Answers to these questions & Much More

1.”How much Protein does a horse need and what happens if they get to much?” …

2.”I have a couple of horses that I would like to increase the percentage of fat in the feed to 10%.”

3.”Can I feed a broodmare sand clear?” …

4.”They have just been weaned and I am looking for advice for their feed schedule” 

5.”We did not get good information on what to feed him and he has acquired some bone growths just above his fetlock”

6.”I have recently been introduced to tiffany grass/hay.”

7. “I need nutritional guidance about my horse’s diet.” 

8. ” could feed(s) cause this? …”

9. Which is the most fattening? Grass/alfalfa mix hay, Oats (Sprout brand) broodmare/foal feed?…”

10. “How important is this and what are the effects of irregular feeding?. …”

11. I recently asked the animal nutrition professor his thoughts on feed….”

12.  “I have a 6 year old riding pony he has come down with laminitis for the 1st time. …”

 

1. “How much Protein does a horse need and what happens if they get too much” …”

I recently discovered your web page. I enjoy reading it and find it very use full!!! Right now I’m in the middle of a pony club research project ” researching How much Protein does a horse need and what happens if they get to much” I was wondering if you knew what would happen if a horse gets to much protein? Any thing about protein would rely help if it’s already on your web site just tell me to keep reading because I probably haven’t gotten to that part yet… Thank you so so so much I absolutely love the information that is on your web site.

Dr. Bill Schurg’s Answer:

All horses need protein in their diet. Adult none working horses only need about 8% crude protein in their diet or about 1.5 pounds of protein quantity. The horse requires 10 essential amino acids in their diet and these must come from what is in the feed provided. Young growing horses have the highest % protein requirements early in their life and it gradually goes down toward the 8% crude protein level as they reach adults. Depending on the class of horse and their physiologically state protein quality and quantity will be higher than that needed at maintenance. Generally, once the need for protein is met the fate of additional protein is that a high amount is excreted in the urine. There is some protein above needs that can be metabolized to provide some energy but this is a costly way to provide energy. With the cost of protein being quite high it doesn’t make sense for horse owners to over supplement a horse with protein above the requirements. However, again depending on physiological and environmental situations some extra protein quality and quantity will be justified.

I generally am not concerned with excessive protein intake as long as plenty of clean fresh water is available and the horse has no urinary or kidney problems which might require dietary limitations of available protein.

 

2. “I am a racehorse trainer in Marianna, Fl….”

I have a couple of horses that I would like to increase the percentage of fat in the feed to 10%. I am now feeding 4 lbs. of 14% sweet feed with 6% fat and 4 lbs. of oats per day. I am adding 1 cup of corn oil to each feeding. Am I close? I would appreciate any help you can give me.

Dr. Bill Schurg’s Answer:

Based upon what you are currently feeding you are meeting or slightly exceeding the amount of fat you are trying to reach. The amount of oil that you are adding provides your diet with about 4Mcals of additional calories which should be an adequate boost to your horses needs.

 

3. “Can I feed a broodmare sand clear? …”

VA pastures are horrible this year, and I am concerned about the excess of dust everywhere.

Dr. Bill Schurg’s Answer:

I don’t know of any reason that would be detrimental to your broodmare in feeding sand clear. You may want to discuss the issue with your local veterinarian as your horse may not really need such a product.

 

4. “They have just been weaned and I am looking for advice for their feed schedule. …”

We have two 6 month old Oldenburg (warmblood) colts. They have just been weaned and I am looking for advice for their feed schedule. I was told to feed them a complete feed which consists of 20% protein 2.5% fat 8% fiber and the feed also contains calcium, phosphorus, copper, selenium, zinc and vitamins A, D, E. This is a pelleted feed, and recommended to feed 3 lbs. per day. I was also told to feed 2 cups of rice bran and 1/2 cup of canola oil as well as good quality grass hay. These foals at 6 months old are already 670 lbs. and will mature at approx. 17 to 17.2 HH. I understand the warmblood horses need the added protein to their diet, but I am a little confused on the added rice bran and oil to their diet. Do you think this is too much of a good thing at such a young age. Thank you very much.

