About Equine Nutrition
Dr. Amy M. Gill, Ph.D., is an equine nutritionist based in Lexington, Kentucky, and is a frequent contributor to The Thoroughbred Times, the weekly publication for the thoroughbred industry. Dr. Gill was kind enough to offer some equine dietary tips. She offers consultation services to horse owners, and more information can be found at her website, www.amymgillphd.com.
You're about to buy a horse, or you already own one. But do you know what to feed it? Hay? Grain? Vitamin supplements? What about treats, like a carrot, apple, or lump of sugar? Unfortunately, the answers are not simple.
"You have to know your horse," Dr Gill explained.
"Not all people can eat the same things. An athlete can eat lots of pasta, but other people will add weight eating that. It's the same for horses."
Unfortunately, Dr. Gill sees a great deal of misconceptions among well-intended but uniformed horse owners.
"A lot of people are not educated about their horses," she said. "It's not across the board. There are certain circles are well educated."
First, owners need to understand the basics: horses graze constantly, and with access to good forage they need little more in their diet. However, horses without unlimited access to pasture, like race horses, have more complicated needs, and it's here that owners needs to begin their education.
"For horses in a stall, hay is critical," Dr. Gill said. "What kind of hay your horse needs depends on the horse. Is it a very active, hard working horse?"
If so, a richer hay may be called for. A less active or overweight horse, on the other hand, will have lower demands.
"The biggest misconception concerns cutting of hay," Dr. Gill said. "Everyone thinks when the hay was cut is most important, but there are other factors. What is the quality of the soil? At what stage of maturity was the hay cut? How was it fertilized?"
Dr. Gill recommends that owners ask those questions and request a nutrient analysis. If the farmer cannot provide one, have an analysis performed.
"You can't tell good hay just by looking at it, you've got to know what's in the hay."
That analysis will also help determine what else is needed to supplement a horse's diet, be it grain or vitamins. But how do you know that? Again, know your horse, and consult with an equine nutritionist to round out each horse's diet, and then stick to that diet. Fluctuations in diet can cause problems for horses, which have very delicate digestive systems.
"My advice is to select feed products and hay that is best suited for the kind of horse you have," Dr. Gill said. "And pick products that you can use the way intended by the manufacturer."
As for treats?
"Only in moderation," Dr. Gill advises. "People give horses treats because they think it makes the horse love them, but horses are not that affectionate. They're not reacting to you, they're reacting to the food. Horses are very sensitive to blood-sugar levels, high levels of sugar can cause problems. Treats should be low in starch and sugar, and only given in moderation."
"Feeding Guidelines," from The Basics of Equine Nutrition
by Carey A. Williams, Ph.D.
Extension Specialist in Equine Management, Rutgers University
Forage is the base! Always try to feed the most forage possible then add concentrate.
Feed at a rate of 1.5 to 2 percent of the horse's body weight (One thousand pound horse = twenty pounds).
Feed by weight not volume! A one pound scoop of oats does not equal one pound of corn.
Stomachs are small so concentrates, if used, should be fed twice a day if not more with no more than 0.5 percent 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 (calcium to phosphorus) 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, which could cause colic).
When work or exercise decreases, decrease the grain.
Be aware of the pecking order in your horses' pen. Are they getting their feed?
Examine teeth at least once a year to make sure they are able to chew feed.
