Equine ScienceEquine ScienceClasses of FeedsClasses of Feeds

Classes of FeedsClasses of Feeds

RoughagesRoughages ConcentratesConcentrates SupplementsSupplements

RoughagesRoughages

High in FiberHigh in Fiber Low in EnergyLow in Energy

PasturePasture HayHay Forage Crops Forage Crops SilageSilage

HayHay

Most common form of roughageMost common form of roughage Many variables affect hay qualityMany variables affect hay quality

– Plant SpeciesPlant Species– RainfallRainfall– Stage of plant growthStage of plant growth– Harvesting ProceduresHarvesting Procedures

Coastal Bermudagrass HayCoastal Bermudagrass Hay

Can be cut 4-5 times per yearCan be cut 4-5 times per year Value can be increased by mixing in Value can be increased by mixing in

legumeslegumes

Sudangrass HaySudangrass Hay

Cut in early bloom stages for Cut in early bloom stages for maximum nutrient qualitymaximum nutrient quality

May be toxic if harvested earlyMay be toxic if harvested early– Prussic AcidPrussic Acid

Similar to JohnsongrassSimilar to Johnsongrass

Alfalfa HayAlfalfa Hay

Highly Palatable (acceptability of Highly Palatable (acceptability of taste)taste)

High in Protein (18%-19%)High in Protein (18%-19%) Good Source of Vitamins A and BGood Source of Vitamins A and B Higher Priced (Bale = $7-$10)Higher Priced (Bale = $7-$10) 5-8 cuttings (not all are clean)5-8 cuttings (not all are clean)

Cubes

Clover HaysClover Hays

NutritiousNutritious Similar to alfalfaSimilar to alfalfa Difficult to Difficult to curecure 14%-16% protein14%-16% protein Mostly raised for pasture, not hayMostly raised for pasture, not hay

PasturePasture

Native is most commonNative is most common Grasses, legumes, and forbsGrasses, legumes, and forbs Generally, pasture should be a Generally, pasture should be a

mixture of 1-2 grasses with 1-2 mixture of 1-2 grasses with 1-2 legumes.legumes.

A mature horse requires a minimum A mature horse requires a minimum of 2 acresof 2 acres

Review – Hays and Pasture Review – Hays and Pasture

What is the most common form of What is the most common form of roughage?roughage?

What can you do to improve the What can you do to improve the value of bermudagrass hay?value of bermudagrass hay?

Name 1 advantage to alfalfa hay?Name 1 advantage to alfalfa hay? Disadvantage?Disadvantage? What is the main disadvantage of What is the main disadvantage of

clover hays?clover hays?

ConcentratesConcentrates

Low in fiber and high in energyLow in fiber and high in energy

GrainsGrains Grain by-productsGrain by-products

ConcentratesConcentrates

The concentrate part of the ration The concentrate part of the ration contains the grainscontains the grains– Higher in energyHigher in energy– Lower in fiberLower in fiber

Most CommonMost Common– OatsOats– BarleyBarley– CornCorn

Than Roughages

OatsOats

Most Popular grain fed to horsesMost Popular grain fed to horses High fiber content (13%)High fiber content (13%)

– More bulk per nutrient contentMore bulk per nutrient content– Must eat more to satisfy nutrient contentMust eat more to satisfy nutrient content– Less likely to founder or colicLess likely to founder or colic

Cleanliness is a mustCleanliness is a must– Dust feeds can lead to respiratory Dust feeds can lead to respiratory

problemsproblems Whole or processedWhole or processed

BarleyBarley

Comparable to oatsComparable to oats– Lower in fiberLower in fiber

Weighs more per unit volume than Weighs more per unit volume than oatsoats

Barley

Oats

CornCorn

Very “energy-dense”Very “energy-dense”– Large amounts of carbohydratesLarge amounts of carbohydrates

Excellent for horses that require a lot Excellent for horses that require a lot of energyof energy– Working horsesWorking horses– Race HorsesRace Horses

Low in proteinLow in protein High weight per unit volumeHigh weight per unit volume

MolassesMolasses

A popular component of mixed A popular component of mixed concentratesconcentrates

PalatablePalatable Cheap source of energyCheap source of energy Can reduce the quantity of dust in Can reduce the quantity of dust in

feedfeed 5% of the ration - recommended5% of the ration - recommended

Review - ConcentratesReview - Concentrates

What are the three most common What are the three most common types of concentrates?types of concentrates?

