Learn the basics about preferred horse feed rations for the best performance. A balanced diet for your animal combines forages, concentrates and where necessary, supplements.
Forages are an essential part of the diet of any horse. Also known as roughage, this material is organic in nature, and includes legumes, grasses and hay. Horse nutritionists regularly recommend that at least 50% of the diet by weight be made up of forages, as this is high in fiber and high in nutrients. Unfortunately, where the material is disadvantaged is that it does not contain the necessary energy for many horses. Grain is a concentrate which offers a much richer energy source, and so this makes up the remainder of the diet. However, certain horses will require much more energy than others, and so the ratio is likely to change. For example, horses that are in a stage of growth will require much more energy than those that have matured, and likewise horses who are racing or working hard will have higher demands. The ratio of concentrate to forage can vary widely, but the forage ration should never dip below 1% of the horse's daily diet by weight.
Legumes are a form of forage that provide more energy than grasses. Clover and alfalfa are some common choices that owners use to boost the energy percentages while still offering essential minerals and nutrients including calcium and proteins for muscle growth and repair. All horses will react slightly differently, and some owners report that alfalfa in particular offers too much energy too quickly, resulting in 'fizz', or undesirable spirited behavior. Hay is a dried mixture of both legumes and grasses. In order to provide your horse with the optimum nutrition, all of these organic elements need to be of high quality and fresh. Straw or chaff is a final roughage choice, however should be used in conjunction with other elements, as in itself it has little nutritional value.
Concentrates can be whole or crushed. Oats, corn, barley and wheat are the grains of choice for horses, with the former two being the most popular. Oats are used for their fiber while corn is great for digestible energy. There are pellets available that have the advantage of combining grains in a predictable and proven combination, however they can be expensive over long periods of time. COB is the acronym assigned to a mixture which incorporates the common three grains of corn, oats and barley. For owners who do not consider themselves expert in the nutrition of horses, or who don't have access to professional nutrition advice, a premixed concentrate is a wise choice. Changing your horse's diet overnight can have massive repercussions, so make sure that your nutrition source is sustainable, or if you do need to alter proportions, then you do it gradually.
If grain and forages are of the highest quality, then they will be adequate in providing your Horse Supplies with the nutrients, fiber and energy that they need. However, in many instances additional supplements are required to boost any areas that are lacking. For example, many climates or soil conditions will not be ideal for growing grasses, and as such the nutritional quality will be substantially lower. What's more, horses who work more than usual or who are stressed for some other reason will also be likely candidates for supplements.
For optimum nutrition, the best ration should be available in conjunction with a constant supply of fresh water. At any time when you require advice or would like to purchase premium horse feed ingredients, simply visit Southern Cross Feeds at http://southerncrossfeeds.com.au/.
Forages are an essential part of the diet of any horse. Also known as roughage, this material is organic in nature, and includes legumes, grasses and hay. Horse nutritionists regularly recommend that at least 50% of the diet by weight be made up of forages, as this is high in fiber and high in nutrients. Unfortunately, where the material is disadvantaged is that it does not contain the necessary energy for many horses. Grain is a concentrate which offers a much richer energy source, and so this makes up the remainder of the diet. However, certain horses will require much more energy than others, and so the ratio is likely to change. For example, horses that are in a stage of growth will require much more energy than those that have matured, and likewise horses who are racing or working hard will have higher demands. The ratio of concentrate to forage can vary widely, but the forage ration should never dip below 1% of the horse's daily diet by weight.
Legumes are a form of forage that provide more energy than grasses. Clover and alfalfa are some common choices that owners use to boost the energy percentages while still offering essential minerals and nutrients including calcium and proteins for muscle growth and repair. All horses will react slightly differently, and some owners report that alfalfa in particular offers too much energy too quickly, resulting in 'fizz', or undesirable spirited behavior. Hay is a dried mixture of both legumes and grasses. In order to provide your horse with the optimum nutrition, all of these organic elements need to be of high quality and fresh. Straw or chaff is a final roughage choice, however should be used in conjunction with other elements, as in itself it has little nutritional value.
Concentrates can be whole or crushed. Oats, corn, barley and wheat are the grains of choice for horses, with the former two being the most popular. Oats are used for their fiber while corn is great for digestible energy. There are pellets available that have the advantage of combining grains in a predictable and proven combination, however they can be expensive over long periods of time. COB is the acronym assigned to a mixture which incorporates the common three grains of corn, oats and barley. For owners who do not consider themselves expert in the nutrition of horses, or who don't have access to professional nutrition advice, a premixed concentrate is a wise choice. Changing your horse's diet overnight can have massive repercussions, so make sure that your nutrition source is sustainable, or if you do need to alter proportions, then you do it gradually.
If grain and forages are of the highest quality, then they will be adequate in providing your Horse Supplies with the nutrients, fiber and energy that they need. However, in many instances additional supplements are required to boost any areas that are lacking. For example, many climates or soil conditions will not be ideal for growing grasses, and as such the nutritional quality will be substantially lower. What's more, horses who work more than usual or who are stressed for some other reason will also be likely candidates for supplements.
For optimum nutrition, the best ration should be available in conjunction with a constant supply of fresh water. At any time when you require advice or would like to purchase premium horse feed ingredients, simply visit Southern Cross Feeds at http://southerncrossfeeds.com.au/.
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