Animal Nutrition

A horse’s diet significantly impacts its digestive system, influencing its overall health and well-being. Horses require a balanced intake of forage, grains, and supplements to maintain optimal digestive function. Poor diet choices can lead to various digestive issues, such as colic and impaction, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, understanding how different feeds affect the equine […]

Roughage, also known as coarse fodder, is essential for a horse’s diet because it provides the fiber necessary for proper digestion and overall health. Fiber, a mostly indigestible material found in foods like pasture grasses and legumes, promotes the elimination of waste from the large intestine. A sufficient amount of roughage can help prevent digestive […]

Horses, as herbivores, have a unique digestive system that allows them to break down cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls. Since horses lack the enzymes necessary to digest cellulose directly, they rely on microbial fermentation in their hindgut to extract nutrients from fibrous plant material. This process enables horses to thrive on a […]

Beet pulp is the wet or dried slices of sugar beet remaining after sugar extraction, commonly used as animal feed. It’s often mixed with molasses and formed into loose or pellet form, offering a valuable source of fiber for horses, especially during winter. What Makes Beet Pulp a Good Choice for Horses in Winter? Beet […]

Roughage, such as hay and pasture forage, plays a vital role in a horse’s winter diet by providing essential fiber for digestive health and warmth through fermentation. During colder months when fresh grass is scarce, roughage helps maintain gut function, prevents colic, and satisfies the horse’s natural grazing behavior, contributing to their overall well-being. What […]

It’s a common question whether horses need more protein in their diet during the winter. While protein needs don’t drastically change with the seasons, the quality of forage available in winter often necessitates adjustments to ensure your horse maintains optimal health. Do Horses Need More Protein in Winter? Horses don’t necessarily need more protein in […]

Horses generally require more calories in the winter to maintain their body temperature and energy levels. During colder months, horses expend more energy to stay warm, so increasing their feed intake helps them meet these increased energy demands. Adjusting a horse’s diet based on seasonal changes ensures they remain healthy and active throughout the year. […]

It’s often necessary to supplement a horse’s diet during winter to ensure they receive essential nutrients that may be lacking in winter forage. Good-quality grass and legume pastures typically provide adequate nutrients; however, late fall and winter pastures are often low in protein and Vitamin A, so supplementation becomes essential during these colder months. Why […]

The specific nutrient requirements of horses can be met with pasture forage, harvested roughages, and concentrates. Good quality grass-legume pastures with salt will supply adequate nutrients to maintain an adult horse at light work or pregnant mares. Lush, early spring pasture may need a high-energy source, like grain, while late fall and winter pasture forage […]