| A horse's nutritional requirements and his digestive | | | | horse is apt to feed in such a way that the growth of |
| system have not changed since the time he was first | | | | his teeth is naturally kept under control. |
| domesticated thousands of years ago. However, due | | | | In addition to being perfectly suited to extracting |
| to a lack of knowledge, convenience considerations | | | | maximum nutritional value from grasses, a horse's |
| and an over-zealous adoption of the scientific claims | | | | digestive system has other requirements which are |
| of the feed industry, the way we feed a horse has | | | | often ignored by owners. The relatively small size of |
| changed dramatically. Often, these methods contradict | | | | the stomach limits the amount of feed that can be |
| what natural horsemanship tells us about feeding and | | | | safely consumed at one time. A horse is unable to |
| result in health problems for the horse and | | | | vomit or belch. Eating a large volume of hay and grain |
| management problems for owner. | | | | concentrate twice a day, as most horses do, can be |
| Certain principles of natural horsemanship can be | | | | unhealthy and even dangerous. A horse should eat |
| applied to choosing a proper feeding program for the | | | | small amounts, many times a day. |
| horse. Just as we studied aspects of horse physiology | | | | One of the unique features of the horse's digestive |
| and psychology when approaching training techniques, | | | | system is that even though he has but one stomach |
| it is beneficial to think in these terms when we decide | | | | compartment, as opposed to ruminants like cows, |
| how to feed our horses. This will tell us both what to | | | | there is a large microbial population in the cecum and |
| feed and how to feed. | | | | colon. These microbes have the ability to break down |
| It doesn't take an expert in natural horsemanship or | | | | and utilize the nutrients contained in forage. The |
| equine nutrition to understand that feeding flakes of | | | | peculiar shape of the colon which bends back upon |
| alfalfa and grain supplements twice a day to a horse in | | | | itself numerous times reduces the rate at which |
| a stall is not what Mother Nature intended. Indeed, that | | | | digested food is able to pass. This allows more |
| approach completely ignores a few basic principles | | | | efficient utilization of roughages in the horse's feed, but |
| that every horse owner should know about their | | | | also can cause digestive problems when the horse is |
| four-legged charges. | | | | not fed correctly. |
| A horse's digestive system is designed to obtain the | | | | If you observe a horse eating in a barn situation, you |
| maximum nutritional benefit from a diet of high-fiber | | | | can readily see that he prefers to eat off the ground. |
| and low-energy grasses. The foundation of a healthy, | | | | Most feeders require a horse to eat with their necks |
| natural diet for a modern, domesticated horse is grass | | | | extended and their heads raised. This is an unnatural |
| and grass hay. A horse in his natural environment will | | | | position for a horse to eat. Grass particles and debris |
| spend many hours a day grazing. Most experts say | | | | fall back into his face and eyes. The horse cannot |
| that a horse needs to consume at least 1.5 - 2 lb. of | | | | properly chew his food, and respiratory problems can |
| good quality hay and grain for every 100 lbs of body | | | | result when the horse constantly inhales dust from the |
| weight. Much will depend upon the metabolism of the | | | | hay. It's better to place hay on the ground in small |
| horse. Horses that are heavily worked, pregnant and | | | | amounts and in different places. |
| lactating mares will consume up to 3 lbs of dry matter | | | | A diet of high-quality grass and hay should provide all |
| for every 100 lbs. of body weight. | | | | the energy and protein needs non-working horses |
| Grass hay is much preferable to alfalfa for the bulk for | | | | require. However, if a horse is in training, shows in |
| the horse's diet for several reasons. Alfalfa is a very | | | | performance classes or is ridden frequently, you might |
| rich or "hot" feed for the horse. It contains | | | | want to supplement with grain. Although this might be |
| approximately 50% more protein and energy per | | | | considered a departure from a purely natural approach |
| pound than grass hay. Its phosphorous to calcium ratio | | | | to feeding, riding and working a horse is a complete |
| is also too high for a horse's requirements. When fed | | | | departure from what nature intended as well. |
| with grain, as alfalfa often is, numerous digestive | | | | In his natural environment as a wild, prey animal, a |
| problems including colic may result. Alfalfa may be fed | | | | horse consumed very little grain. His very limited grain |
| but only in small quantities almost as a supplement, not | | | | consumption took place in the fall from natural grasses |
| as the predominant feed component. | | | | that had gone to seed. This probably served to put on |
| Not all hay is the same. The nutritional content of hay | | | | extra weight before winter. However, our energy |
| depends not only on the variety of grass grown, but | | | | demands on a horse have changed nutritional |
| also on the soil and amount and type of fertilizer used. | | | | demands on him as well. |
| Hay quality also can vary and should be examined | | | | If a horse needs more energy, fat and protein in his |
| prior to purchasing. Good hay exhibits the following | | | | diet than he is receiving from a grass and hay-based |
| qualities: | | | | diet, there are several ways you can get him that |
