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Equine Health Management - Feed & Nutrition

Expert April Cooper

Questions (For answers, scroll down or click on question)
r
Will the protein in alfalfa make my horse "hyper"?

Should I give my horse a daily electrolyte?

If my foal has epiphysitis should I decrease the % protein and the amount of grain I give my mare and foal?

I constantly read that "good nutrition" is important for pregnant mares. What is considered good nutrition?

Since calcium supplements sold for animals is more expensive than Tums, and Tums has phosphorus to aid abosrption of the calcium carbonate, can I give that to my 3 year old filly? What would the horse dose be compared to a human dose of Tums?

Should I be concerned if my 3 year old is not interested in the shared pasture salt block?

What are your comments on horses consuming various things from the fruit and vegetable kingdom in general, beyond the standard carrots and mature apples?

What kind of hay/grain diet do you recommend for broodmares in foal to a warmblood stallion and for warmblood foals? Are grain products labeled for foals (such as Purina's Omolene 300) generally acceptable for warmblood babies?

I have an 8 month old 1/2 Quarter Horse - 1/2 Quarter Pony colt that should mature out to about fifteen hands.   Is what I am feeding him sufficient or what additives do you recommend?   Should I consider adding a supplement or is this diet enough for a growing colt?

My 16.2 TB mare is bred next season for foal to a 16.3 Trakehner stallion.  My concern is that I am like looking at a large, fast growing foal and I would like to know what steps I can take nutritionally to ensure safe, sound growth.  Are there calcium/phos. supplements that you would recommend?

Could you offer any insight, or suggest any written materials, on feeding programs for young horses?  What should I be looking for in a feed and what kinds of hay should I be feeding?  Also, when they are stalled for periods of time, how much hay should they be allowed (eg. when they are kept in for a day w/o turn out due to weather)?

I have a 5 year old quarter horse gelding who was diagnosed by x-rays last fall as having a bone spavin (quote from vet "severe degenerative arthritis involving intertarsal and tarso metatarsal joint").  I am looking at buying a nutritional supplement such as Vita-Flex Generation.  Can you please tell me if you think this would help or hurt the horse?   What can I do for him to help him the most?

I am interested in finding a comparison of the different brands/formulations of joint-care supplements such as J-Flex.   I am interested in finding the most effective supplement for my mare.

Is there a dietary supplement that we can give a Arab/Quarter cross to make him less hyper?  He is 5 years old and since we bought him, he has had two dietary changes becoming increasingly more energetic.  He was basically calm when we first looked at him and also at the vet check.

If there is an excess of clover in grazing, what percent of protein grain should be fed?  I have had my soon to be 2 year old paint mare for about 5 weeks ...   Is she getting too much protein? ... Do you think she is up all night grazing? 

I have a mare that gets agitated all the time, even in her stall.  When she was caring for her foal, she leveled out.   It appears that she has a hormone imbalance.  She also has dry brittle hair.   Someone suggested that she has a lack of selenium in her diet.  Any ideas?

We recently purchased (trying to save) an American Trotter that was put in a pasture with nothing to eat but oak leaves and acorns.  He is nothing but skin on a skeleton.  We ran tests on his kidneys and liver and all blood work looks OK, but he won't eat.  He will eat oats, some hay, and graze a little but does not add on weight.  We've given him B-12 which helps for a few days, but he goes back to not wanting to eat.  Any suggestions about what we could try or who we could talk to?

I have a yearling arabian colt that I am having a hard time putting weight on ... He will be one year old on June 6 of this year.  He stands 13.2 hands and weighs approximately 650-700 lbs.  I am afraid to feed him too much more grain, I do not want leg problems developing.   His trainer advised me to keep him in the stall all day with only two hours turnout, but I do not want to do that.  I believe that all babies need their turnout time and I do not want him to stock up or be mentally deprived.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have a 10 year old Arabian gelding and a 7 year old shetland pony.  In pasture they have hay at will (no grass available).  In morning, I feed the Arabian one 16 oz. can of oats and 1/4 can to the pony and repeat in the evening.  I let both feed off my yard grass during the evenings for 30 minutes.  What is best feeding guidelines?

My Pony Club manual suggests that on days one does not ride, the grain ration should be cut in half and replaced with extra roughage, the idea being that this prevents Azutoria.  Is it wise to make such a sudden, drastic change in a horse's diet?  Is it OK to leave the feed alone if the horse gets turned out?

I own a 6 year old Thoroughbred, approximately 16.2 hands. ...  This feed is labeled for "Adult Horse Mares", which my horse is not. Is this feed any good for him?  This horse is hard to get and keep weight on, which is why I am supplementing beet pulp.   I am also considering a supplement called "Equine Energy" which I have used with him before with good results.  The management at the stable where I board my horse are very open to suggestions.  Is there an easier way to keep weight on my horse, keep him healthy, and full of energy without being hyper?  Should I switch to a better quality feed and not have to add all the supplements?


Should I be concerned if my 6 year old horse is not interested in his salt/mineral block?

I have a 6 month old anglo-arab colt that has had diarrhea most of his life.  After trying everything any vet suggested, I tried changing his feed to oats only...with good results...The question, is a diet of only oats and hay (coastal-bermuda) adequate for a growing colt?  If not, do you know of any soy free feeds? 

I own a one and half year old quarterhorse and would like to know what I can feed her to be able to get the most height out of her.  She is now 1.55 meter.

I have a 10 year old AQHA gelding who is kept as a show horse (no unsupervised turnout).  Recently, he has begun to eat his manure...Are there any supplements (mineral, etc.) that tend to halt this type of behavior?...

I have a 14 week old Appaloosa/Trakehner filly who weighs approximately 260 lbs.  What would you suggest feeding in order that she does not gain weight too fast?...

I have read Karen Briggs article in the November issue of "The Horse", re: probiotics and digestive aids.  I can understand their use after intense worming, antibiotic therapy, or digestive insufficiency, but I question the cost effectiveness of daily supplementation.  As a microbiologist, I would think that most gut flora is replaceable by coprophagy or normal forage.  What is your opinion of this and can you point me to some reference reading in this area?

 

Questions and Answers

Q: Will the protein in alfalfa make my horse "hyper"?

A: In most situations, the answer is no. Researchers have unsuccessfully tried to link protein and behavior or reactivity. There is evidence that carbohydrates, especially rapidly soluble carbohydrates may play a role in increased activity, but we cannot legitimately blame protein as a sole nutrient. As a side note, immature or lush alfalfa will have a fairly high non-structural carbohydrate level, which may be a factor.

I recommend calculating your total daily protein intake in grams before making adjustments to the protein levels or sources in your rations (see the example below). Excess protein in the diet in moderate amounts is deaminated and utilized as a carbohydrate (energy) source. The nitrogen that is split from the protein molecule combines with hydrogen and is excreted as ammonia in the urine and feces. This source of energy is inefficient and costly, but is not considered to cause behavioral changes. There was a study published in 1975 suggesting excessively high levels of protein may adversely affect performance, however, Dr. Hintz in 1980 and Dr. Ralston in 1988 were unable to find detrimental effects from excess protein in endurance horses. Another short-term study suggested protein levels over 25% above requirement may cause a reduction in renal calcium reabsorption.

Example of total protein intake:

5 lbs. of a 12% protein grain mix per day = .60 lbs. protein
20 lbs. avg. quality grass hay at 6% protein = 1.2 lbs. protein
_____________
= 1.8 lbs.

1.8 lbs. x 454 grams/lb. = 817 grams of protein consumed in 1 day

The NRC (National Research Council) which has determined minimum requirements of nutrients to prevent deficiency based on university research publishes the following protein requirements:

1300 lbs. mature horse
– maintenance (no work)
= 776 grams
Same horse in light = 970 grams
1300 lb. pregnant mare = 950-1050 grams
Her yearling = 1025-1100 grams

Forage quality is by far the biggest factor in dietary protein supplied.

 

Q: Should I give my horse a daily electrolyte?