Dr. Bill Schurg’s Answer:

The need for high quality protein is essential for all young growing equine animals, however at 20% that may be a bit excessive since these horses probably require only 16% crude protein in their diet at this time. I would look for a complete feed which has 16% crude protein, between 6-8% fat and a fiber level of 15%. Feeding at 3 pounds per day would not be excessive as most 6 month olds would need about 11-12 pounds of total intake of hay and grain each day with about 70% of the total coming from grain and 30-35% from good grass hay. If you provide a high energy low starch concentrate with high levels of fat and fiber you should not need to add rice bran and more oil. The use of rice bran and oil allows you to increase caloric density, more protein and higher levels of vitamin E which all probably are not needed if you are using a good premium feed and grass hay. Best of luck.

 

5. “We did not get good information on what to feed him and he has aquired some bone growths just above his fetlocks …”

My 13 year old daughter wrote an essay for 4H and won an orphaned weanling. Because he was an orphan we’re concerned about making sure he gets the right nutrition. We did not get good information on what to feed him and he has aquired some bone growths just above his fetlocks – our vet took exrays and and says he will be fine and will grow into them. There is no lameness. He is 7 months old – I am told because he was an orphan and he is behind on growth etc.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Dr. Bill Schurg’s Answer:

Since you don’t indicate at what part of the country you live in, I will just make a very general recommendation. This foal should be eating solid food easily at this time. Generally we would feed about 1.5 to 2% of body weight daily of total feed. The total intake for your foal again depends on weight of the animal but somewhere between 11 to 14 pounds of total feed daily would be reasonable. If it was available I would likely use a mixed hay and find a 16% pelleted commercially prepared concentrate to use. I would probably offer this at about 30-35% of the total as hay and the balance in the concentrate. Many commercial companies have foal developer, growth formula and junior type feeds which might be appropriate for your situation. The important issues are to find high quality feeds that will supply this youngster a balanced diet of necessary nutrients. You should continue to work with your veterinarian in monitoring growth and development.

 

6. “I have recently been introduced to tiffany teff grass/hay…”

And would like to know more about it. Would you be able to give me a comparrison on the nutitional values between brome/alfalfa/tiffany teff. I currently feed a grain ration and brome hay with limited grazing right now due to the time of year. Thank you!

Dr. Bill Schurg’s Answer:

Many people are asking about tiffany teff grass hay for horses. Based on nutrient composition information this hay when put up appropriately has nutrient composition higher than most of the common grass hays and somewhat lower than alfalfa. The protein, energy value and generally a more consistent and close calcium to phosphorus ratio makes Teff hay look very desirable as an alternative hay product for maintaining horses. In Arizona, teff hay does not grow quite as well as bermudagrass hay but it again does have a higher quality nutrition value. The average Teff has about 11.5% crude protein and about 27% crude fiber. I believe that if horse owners find it difficult to find traditional brome, orchardgrass, timothy or bermudagrass hay this product may be an alternative to consider.

 

7. “I need nutritional guidance about my horse’s diet…”

I have a 10 yr/old Percheron/Morgan gelding in light work. He is pasture boarded and is turned out 24/7. When I got him in Feb 07 he was severly overweight with a very cresty neck and fat patches behind his shoulders, around his belly and rump. Following my farrier’s advice I put him in a grazing muzzle, restricting his access to grass. I am constantly battling thrush and white line disease. He looks much better now but I want to make sure what I’m feeding him is ok to feed together. I don’t want to overdo it trying to help him with his metabolic issues and end up doing more harm than good.

This is what he gets daily:

Spiller’s CoolMix (1/8 quart sized scoop)

Quiessence (2 oz)

Super Bio-Zin hoof supplement (3 oz)

Immune Herbal mix (200 ml) (Echinacea Root, Gotu Kola, Milk Thistle Seed, Cleavers, Nettle, Burdock Root and Rosehips)

Please let me know if you have questions. Your advice is much appreciated. I look forward to hearing back.

Dr. Bill Schurg’s Answer:

I am assuming that you allow the horse to eat grass a portion of each day. If that is the case, the grass is most likely meeting or exceeding maintenance requirements. The mix that you have provided should provide supplementation above the nutrient needs from the grass and I would not see any metabolic issues associated with the use of any of the products you listed.

