The specific impact of underfeeding on a horse’s immune system is not available in the search results. However, the search results do discuss the nutritional needs of horses. Meeting these nutritional needs is critical to a horse’s overall health.
What are the feeding requirements for horses?
The specific and exact nutrient requirements of horses are not well understood. Supplying these requirements may be done economically through pasture forage, harvested roughages, and concentrates. 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.
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, to meet the needs of horses performing medium to heavy work. Late fall- and winter-pasture forage is low in water and protein and may require protein and vitamin A supplementation.
High-quality legume hays, such as early bloom alfalfa, are preferred for horses, especially those that are growing or lactating. Moldy or dusty feeds should be avoided because horses are extremely susceptible to forage poisoning and respiratory complications. Grass hays, such as timothy, prairie grass, orchard grass, and bluegrass, were preferred by early horsemen, especially for race horses, because they were usually free from mold and dust and tended to slow down the rate of passage through the intestinal tract. These hays are low in digestible energy and protein, however, and must be adequately supplemented. Silages of all sorts should be avoided since horses and mules are extremely susceptible to botulism and digestive upsets.
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. 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 if sufficient roughages cannot be grown?
A large and ever-growing number of horses stabled in cities and suburbs where sufficient roughages cannot be grown provide a large market for complete horse rations, including roughage, which are tailored to the total needs of specific animals according to their particular function at a given time, such as growth, pregnancy, lactation, or maintenance.
Horses will vary from the normal requirement in terms of weight, temperament, and previous nutrition. Foals will eat some pasture grass, forage, or hay when they are three days old and grain when they are three weeks old.
What are signs of underfeeding in horses?
- Poor Body Condition: A visible sign is a horse appearing too thin, with ribs, spine, and hip bones easily felt or seen.
- Lethargy: Underfed horses often display reduced energy levels, showing less enthusiasm for activity and exercise.
- Poor Coat Quality: A dull, rough coat can indicate nutritional deficiencies due to underfeeding.
- Muscle Loss: Noticeable loss of muscle mass, particularly along the topline (back and hindquarters), is a key indicator.
- Weakness: General weakness and reduced performance in work or training can occur.
- Increased Susceptibility to Illness: Malnutrition weakens the immune system, making horses more prone to infections.
What are the consequences of underfeeding?
While the search results do not directly address the impacts of underfeeding on a horse’s immune system, ensuring proper nutrition is crucial for their overall health.
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