A: Horses should receive supplemental electrolytes to replace what is lost through work. If your horse is worked daily and sweats considerably, then daily electrolyte supplements are recommended. For strenuous events, shows, long distance endurance rides, long hours in a trailer, electrolytes provided 1-2 hours before the event may be beneficial (longer than this is not). The form of electrolyte should be considered. Best absorption is achieved in the presence of glucose and sucrose. A granular supplement (with a sugar base) mixed in the water is the best way to supplement. Electrolyte paste solutions are least recommended. It is essential that the horse receive non-supplemented fresh water free choice too. Force-feeding electrolytes without adequate fresh water intake interferes with water and ion balance and can be more detrimental than not supplementing at all.

 

Q: If my foal has epiphysitis should I decrease the % protein and the amount of grain I give my mare and foal?

A: Physitis (epiphysitis) is an enlargement of the growth plate usually seen in the ankles or knees as a "boxy" appearance, soreness or enlarged bony area on the joint. It is due to inflammation, compression of vessels and microfractures in the growth plate as it goes through the ossification process. This can be caused by stress or trauma to the joint, genetics and yes, sometimes nutritional imbalances. Can we point to protein alone as the nutritional cause? Absolutely not. Research has shown that high protein, high-energy diets with inadequate mineral fortification will cause D.O.D. It is an uncommon case where I try to manipulate the growth curve of a foal with physitis by reducing the protein. In most feeding situations when this is done, dietary mineral levels are also reduced. How is strong, healthy bone developed on inadequate mineral intake? It is not. One feeding trial showed the severity and incidence of physitis in yearlings was reduced by decreasing the grain fed, however, it was done at the expense of bone density.

As far as reducing grain to the lactating mare, I never recommend it as a way to slow foal growth. Mother Nature protects that foal at the mare’s expense. A summary of foal growth in Kentucky showed that changing the mare’s diet did not significantly change the growth curves. It may be possible to reduce the volume of milk produced by reducing the mare’s protein and calories, but milk protein and fat composition changes may allow for foal growth maintenance. Even if we could significantly decrease the volume produced, it will be after the mare is in a negative energy balance and mobilizing body fat (losing body condition or weight) to maintain energy. I don’t recommend starving the mare for the chance of reducing foal growth, particularly for mares to be bred back (conception rate is adversely affected), older mares or hard-keepers. Early weaning is the alternate option if it is necessary to slow growth.

 

Q: I constantly read that "good nutrition" is important for pregnant mares. What is considered good nutrition?

A: Good nutrition means we are providing nutrient levels that are above the National Research Council's (NRC) minimum requirements for the horse depending on the size, age, and metabolic status of that individual. We must also realize that excesses of nutrients may also have potentially harmful effects as well. That was the simple answer. In the case of the pregnant mares, we must provide enough protein to meet the mare's maintenance requirements plus fetal development. Energy requirements for the mare increase in the last trimester of gestation when fetal growth is rapid. Mineral and vitamin nutrition is critical to developing strong cartilage and later bone in the fetus. I strongly encourage all breeders to increase the mineral density of the mares ration from conception (not just in the last trimester) since cartilage development occurs in the first trimester.

In the case of your 16'3 H TB mare, if she is 1320 to 1540 lbs. bodyweight these would be the nutrient levels I would try to achieve on a daily basis:

Nutrient

 

Ideal Range (safe)

Absolute Minimum (NRC)

Dry Matter

lbs/day

21.25

21.25

Protein

%

11.5 - 15

10.6

Lysine

%

0.42 - 0.56

0.37

Fat

%

2 - 6

1.5

DE

Mcal/day

18 - 20

17.85

Calcium

%

.53.1.5

.45

Phosphorus

%

.35 - .50

.34

Potassium

%

.6 - 3.0

.38

Magnesium

%

.5 - .30

11

Sulfur

%

.18 - .4

.15

Salt

%

.35 - .45

.30

Manganese

ppm

60 - 500

50

Iron

ppm

80 - 500

60

Molybdenum

ppm

.10 - 3.0

.05

Copper

ppm

25 - 100

20

Zinc

ppm

70 - 150

60

Cobalt

ppm

.30 - 10

.15

Iodine

ppm

.4 - 2.5

.1

Selenium

ppm

.2 - .5

.1

Vitamin A

IU/day

42000 - 80000

35278

Vitamin D

IU/day

772 - 5000

386

(As a personal note to what you are feeding, without knowing the feeding rates and nutrient profiles of each ingredient provided in the ration, it would be irresponsible for me to say you are meeting the requirements.) Generally the ration you mentioned would be suitalbe. To be sure, however, you should get in touch with the feed representative or nutritionist for the manufacturer and ask them to help you with the calculations to see if you are achieving the nutrient levels mentioned in the "safe range" above.

 

Q: Since calcium supplements sold for animals is more expensive than Tums, and Tums has phosphorus to aid abosrption of the calcium carbonate, can I give that to my 3 year old filly? What would the horse dose be compared to a human dose of Tums?

A: Tums is not an inexpensive or desirable supplement for horses. In our local discount store, Tums Ultra (72 tablets) costs $4.29 per bottle. This is $.06/tablet.

17 tablets/day would provide:

6.8 g calcium/day
0 g phosphorus
0 g Magnesium

at a daily cost of $1.02 per horse

Compare this to:

Grass Plus Mineral and Vitamin Supplement (manufactured by Buckeye Feed Mills):
11 lb. tub is $19.00 = $.036/oz

1 oz per day supplemented provides:

1.3 g calcium
.94 g phosphorus
.63 g magnesium

For a total daily cost of $.036 - this supplement also provides all other major minerals, most trace minerals and fat soluble vitamins in balance for forage programs using mostly grass species.

Another supplement widely used is Accel (manufactured by Vitaflex).
A 5 lb. tub sels for $22.95 = $0.287/oz

1 oz per day supplemented provides:

1.3 g calcium
.94 g phosphorus
.63 g magnesium

This supplement also provides other minerals, fat soluble vitamins, some water soluble vitamins and probiotics.

If calcium is the only nutrient needing supplementing, instead of Tums, provide feed grade lime or calcium carbonate (available at all feed mills that manufacture). Lime is 38% elemental calcium with a cost of about $.05/lb or $.003/oz.

1 oz of lime provides 10.8 g of calcium per day - very cheap calcium.

If you are looking for just calcium and phosphorus, the least expensive way to supplement is with dicalcium phosphate 21. This is 21% calcium and 18% phosphorus for about $.015/oz.

1 oz provides 6 g calcium and 5.1 g phosphorus

 

Q: Should I be concerned if my 3 year old is not interested in the shared pasture salt block?

A: I would not be concerned unless he had abnormal eating, drinking, urinating, or sweating patterns. Generally horses over the age of 2 will be fairly accurate at free choice salt consumption (within 90% of requirement). If he is fed a fair amount of commercial grain mix (over 5 lbs. per day) he may be meeting his salt requirement depending on the level added to the feed. 

 

Q: What are your comments on horses consuming various things from the fruit and vegetable kingdom in general, beyond the standard carrots and mature apples?

A: I am assuming you mean giving fruits and vegetables to your horse in very small quantities (as a treat or snack). My opinion is that if it is ripe and the horse likes it, a small amount is probably harmless, and may even be bneficial. If you are thinking of substantial quantities to replace a portion of the feed (as in fruit byproducts like apple pomace), then I would suggest looking into it further since there may be some concerns with toxins and balancing the diet. 

 

Q: What kind of hay/grain diet do you recommend for broodmares in foal to a warmblood stallion and for warmblood foals? Are grain products labeled for foals (such as Purina's Omolene 300) generally acceptable for warmblood babies?

A: Regarding diets for warmblood mares and foals, I wish there was a straight forward and simple answer, but there is not. The type of grain is uinque in the nutritional content of their forages, decisions about grain must be made by each farm individually, not by brand or by what a neighbor feeds successfully. A basic rule of thumb is if feeding a mature grass hay (6-8% protein), feed a high protein grain mix (14-16%). If feeding a legume hay (alfalfa or clover that tests 12% - 20% protein), feed a low protein grain mix (10%). For broodmares and foals always choose a highly fortified grain mix with .55-.60% phosphorus minimum with an inorganic phosphorus source on the ingredient label such as dicalcium phosphate and at least 45 ppm copper. This grain mix should probably be fed at a minimum rate of 6 lbs. per day to ensure adequate mineral levels.

