What Nutrients Are In Horse Feed?

Basic Nutrients. When feeding horses, it is important to recognize that there are six basic nutrient categories that must be met: carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. Often, feed companies will balance the first five nutrients for us; however, it is critical not to forget about water.

What are the main ingredients in horse feed?

Equine Feed Ingredients

• Complex carbs, such as alfalfa, grain hay, and beet pulp.
• Simple starches, such as barley, corn, and oats.
• Fats, including vegetable, corn, and fish oils.
• Proteins, such as dried whey, or linseed and canola meals.

What is the most nutritious feed for horses?

Roughage/Forage Roughage, found in hay or grass, is the bulk of the horse’s food. Grass or alfalfa hay, or a combination of the two, are good sources of roughage. Grass hay is generally higher in fiber and dry matter than alfalfa, but alfalfa may be higher in protein, energy, vitamins and calcium.

What minerals are in horse feed?

Minerals are inorganic nutrients that horses need in relatively small amounts.
The essential major minerals include:

• Calcium (Ca)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Magnesium (Mg)
• Sodium (Na)
• Chloride (Cl)
• Potassium (K)
• Sulfur (S)

What vitamins are in horse feed?

Like vitamins A and D, vitamin E is present in grass and fresh hay, but levels decline as the hay ages. Alfalfa hay is a better source than grass hay. This fat-soluble vitamin has important antioxidant qualities and also supports healthy function of the horse’s nervous, immune, and reproductive systems.

How do you make homemade horse feed?

A simple combination is equal parts of beet pulp and oats = 94 + 1 calcium equivalents and 9 + 41 phosphorus equivalents = 95:50 for a ratio of 1.9:1. Another is one part alfalfa and two parts oats = 147 + 2(1) calcium and 9 + 2(41) phosphorus = 149:91 for a ratio of 1.64:1.

What should you not feed horses?

There are certain foods which you should certainly never feed to your horse.

• Chocolate.
• Persimmons.
• Avocado.
• Lawn Clippings.
• Fruit with Pips and Stones.
• Bread.
• Potatoes and Other Nightshades.
• Yogurt and Other Dairy Products.

Are oats better for horses than sweet feed?

Even though oats are the grain lowest in sugar and starch, at around 45 to 50% starch they are still far too high in starch for horses on a low sugar and starch diet, eg insulin resistant horses, horses prone to laminitis, those with disorders like Cushings or PSSM etc, as well as many horses who are prone to ulcers,

What feed builds muscle in horses?

When it comes to feeding, the main building block for building muscle is protein. Your horse will obtain protein from a variety of sources in the diet including grass, forage and the bucket feed. Some ingredients such as alfalfa are particularly abundant sources of protein.

Is oats better than grain for horses?

Oats are the traditional cereal grain for horses and are the best choice for several reasons. Oats are very palatable and are the best nutrient-balanced grain, containing about 53% starch, 12% protein, 5% fat and 12% fiber.

What are the 6 basic nutrients in animal feed?

The basic nutrients that animals require for maintenance, growth, reproduction, and good health include carbohydrates, protein, fat, minerals, vitamins, and water. The energy needed for growth and activity is derived primarily from carbohydrates and fats.

What is the most important mineral for horses?

“Horses foremost need the minerals salt, calcium and phosphorus,” states Mays. “Salt is lost through sweat and urine so it should be available free choice to the horse at all times. Calcium and phosphorus are needed for healthy teeth and bones.

Can horses overdose on minerals?

Magnesium deficiency and excess in horses
Excessive magnesium will be excreted in the urine, but overdoses have been linked to decreased calcium and phosphorus uptake, compromised intestinal integrity, heart conduction problems and renal trouble, so it’s important not to over supplement.

What horse feeds contain protein?

Your horse consumes a variety of ingredients from roughage to grains that each have varying levels of protein quantity and quality. High quality protein – Sources high in quality protein are legumes such as soybeans, tick beans, lupins and seed meals from sunflower and canola.

What feed is high in protein for horses?

Alfalfa As A Source Of Protein For Horses
Along with soya, which is also a legume, alfalfa is one of the most commonly used sources of protein in horse feeds. The key features of the protein in alfalfa are: Most of the protein in alfalfa is found in the leaf.

What is the best source of protein for horses?

Alfalfa, milk proteins, and soybean meal are all good sources of quality protein for growing horses. Protein supplements which are deficient in lysine include linseed meal, cottonseed meal, and peanut meal.

What is the cheapest way to feed a horse?

Best Ways to Save on Horse Feed Bill

1. Utilize Pasture Whenever Possible. Allowing your horse to access pasture as often as they can is a highly nutritious way to economize.
2. Invest in a Grain Saving Feeder.
3. Be Strategic with Hay.
4. Use high quality horse feed instead of supplements.
5. Store well and keep away from rodents.

What should I feed my horse everyday?

Generally, most horses do well grazing on high-quality grass pastures and hay and don’t need grain. If your horse relies on you to supply forage because it’s kept in a stall, paddock, or bare pasture, it’s best to feed your horse twice a day.

What are 4 types of horse feed?

Types of Horse Feed

• Sugar Beet Horse Feed.
• Straight Horse Feeds.
• Conditioning Horse Feed.
• Balancer Horse Feed.

Are eggs good for horses?

No, eggs aren’t really bad for them. Equine experts tend to agree that mixing in eggs with feed isn’t a big issue, as long as the horse doesn’t mind. We all know eggs are a great source of protein which have an ideal balance of amino acids, minerals and vitamins.

Are bananas good for horses?

Almost any fruits, and many vegetables, are safe treats for healthy horses. Apples and carrots are traditional favorites. You can safely offer your horse raisins, grapes, bananas, strawberries, cantaloupe or other melons, celery, pumpkin, and snow peas.