Nonstructural carbohydrates are those that either occur as simple sugars in the horse’s feed, or can be broken down by enzymes produced by the horse. Included in this category are glucose, fructose, lactose, sucrose, and starch. What are carbohydrates in horse feed? Carbohydrates found in horse diets can be roughly Read more…
Alfalfa: This is by far the most common legume used as hay for horses. The best alfalfa is cut more on the early side, and horses LOVE to eat it! Alfalfa has lots of nutrients, so many people feed a mix of alfalfa and a grass hay. What is the Read more…
Many mature horses get all the protein they need (about 10% of the diet, on average) from grass or hay. Owners can confirm that this need is met by having pastures and hay analyzed. What is the best source of protein for horses? Alfalfa, milk proteins, and soybean meal are Read more…
As the pandemic stretches on, the more than 500 equine rescues in the nation — from Thoroughbred aftercare organizations to donkey sanctuaries — are trying to find ways to cope with the new reality, while always keeping the welfare of their animals at the forefront. How many horses are rescued Read more…
Concentrates include feed such as sweet feed, grains, and pellets, and they are typically added to a horse’s diet to compensate for any nutrient insufficiencies in forages. Working, growing, and pregnant/lactating horses typically need more energy or protein than hay or pasture can offer alone. What is the best feed Read more…
In general, a mature horse does not require the energy that would be provided by concentrate type feeds (grains/sweet feeds, pelleted feed, etc.) unless the horse is used for more than light work and/or in production such as a lactating mare or a breeding stallion. What does a horse need Read more…
Understanding laminitis In laminitis, the blood flow to the laminae is affected, resulting in inflammation and swelling in the tissues within the hoof, and severe pain. What would cause a horses legs to swell? Soft, puffy joints or “filling” around the joints or lower limbs are very common in horses. Read more…
Feeding Oats The University of Illinois recommends feeding 2 to 2.5 pounds of grain, such as oats, or hay per every 100 pounds of your horse’s weight each day, although your horse’s age, health and activity level will play a part in determining how much hay and grain he should Read more…
Sugar beet should be soaked before it’s fed to horses and depending upon how it has been processed, this can range from 10 minutes to 24 hours. The soaking period is essential to ensure that the beet doesn’t continue to soak up moisture and expand in the horse’s digestive system Read more…
“Do not offer more than half of one percent of his body weight in grain-based feed in a single meal. For a one-thousand-pound horse that would be five pounds maximum,” Dr. Ralston says. “If he needs more than ten pounds of grain-based feed a day [which would be highly unusual], Read more…