The Essential Nutrients in an Equestrian Diet

An equestrian diet should include several kinds of fresh, whole foods, and a minimum of five servings of grains per day. Most of the nutrients that horses need come from green leafy forages, such as grass, cereals, and fruits. Vitamin D is derived from sunlight and is necessary for healthy bones and teeth, while vitamin E is found in fresh green forages. Vitamin E levels decrease with age and are destroyed in long-term storage, so vitamin supplements are recommended for horses, especially those under stress. B-complex vitamins, such as folic acid and vitamin K, are produced by gut microbes. Meanwhile, vitamin C is obtained from fruits and vegetables and is naturally produced by the liver.

Energy is one of the six nutrients, and is necessary for sustaining life. This nutrient can be derived from a variety of sources, but the most important is fat. Other sources of energy include fermentable fiber and starch. Increasing the amount of protein in the ration will help the horse maintain its normal metabolic rate and exercise capacity. A high-protein diet is important for adult horses, but too much protein can result in dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and muscle weakness.

The six essential nutrients are proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The most important one is protein. While carbohydrate sources like grains and soybean meal can provide a small amount of energy to your horse, they are not enough to sustain life. The most suitable source of protein is soybean meal. Alfalfa is another good source of protein, and can increase the amount of total dietary protein. An adult horse requires eight to ten percent of protein in its diet, while lactating mares and young growing foals require more protein. Excess protein can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

The majority of horses require more energy than they need. They cannot survive on less food, and their bodies won’t be at their optimal performance if they are not fed enough energy. An equestrian diet that is too low in energy will not only cause fatigue and dehydration, but may even result in an increased risk of a horse developing diabetes. It’s essential that an equestrian diet contain the appropriate balance of proteins.

A horse’s diet should contain a variety of foods. A large amount of fat is needed to build muscles. A small amount of protein is essential for growth, and the average adult horse needs eight to ten percent of its body weight in protein. For lactating mares or young growing foals, higher levels of protein are required. Moreover, overfeeding can lead to diarrhea and other health issues, including obesity.

Protein is essential for muscle development and is a necessary part of a healthy equestrian diet. It is found in soy meal and alfalfa and is about 25 percent of the overall ration. An adult horse requires approximately eight to ten grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. However, it needs more protein if it is lactating or has young foals. For this reason, a higher amount of protein is better for horses in later stages of development and during lactation.