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Forages
Forages are classified as legumes or grasses. The nutrients in the forage vary greatly with maturity of the grasses, fertilization, management, and environmental conditions. In order to determine the nutrient content in forage it is best to take samples and get them analyzed by a forage testing lab (contact your local County Extension Office for testing information or see the fact sheet, FS714, Analysis of Feeds and Forages for Horses).
Legumes are usually higher in protein, calcium, and energy than grasses. They have more leaves than grasses and require optimal growth conditions (warm weather and good soil) to produce the best nutrients. Some legumes include clover and alfalfa. Some commonly used grasses include orchard grass, timothy, bluegrass, and fescue.
Hay is forage that has been harvested, dried, and baled before feeding to horses. Legume hay can contain 2 to 3 times more protein and calcium than grass hay. However, it is usually more costly. Common grass hays include timothy, brome and orchard grass. They have fine stems, seed heads and longer leaves than legumes. They are most nutritious when cut earlier in their growth stage. Maturity at harvest is key to quality. Second cut grass hays average 16 to 20% protein.
Appearance can be a good indicator of the amount of nutrients in the hay, however, color should not be used as sole indicator. Moldy or dusty hay should not be fed to horses. For more information see Table 1.
Table 1. Evaluating Hay Quality
Characteristics of Good-Quality Hay
Characteristics of Poor-Quality Hay
Low moisture content (12 to 18%). Damp. Too much moisture causes mold.
Green in color Brown, yellow or weathered in color. Gray or black indicates mold.
Sweet smelling, like newly cut grass. Musty, moldy or fermented odor.
Free of mold and dust. Dusty and moldy hay is unacceptable.
Cut before maturity. Cut late in maturity. Mature seed heads with grass hay or alfalfa cut late in bloom.
Grass hays before seed heads mature and alfalfa cut early in bloom.
Free from weeds, poisonous plants, trash, or foreign objects. High weed content, poisonous plants, or animal carcasses in hay bales.
Concentrates
Grains
Oats are the most popular grain for horses. Oats have a lower digestible energy value and higher fiber content than most other grains. They are also more palatable and digestible for horses than other grains; however, they can be expensive.
Corn is the second most palatable grain for horses. It provides twice as much digestible energy as an equal volume of oats and is low in fiber. Because it is so energy dense it is easy to over feed corn, causing obesity. Moldy corn should never be fed—it is lethal to horses.
Sorghum (Milo) is a small hard kernel that needs to be processed (steam flaked, crushed, etc.) for efficient digestion and utilization by the horse. It is not palatable when used as a grain on its own, however, it can be used in grain mixes. Like corn, sorghum is high in digestible energy and low in fiber.
Barley also has hard hulls that should be processed to allow easier digestibility. It has moderate fiber and energy content, and can be a nutritious and palatable feed for horses.
Wheat is generally not used as a feedstuff because of its high cost. Its small hard kernels should be processed for horses to digest. Wheat is higher in energy than corn and best used in a grain mix because of its low palatability.
Protein Supplements
Soybean meal is the most common protein supplement, which averages around 44% crude protein. The protein in soybean meal is usually a high-quality protein with the proper ratio of dietary essential amino acids.
Cottonseed meal (48% crude protein) and peanut meal (53% crude protein) are not as common for horses as soybean meal.
Brewer’s grains (the mash removed from the malt when making beer) are a byproduct of the brewing industry. It is nutritious and palatable with about 25% crude protein and is also high in fat (13%) and B vitamins.
Fat Supplements
Vegetable oil is the most commonly used fat source in horse feeds. If adding the oil supplement as a top dress to feed start with ¼ cup/feeding and increase to no more than 2 cups/day over the course of 2 weeks for the average size horse (1000 lbs.).
Rice bran is a newer fat supplement on the market. It is distributed by some commercial feed dealers. It consists of about 20% crude fat, giving it an energy content of 2.9 Mcal/kg.
Feeding Guidelines
Forage is the base! Always try to feed the most forage possible then add concentrate.
Feed at a rate of 1.5 to 2% of the horse’s body weight (1000 lb. horse = 20 lbs.).
Feed by weight not volume!
** A 1 lb. scoop of Oats does not equal 1 lb. of Corn**
Stomachs are small so concentrates, if used, should be fed twice a day if not more with no more than 0.5% body weight per feeding. To maintain body weight, most horses need only good forage, water, and a mineral block. Store feed properly: it should be kept free of mold, rodents, or contamination. Keep Ca:P ratios around 2 parts Ca to 1 part P.
Feed on a set schedule (horses are creatures of habit and are easily upset by changes in routine). Change feeds gradually (horses’ stomachs cannot cope with drastic changes in feed; could cause colic)
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When work or exercise decreases, decrease the grain.
Be aware of the pecking order in your horse’s pen— are they getting their feed?
Examine teeth at least once a year to make sure they are able to chew feed.
References and Supplemental Reading
Lewis, L.D. 1995. Feeding and Care of the Horse (2nd edition). Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA.
National Research Council. 1989. Nutrient Requirements of Horses. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.
Ralston S.L. 1993. Analysis of Feeds and Forages of Horses. Rutgers Cooperative Extension. FS714.
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