Feeding a horse correctly can feel overwhelming, considering the multitude of supplements, feeds, and hay options available. Ensuring your horse receives precisely what it needs is crucial for their health, performance, and overall well-being. Fortunately, horses often thrive on a forage-based diet consisting of hay, minerals, and clean water. This guide explores how to effectively use a horse diet calculator to determine your horse's specific nutritional requirements.
Understanding the Basics of Horse Nutrition
Forage (hay, pasture) makes up the majority of a horse’s diet. The most respected research on horse nutrition is provided in the "Nutrient Requirements of Horses" (6th revised edition) by the National Research Council. Many horse owners feed two types of forage, typically one type in the AM and the other in the PM. This is a good practice, as horses often prefer a varied diet, and it reduces the chances of nutrient deficiency. Most horse's dietary needs are taken care of with a forage diet. In some circumstances, a forage-only diet does not provide adequate calories for a hard-working horse. Supplementation with a concentrate (grain or formulated) can provide the additional calories required for maintaining body condition.
Key Inputs for a Horse Diet Calculator
An accurate weight estimate is the foundation of accurate feeding results. The calculator uses information about the estimated mature weight of growing horses. Mature weight has both a breed and genetic influence.Several key factors must be considered when using a horse diet calculator to ensure accurate results. These include:
- Weight: Accurate weight estimate is the foundation of accurate feeding results. The calculator uses information about the estimated mature weight of growing horses. Mature weight has both a breed and genetic influence.
- Activity Level: Activity Level - Light work vs. Select Maintenance for a low activity pastured or retired horse. Select Working for an horse that is worked on a regular basis.
- Forage Type: Select the primary forage that you have available and that you routinely feed to your horse. Hay availability is dependent on the locale.
Determining Accurate Weight
- Using a human body weight scale: Weigh yourself while holding the hay, then weigh yourself alone.
Assessing Activity Level
Workload only applies to working horses!
- Light: Select Light for horses that are ridden 1-3 hours per week at 40% walk, 50% trot, and 10% canter. A typical working heartrate should be about 80 beats per minute. Many horses begin training and light work during their two year old year. Select Light for horses ridden 1-3 hours per week at 40% walk, 50% trot, and 10% canter. A typical working heartrate should be about 80 beats per minute.
- Moderate: Select Moderate for horses that are ridden 3-5 hours per week at 30% walk, 55% trot, and 10% canter with 5% low jumping, cutting or other skill work. A typical moderate working horse will average about 90 beats per minute heartrate. The type of work is: Recreational riding, show horses (frequent), polo or ranch work. Select Moderate for horses ridden 3-5 hours per week at 30% walk, 55% trot, and 10% canter with 5% low jumping, cutting, or other skill work. Your horse's typical working heartrate should be about 90 beats per minute.
- Heavy: Select Heavy for horses that are ridden 4-5 hours per week at 20% walk, 50% trot, 15% canter and 15% gallop with some jumping or other skill work. Your horse's typical working heartrate should be about 110 bpm. Select Heavy for horses ridden 4-5 hours per week at 20% walk, 50% trot, 15% canter and 15% gallop with some jumping or other skill work. Your horse's typical working heartrate should be about 110 bpm.
- Very Heavy: Select Very heavy for horses that are ridden 1-12 hours per week at sustained high rates of speed. Your horse's typical working heartrate should be between 110 and 150 bpm.
Temperament
Select Average for calm animals of average temperament that live on pasture or have daily turnout.
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How the Calculator Works
The analysis will show the minimum nutrients your horse requires using information that you enter about their weight and work level. Research shows that horses are satisfied when they consume an amount equivalent to a certain percentage of their body weight on a daily basis. Depending on the horse type and the feed type, some are satisfied with as little as 1.8% of their body weight, but others may require up to 3.2% of their body weight. An average of 2.0% is a good starting point for most maintenance, breeding and light work horses. The intake level for moderate working horses is slightly higher at 2.2-2.3%. For growing horses, lactating horses or horses that are subject to heavy work start with a 2.5% intake level. If your horse is unable to maintain its weight, you may try adjusting the intake level up. If your horse is not finishing its feed, you may try adjusting the intake level down. Foals grow quickly, and the demands of nursing increase rapidly. Horses grow fast from birth to about 2 years of age.
Interpreting the Results and Adjusting the Diet
The results from a horse diet calculator will provide a baseline for meeting your horse’s nutritional needs. However, it's important to continually assess your horse's condition and adjust the diet as needed.
- Evaluate Current Feeding Practices: Are you already feeding commercial grain or supplements? Many horse owners unintentionally overfeed certain nutrients while missing others.
- Hay Testing: No hay test? No problem! Even the best hay may lack key vitamins and minerals.
Considerations and Caveats
- Individual Needs: Remember that each horse is an individual. Factors such as metabolism, age, and specific health conditions can influence their nutritional requirements.
- Professional Consultation: If you have concerns about your horse's diet or health, consult with an equine veterinarian or a qualified equine nutritionist. Would you like personalized support?
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