Ideally, test your hay and/or pasture for nutrient content. This is the only way to be sure you are feeding a balanced diet. If you are feeding a mostly legume hay, I always recommend testing. Legumes make a wonderful feed for horses when you know the nutrients you are working with. With east coast alfalfa, I've rarely had a problem balancing diets, however, some of the hay from western states I have worked with has had excessively high calcium and magnesium levels combined with low phosphorus as well as low fiber (ADF). This can be very challenging to balance.

When comparing warmblood mares to lighter breeds, we should keep these points in mind:

1. Due to their larger size (and relatively larger gut) warmbloods are more efficient utilizers of forage. Since fermentation of fiber is more efficient in the cecum and large colon, there are more volatile fatty acids (VFA's) produced as a byproduct of bacterial fermentation. VFA's are a major source of energy (or calories) for the horse. Therefore, if hindgut fermentation is more efficient, we can feed less grain for calories. Warmbloods are "easier keepers" in general. The problem is then one of providing adequate minerals, vitamins, and protein without making the mare obese or getting extra weight on the foals. There are a few products available as "ration balancers" that do this nicely.

2. Lactating warmblood mares in many cases produce a hugh volume of milk. To produce this milk we should increase their protein to almost double the gestating requirement and provide half again as much energy (see the protein chart below). In addition, meeting foal requirements for growth can be tricky when foals are not hungry enough to consume anything beyond mom's abundant milk supply. These foals may have rapid early growth (3-4 lbs. average daily gains) without consuming any foal starter. If foals do not consume 1 lb. of high quality grain (suitable for foals) per 100 lbs. of bodyweight by 4-5 weeks of age, I recommend using Foal Aide mineral/vitamin drench or paste (Buckeye Feed Mills is the only manufacturer of this type of product). This will provide the minerals necessary for development as mares milk declines in trace mineral density by week 5 of lactation. For foals with sighs of or predispositions to Developmental Orthopedic Desease or from suspect prenatal nutrition, I recommend using the drench as a precaution at 1-2 weeks of life.

To address your question: Are grain products labeled for foals (such as Purina's Omolene 300) generally acceptable for warmblood babies?

Generally, yes... when average quality mixed forage is used and you provide the minimum lbs. of grain recommended, you can assume you are meeting nutrient requirements. Take a look at some of the ration examples below. If you have a hay analysis, I will be willing to look more closely at your individual feeding program and offer input.

1320 lb - 1540 lb warmblood mare should consume approximately 24-26 lbs of hay and grain per day (21-22 lb dry matter intake). The daily protein and energy requirements are:

Pregnancy
1200-1600 g protein
24-26 Mcal DE
National Research Council's minimum protein is 1100 g.

Lactation 1-3 mos.
2050-2500 g protein
38 Mcal DE
NRC's minimum protein is 2000 grams/day

Lactation 4-6 mos.
1600-2000 g protein
33 Mcal DE
NRC's minimum protein is 1550 g.

Sample Diet 1:

18 lbs. avg. grass hay (7%) = 900 grams protein (8%) total diet
6 lbs. oats
This diet would be deficient in protein, calcium, and trace minerals and vitamins, however, would come close to meeting calorie requirements.

Sample Diet 2:

18 lbs. avg. mixed (50/50 grass/legume) hay (14% protein)
6 lbs. 14% well-fortified food = 1525 grams protein/day (adequate)
Depending on mineral levels in the hay, this diet would most likely be sufficient in calorie, mineral, and vitamin content.

For mares needing less that 6 lbs. of grain to maintain body weight here is a good sample diet of one of my clients:

9 lbs. full bloom alfalfa hay (14% protein, 57% TDN, 40% ADF, 1% Calcium, .24% Phosphorus, 3 ppm Copper, 21 ppm Zinc)
11 lbs. timothy hay (7% protein, 43 ADF, .34% Calcium, .23% Phosphorus, 6 ppm Copper, 22 ppm Zinc)
2 lbs. Gro'N Win Ration Balancer (32% protein, 2.8% calcium, 1.5% Phosphorus, 175 ppm Copper, 375 ppm Zinc)

Total Diet Nutrients would be: approximately 1100 grams of protein or 12.4%, .67% calcium, .34% Phosphorus, 17.5 ppm copper or 235 mg, 50 ppm zinc or 670 mg. These and other nutrients would be in acceptable ranges, with the exception of energy which will be low. 

 

Q: I have an 8 month old 1/2 Quarter Horse - 1/2 Quarter Pony colt that should mature out to about fifteen hands.   Is what I am feeding him sufficient or what additives do you recommend?   Should I consider adding a supplement or is this diet enough for a growing colt?   (I feed a hand mixed grain of the following ratios:  3lb 10% sweet feed; 3lb crimped oats; 3lb cracked corn; 1lb 19% alfalfa pellets and constantly available free choice timothy/orchard grass hay in the percentage range of 6-10%.  He only gets 5 lbs of grain a day and all the hay he'll eat.  There is a mineral block available.)  

A: I used my ration evaluation software to take a look at your situation. This is how things look:

8 month foal at 675 -725 lbs.(I’m guessing) gaining on average 1.5 lbs / day with a projected mature weight of 1000 lbs. These figures are probably conservative. If gains are greater or size larger, requirements will increase.

National Research Council (NRC) minimum daily requirements are:
Protein grams 965
Lysine grams 40
Dig. Energy Mcal 19.3
Calcium grams 34.2
Phosphorus grams 18.3
Copper mg 67
Zinc mg 267
Selenium mg 1.3
Vit A IU 14000
Vit D IU 5400
Vit E IU 535

Keep in mind, these are minimum requirements. Since there can be variations in nutrient content of feeds and actual requirements as the foal grows, it is wise to allow a safe "buffer zone" for nutrients. Some nutrients have a very wide margin of safety, others very narrow. The following levels are what I recommend targeting your daily nutrient intake for:

Protein 1000
Lysine 42
DE 17.5-19.5
Calcium 43
Phosphorus 29
Copper 135
Zinc 400
Selenium 1.9
Vit A 49000
Vit D 4900
Vit E 700

Your daily diet is:
    1.5 lbs 10% (I used Omolene 100 in the equation -with good fortification levels)
    1.5 lbs. crimped oats
    1.5 lbs. cracked corn
    0.5 lbs. alf. pellets

Free choice full bloom timothy hay (7%)

When looking at nutrients provided by this diet, and comparing it to NRC requirements:
    107% DE Mcal
    88% Protein
    44% Lysine
    112% Calcium
    152% Phosphorus
    127% Copper
    123% Zinc

I would recommend altering this foal’s diet. Most commercial feeds are formulated to be fed 6-8 lbs per day. This means the amount of minerals and vitamins that are added are for that feeding level. When we use less fortified feed and substitute raw ingredients (corn, oats, alf. pellets), we really decrease the mineral intake. I am not comfortable with the nutrient levels you are achieving with the exception of calories and perhaps phosphorus. When looking at your diet with my recommendations, energy is ok, protein is less than 85% of requirement, Lysine is about 40%, Calcium & Phosphorus are 90 - 100% and trace minerals are about 60%.

The simplest way to get the diet in line is to eliminate the corn, oats and alfalfa pellets. Feed 5 lbs. of a well-fortified 14% grain mix. Look for specifications similiar to:
        0.90% Calcium
        0.60 % Phosphorus
        50 ppm Copper
        125 ppm Zinc

Do not rely on accurate intake of mineral blocks in young, growing horses, especially with blocks containing salt. Their salt requirement is low and they will not be able to consume adequate levels if intake. Instead, make sure the mineral is either in the feed or supplemented with the feed. 

 

 

Q: My 16.2 TB mare is bred next season for foal to a 16.3 Trakehner stallion.  My concern is that I am like looking at a large, fast growing foal and I would like to know what steps I can take nutritionally to ensure safe, sound growth.  Are there calcium/phos. supplements that you would recommend?  (She was bred to a 16H TB the year before last, before we owned her.  That foal was 15.3 at 14 months of age, without any real feeding program.  During that pregnancy and while nursing, the mare was turned out and received no additional feeding.  The pasture was at first just rangeland and then they were transferred to a cut hayfield.  The mare now receives much better care and is on a good feeding/vitamin/worming program.)

