How To Feed A Horse (Properly) Flashcards
How much dry matter can be consumed in 24 hours
2-3% body weight
How much water is consumed in 24 hours
10% body weight
How much hydration does pasture grass have
70-80%
How much hydration does hay have
10%
If hay has more than — hydration it will mold
15%
If a horse is hungry
They will eat anything
How much grain should be consumed daily
5-6 lbs
What is the max amount of grain per meal
0.5% body weight
It takes — to go through intestines
1.5 hours
What changes are made if a horse needs more than 0.5% grain per meal
Change to a feed with more calories or add a third feeding
How much starch in a meal
0.2% body weight
What changes to feed for a horse with colic in their pass
Increase fat and carbs, don’t go over 0.1% starch
Gas colic is caused by
Starch
The intestines are
Loosely tethered
Bad feed products
Cause gas
What does is mean if you can see ribs
The are short on calories / increase calories
What does is mean if you can see backbones
Short on protein and amino acids
What causes dull coat and bad hooves
Low minerals
2/3 of carbolic need and volume should be from
Forages
What I is the starting point in building a nutrition program
Look at horse and characteristics (temperament, size, work load, environment, growth stage, reproduction state)
What is added up to get the best nutrition
Horse requirement + body goals - nutrient from hay! Pasture + appropriate feed + feed choice salt + free choice water
If a horse is watered out of a bucket rather than a trough
It has a higher chance of colic
What is body condition score
A measure of fatness
High starch diet can lead to
Laminitis
What can fat mare pass to foals
Insulin resistance
What is “perfect body condition”
5
If ribs are showing
BCS < 5
Can feel ribs but can’t see
BSC 5-6
A flat back
BSC 5
A crease down the back
BCS 6+
Can’t feel ribs
BSC 7+
BSC 1
Poor, emaciated, no fat anywhere
BSC 2
Very thin; ribs, tailbone and pelvic bone stick out ; backbone still prominent
Breeding stock should have
BSC 5-6
When foaling
BSC 6-7
BSC 3
Thin, slight fat coverage on ribs, hooks are visible but rounded, no pins can be seen
BSC 4
Moderately thing, negative crease down back, outline of ribs can be seen, fat can be felt around tail head
BSC 5
Ideal, withers look rounded, fat around tail head feels slightly spongy, ribs can not be seen but felt
BSC 6
Moderately to fleshy, Fat around tailbone feels soft, fat is being deposited along withers behind shoulders and along neck
BSC 7
Fleshy, slight crease down back, ribs can be felt but some fat between.
BSC 8
Fat, crease down back, ribs can not be felt, fat along sides of withers, space behind shoulders is filled in
BSC 9
Extremely fat, obvious crease down back; bulging fat around withers, rear legs, tailhead, and neck crest
