equine nutrition

Nutrition

if horse is of good breed, well managed, good health, lives in a suitable environment, then __ will be main factor of its performance.

Good Quality Pasture

generally, horses undergoing only limited activity or light work are fully nourished by __

Supplement

variable nutritional value of pasture, horses might not get enough nutrition from grazing, and they need a __

Supplemental Feed

__ should be amied to meet horse’s nutritional needs that not available from the grazing

Balanced Ration

when horses do not have access to grazing then __ needs to be supplied.

Not Usually Necessary

when grazing is adequate, the addition of mineral and vitamins to the diet is __

Mineral/Vitamin Supplement

__ may be necessary if the roughage quality is poor

Salt

__ should be supplied freely to working horses because considerable quantities are excreted in sweat

Salt Blocks or Rock Salt

the provision of __ in feed boxes will help ensure adequate intake

Roughage and Concentrates

__ are commonly feed

Hay or Grasses

roughage is __

Grains, Grain by-products, Oil Cakes

concentrates are __

1.5 to 2.5%

the dry matter intake of horses is __ of their BW per day

Feeding Habits

see the individual horse __ and adjust rations accordingly

Thrice per day

working horse total ration should be fed __

50 to 70%

reduce the amount of concentrate by __ on non-working days of horse

2 to 4L

allows the horse to drink only __ and let it cool before allowing free access

Age

feeding of foals is according to its __

3 months age

mare milk can meet the requirement of foal up to the __

Immunity

colostrum feeding provides __ to the foal

Horse Serum

foal can be injected with __ for immunity

Fostering or Hand Rearing

__ by bottle or bucket feeding can be carried out

Modified Cow Milk

cow milk 600ml

150ml lime water

1spoon sugar

frequency of feeding

once in 2hrs - first 2 weeks

once in 4hrs - next 2weeks

4x a day - up to weaning

Creep Feed

beyond 1.5 month, additional __ can be provided

Highly Digestible Ingredients

creep should provide 75% TDN and 16% crude protein with __

0.5 to 1%

it can be fed __ of the foals body weight

3 to 6 months

500gm grain or concentrate mixture and 1KG good quality hay

6 to 9 months

1KG grain or concentrate mixture and 2 to 3KG good quality hay

9 to 12 months

2KG grain or concentrate mixture and 4 to 5KG good quality hay

Stallion

the feeding of __ is critical for its breeding performances

Energy-Dense Feeds

during the breeding season, more __ to be included in the ration to meet the stallion energy requirements

Vegetable Oil

__ can also be used to provide extra energy which can reduce the inclusion of large amounts of grain

High Quality Hay

stallion should be fed __ at a minimum level of 1.0% pf BW

Physiological Status

feeding of mares should be carried out according to its __

Energy

Protein

Minerals (Ca, P, Mn, Cu, Zn, I)

Vitamins (A, D, E)

nutrients such as __ are important for the pregnant and lactating mare

Grain

__ can be supplemented when more energy requires or poor hay quality

90 to 220g per day

growth of the foal ranges __, therefore, the mare’s nutrient requirements in early to mid-gestation are similar to maintenance ration.

350 to 450g per day

during late gestation, the foal is growing __, to support this growth, the mare’s energy and protein requirements increase

Dietary Ca & P

foetal uptake of minerals is enhanced during the last trimester, so __ requirement increased substantially

Lower Milk Production

under feeding mares during lactation can __, ultimately affecting the growth of foal

Re-Bred

a thin body condition will also decrease the mare’s ability to be __

2 to 3% of her BW

in addition to its own needs, mare produce __ as milk

75 to 100%

the energy and protein requirement increase __

3x more Calcium

2.5x more Phosphorus

lactating mare needs __ as needed in early gestation

4th, 5th, 6th

the mare’s nutrient requirements decline in the __ month of lactation as milk production declines

50% above maintenance

horse performing light work for 2-3hrs a day, their energy requirements increase __

70% above maintenance

horse performing moderate work such as FAST ROTTING, CANTERING, JUMPING ETC. for 4-5hrs a day, their energy requirements increase by __

Feeding Roughage Alone

it’s not possible to meet the energy needs by __ in above conditions

High Intensity Work

remove hay 4hrs prior to competition

feed grain 4hrs before competition

Light to Moderate Intensity Work

remove hay 4hrs before riding

adapt horse to eating smaller quantity of ration by spread throughout the day

feed grain 4 or more hours before riding

Long Distance Races

allow free access to hay right up to the competition or even during the ride

feed large quantity of grains/CM 4hrs before the ride

feed smaller quantity of grain throughout the ride

Big Head Disease, Colic, Laminitis

some common nutrition associated problems in equines:

Big Head Disease

__ known formally as nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, occurs because of dietary mineral imbalances

2:1 ratio of Calcium and Phosphorus

horses require a __ in their diets

signs of colic

Kicking/Biting at the Belly

Pawing

Stretching Out

Leaving Food Behind

Elevated Pulse Rate

Repeatedly Lying Down, Rolling, Getting Up

Laminitis or Founder

__ as it is often known as, is unfortunately a condition that is seen too commonly in horses, occurring in any horse regardless of breed, use, or activity. Having said this, mature horses and ponies are often over represented.

Ration for 500kg Horses Performing Light Work

Alfa Alfa/Grass Hay = 7kg

Crushed Oats/Barley = 2kg

Mineral Texture = 30g

Iodized Salt = free choice

Ration for 500kg Horses Performing Moderate Work

Alfa Alfa/Grass Hay = 8kg

Crushed Oats/Barley = 3kg

Mineral Texture = 30g

Iodized Salt = free choice

Ration for 500kg Horses Performing Intense Work

Alfa Alfa/Grass Hay = 9kg

Crushed Oats/Barley = 4.5kg

Mineral Texture = 30g

Iodized Salt = free choice

Oil = 500g

Leguminous Species and Grass

elevated energy and protein requirements of a mare in the late gestation can be met by increasing the amount of mixed hay of __

10%

addition of fat to the ration up to __ also increases the energy density