| 1. Should be leafy as opposed to containing too many | | | | additional nutrition. It's a good idea to avoid feeding the |
| stems. Most of hay's protein is contained in the leaves. | | | | quantity of sugar and molasses present in many |
| 2. Good-quality hay should exhibit a light green color. If it | | | | commercial sweet feeds. Just as in humans, the |
| is too yellow or brown, it might have been harvested | | | | ingestion of large amounts of sugar can play havoc |
| too late and may not contain proper nutrients. | | | | with the horse's insulin-regulating mechanism. |
| 3. The hay should smell fresh and sweet. Hay that | | | | Compounded grain products may also contain other |
| smells moldy or musty should be avoided. Feeding | | | | undesirable ingredients such as fish and animal |
| moldy hay can result in colic. | | | | by-products. |
| 4. Check for weeds and other non-hay matter. Good | | | | You can get your horse the extra energy he needs |
| horse hay should contain a bare minimum of weeds, | | | | through supplementing with rice and wheat bran or |
| sticks and debris. | | | | oats and barley. Limit the horse's intake of prepared |
| Unfortunately, hay comes without supermarket labels | | | | rations of grain except for pregnant and lactating |
| specifying nutritional content, but often a reputable hay | | | | mares and young foals. We want to feed naturally but |
| supplier will have a laboratory analysis available for a | | | | we don't want to reject out of hand advances in feed |
| particular cutting of hay he is selling. Parameters to | | | | science. Educate yourself and choose supplements |
| look for include: | | | | based on your horse's true needs. Do not overfeed |
| 1. Moisture: usually averages around 10%. Higher than | | | | grain, however. |
| 13% may result in palatability problems and even mold | | | | Natural supplements that are useful to include in a |
| proliferation. | | | | horse's daily ration include flaxseed. Flaxseed is a good |
| 2. Crude protein: Legume hay will run 20% or more. | | | | source for important Omega-3 fatty acids that are so |
| High quality grass hay might run as high as 12-15%. A | | | | important in human diets too. Omega-3 fatty acids can |
| minimum should be at least 8%. | | | | play a role in alleviating chronic inflammation and |
| 3. Digestible energy (DE): This is an estimate of the | | | | strengthen the immune system. They can improve the |
| amount of energy available to the horse from the hay. | | | | condition of a horse's coat and hooves. |
| This figure will vary depending upon the stage of | | | | Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) supplements is a |
| growth at which the grass was cut and harvested. | | | | lesser-known source of trace minerals, internal and |
| Young grass will have a higher DE. As the crop | | | | external parasite control, improved feed utilization and |
| matures, DE decreases as the lignin content increases. | | | | fly control. DE is a desiccant and can be used as a |
| A DE reading of less than 1.65 Mcal/kilogram indicates | | | | feed supplement or can be spread around stalls and |
| a high level of indigestibility and should not be fed to | | | | the barn and will kill 75% of flies, fleas and mites that |
| horses. This could cause impaction colic. | | | | come into contact with it. Horse owners who use DE |
| 4. Acid detergent fibre (ADF: Indicates the digestibility | | | | religiously claim that feeding DE to their foals and |
| of fiber in the hay. ADF levels above 45% indicate | | | | grown horses eliminates the need for chemical |
| poor nutritional levels, while values less than 31% | | | | worming. |
| indicate excellent quality hay. | | | | Horses themselves can be a judge of what trace |
| When horses ran wild, their food supply consisted of | | | | minerals they need to consume. Have you ever seen |
| different kinds of grasses grown in one pasture or | | | | a horse digging in the ground and begin to lick some |
| field. Today we have lost that natural variety. An | | | | special rock they've found? He seems to know |
| improved pasture is more than likely to contain just one | | | | instinctively what minerals he is lacking and where he |
| variety of hay grass. Feeding just one type of hay can | | | | can get them. This probably pertains more to a wild |
| limit the nutritional value of the horse's ration, especially | | | | and varied environment than to a controlled and limited |
| trace minerals. Several different kinds of hay, ideally, | | | | pasture environment. For that reason, it is a good idea |
| should be fed. This will not only provide a more | | | | to provide a free-choice salt and trace mineral product |
| balanced diet but will also vary taste and texture | | | | especially formulated for horses. |
| characteristics of the feed as well. | | | | When horses are first offered this feeding option, they |
| A horse will also nibble eagerly on all kinds of | | | | will initially consume a considerable amount but begin |
| vegetable matter. A good idea is to provide your | | | | self-regulating very quickly. A supply of salt is essential |
| horse with tree branches with leaves to chew on. He | | | | to a horse's health and well-being. In the wintertime salt |
| will not only be able to derive needed nutrients but will | | | | should be manually added to a horse's feed in order to |
| use his teeth and wear them down naturally. A horse's | | | | ensure that he drinks the proper amount of water. Be |
| teeth are continually growing, and because of | | | | sure to make available to the horse an unlimited supply |
| domestication and modern feeding techniques, usually | | | | of fresh, clean water. |
| need to be rasped down once a year. In the wild the | | | | |