Leena Watts
Horses need a balanced diet to stay healthy. There are six key classes of nutrients that should be included in a horse's diet: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. The nutritional content of hay, which makes up most of a horse's diet, can vary, so it is important to have it tested to determine its nutrient levels. If the hay is lacking in certain nutrients, grain or supplements can be added to the horse's diet to fill in the gaps. Additionally, a horse's mineral needs may change depending on its age and status, so it is important to work with a veterinarian and nutritionist to ensure its diet is properly balanced.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutrient categories | Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water |
| Mineral needs | Vary depending on the horse's age and status (e.g., if the horse is working, gestating, or lactating) |
| Hay | Should be tested to determine its nutritional content and ensure it meets the horse's requirements |
| Ration balancers | Can be used to meet vitamin and mineral requirements without extra calories, sugars, and starches |
| Water | Clean water should be provided daily and available at all times; a normal, healthy horse consumes 5-15+ gallons of water per day |
| Fat | Omega-3 and omega-6 are essential fatty acids that must be supplied by the diet |
| Electrolytes | Minerals (sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) essential for body function and muscle activity; lost in large quantities through sweating |
| Dental problems | Hay substitutes like chopped hay, hay-replacer pellets, or complete feeds may be needed for horses with dental issues |
| Weight management | Overweight horses may need hay with lower non-structural carbohydrates and higher fiber; performance horses may require higher carbohydrates and protein |
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What You'll Learn
Weighing hay and feed
Hay is an important component of a horse's diet, providing the fibre necessary for hindgut function. Horses should receive at least 1% of their body weight in forage per day, with some sources recommending between 1.5% and 2%. For example, a 1,000-pound horse should eat at least 10 pounds of hay per day, and up to 20 pounds. However, the weight of hay can vary, with flakes of grass hay ranging from 3 to 5 pounds. This means that a horse may require two to six flakes of hay per day. When feeding small square bales of hay, the weight of each flake can vary greatly depending on how compact the bales are. Therefore, it is important to weigh the amount of hay given to your horse, rather than estimating. Hay can be weighed on a platform scale, using a piece of rigid cardboard or wood to zero the scale before adding the hay.
The weight of feed should also be considered when managing a horse's diet. Different types of grains have different densities, so measuring feed by volume can lead to inaccuracies. For example, a 2-litre scoop of pelleted feed may weigh 1.5 kg, whereas a 2-litre scoop of lucerne chaff will weigh much less. Therefore, it is important to weigh feed to ensure your horse is receiving the correct amount of nutrients. Feed can be weighed using a hook scale, similar to those used for weighing fish or luggage.
By weighing hay and feed, you can ensure your horse is receiving a balanced diet and meeting its nutritional requirements. This is particularly important for horses with metabolic issues or obesity, as their calorie intake may need to be limited. Additionally, if your horse has gastric ulcers, it is important to limit the amount of sugar and starch in its diet.
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Nutrient requirements
Firstly, carbohydrates are important for energy and weight management. For instance, a performance horse may require hay that is higher in carbohydrates to provide adequate energy. Conversely, an overweight horse may benefit from a low-carbohydrate diet to manage its weight.
Secondly, fats are another essential nutrient and an excellent source of energy. Horses can tolerate a relatively high-fat diet, and commercial feeds often contain stabilized oils, providing 6 to 12 percent fat. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that must be supplied by the diet.
Thirdly, proteins are crucial for muscle development and repair. The amount of protein required will depend on the horse's age, body condition, and activity level. For example, a growing or performance horse may require a higher protein intake.
Fourthly, vitamins are vital for overall health and well-being. Hay is a good source of vitamins, but the quality of hay can vary, so it is important to ensure your horse is receiving sufficient vitamins. If your horse has poor-quality forage, consider adding a ration balancer or vitamin supplement to their diet.
Fifth, minerals are essential for various bodily functions, including bone health and muscle activity. Common minerals found in a horse's diet include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, sulfur, copper, iron, manganese, iodine, cobalt, and zinc. The requirement for certain minerals may vary depending on the horse's age and status, such as whether they are working, gestating, or lactating.
Lastly, water is the most important nutrient for any animal, including horses. A horse's body is composed of 60-70% water, and they require a constant supply of clean water to stay hydrated and healthy. Horses should have access to water at all times, or at a minimum, twice daily, to prevent dehydration and other health issues.
It is important to note that the specific nutrient requirements for each horse may vary, and it is always recommended to consult with a veterinarian and nutritionist to ensure your horse's diet is properly balanced.
