A correctly fed horse is likely to be a happy and healthy one.
The horse we know today evolved to exist on huge areas of grasslands, wandering over many miles and grazing for up to 18 hours a day to meet its nutritional requirements. A variety of plant and grass species, growing in a variety of soil types provided the carbohydrates, vegetable protein, vitamins and minerals etc. – needed for growth and development, energy and all round health. The equine digestive system evolved to utilize an almost continual intake of forage – the horse became what we now call – a ‘trickle feeder’. This forage based digestive system is the reason why it is important to include at least 1% bodyweight as forage for all horses and ponies.
The digestive process begins in the mouth. The horse’s teeth evolved to grow continuously – as chewing tough plant cellulose wore them down. Saliva is added to the broken down plant material in the mouth, creating a soft pulp to pass down into the stomach. Acid digestive juices in the stomach and muscular contractions of the stomach wall continue the digestive process. When the stomach of forage fed animals is full, the exit from the stomach into the small intestine (the pyloric sphincter) allows the semi-digested food to trickle through to begin the next stage of digestion, in the small intestine.
In the small intestine most simple carbohydrates such as sugars and starch are converted into glucose and absorbed into the blood stream. Protein is converted into amino acids and absorbed. Fats & oils are broken down and the end products enter the blood and lymph systems. Also, mineral and vitamin absorption starts. Food is moved along the intestines by waves of muscular contractions – this action is known as peristalsis. Insufficient or infrequent intake of food causes peristalsis to slow down and may affect efficient digestion.
The large intestine includes the colon, caecum and rectum and deals with the digestion of the ‘roughage’ content of the diet; this roughage includes indigestible, woody (lignified) material that passes through and is voided in the faeces. The major part of the plant material – cellulose – is digested with the help of large colonies of bacteria and other micro-organisms; producing the volatile fatty acids that are broken down to produce energy.. Problems may be caused by sudden changes in the diet, disrupting these important microbial populations and causing symptoms such as colic. Vitamin and mineral absorption and water re-absorption take place in the large intestine. Metabolic waste, from other parts of the body is carried in the bloodstream to the rectum to be voided.
In a healthy horse, fed correct amounts of good quality forage the bacteria in the hind-gut will manufacture vitamin K and some of the B vitamins.
Nutritional Requirements vary considerably – according to breed, type, work level, temperament, age, stage of development, keep regime and weather. All horses and ponies require a correct balance of micronutrients, but the actual levels will vary for developing young-stock, illness or injury and old age. The main variable will be energy provision and this will vary according to work regime, temperament and breed etc.
NUTRIENTS
Protein is required for the growth, development and repair of all body parts – including vital enzymes, blood and all the internal organs. Vegetable protein is supplied in materials such as soybeans, peas and alfalfa. Protein is made up of amino acids, of which 22 are recognised as essential in the diet of the horse. Certain amino acids are necessary for the utilization of energy. The so called limiting amino acids – lysine and methionine – are particularly important for the equine metabolism.
Carbohydrates form the largest part of the diet. Sugars and starch are broken down to provide energy. If not immediately required as energy they are converted into glycogen and stored in the muscles and liver until further energy is needed.
Plant Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate, and is broken down by the microbial population in the hind-gut to produce fatty acids (VFAs) used by the body cells to produce energy or stored in the liver for future use
Fats & Oils are extracted from vegetable sources such as soyabean, corn etc. They provide an insulating layer under the skin and support the maintenance of cell membranes, skin and coat condition. Also an energy source, providing over twice the energy of carbohydrates.
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MICRONUTRIENTS (VITAMINS & MINERALS) WERE OBTAINED BY THE PRIMITIVE HORSE FROM A VARIETY OF HERBAGE GROWN IN A VARIETY OF SOIL TYPES. THE MODERN HORSE, WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO VARIED HERBAGE AND SOILS, MUST DEPEND ON A BALANCED DIET, PROVIDED BY THE KEEPER, DESIGNED TO MEET ITS MICRONUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS.
