Equine Husbandry

Question 1

Why should feed be introduced gradually to horses?

Answer 1

Sudden dietary changes can disrupt the gut microbiota and cause colic or laminitis.

Question 2

What are examples of forage commonly fed to horses?

Answer 2

1. Fresh - pasture
2. Preserved - hay, haylage, straw, chaffs

Question 3

What are examples of concentrates commonly fed to horses?

Answer 3

Grains (cooked/uncooked), cereal by-products

Question 4

What must be considered when adding concentrates to a ration?

Answer 4

Ensure they complement the forage and meet energy, protein, and micronutrient requirements without exceeding safe starch levels.

Question 5

Why is soaking or steaming hay sometimes necessary?

Answer 5

To reduce dust and mould, which can cause respiratory issues, or to lower sugar content for horses with metabolic disorders (soaking only).

Question 6

What is a good fibre source for a horse?

Answer 6

Sugar beet: pulp, cubes, flakes - requires soaking to avoid choke!!!

Question 7

Describe forage/feed ratio for maintenance to light exercise horses.

Answer 7

90-100% forage

Question 8

Describe minimum forage for high intensity exercise.

Answer 8

= 1% BWT (dry matter!)

Question 9

When might a horse need additional concentrate?

Answer 9

For lactation, high performance, or growth.

Question 10

What scale of body condition scoring is most common in the UK?

Answer 10

0-5 score

Question 11

Describe a BSC of 1. (poor)

Answer 11

• Sunken rump
• Cavity below tail
• Ribs visible
• Prominent vertebrae
• ‘Ewe’ neck

Question 12

Describe a BSC of 3. (good)

Answer 12

• Rounded rump
• Ribs just covered, easily palpable and visible
• Firm neck, but no crest
• Withers clearly visible

Question 13

Describe a BSC of 5. (obese)

Answer 13

• Bulging rump
• Ribs buried
• Marked neck crest
• Deep gutter along back
• Fat folds & lumps

Question 14

State the main reasons for negative energy balance.

Answer 14

• Insufficient quality/quantity of feed
• Gastrointestinal/dental disorders e.g. intestinal parasites
• High physical activity/workload
• Illness/injury

Question 15

State the main reasons for positive energy balance.

Answer 15

• Overfeeding/ unrestricted access to lush pasture
• Low activity level
• Poor diet compensation; high energy feeds/ poor forage:concentrate ratio

Question 16

What percentage of a horse’s body weight is water, protein, fat, minerals and carbs?

Answer 16

Water - 60%
Protein - 20%
Fat -12%
Minerals - 7%
Carbohydrates - 1%

Question 17

Why is it important to reintroduce feed gradually to a thin horse?

Answer 17

To avoid re-feeding syndrome, a potentially fatal condition caused by sudden overfeeding, which disrupts electrolyte and fluid balances.

Question 18

What are the consequences of obesity?

Answer 18

1. Osteoarthritis
2. Respiratory dysfunction
3. Equine metabolic syndrome –> laminitis

Question 19

What are some methods of weight loss management?

Answer 19

1. Grass muzzles
2. Poor grazing/ bare pasture
3. Low energy/forage based diet –> hay (soaked as sugars leeched out)
4. Prolong eating time so less bored –> double-layer hay net, obstacles in manger etc
5. Exercise
6. Winter as natural aid - limited rugging/clipping