A: The following steps are recommended to reduce the risk of growth-related problems:

1) Monitor Actual Nutrient Intake

    A) Monitor prenatal nutrient intake from the first trimester when cartilage is formed; through the second trimester, which may account for 70% of the weight gain of the gestating mare; and the third trimester, a time of tremendous fetal growth requiring more protein, energy and calcium.

    B) Continue monitoring intake of the lactating mare as well as the foal when he is started on feed.

  • Ask your feed company representative, nutritionist or veterinarian for assistance in determining nutrient intakes. Calculate     actual intakes from everything consumed in 24 hours and compare to the recommendation chart for gestating mares at the end of this post.

2) Monitor Body Condition Scores (BCS)
    Body Condition Scoring is a managment tool horse owners can use to determine body fat cover on a horse. This is an indication of digestible energy (DE) status in the horse, in other words, whether you are providing adequate calories to maintain your horse’s "weight".

    A) Determine BCS for mares: from gestation through weaning on a monthly or every other month basis. Attempt to keep BCS of the gestating mare between 5 - 6.5. Once the mare has foaled, if her BCS drops below 5 and you are feeding the recommended level of concentrate for the lactating mare, supplement her diet with fat.

    B) Determine BCS for foals: bi-monthly until weaning, once a month until 12 months, and every other month until 24 months. Foals are born with very little fat reserves. Scours or illness can quickly reduce the young foal’s BCS. Monitor more frequently in times of stress and provide energy and fluid therapy to ill foals. Foals with prolonged GI problems, respiratory illness or antibiotic therapy may have compromised absorption of nutrients and may be more prone to nutritionally-related Developmental Orthopedic Disease (DOD). Maintain normal foals at a BCS of 4.5 - 5.5. Foals with mild to moderate DOD problems should be maintained 4 -5 BCS. I rarely attempt to drop foals below a 3.5 BCS. This situation is reserved for severe DOD cases and only when advised by or working closely with the veterinarian.

3) Record Foal Growth
   Use a scale or girth weight tape to monitor foals weight and measure height. Record these in a notebook or on a growth chart along with their BCS score. If at some point in the growth period, you notice DOD problems beginning, record and monitor growth more closely. If symptoms coincide with a growth spurt, reduce energy (calories) provided. Do not reduce protein below NRC’s minimum guideline unless your veterinarian requires a drastic reduction in growth. Keep mineral and vitamin intake well above minimum guidelines when feeding restricted diets. For physitis, use a string to measure around the largest part of the joint and then measure against a cm ruler to help monitor degree of problem, especially if you see your foals daily. Record this with your other information.

If you would like a copy of a Body Condition Score (BCS) worksheet and a growth chart, send a self addressed, stamped envelope to me at:

    The Mill of Bel Air
    424 N. Main St
    Bel Air, MD 21014



Nutrient Requirements for Gestating Mare 1300 - 1500 lbs. - (safe nutrient levels)

Nutrient Min Max
Protein % 11.5 14.0
Lysine % 0.42 0.56
DE Mcal/day 18.0 21.0
Calcium % 0.53 1.50
Phosphorus % 0.35 0.50
Magnesium 0.15 0.30
Potassium 0.60 3.00
Mn ppm 60 500
Cu 25 100
Zn 70 150
Se 0.2 0.50
Vitamin A IU 42000 80000
Vitamin E 775 5000

 

Without having a better idea of what your feeding progran is, it would be irresponsible to recommend a supplement for your mare. If you determine that calcium and/or phosphorus is in short supply in your ration, supplement with dicalcium phosphate (available at any mill that manufactures livestock feed). If you also need to boost trace mineral levels, use a complete supplement instead of ‘dical’. 

 

Q: Could you offer any insight, or suggest any written materials, on feeding programs for young horses?  I currently have a yearling colt (appendix QH) and a 2 year old WB mare.  What should I be looking for in a feed and what kinds of hay should I be feeding?  Also, when they are stalled for periods of time, how much hay should they be allowed (eg. when they are kept in for a day w/o turn out due to weather)?

A: For written material on nutrition,  I highly recommend that you obtain a copy of Nutrient Requirements of Horses, Fifth Revised Edition, 1989, National Academy Press, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20418.  This is the main reference manual I use for nutrition work.  It is published by the National Research Council (NRC), which is a subcommittee of university researchers.

Some general feeding guidelines are:

  • For yearlings and up - always feed at least 50% of the diet as hay (forage).
  • Never feed more than 5 lbs. of concentrate at any one feeding.
  • If a horse is stalled for long periods, feed free choice hay or do not let them go for more than 2 hours without something to eat since they will be hungry and look for something to eat (bedding, the walls, etc.).  If there is concern with an overweight horse, bed them on straw, as they will consume some straw.   In this situation, monitor water intake.  Encourage a high water intake.
  • It may be desirable to slightly reduce the amount of concentrate when stall bound for longer periods than what they are accustomed to.

The type of grain you decide on should complement your hay.  So get your hay first and then find an appropriate grain mix to balance the hay.  As far as the type of hay, any type is generally fine.  My first consideration for nutrient quality is maturity of the plant.  Soft, digestible hay will have short or small seedheads or very few blooms in the case of legumes (alfalfa or clover).  My preference is a mixed hay that is mostly grass (25-50% alfalfa).   Any type of grass will do, except avoid fescue if you have broodmares.  If you prefere a straight legume hay, I am firm about testing it.  Legumes can make wonderful forage and come close to meeting most of the requirements, however, there can be some imbalances that can cause disasters.  As long as you know what you have to work with, it is manageable and affordable.  Many folks are concerned with straight alfalfa hay, however, I have worked with hundreds of mares and foals on this type of forage with very few problems.  Even if you choose a straight grass or a mixed forage, I still recommend running an analysis.  Mature maintenance horses will be very forgiving of nutritional imbalances.  Growing babies and lactating mares will not. 

 

Q: I have a 5 year old quarter horse gelding who was diagnosed by x-rays last fall as having a bone spavin (quote from vet "severe degenerative arthritis involving intertarsal and tarso metatarsal joint").  I am looking at buying a nutritional supplement such as Vita-Flex Generation.  Can you please tell me if you think this would help or hurt the horse?   What can I do for him to help him the most?

A: Just to clarify for others viewing, the bone spavin mentioned is basically osteoarthritis of the hock joint. This involves lesions of the articular surfaces and is usually caused by trauma and inflammation, faulty hock conformation and some believe mineral imbalances may play a role. If degeneration is severe, there is little that can be done from a nutritional standpoint to correct the situation. I question if we can supply nutrients to slow the rate of degeneration unless the condition is caused by nutrient deficits or imbalances. There are some nutrients, however, which I feel are important to supporting retention of bone. The first thing to do is to evaluate the entire diet to make sure calcium and phosphorus levels are adequate and in balance. Also look at total magnesium levels. These nutrients are important for maintaining bone density as the horses age, however, they may have little to do with articular surface retention, especially when trauma and inflammation cause the lesions. On a total diet basis, attempt to keep calcium at .6 to .8 %, phosphorus around .35%, and magnesium about .20%. Manganese is a trace mineral which may play a role. Little is known about manganese in the horse. I suggest a minimum of 50 ppm (total diet). Hay varies in manganese content. Sulfur should also be about .20% on a total diet basis. I see many situations where sulfur intakes are low because of low levels in hay. We do not have a clear understanding of what the sulfur requirement is in the horse. Sulfur plays a role in joint matrix. It is found in large concentrations in the body as sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cystine), biotin, heparin, thiamine, insulin, and chondroitin sulfate (CS). Chondroitin sulfate forms the cartilage matrix upon which collagen strands attach.

You asked in particular about the Vita-Flex Generations supplement. This is a concentrated source of CS. There is very little scientific research to show the effectiveness of oral supplementation. There are a few field trials and testimonials that make this area of supplementation worth looking into. Supplementing with CS will not harm the horse as long as recommended feeding levels are maintained. If over-fed, excess dietary sulfur may interfere with selenium absorption and dietary cation-anion balance. My opinion on these supplements is first make sure your dietary sulfur levels are adequate without the supplement, then add the supplement if you are interested. Try to do so at a time when the diet is not changing (ie. going from a hay based forage program to a pasture program). I have seen a few horses that appear to be helped with the supplement and many who do not appear to receive benefits. Due to the high cost, I urge people to try to determine if there is a benefit.

