and calorie content, protein levels, mineral concentrations, as well as the content of sugars and starches. Hay quality can be measured by feeding trials, chemical analysis, and sensory appraisal. Chemical analysis is slower and more expensive than sensory appraisal, but it is more accurate and can be used to balance rations with the help of a nutritionist. A combination of visual and chemical analysis is the best way to determine hay quality.
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Consider a ration balancer
Hay is an important part of a horse's diet, but it may not always meet a horse's nutritional requirements. The nutrient levels in hay vary from flake to flake and from one section of the pasture to another. The time of day the hay was cut and whether fertilizers were used can also affect its nutritional composition.
A horse's nutritional needs depend on its age, metabolism, weight, maintenance, growth, exercise, and whether it is pregnant or lactating. Hay may not be able to meet all these requirements, especially if the horse is on a weed pasture or does more than serve as a pasture ornament. In such cases, you may want to consider a ration balancer, which provides vitamins, minerals, and protein.
Ration balancers allow you to feed your horse 1 to 2 pounds of grain per day and meet its vitamin and mineral requirements without the extra calories, sugars, and starches. They are especially useful for easy-keeper horses or those at maintenance or in light work. For example, Cool Command® Balancer 30 supplies a horse's nutrient requirements at low feeding rates.
However, it is important to note that not all horses will do well on an all-forage diet, and a more robust diet may be necessary in some situations. Before making any dietary changes, it is recommended to consult your veterinarian and make any changes to your horse's diet slowly to avoid digestive issues.
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Transition to new feed slowly
Transitioning a horse to a new feed should be done slowly. A sudden change in a horse's diet can cause colic, a health risk that can be avoided by taking the time to transition to a new feed over a period of 3 to 4 weeks. This gives the horse's digestive system, particularly the microbes in the hindgut, time to adapt to the new feed.
When transitioning from primarily hay to primarily pasture grass, it is recommended to start by allowing the horse to graze for only 15 minutes. Each day, add 15 minutes to their grazing time until they are grazing for 4 to 5 hours. After this, the horse should be able to safely remain on pasture grass for any duration.
It is important to note that not all horses will respond to a hay-only diet in the same way. Some horses may require additional supplements to meet their nutritional needs, especially if they are working horses. Hay quality can vary, and even good-quality hay may not provide all the nutrients a horse needs. Therefore, it is recommended to have your hay laboratory-tested to identify any nutrient deficiencies and choose a hay that meets your horse's specific requirements.
For example, if you have an overweight or insulin-resistant horse, you should choose a hay that is lower in non-structural carbohydrates and higher in fibre. On the other hand, a performance horse may require hay that is higher in carbohydrates and protein for weight management and energy. Additionally, consider the type of hay you are feeding. Alfalfa hay, for instance, is higher in digestible energy and nutrients like amino acids and calcium compared to grass hay.
By taking the time to understand the specific nutritional needs of your horse and the nutrient content of your hay, you can make a gradual transition to a new feed that supports the health and well-being of your horse.
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Frequently asked questions
A horse should receive a minimum of 1% of its body weight in hay per day. For example, a 1,000-pound horse should eat at least 10 pounds of hay per day.
The nutrient needs of a horse vary based on its age, metabolism, weight, maintenance, growth, exercise, and whether it is pregnant or lactating. Hay nutrient levels also differ based on the time of day it was cut and whether fertilizers were used. Thus, you should choose a quality hay that meets your horse's specific requirements.
A horse on a hay-only diet may be lacking protein and other vitamins and minerals, such as Selenium and Vitamin E. This can lead to health issues in the long term.
You can add a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement to your horse's diet that is balanced for the type of forage you are providing. You can also add quality protein to the daily feed. Additionally, consider a ration balancer, which provides vitamins, minerals, and protein at low feeding rates.
A sudden change in a horse's diet can cause colic, so it is important to transition slowly. When switching to a new type of hay, this process should take 3 to 4 weeks to reduce the risk of colic.
