Providing Horse Nutrition

Providing Horse Nutrition

A three-year-old working horse weighing 900 lbs typically requires a balanced diet to support growth, work activity, and health maintenance. The horse's nutritional needs generally include energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.

Comparing two different rations relative to these needs:

1. Grain-Based Complete Feed (e.g., UNBEETABLE FEEDS Grain-Free Complete): This feed is formulated to meet daily energy and nutrient requirements without traditional grains. It is suitable for horses with grain sensitivities or dietary restrictions.
2. Supplemented Diet with Camelina Oil and Mineral Supplements (e.g., Camelina Oil + Redmond’s Daily Red minerals with/without garlic): This ration can enhance energy density, fatty acid supply, and mineral/vitamin balance, potentially benefiting horses with higher workloads, weight maintenance challenges, or specific health needs.

Energy Requirements A 900-lb horse should receive about 4 to 6 pounds of grain feed daily, adjusted by age and workload[1]. A grain-based complete feed can provide all core nutrients in balanced amounts appropriate for a working horse.

Vitamins and Minerals Horses should have access to iodized or trace-mineralized salt. Selenium concentration in feed is influenced by variations in soil selenium content and pH. The FDA has established a limit of 0.3 mg/kg of dry matter for selenium supplementation in cattle, sheep, and swine feeds. The pelleted feed, however, has twice as much as our ground feed and is within safe limits.

Vitamin A Forage analysis indicates an excess amount of potassium, which can further reduce magnesium absorption. However, when green forages are provided, supplementation of Vitamin A is most likely not needed. Alfalfa hay is a good source of Vitamin A.

Vitamin D Vitamin D results from ultraviolet irradiation of ergosterol, which is synthesized in plants. Horses synthesize Vitamin D through exposure to sunlight.

Vitamin E Fresh forages are a good source of Vitamin E. The hay will not meet the sodium requirements. Storage of forages can affect the concentration of Vitamin E.

Minerals Horses require 18.1 mg/lb DM or 40 mg/kg DM for Manganese, and approximately 40 mg/kg DM or 18.1 mg/lb of dry matter for Zinc. Our forage concentration is 34 ppm or 34 mg/kg, which would not meet the horse's Zinc needs. The hay source does not totally meet the horse's sulfur needs. The molybdenum level of our hay sample is high (10.2 ppm), so copper supplementation would be essential.

Magnesium Magnesium deficiency is most often seen in the spring. The hay sample has a potassium content of 2.23 which is slightly high and can further reduce magnesium absorption.

Selenium Low levels of selenium result in weak foals, impaired movement, and difficulty suckling. Selenium supplementation in equine feeds is restricted only by industry practices.

Iodine Iodine is essential for proper functioning of the thyroid gland. The concentration in our feed is not provided. High-level trace-mineralized salt is recommended, especially for brood mares and growing horses.

Fatty Acids Camelina Oil supplies highly digestible omega fatty acids, beneficial for working horses needing extra energy or struggling to maintain weight.

Choosing between these depends on the horse’s individual health status, workload, forage quality, and dietary preferences or restrictions. Combining a balanced base feed with targeted supplements often optimizes nutrition in working young horses.

[1] Equine Nutrition Guidelines for Working Horses [2] Camelina Oil for Horses: Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects [3] Redmond’s Daily Red Minerals for Horses [4] UNBEETABLE FEEDS Grain-Free Complete [5] The Importance of Trace Minerals in Horse Nutrition

1. The grain-based complete feed, such as UNBEETABLE FEEDS Grain-Free Complete, offers a balanced supply of nutrients, including energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, suitable for a working horse's daily requirements.
2. The supplemented diet with Camelina Oil and mineral supplements might be beneficial for horses with higher workloads, weight maintenance challenges, or specific health needs, as it can enhance energy density, fatty acid supply, and mineral/vitamin balance.
3. When assessing the nutritional needs of a three-year-old working horse, it's crucial to consider the horse's individual health status, workload, forage quality, and dietary preferences or restrictions, as this may influence the choice between grain-based complete feeds and supplemented diets.

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