Only a small portion of the CS will be absorbed in intact form. Sulfate compounds when ingested orally, are easily broken down. If the diet is lacking in sulfur, you will probably be paying a lot of money for a product to be desulfated and the sulfur utilized wherever Mother Nature prioritizes - hoof, hair, muscle, etc. There is great debate in the scientific circles regarding how much is absorbed intact (some radiographic isotope studies have been done - most on other species), from what is absorbed as CS how much is distributed through target tissues. It appears that there are metabolic factors involved in allowing CS to cross membranes, most likely permeases or proteins that allow large molecules to pass through cell membranes. Much more research is needed.

My final thoughts are that if this were my horse I would check the total diet levels and then plan to start supplementing when the diet won’t be changing. Generations is a fine supplement to consider, however, I think if I were going to the expense of supplementing I would use Grand Flex which combines CS with other glycoseaminoglycans (GAG’s). This would be a more complete mucopolysacharride supplement for joint tissue. Next, monitor results. Try to come up with a way that you can be objective with the results. If there seems to be improvement, continue supplementing and consider removing the supplement a couple times a year to see if there is a reversed condition. If there is no response - don’t waste the money. Last, but not least... before making any changes discuss this with your veterinarian. The vet can help you determine the benefit to the supplement. There may also be other ways to more effectively support the joint. Injecting substances into the joint gets the substance to the place needed much more effectively than orally supplementing.  

 

Q: I am interested in finding a comparison of the different brands/formulations of joint-care supplements such as J-Flex.   I am interested in finding the most effective supplement for my mare.

A: My experience with joint nutraceuticals is somewhat limited. I have not had an occasion to use one on our horses, therefore, I rely on second hand information from horse owners. There are few references in the scientific literature relating to large animals, specifically horses. The few trials that have been conducted have not been small trials with limited or no control groups and company sponsored-field trials (not objective university research). This makes evaluating these products very difficult. I am skeptical about all the claims that have been heard, however, I have seen horses who have definitely been helped by a nutraceutical designed for these situations. I have also seen some that had no response. The results seem to be tremendously variable. I doubt the brand is as much a factor as dosage level and individual response based on need. I would caution you about starting a supplement now if you are in an area that has pastures containing cool-season grasses. Our pastures are in the lush spring growth now. In 3-6 weeks you may see differences in appearance, thriftiness, energy, etc. because of the tremendous dietary shift from a hay-based diet to one containing fresh grass. Wait until pasture acclimation has been complete for at least 6 weeks. Then supplement and monitor closely to notice improvement. Most field trials did not take into account factors such as dietary change to fresh grass.  I have had only one customer use a perna muscle type of supplement.  I am hesitant about results.

The following chart compares some of the joint supplements available. I advise you to choose a supplement with concentrated levels. If there are other nutrients (minerals and vitamins), review your diet with a nutritionist or veterinarian to be sure you are not over-supplementing a nutrient. If this is impractical, choose a supplement that is pure with no other nutrients.

PRODUCT

MANUFACTURER

INGREDIENTS

SIZE,COST

COMPARABLE COST PER UNTI/DAY

Generation

Vita-Flex Nutrition 800-848-2359

Mixed CS 3200 mg / scoop; Vit C 2000 mg; Vit B6 35 mg; dl-methionine 1500 mg; Betaine 2000 mg; Quercetin dihydrate 755 mg

3 lbs. - $111.95

$4.66

Flex Free Maximum

Vita-Flex Nutrition

Mixed CS 90%

4 oz - $51.95

$3.45

Flex Free Original

Vita-Flex Nutrition

CS 1750 mg/oz

3.76 lb. - $71.95

$3.15

Select Nu-Flex

Richdel Inc. 800-648-0950

Yucca 5306 mg/oz; Mixed CS 750 mg; Vit E 56.25 IU; Vit C 11.25 mg; Beta-carotene 3 mg

5 lb - $45.95

$5.75

Nu-Flex CS Pure

Richdel Inc

Mixed Cs 28375 mg/oz

4 oz - $52.95

$3.50

Select Nu-Flex maximizer

Richdel Inc

Yucca 5518 mg/oz; Mixed CS 2651 mg; Ester-C 1355 mg; Vit E 117 IU; Beta-carotene 3 mg

5 lb - $57.75

$2.00

J-Flex

Springtime 800-521-3212

Mixed CS 95% pure

6 oz - $79.99

$5.75

Equi-Flex

Pro-Formula Labs 800-525-3007

Mixed CS 3000 mg/oz; D-glucoronic acid 350 mg; Superoxide dismutase 200 mg; manganese 12 mg; Ascorbate 150 mg

1 lb - $24.95

$3.89

Xtra Flex

United Vet Supply Med-Vet Pharmaceuticals 800-328-6652

Mixed CS 3680 mg/tsp

1 lb - $133.95

$2.30

Ber-Flex

Berlin Industries 800-544-3635

Mixed CS 475 mg / gm

12 oz - $86.75

$3.95

Grand Flex

Grand Meadows 800-255-2962

Glucamine Hcl 99% 3900 mg/scoop; Naicinimide 150 mg; Bioflavinoids 100 mg; Zinc 300 mg; Manganese 200 mg; l-Lysine 200 mg; l-methionine 200 mg; l-proline 80 mg; Vit C 180 mg

3.75 lb - $66.95

$2.57

Glucoseamin XL

Med-Vet Pharmaceuticals

Glucoseamine sulfate 98%

700 gm - $179.75

$4.25

Cosequin

Nutramax 800-925-5187

Glucamine Hcl 1800 mg/scoop; Mixed CS 600 mg; Manganese 16 mg; Vit C 104 mg

5 lb - $44.95

$4.25

Flexxion

Equilife/Paragon Performance 800-356-5222

CSA 2500 mg/oz; Pantothenate 500 mg

5 lb - $44.95

$1.69

Anthroflex

Equilife/Paragon Performance 800-356-5222

Perna Canaliculus 4800 mg/scoop; Pantothenate 500 mg

5 lb - price varies, vet only

$1.40

Syno-Flex

Vetri-Science US Animal Nutrition

Perna mussell 4.3 g/serving

2.77 lb - price varies, vet only

 

 

Q: Is there a dietary supplement that we can give a Arab/Quarter cross to make him less hyper?  He is 5 years old and since we bought him, he has had two dietary changes becoming increasingly more energetic.  He was basically calm when we first looked at him and also at the vet check.

A: There are no supplements "proven" to calm horses in objective clinical research. Having said that, there are some folks claiming success with a variety of products - I am still waiting to be convinced. From a dietary standpoint, look first to carbohydrate nutrition. Have the dietary changes increased the total level of soluble (non-structural) carbohydrates? Examples might be going from a hay-based diet to a grazing ration, changing from a cooked, pelleted feed to a texturized feed with higher molasses levels or changing from a high fiber to a low fiber diet - either fiber levels in the concentrate or especially levels total diet, such as a high concentrate and low forage diet.

Other nutrients to consider are vitamins. Be sure you a providing adequate fat-soluble vitamins in the diet. B-vitamins may also play a role in excitability and behavior, especially thiamin (B1). Supplementation of B-vitamins is generally unnecessary since adequate levels are synthesized in the hindgut, however, some horses benefit from supplementation. Diets limited in forage or effective fiber or horses with reduced hindgut absorption are situations to supplement B-vitamins.

I recommend feeding your horse a concentrate with roughage by-products and higher fiber levels. Keep intake of concentrate at the minimum level recommended by the product. If more calories are required for weight maintenance, add fat not more carbohydrates. Once the horse has been on this feeding program for a minimum of 3 weeks, if you wish to try other supplements, this can be done. Start with a general B-vitamin supplement containing thiamin. Vitamin A should be somewhere in the 40,000 - 60,000 IU range and vitamin D about 2000 - 5000 IU. Vitamin E requirement is low at prefer my rations to be 800 - 1000 IU per day especially with added fat or high stress levels. If you decide to try products such as Yucca (which is used in the feed industry primarily for odor control in manure), then wait another 3 weeks for the horse to become adjusted to the ration and respond. Some feel Yucca is beneficial to behavior problem horses.

