How do a horse’s activity level and diet relate?

A horse’s activity level and diet are closely related; horses require different nutrients depending on how active they are. Horses that perform medium to heavy work need a high-energy source, such as grain, to meet their needs, while horses that are at light work can be maintained with good quality grass-legume pastures and iodized or trace-mineralized salt.

How Does a Horse’s Diet Change With Activity Level?

The amount and type of feed a horse needs depends on its activity level. Horses that are very active need more energy and protein than horses that are not very active.

What are the Feeding Guidelines for Different Activity Levels?

• Light Work: Adult horses at light work or mares during pregnancy can be sustained with good quality grass-legume pastures and iodized or trace-mineralized salt.
• Medium to Heavy Work: Horses performing medium to heavy work need a high-energy source, such as grain, to meet their needs. Lush, early spring pasture is very high in water and protein contents and may need to be supplemented with a high-energy source, such as grain.
• Late Fall and Winter Pasture: Late fall- and winter-pasture forage is low in water and protein and may require protein and vitamin A supplementation.

What are the Best Types of Feed for Horses?

• Pasture: Good quality grass-legume pastures, in addition to iodized or trace-mineralized salt, will supply adequate nutrients to maintain an adult horse at light work or mares during pregnancy.
• Hay: High-quality legume hays, such as early bloom alfalfa, are preferred for horses, especially those that are growing or lactating.
• Grain: Oats are the preferred grain for horses because of their bulk. Corn (maize), barley, wheat, and milo can be used, however, whenever they are less expensive.

What are Some Considerations When Feeding Horses?

• Moldy or dusty feeds should be avoided because horses are extremely susceptible to forage poisoning and respiratory complications.
• Silages of all sorts should be avoided since horses and mules are extremely susceptible to botulism and digestive upsets.
• Horses should not be fed immediately before or after work to avoid digestive problems.
• Fresh water is important, especially when the horse is shedding its winter coat, but the animal should never be watered when it is overheated after working.

How Does a Horse’s Age Affect Its Dietary Needs?

Weanling foals require three pounds of feed per hundred pounds of live weight per day; as they approach maturity, this requirement drops to one pound of feed per hundred pounds of live weight daily. Horses normally reach mature weight at less than four years of age and 80 percent of their mature weight at less than two years of age.

What Other Factors Affect a Horse’s Dietary Needs?

Horses will vary from the normal requirement in terms of weight, temperament, and previous nutrition.

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