Fueling Performance: Basics of Equine Nutrition

For horses to perform at their best, they require the correct nutritional building blocks. Just like people, all equines need protein, vitamins, minerals, and energy (calories) to support maintenance, growth, reproduction, and work. In this guide, we'll explore the essential elements of equine nutrition, from the importance of forage to selecting the right commercial feeds. Whether you're caring for a senior horse, a hardworking athlete, or a growing foal, understanding their dietary needs is crucial for their well-being and performance!

Forage: The Foundation of Equine Nutrition

In their natural habitat, horses spend the majority of their time grazing on grasses and plants. When it comes to feeding choices, starting with high-quality forage such as pasture and hay is paramount. All equines rely on forage for calories, nutrients, and fiber to maintain a healthy digestive tract. Insufficient fiber intake can lead to digestive issues like colic. Quality hay and pasture are essential, as the equine digestive system struggles with poor-quality forage, which may increase the risk of digestive problems.

The daily amount of hay or pasture fed should be at least 1-1.5 pounds per 100 pounds of body weight. For example, a 1,000-pound horse requires 10-15 pounds of hay daily. Keep in mind, each horse is an individual and may require more than this standard baseline. Feeding more forage than the minimum recommended amount is often beneficial, provided the total diet is balanced to meet the equine's nutritional needs, including protein, vitamins, minerals, and calories. And that your horse isn’t getting too fat!

Horse Feed Nutrients: Understanding Additional Requirements

While mature equines can often maintain their body weight on hay or pasture alone, certain nutrients may be lacking. For example, fresh pasture may lack some minerals, and hay might not provide sufficient amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Growing horses, broodmares, and working horses typically need additional sources of calories beyond forage alone. That’s where commercial feeds come in as they are fortified with protein, vitamins, and minerals to complement forage and meet nutritional requirements.

Protein is a critical nutrient for equine muscle development and overall health. It is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Horses require essential amino acids, which cannot be synthesized by their bodies and must be obtained through their diet. Common sources of protein in horse feeds include soybean meal, alfalfa meal, and various grains.

Vitamins are essential for numerous bodily functions, including metabolism, immunity, and vision. Vitamins A, D, E, and the B-complex vitamins are particularly important for horses. These vitamins can be found in high-quality forages as well as fortified feeds.

Minerals are vital for bone and muscle development, nerve function, and overall health. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium are among the essential minerals for equines. They can be sourced from forage, but commercial feeds often provide additional minerals to ensure optimal nutrition.

Commercial Horse Feeds: Choosing the Right Option

Commercial horse feeds come in various forms, including sweet or "textured" feeds and pelleted feeds. Sweet feeds typically contain a mixture of grains, molasses, and pellets with added vitamins and minerals. Pelleted feeds are made by grinding grains and other nutrients into a pellet form. Common grains found in horse feeds include corn, oats, wheat, and barley, along with forages like alfalfa and fiber sources such as beet pulp.

Selecting the appropriate commercial feed depends on your horse's needs. Leanin’ Pole Arena carries Purina® feeds because of their high quality and consistency. You always know you’re getting the same excellent product with every new bag of feed! Performance feeds like Ultium® Competition and Omolene® #500 are designed for active horses. Feeds like Ultium® Growth and Omolene® #300 are formulated for growth and breeding, while maintenance feeds such as Omolene® #100 and Strategy® Healthy Edge® suit horses in light to moderate work. Senior horses benefit from specialized formulations like Purina® Equine Senior® and Equine Senior® Active. For easy keepers, concentrated feeds or supplements such as Purina Enrich Plus® ration balancing feed may be ideal. Impact® All Stages 12% is a very popular choice among our customers as it’s a very versatile formula suitable for all life stages. The textured option is also loved by picky eaters.

How Much to Feed Your Horse: Finding the Right Balance

Once you've chosen the feed and forage sources, determining the proper amount to feed is crucial. Feed labels provide guidelines (remembering individual horses may require more or less) but knowing your horse's weight is essential. Using a body weight tape or scale, you can estimate your horse's weight. Most feeds should be measured in pounds rather than scoops, as the volume of different feeds can vary in weight. Quick tip – use a hanging scale or food scale to get an estimate on how much a scoop of your selected feed weighs. Just be sure to subtract the weight of the bucket!

To calculate your horse's daily calorie requirements, you'll need to know their body weight and activity level. Different horses have different calorie needs, so it's essential to adjust their feed accordingly. For example, a performance horse will require more calories than a retired pasture companion. Always follow feeding guidelines provided by the feed manufacturer and monitor your horse's body condition score to ensure they are maintaining an appropriate weight.

Body Condition Scoring: Assessing Your Horse's Weight

Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is a valuable tool to assess if your horse is underweight, overweight, or at an ideal weight. A BCS of 5 to 6 is generally considered appropriate for most horses, indicating they should have a moderate covering of fat without visible ribs but easily felt ribs. Using the BCS system, you can monitor your horse's weight and adjust their diet accordingly.

To score your horse's body condition, visually assess their overall body fat coverage and feel for their ribs. A score of 1 indicates severe emaciation, while a score of 9 indicates extreme obesity. Most horses should fall within the 5 to 6 range, with slight variations based on their workload and individual metabolism. Regularly monitoring your horse's body condition score allows you to make timely adjustments to their diet to maintain optimal health.

Click here for more information on scoring your horse.

Putting Weight on a Thin Horse: Strategies for Success

If you're dealing with a thin horse, consider factors such as health conditions, age-related issues, or insufficient calories in their diet. Health conditions like parasites, dental issues, or diseases should be addressed by a veterinarian. Older horses with dental challenges may benefit from feeds like Purina® Equine Senior®, designed for easy digestion without additional forage.

To put weight on a thin horse, gradually increasing their calorie intake is key. Using Purina® feeds like Equine Senior Active or Ultium® Competition, along with quality hay or pasture, can help. Monitoring Body Condition Score and adjusting the diet based on weight goals is essential. Weight gain should be gradual to prevent digestive upsets, aiming for about half a pound per day for safety.

Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of equine health and performance. Whether you're providing high-quality forage, selecting the right commercial feed, or monitoring your horse's weight, understanding their dietary needs is crucial. By implementing the guidelines discussed in this guide, you can ensure your horse receives the essential nutrients for optimal health and well-being. Remember, every horse is unique, so tailoring their feeding program to their individual needs will help them thrive for years to come. Invest in your equine companion's health today for a brighter tomorrow!

Leanin’ Pole Arena is a proud dealer of Purina Feeds. Give us a call or stop by the store and we can help you select the best feed for your situation!