Final thoughts are to keep your horse on a very regular exercise schedule and feeding schedule. 

 

Q: If there is an excess of clover in grazing, what percent of protein grain should be fed?  I have had my soon to be 2 year old paint mare for about 5 weeks.  She was underweight, hooves cracked, and scarred by other horse hooves and bites.  I started her on a supplement and gradually changed her from Reliance 12 to Legends 14 of Southern States sweet feed.  She will not eat hay, probably because she has a better pasture to graze.  Now that warmer weather is here, the clover is out pacing the grass.  She seems to be less energetic and lays down a lot!  She doesn't roll very much, just seems to be exhausted.   As the day progresses she is more energetic.  Is she getting too much protein?   I give hay to bulk up her stools but she won't eat it, she has cow plops and I can see undigested grain.  She is gaining weight and looks a lot better than she did a month ago, but her lying down so much is worrying me.  Do you think she is up all night grazing?  She has always been with other horses until now; she is alone and is out with a run in shed for shelter.  Other than being sleepy during the day, she seems very healthy, eats, well, and is as sweet as she can be.

A:  If pastures are heavy in clover and your filly seems to be grazing the clover, then the % protein in pasture is somewhere around 18-24%. Let's look at the example of protein intake below (this may or may not be close to your situation):

A 900 lb. - 2 yr old paint consuming 1.5% bodyweight (dry matter basis) would consume about 13.5 lbs. of dry matter / day.
If we feed 5 lbs. per day of a 10% protein feed, she would receive about 225 grams of protein / day from grain.
If pasture was 20% protein and she consumed 30 lbs (8.5 lbs dry matter at 70% moisture), she will get about 2700 grams of protein from the pasture/day.
Her protein intake should be at least 750 grams / day.

As you can see, protein intake is much higher than requirement. Is this a problem? Usually not - most horses grazing lush pastures have protein intakes between 2500 - 3500 grams/ day (requirements being under 1000 g) and have no problems handling the excess protein. Simply put, excess dietary protein is broken down by the body into nitrogen and a carbohydrate molecule. Any nitrogen not utilized by the body is combined with hydrogen (NH3) and excreted as ammonia in the urine and feces. The carbohydrate molecule is utilized as carbohydrates. Excess carbohydrates can be a problem, regardless of the source of carbohydrate.

My concern in this situation is are you going too fast on a better plane of nutrition? Especially when we see loosely formed stool, we should be concerned about acidosis. Your offer of hay is perfect. Unfortunately, you can't force her to consume it unless you limit her time on pasture. If this is possible, I would attempt to limit pasture time to 12 hours/day and force some hay consumption. Acidosis is a metabolic problem that relates to the carbohydrate intake. Lush pastures are high in protein, however, they are very high in carbohydrates that are rapidly soluble. More problems will relate to the non-structural carbohydrates than the excess protein. I would be concerned with her laying down too if it seems like it is for hours at a time or throughout the entire day. She may very well be more active at night grazing and resting more during the day. We usually see this in the hot, buggy weather. If however, she is spending time down because her feet are sore due to subclinical laminitis as a result of the acidosis and high carbohydrate intake, then immediate management changes are necessary. A veterinarian consultation is in order in this situation.

My feeding advice is to

1)  Limit pasture intake to 12 hours per day.
2)  Offer free choice grass hay of medium coarseness.
3)  Choose a well-fortified 10% protein grain mix. Keep feeding levels under 6 lbs. per day. I would consider a grain mix that has a higher fiber level than Legends. Something with roughage byproducts may help the hindgut function. A pelleted feed or one with fully cooked grain will also help reduce acidosis problems. Avoid heavy molasses grain mixes if her total diet carbohydrates are high.
4)  If body condition is still below desired level, add fat to the diet, either with added fat in the grain mix or by topdressing fat. A good intake for weight gain would be about 1/2 lb. per day (8 oz. of oil if that is the source). Using fat instead of grain to increase calories reduces acid in the gut as well.
5)  Keep your veterinarian informed with her situation. If there is a subclinic problem, they can help identify it. I usually recommend attempting to change body condition scores 1 point in 6 weeks. If you are gaining more than 1 BCS point in this time period, you may be going too fast! If you would like a body condition scoresheet, ask Hilltop Farm.
 

 

Q: I have a mare that gets agitated all the time, even in her stall.  When she was caring for her foal, she leveled out.   It appears that she has a hormone imbalance.  She also has dry brittle hair.   Someone suggested that she has a lack of selenium in her diet.  Any ideas?

A: Behavior as it relates to nutrition is a difficult subject to address. Have you had blood work done? A veterinarian should help you determine if there is a hormone imbalance. Often mares are more "settled" with a foal at their side. This may be due to maternal hormone changes. There may be a boredom issue here as well. As the mother of 2 small children I might add that less rest may contribute to mares calming down while caring for their foals! More seriously, dry hair may be related to health or environmental factors. If nutrition is involved, I would focus on total protein intake as well as quality of protein (lysine and methionine - limiting amino acids). Next I would determine if fat intake is adequate. Then I would consider mineral and vitamin nutrition.

Selenium deficiency doesn’t seem a likely cause for the symptoms you describe. Selenium (Se) status varies in the soil, and therefore forages. Areas east of the Mississippi River are usually considered Se deficient in soils. Check the level in your feed. NRC lists 1 mg of Se as adequate. I usually balance for 3 mg intake per day. Some situations warrant feeding higher levels. Keep adequate vitamin E levels (800 to 1000 IU per day is my preferred level). Have your vet send a blood sample for Se/E status. It is not an expensive test and well worth checking on occasion. I have worked with a few farms that had high levels of intake (5-8 mg of Se / day) that still showed low blood levels. After investigation we found Se antagonists contributing to a decreased absorption/utilization rate (mostly high dietary sulfur intake). Without occasional blood work, we would be guessing at appropriate levels for those situations.

Some "active" horses will respond to B vitamin supplements. You may want to try a B- complex supplement high in Thiamin (B1). These are water soluble vitamins and safe to supplement, even if they are provided in the grain mix. A final thought is to make one change at a time and allow 3-6 weeks to determine full results, otherwise, you may not be able to tell what has helped.  

 

Q: We recently purchased (trying to save) an American Trotter that was put in a pasture with nothing to eat but oak leaves and acorns.  He is nothing but skin on a skeleton.  We ran tests on his kidneys and liver and all blood work looks OK, but he won't eat.  He will eat oats, some hay, and graze a little but does not add on weight.  We've given him B-12 which helps for a few days, but he goes back to not wanting to eat.  Any suggestions about what we could try or who we could talk to?

A: First of all, make sure the mouth is sound. Have the teeth checked as well as soft tissue for foreign objects or abscesses. This can limit feed/forage intake. Also make sure water intake is adequate and water quality is good. This will also affect feed intake and utilization. Adequate fiber intake is a must to keep the hindgut fermentation system efficient. This is the first priority. Only when the hindgut function is good will there be efficient utilization of the grain products fed.

a) If his hay and pasture intake is not high, consider trying a forage replacement product such as a complete feed high in fiber, alfalfa pellets or beet pulp.

b) Feed up to 6 lb. of oats / day. If oats are the only grain, add a suitable mineral and vitamin supplement to balance the diet. Add fat (oil or fat blend) to the feed, work up to 1 lb. per day.

c) Keep extra B vitamins supplemented. If forage intake is questionable, he is probably deficient in most B vitamins, therefore, add a B complex supplement. B-12 helps stimulate appetite, you can continue this in addition to other B vitamins. (B-12 injections seem to help for 2-3 days but I have usually had to use repeated doses for animals really off feed).

d) Discuss using Strongid C with your veterinarian. Keeping the parasite load down will help keep the nutrients provided going for body condition gain. This can be a short term management option.  

