Gastric Ulcers
The longer a horse goes without eating the more at risk it is for tummy trouble or gastric ulcers.
Ulcers can also develop from stress (relocating or traveling)
It would be wise to give an ulcer - guard type supplement a couple of days before traveling and for 1-3 weeks during a transitional period.
A horse should graze 16-20 hours every day.
Horses are nomadic creatures which means they need to walk 5-16 miles per day.
Principle diet should be forage.
Spring & Summer = 1 acre per 3-4 horses
Winter = 1 acre per 1-2 horses
Nutrition content of grass depends on season, stage of growth, environment, plant species,
soil type, general management of pasture, number of animals grazing.
Starch should be fed in moderation. If not digested in SI, then it moves to LI & causes issues.
Fat is absorbed across SI gut wall. Minerals are also absorbed.
Protein is absorbed across SI gut wall and used as energy. Protein bound within plant cell wall is fermented in LI
Abrupt diet change leads to colic or acidosis (drop in PH) because microbes need time to adapt. There are 400+ species of microbes.
Water is essential for thermoregulation, transport of nutrients, gut function and excretion of waste.
How much H2O? Foal: 80% of body weight / Mature horse: 65-75% of body weight
H2O requirements also depend on age, exercise, types of feed and environmental conditions.
Fat produces more energy than carbohydrates.
Horse feeds are predominantly carbs.
Feeds high in fiber: grass, straw, hay, sugar beet pulp (necessary to maintain healthy large intestine (LI)
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (Omega 3 & 6) must be supplied in the diet because they cannot be synthesized in the body.
PROTEIN is required for structural (muscle, skin hair), enzymes, hormones, immune compounds and transport compounds.
OIL: corn oil (most palatable), soy oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil, cod liver oil
Benefits of oil: improve energetic efficiency, improve athletic performance, enhance body condition, less excitable behavior, improved health
Macro-minerals are required in relatively large quantity. (calcium, phosphorus, chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium, sulphur
Micro-minerals are required in very small quantity. (cobalt CO, copper Cu, Molybdenum Mo, Zinc Zn, Manganese Mn, Iron Fe, Floride F, Iodine I, Selenium Se, Chromium Cr)
Vitamins are required in small amounts but vital for many bodily functions, such as vision, growth, immunity, bone development, blood clotting
Fat soluble vitamins: A, E, D, K / Water soluble: C, B (disrupted by high starch diets)
Large intake of fructan can disrupt hindgut.
Fructan is found in the stem. Horses cannot digest in SI, so it passes thru & is fermented in the LI.
Water Soluble Carbs (WSC) = fructan + simple sugar
Ethanol Soluble Carbs (ESC) = simple sugar (some starch)
WSC - ESC = estimates fructan content
WSC is affected by season & region.
WSC is higher with lower temp, less water, more light / WSC is lower with more fertilizer & more cutting or mowing
WSC peaks late afternoon & early evening
SUMMARY
Feed high quality forage
Use high degradable fibrous feeds
Feed cereals in moderation, ONLY as supplemental to a fiber-based diet