![]() Balancing needs and supply Scenario 1: Feeding 100% lucerne hay Using the intake limits formula, this horse’s maximum daily dry feed intake limit is: Oats = energy: 12 MJ ME/kg, protein: 90g/kg.Lucerne hay = energy: 8 MJ ME/kg, protein 170 g/kg.Referring to Table 2, the nutritive values of the following feeds are: Referring to Table 1, this horse’s nutritional needs are: Horse weight and nutritional needsįor a 400 kg horse, with only maintenance requirements (not growing, pregnancy, lactating or in heavy work). Hint 4: Prepared horse feeds can be incorporated into a feed budget by reading the label and factoring in the energy (MJ ME or DE) and protein content. Oils can also help to minimise dust levels in the feed. Mix into feed just before feeding to avoid rancidity. Introduce oil into diet slowly (50ml increase per day until desired daily amount is reached). No more than 500ml (2 cups) of oil should be fed per day. As a guide, 250ml (1 metric cup) of oil has roughly the same energy content as 2.5 kg oats. Hint 3: Vegetable oil (or canola, corn or sunflower oil) can be used to add extra fat to the diet. Hint 2: Maintain a dental and worming program to enable the horse to process the feed efficiently. Hint 1: Addition of a vitamin and mineral supplement is recommended to ensure a balanced diet. Note 7: Concentrates such as grains should make up a maximum of 30% of a horse's diet, and should be introduced gradually. Visual appearance of body weight gain can take several months. More than this amount could be detrimental to the horse. ![]() Note 6: Where an increase in horse body weight is required, a maximum of 10% increase in feed amount should be used. Note 5: Introduce changes to feed gradually, over 3 to 5 days, as a sudden change in diet can cause colic or laminitis. Consult an equine nutritionist for further information. Note 4: When lucerne hay is the main feed used, a phosphorous supplement may be needed to balance the high level of calcium present in lucerne hay. Note 3: With cold wet weather maintenance feed levels increase and decrease to normal requirements as it becomes warmer. Protein-rich supplements, such as lupins or soybean meal, can be added to increase protein content of the feed. Note 2: Ensure protein requirements are met, refer to table 2 for the protein content in various feeds. Note 1: Ensure the horse has free access to good quality water to drink. Ensure that at least 70% of the feed is roughage (hay, pasture or chaff).Ensure the horse can consume enough feed (is the feed amount equal to or below your calculation in Step 5?).(Using example calculations at end of this page). ![]() Match horse energy needs to energy supplied by type of feed.Calculate the horse's maximum feed intake (Step 5).Note energy content of feedstuffs in Step 4.Note energy requirement of horse using Steps 1, 2 and 3.Weight of horse (kg) x percent of bodyweight / 100įor example, for a 500 kg horse with an intake limit of 1.7 % of its body weight:ĥ00 x 1.7 / 100 = 8.5 kg feed that can be safely consumed each day Step 6 To calculate how much feed each horse can consume daily, use the following example formula: ![]() This is to ensure that the horse can consume the full amount of feed each day. However, it is safer to use 1.7% of body weight (or 1.7 kg per 100 kg of body weight) to calculate a feed budget. As a rule of thumb, allow 1.5 to 2 kg of feed per 100 kg of the horse's body weight. Horses are able to consume about 1.5 to 2% of their body weight in dry feed (feed that is 90% dry matter) each day. You can then calculate if certain feeds can be consumed in sufficient quantities to provide the required nutrition. Feed typeĭetermine how much feed each horse can consume daily. Average nutritive value of common feeds (adapted from Nash, 1999, Kohnke, 1999 and Huntington et al. Step 4Īscertain the nutritive values of common feeds using Table 2: Daily energy and protein requirements for different categories of horses (from Nash, 1999) Type of Horseĭetermine the nutritional needs of each horse using Table 1. Separate your horses into categories, refer columns 1 and 2 of Table 1: To create a feed budget specific to the weight and condition of your horse, there are 6 steps you need to take: Step 1Įstimate the weight and condition score of each horse (refer to Condition scoring and weight estimation of horses or use a weight tape). Then you can estimate how much feed you will need, as well as an approximate cost to feed your horses until the next spring. The nutritional needs of horses depend on:Ī simple way to determine feed costs is by using the Feed cost calculator on the DPI NSW website.īy creating a daily feed budget, you can calculate how much feed you will need for your horses, each day, week and month. Correct nutrition is important for both health and performance of your horse.
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