 

Q: I have a yearling arabian colt that I am having a hard time putting weight on.  I have been trying for two months to add about 50 lbs. and have not had much luck.  While he is not drastically underweight, I can see a hint of his ribs.  We feed him three times a day with very little result.   His schedule is:

He has been wormed regularly with Zimecterin and is on Strongid C.  He is continually blanketed (he is body clipped) according to the weather and brought in if it rains.  He will be one year old on June 6 of this year.  He stands 13.2 hands and weighs approximately 650-700 lbs.  I am afraid to feed him too much more grain, I do not want leg problems developing.   His trainer advised me to keep him in the stall all day with only two hours turnout, but I do not want to do that.  I believe that all babies need their turnout time and I do not want him to stock up or be mentally deprived.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

A: Sounds like you are doing everything you can. A hint of ribs is just under a 5 body condition score (BCS) which would be a moderately thin to moderate horse. I feel this is ideal for growing horses, although it may be a disadvantage in the show ring. His size is right where he should be for his average breed. Continue feeding grain 3x. You may consider reducing grain to 6 lbs per day and adding another cup of oil (perhaps in the am feed). This will give you a little calorie boost for weight gain. I would prefer to see additional calories coming from fat since you have plenty of carbohydrates already from the grain mix. Excess carbohydrates can affect bone development of growing horses.

I agree with your thought on turnout, unless there is a physical reason to keep him in. I can’t imagine a situation much more frustrating for an active yearling colt than to be confined to a stall for 22 hours a day. That may cause him to "fret" off the weight. I watched this happen to a Quarter Horse colt I thought I could sales prep myself. After running the fields all day for 2 weeks and gaining no weight I decided to confine him to a stall. He paced the stall. We then tried cross ties to keep him still in the stall for several hours a day. He quit turning circles, but still kicked out his legs. We finally gave up after a month of no weight gain and sent him south to be prepped! Allowing your colt exercise outside will keep his muscles and mind toned, even if he doesn’t achieve a "rounder" appearance yet.  

 

Q: I have a 10 year old Arabian gelding and a 7 year old shetland pony.  In pasture they have hay at will (no grass available).  In morning, I feed the Arabian one 16 oz. can of oats and 1/4 can to the pony and repeat in the evening.  I let both feed off my yard grass during the evenings for 30 minutes.  What is best feeding guidelines?

A: Most forages are deficient in some nutrients (some minerals & vitamins), so are oats. That is why commercial feed is formulated with these added nutrients. If you are opposed to feeding a commercial fortified feed for horses, there are alternatives to provide a balanced diet. I suggest sampling your hay if you have a consistent supply since this comprises over 90% of their feed intake (total dry matter). Once you know what nutrients are low, you can determine how to best meet needs.

a) recommended level of fortified feed based on their size and activity level

b) topdress a ration balancer

c) mix granular mineral into oats

d) free choice a mineral premix in addition to your free choice salt.  

 

Q: My Pony Club manual suggests that on days one does not ride, the grain ration should be cut in half and replaced with extra roughage, the idea being that this prevents Azutoria.  Is it wise to make such a sudden, drastic change in a horse's diet?  Is it OK to leave the feed alone if the horse gets turned out?

A: Azoturia or "Tying Up" has several causes. The one you mention is considered "Monday Morning sickness". This name developed from horses working hard for 6 days/week then given Sunday off. If Sunday’s grain feeding level was kept high, many horses would tie up Monday. If your work level were such that your horse worked hard (moderate to intense training) 6 days a week with only an occasional day off, by all means, reduce your grain and especially your electrolyte! If your work schedule is more sporadic with more days off or you are feeding low levels of grain all the time (less than 6-8 lbs / day) you most likely will not have a benefit. The only barns I have encountered with Azoturia problems for these reasons were TB training barns where 12 to 20 lbs of grain / day were fed.  

 

Q: I own a 6 year old Thoroughbred, approximately 16.2 hands.  I have owned him for two years.  He had been out on pasture for a year before I got him and before he was on pasture, he was on the track.   He is now in a 12x12 stall with a very large run attached, so he can go in and out as he pleases.  He has a fan, a fly sprayer, and is basically very well taken care of.  He is wormed with alternate formulas every other month.  I ride him 3-5 times a week, mostly flat/dressage, working towards showing him in hunter/jumper classes.  

The hay he receives is very good, he gets 2-3 flakes grass/brome and one flake of alfalfa (not really rich alfalfa) twice a day.   He also receives an 11% local feed mill mix twice a day, 3 lb. coffee can with soaked molasses beet pulp.  The feed mix is as follows (what I got off the bag):

Crude Protein, minimum 11.00%
Crude Fat, minimum 3.00%
Crude Fiber, maximum 6.00%
Calcium, minimum 0.50%
Calcium, maximum 0.70%
Phosphorus, minimum 0.50%
Copper, minimum 20 PPM
Zinc, minimum 150 PPM
Selenium, minimum 0.30 PPM
Vitamin A, minimum 4500 IU/LB

The ingredients are: Grain products, plants protein products, processed grain by-products, dried bakery product, animal fat, molasses products, condensed whey solubles, brewers condensed solubles, condensed fermented corn extractives, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, salt, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, calcium pantothenate, choline chloride, Riboflavin Supplement, manganous oxide, ferrous sulfate, copper oxidate, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, ethylenediamine dihydriodrte, cobalt carbonate, potassium chloride, sodium selenite, cobalt sulfate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, zinc sulfate, magnesium sulfate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, niacin supplement, iron oxide, magnesium mica, mineral oil, ethoxyquine (a preservative), propionic acid (a preservative),natural and artificial flavors.

This feed is labeled for "Adult Horse Mares", which my horse is not.

Is this feed any good for him?  This horse is hard to get and keep weight on, which is why I am supplementing beet pulp.   I am also considering a supplement called "Equine Energy" which I have used with him before with good results.  The management at the stable where I board my horse are very open to suggestions.  Is there an easier way to keep weight on my horse, keep him healthy, and full of energy without being hyper?  Should I switch to a better quality feed and not have to add all the supplements?

A: It sounds like you are on track with your feeding program. You didn’t mention how much of the mill mix you feed, however, if it is less than 6 lbs. per day you may be a bit short on some trace nutrients. I would especially watch copper levels. Most forages are 6 - 8 ppm Cu. I like to see grain mixes around 40 ppm minimum to balance out to 25 ppm total diet.

I have used the Equine Energy high fat supplement for years in clients' rations with great success. 1 - 2 lbs. per day will boost up calories for gain. It will also add some electrolytes, and other minerals and vitamins for the performance horse. As long as you are not feeding over 12 lbs. grain mix per day, it will most likely be beneficial and no concerns about being detrimental. If you are on the upper end of the feeding level with grain and don’t wish to add the other nutrients, you can use liquid oil. 1/2 cup of oil is the equivalent in fat to 1 lb. of Equine Energy.  

 

Q: Should I be concerned if my 6 year old horse is not interested in his salt/mineral block?

A: No. Mature horses will consume salt to within 90-95% of their requirement in free choice situations.  If you are feeding an adequate amount of grain mix that has salt included at  .5% to 1% of ration formulation, he is probably meeting his need from his grain mix alone.  I would just advise you to not rely on free choice mineral intake from a block to meet needs.  Make sure major and minor minerals are in adequate supply from your grain mix as well.  Mineral deficient horses will not consume more of a block once their salt requirement is met.  

 

Q: I have a 6 month old anglo-arab colt that has had diarrhea most of his life.  After trying everything any vet suggested, I tried changing his feed to oats only (an article in John Lyons magazine suggested soy allergy) with good results.  He actually has normal looking stools on some days.   The question, is a diet of only oats and hay (coastal-bermuda) adequate for a growing colt?  If not, do you know of any soy free feeds?  I am in Louisiana so it would need to be by a national supplier such as Purina.  Thanks for any help or suggestions.