MINERALS Almost every body process requires an adequate supply of various minerals. They rarely act in isolation but interact, in groups, with each other and/or with vitamins. Too much or too little of some minerals can cause problems with many body processes.
Calcium and Phosphorus are minerals that are important for bones, teeth, blood, muscles and lactation. They require adequate supplies of Vitamin D and magnesium to function properly.
Magnesium is important for bones, teeth and enzyme activation. It requires calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin D to function.
Potassium, Sodium and Chlorine, are all needed for body fluid regulation, nervous transmission, muscle metabolism and blood formation.
Sulphur is required for amino acid formation, enzyme and hormone production, and also for hoof growth.
TRACE ELEMENTS (microminerals) are needed in very small quantities.
Iron and Copper are important for the formation of haemoglobin and enzyme formation for may body processes. Copper is needed for bone development.
Iodine is required for thyroid gland formation.
Manganese is needed for energy release, protein metabolism, fat digestion and bone development.
Cobalt is involved in the synthesis of Vitamin B12
Zinc is involved in enzyme activation, blood, bone, skin and hair formation and also in lactation.
Selenium is important for muscle cell membrane integrity, and antioxidant properties.
VITAMINS are required by almost every body process. The may act on their own or in combination with other vitamins and/or minerals in correct proportions.
Vitamins are affected by light, heat, moulds and oxidising agents and will deteriorate unless properly stored They may be divided into 2 groups.
1) Fat-soluble Vitamins can be stored in the body-fat and used when required.
Vitamin A is involved in eye function, tissue integrity, especially of the reproductive, urinary and nervous system functions and also the immune system May be stored in the liver and fatty tissues
Vitamin D is important for bone, joint and cartilage integrity and is involved with the absorbtion of calcium and phosphorus from the gut.
Horses on good grass and exposed to sunlight can manufacture enough Vit D. But hard working, stabled horses will need a daily supply.
Vitamin E has anti-oxidant properties. It is required for the maintenance of muscle and body cells, reproductive efficiency and the maintenance of the nervous system.
Vitamin K is important for blood clotting, bone metabolism and heart health. The horse’s best source of Vitamin K is quality forage.
2) Water-soluble Vitamins are required as a daily supply. In a healthy horse, given quality, green fodder and adequate water, the B vitamins will be manufactured by the microbes in the gut. Rapid changes in the diet that disrupt the microbe population may cause deficiency. Horses in hard work, with limited access to fresh, green forage, may need an extra supply.
Vitamin C is required for bones & teeth , blood vessel integrity and reproductive efficiency.
Vitamin B 1 (Thiamine) is involved in nervous system function, carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.
Vitamin B 2 (Riboflavin) is needed for carbohydrate & fat metabolism and the release of energy.
Vitamin B 6 (Pyridoxin) is involved in carbohydrate metabolism, enzyme activation and protein & fat digestion.
Vitamin B 12 is required for carbohydrate, protein & fat utilization, liver function and muscle metabolism. (an adequate supply of cobalt is needed for successful bacterial synthesis of Vitamin B12).
Niacin (Vit. B 3 ) is necessary for cell integrity and metabolism and for the enzyme systems.
Pantothenic Acid ( Calcium pantothenate) is involved with protein, carbohydrate and fat digestion and the functioning of the nervous and enzyme systems.
Folic Acid (Vit B 9 ) is required for growth and development and the health and maturation of red blood cells.
Biotin (Vit. H ) is involved in hoof formation and fat synthesis.
Choline is required for fat metabolism, especially for fat removal from the liver.
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THE RULES OF FEEDING
1. Feed a properly balanced ration of good quality ingredients.
2. Feed little and often.
3. Keep water always available or offer before feeding.
4. Make all changes of diet gradually.
5. Do not exercise or stress in any way, immediately after feeding.
6. Feed plenty of roughage.
7. Feed according to size, work-load, type, temperament and age.
8. Regular dental checks.
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