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Vitamin and mineral supplements
Vitamins and minerals are essential for a horse's diet. A horse's diet should include six key nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. While feed companies often balance the first five nutrients, it is critical not to forget about water. A normal, healthy horse will consume 5-15 gallons of water per day, depending on temperature, humidity, and activity level. Clean water should be provided daily and should ideally be available at all times for the horse to drink.
If your horse is healthy and receiving good-quality forage with a commercial feed, its diet is most likely balanced for minerals. However, if your horse is unwell and you suspect a vitamin or mineral imbalance, you should consult a veterinarian and nutritionist to determine the issue and adjust its diet accordingly.
You can also weigh your horse's feed to get an accurate picture of its daily nutrient intake. Hay, which makes up a large part of a horse's diet, can vary in nutritional content, so it is recommended to have it analysed to ensure it meets your horse's requirements. If your horse has poor-quality hay, consider adding a ration balancer to its diet. Ration balancers are designed to be fed at low levels (approximately 1 pound per day) and contain the necessary vitamins, minerals, and protein. Alternatively, you can provide a free-choice loose salt-vitamin-mineral mix, as horses tend to consume more of a loose mixture than a salt block.
Additionally, specific vitamins and minerals can be supplemented to improve certain aspects of your horse's health. For example, biotin, zinc, and copper have been shown to improve hoof strength when supplemented above the required amounts. Similarly, organic selenium supplements like Sel-Plex® are crucial for antioxidant status, muscle recovery, and immune function.
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Fat and energy sources
Fat is an essential part of a horse's diet and is a great source of energy. Horses can tolerate a high level of fat in their diet, which is easily digestible. Commercial feeds that are not supplemented with additional fats contain approximately 2 to 4 per cent fat. Many commercial feeds are now supplemented with fat in the form of some type of stabilized oil, containing anywhere from 6 to 12 per cent fat. Pelleted feed is another source, with a typical fat range of 5 to 15 per cent. There are also products designed to add a lot of energy to the horse's diet, containing up to 30 per cent fat.
The fat found in pelleted feed can come from sources such as flaxseed or rice bran. Oil is another way to add fat to a horse's diet. Vegetable, corn, or canola oil is commonly used to top-dress grain or pellets. Omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and omega-6 (linoleic acid) are essential fatty acids that must be supplied by the horse's diet.
It is important to ensure that when increasing fat in a horse's diet, other nutrient requirements are being met, such as protein, vitamins, and minerals. Water is also an important nutrient that should not be forgotten. A healthy horse will consume 5-15 gallons of water per day, depending on temperature, humidity, and activity level.
If you are unsure about your horse's diet, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian and nutritionist to determine any deficiencies and make adjustments. Ration balancers are also an option to help meet vitamin and mineral requirements.
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Health status and dietary goals
The National Research Council's (NRC) Committee on Nutrient Requirements for Horses advises formulating each horse's diet based on its age, body condition, health status, and dietary goals.
The first step in understanding your horse's health status is to consult a veterinarian for a complete check-up. If your horse is healthy, it is likely that its diet is balanced for minerals if it is receiving good-quality forage with a commercial feed. If your horse is unwell, a veterinarian can help you identify and manage the problem.
If your horse has a vitamin imbalance, work with a nutritionist to balance its diet. Hay's nutritional content can vary, and a lab analysis is the only way to know for sure what's in it. If a lab analysis is not practical, ask your suppliers if they have had it analysed, or check with your local extension office for information on the nutrient content of hays grown in your region.
If your horse has dental problems that make it hard for it to chew hay, look to substitutes like chopped hay, hay-replacer pellets, and complete feeds that include forage. If your horse has metabolic problems, it may need to be put on a low-carb diet with special feed and steamed or soaked hay. Its grazing may also need to be limited.
If your horse is overweight, do not starve it. A drastic reduction in feed intake can lead to digestive problems. Instead, cut out grain and give it a single vitamin-mineral supplement balanced to complement its hay.
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Frequently asked questions
Horses need six key nutrients in their diet: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water.
The first step is to get an accurate picture of what your horse is eating every day by weighing its feed. Next, have your hay tested to determine its nutritional content. Finally, compare the amounts of important nutrients in your horse's diet to their needs to see if their diet is balanced.
If your horse is healthy and receiving good-quality forage with a commercial feed, its diet is most likely balanced for minerals. If your horse is unwell, work with a veterinarian and nutritionist to determine which nutrient might be causing the issue and how to adjust its diet.
You can add vitamins and minerals to your horse's diet by using a ration balancer or a free-choice loose salt-vitamin-mineral mix.
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