A: Most likely, your colt will be lacking in protein and calcium on this sort of diet.  Usually other minerals and vitamins will be lacking as well unless supplemented.  If soy allergy is truly a concern (quite rare), I suggest trying another legume such as alfalfa to supply protein and calcium (hay, pellets, cubes). 5 lbs. of legume forage or byproduct in addition to the oats should give an adequate boost in those nutrients.  To balance trace nutrients, try a complete mineral premix, your feed supplier should be able to direct you to a suitable one.  Look for one that can be fed at 1-2 oz. per day maximum and that has a calcium to phosphorus ratio of at least 2.5:1 with a complete nutrient profile (macro and micro) and added vitamins.  Copper and zinc levels should be adequate for growing horses and selenium and B vitamins including folic acid would be desirable ingredients.  

 

Q: I own a one and half year old quarterhorse and would like to know what I can feed her to be able to get the most height out of her.  She is now 1.55 meter.

A: A horse will only get as tall as the genetics allow.  Having said that...  Height can be limited or stunted by feeding a protein deficient diet, especially one lacking in the amino acid Lysine.  To ensure she reaches her maximum genetic height, supply a diet with at least 1000-1100 grams of protein and 40-45 grams of Lysine per day.  Good sources of Lysine include soybeans, alfalfa, canola seed, cottonseed, flax seed, sunflower seed, and dried brewers and or dried distillers byproducts.  Keep in mind feeding levels will have to be substantial (lbs.) to meet intake requirements (in other words a couple ounces of flax or linseed on top of feed is not going to significantly raise protein/lysine intake).  

 

Q: I have a 10 year old AQHA gelding who is kept as a show horse (no unsupervised turnout).  Recently, he has begun to eat his manure.  Other than modifications to his housing (i.e. increased turnout, etc.) are there any supplements (mineral, etc.) that tend to halt this type of behavior?  My assumption is that he is doing this based on something lacking in his diet.  Many other horses in the barn have also taken on this behavior in the past 3-6 months.

A: There could be several factors at play.  To determine the causes in this situation, we must become detectives! Here would be my checklist of most likely concerns:

1.  Is salt intake adequate?

2.  Is available phosphorus intake adequate?  Organic phosphorus (found in natural form in plants and seeds) is in the form of phytate.  This is perhaps 30-35% bioavailable.  Make sure your concentrate provides inorganic phosphorus sources.  In the ingredient list you should see something like dicalcium phospate (mono... or tri... acceptable too).

3.  Is there a low level acidosis occurring?  Usually the manure is loose with grain passing through if fed a texturized feed.  Also, stools will have longer fiber particles giving evidence of a poorly functioning hindgut.  Other signs include a general unthriftiness, increased clear nasal discharge (or bloody if severe), lethargy, and if prolonged, a rough haircoat.  This would be probable if horses are fed high levels of grain or large infrequent grain meals; feeds with high nonstructural carbohydrate levels (rapidly soluble starch and sugars); are grazing lush pastures and are fiber deficient; and poor hay eaters.  In this situation, eating dirt and/or manure helps buffer the low pH in the gut.

4.  Are pastures deplete and horses hungry when turned out?  Are they trying to pick grain out of manure?

5.  Is water quality or quantity an issue?

6.  Finally, are other nutrients in line?  Electrolytes such as potassium may play a role if inadequate or imbalanced, although this would be low on the list.

There is always the possibility that it relates to non-nutritional factors involving environment/management or just plain behaviorial, although like you, with several cases at a farm, I would be suspicious and start hunting the causes.  Next time the veterinarian is in, check with him on it and in the meantime keep up with your deworming schedule.   

 

Q: I have a 14 week old Appaloosa/Trakehner filly who weighs approximately 260 lbs.  What would you suggest feeding in order that she does not gain weight too fast?  Would like to feed something that is complete.  (Southern States Product, Purina Product)  (Protein Percentage, Amount of Feed, Alfalfa)  This is my first baby.

A: If your filly is turned out on pasture, there is NO suitable complete feed (I have heard feed salesmen say otherwise - be wary!).  Equine Junior (Purina product) can be used in foals over six months of age as the ONLY feed provided.  It is a complete feed, meaning the forage and grain are combined.  If you feed it with other forage sources (hay or pasture), intake will be reduced and minerals will most likely be inadequate. If you are looking to raise your foal inside or in a dry paddock, this feed will work fine and may be desirable if lack of forage quality is a concern.  Follow label directions.

If you would like to turn out on pasture or feed hay, then look for a product such as (list is not in any order):

        Foal's Choice (Kentucky Equine Research)
        Foal Starter, Grass Plus Developer or Performer (Buckeye Feed Mills)
        TDI 16 or 14 (Tiswhiz Distributors)
        Legends (Southern States)
        Omolene 300 (Purina)
        Youth (Nutrena)
        Triple Crown 14 (Triple Crown)
        Mare 'N Foal (Agway)

Look for a 16% protein grain mix until 8-12 months, then use a 14% concentrate with GOOD quality forage.  I prefer a mixed, mostly grass forage (60-90% grass and 10-40% legume) if it can be found.  Hay should be harvested early so that it is soft and leafy with few seedheads.  Feed the forage free choice.  Most commercial concentrates recommend 5-8 lbs. per day to meet fortification requirements.  Follow the guidelines on the bag for size and age.  If this level of feed causes excess body condition, switching to a more nutrient dense, low calorie balancer may be desirable.   

 

Q: I have read Karen Briggs article in the November issue of "The Horse", re: probiotics and digestive aids.  I can understand their use after intense worming, antibiotic therapy, or digestive insufficiency, but I question the cost effectiveness of daily supplementation.  As a microbiologist, I would think that most gut flora is replaceable by coprophagy or normal forage.  What is your opinion of this and can you point me to some reference reading in this area?

A: Probiotics or other “digestive aids” definitely fit in certain situations and with some individuals. I will outline the situations where I would consider using an aid either temporarily (daily until the problem is resolved) or as a permanent addition to the feeding program. I agree that in most situations, a healthy horse, fed a reasonable diet has no need for these products. They won’t be harmful to the horse, only the wallet. As a side note, I spent a considerable amount of time a few years back contacting most of the probiotic manufacturers to get information and literature and I had many concerns about how the product was handled after manufacturing and viability of many brands with extended shelf life as could be expected in a tack shop / feed store.

Situations to consider using a probiotic / digestive aid include:

As mentioned, after deworming or times of stress
During and after antibiotic therapy
Horses fed high grain, limited forage diets respond well to yeast supplementation
Horses prone to colic
Following surgery, especially GI surgery
Sudden switching of the forage program
Horses with loose or inconsistent stools or stools with excessively long fiber particles
Horses with teeth problems
Geriatric horses that are beginning to “show their age”
Horses with elevated temperatures
Poor hay eaters
Unthrifty horses or horses having trouble gaining weight with normal caloric increases for weight gain
Horses that have previously had heavy parasite loads and are “ hard keepers”
Horses with mild or subclinical acidosis

Of course, there are other things that may also need to be done in the above situations, not just adding an aid. Horses in the above groups usually respond to supplementation - but not always. I do not know of any situations locally where healthy, normal horses were given a probiotic supplement and showed an obvious response in improved performance, health, hair & hoof quality, etc.... that the literature will claim. The last scientific literature I read was a university trial conducted in the UK and published in the 1997 proceedings of the Equine Nutrition and Physiology Symposium. It compared the effect of a yeast supplement on 3 fibre diets to the rate of degradation. There was a significant effect seen with yeast supplementation, however, the amount of yeast to supplement will vary with the substrate fed. There was another study conducted by University of Kentucky on the Effects of Yeast Culture Supplementation on Growth of Thoroughbred Foals at Weaning. This was published in the 1995 proceedings of the Kentucky Equine Research Short Course for feed manufacturers. There was a definite increase in growth with the yeast supplementation. I have not seen anything published in the scientific literature regarding live bacterial innoculants. There is more skepticism in this area. There is a lot of information on field trials sponsored by the various manufacturers of such products. Some of which is quite amusing. Be wary of those field trial reports - there is a lot of information left out in many cases and results can easily be maneuvered to suit their sales pitches. My bottom line is, when there is a situation that warrants the extra help, I don’t hesitate to try it, just use good sense. For more information, I suggest you contact Dr. Joe Pagan (606)873-1988 or Dr. Kathleen Crandell (540)687-6135 from Kentucky Equine Research (e-mail is KER1@netcom.com). They would be able to send you more supportive literature.   

 

 

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