 

8. ” could feed(s) cause this? …”

My 12 year old mare has come down with a swollen/misshapen stomach area – she had vac’s on Nov 2 – I have had to change hay – 2 different sources/types of grass/mountain grass and add in alfalfa over the last month – grass hays in CA are in extremely short supply – anyway – could feed(s) cause this? Thanks

Dr. Bill Schurg’s Answer:

It is possible that the type of hay you have fed could create a “hay belly” on your horse. If your horse is being fed hay that is not of good quality and significantly more than it needs the result could be some abdominal distention. The use of better quality hay, an increased exercise program created after you have had the horse evaluated carefully by your veterinarian may improve the physical appearance. If grass hay is had to find you might look for pelleted hay or cubes along with use of a complete low starch high fiber feed. The improved diet quality might be the factor to aid your situation. Best of luck.

 

9. Which is the most fattening? Grass/alfalfa mix hay, Oats (Sprout brand) broodmare/foal feed?…”

I am trying to figure out a good balance between all three for my 6 year old mare – she is still nursing her 4 month old colt – he is grazing, eating grain and hay as well.   My vet said he wouldn’t like to see her any heavier.

 Dr. Bill Schurg’s Answer:

The oats and broodmare/foal feed will likely be the most dense relative to calorie density than the mix hay. At 4 months the colt is nearly to weaning stage and it sounds like your mare is in very good body condition. At this stage of foal development, your mare will be producing less milk and her maintenance needs can be met mostly on a good mixed hay fed at 1.5 to 2% of her body weight and only limited (probably less than 2 pounds of grain) per day. If the mare has been rebred and is not maintaining her weight the level of grain fed would need to be greater.  It sounds like the combination that you are providing has maintained the mare in good body condition and thus as weaning is approaching you should be able to feed mostly a forage based diet daily.

 

10. “I am a racehorse trainer in Marianna Fl. …”

I have been in the racehorse industry for 22 years now. We have always been preached to about how important it is to stay on a regular feeding schedule. How important is this and what are the effects of irregular feeding?

Dr. Bill Schurg’s Answer:

The horse becomes very dependent on you and I for their feed. Their expectation of feeding time becomes important because some horses not fed regularly will become stressed and with that anxiety they could increase their risks of things like colic. Additionally, some horses would develop behavioral problems like stall walking, kicking, biting etc. I don’t believe that a 15 or 30 minutes difference in feeding time will be significantly problem oriented but many horses biological clock is more accurate than ours.

 

11. “I recently asked the animal nutrition professor his thoughts on feed….”

I am currently studying Animal Science at Western Kentucky University. I have always been very interested in Equine Nutrition! I recently asked the animal nutrition professor his thoughts on feed.

I have two horses, both Paso Finos, one is a 2(1/2)yrold, stud colt, about 700-800lbs and the other is a 11 yr old gelding, about 900lbs. They have been on pasture, with a Dumor mineral/supplement block, mineral block and salt block. The occational horse cookie, and every

few days or so, when Im out there, they get about2-3 cups of “horse and calf” mixed feed from the mill. The grass is pretty eaten down now, and they are on good grass hay round bale, with the same supplements. To the point. I asked the Professor what he would recomend feeding

them, that would be high in protein, yet low in fat, preferably no corn (I don’t beleive animals or us can truely digest corn). He recomended Soy hull pellets, they are inexpensive and have a good fiber and protein content. I also am partial to feeding black oil sunflower seeds. They have fat for the coat, and maintaining weight, but don’t over fatten or cause excess energy. I might add that they randomly (1-2times a week) get a biotin supp. and sometimes a squirt of Healthy Coat.

Bill Schurg’s Answer:

The use of the soy hull pellets is a very acceptable way to go. They contain nearly the same energy value of whole oats but have great soluble fiber content. The protein content and available amino acids is likely intermediate to some other products which supply greater quality and quantity of protein. A more consistent approach to feeding supplements rather than the every few days would likely improve your over all feeding management plan as well.