What is one advantage to a high fiber What is one advantage to a high fiber content?content?

What is the most notable thing that What is the most notable thing that corn adds to a diet?corn adds to a diet?

What is one way to reduce the dust What is one way to reduce the dust in my feed while also making it more in my feed while also making it more palatable for my horse?palatable for my horse?

SupplementsSupplements

Can help correct deficiencies in Can help correct deficiencies in protein, minerals, and vitamins.protein, minerals, and vitamins.

Increases nutritive valueIncreases nutritive value 4 common types4 common types

– ProteinProtein– VitaminVitamin– MineralMineral– Combination of all threeCombination of all three

ProteinProtein

Higher requirement for horses that Higher requirement for horses that are:are:– GrowingGrowing– LactatingLactating– In later pregnancy stagesIn later pregnancy stages– Eating poor quality roughageEating poor quality roughage– Performance animals (high stress)Performance animals (high stress)

Converted to energy by the horseConverted to energy by the horse

ProteinProtein

Examples of protein supplements Examples of protein supplements include:include:

AlfalfaAlfalfa LinseedLinseed SoybeanSoybean Cottonseed MealCottonseed Meal

VitaminsVitamins

Horses derive no benefits from Horses derive no benefits from “extra” vitamins.“extra” vitamins.

Supplements for Vitamin A:Supplements for Vitamin A:– Fish liver oilsFish liver oils– Liver mealLiver meal

Supplements for Vitamin B:Supplements for Vitamin B:– Dried brewer’s yeastDried brewer’s yeast– Dried legumesDried legumes

VitaminsVitamins

Supplements for Vitamin D:Supplements for Vitamin D:– Suncured haySuncured hay– Exposure to sunlightExposure to sunlight

Supplements for Vitamin E (usually Supplements for Vitamin E (usually not necessary):not necessary):– Alfalfa pelletsAlfalfa pellets

MineralsMinerals

Frequently needed to balance the Frequently needed to balance the mineral content of rations.mineral content of rations.

Most common deficient minerals are:Most common deficient minerals are:– CalciumCalcium– PhosphorusPhosphorus– Sodium chlorideSodium chloride

MineralsMinerals

Supplements for Calcium and Supplements for Calcium and Phosphorus:Phosphorus:– Steamed Bone MealSteamed Bone Meal– Dicalcium PhosphateDicalcium Phosphate

Supplements for sodium chloride:Supplements for sodium chloride:– Salt blockSalt block

Review - SupplementsReview - Supplements

Name two situations where a horse Name two situations where a horse might need protein supplements.might need protein supplements.

T/F – Vitamins supplements are always T/F – Vitamins supplements are always a must for horses.a must for horses.

What is a good supplement for vitamin What is a good supplement for vitamin D?D?

T/F – Alfalfa pellets are a good T/F – Alfalfa pellets are a good supplement for vitamin E.supplement for vitamin E.

What is a good supplement for a What is a good supplement for a sodium chloride deficiency?sodium chloride deficiency?

Group ActivityGroup Activity

Divide into groupsDivide into groups Discuss scenariosDiscuss scenarios

Scenario 1Scenario 1

I have a horse that I am feeding I have a horse that I am feeding coastal hay to. I want to add some coastal hay to. I want to add some value to next year’s hay – what can I value to next year’s hay – what can I plant with my coastal Bermuda?plant with my coastal Bermuda?

Scenario 2Scenario 2

I am looking to buy a place to put my I am looking to buy a place to put my horses. I want them to graze on horses. I want them to graze on pasture grass. Approximately how pasture grass. Approximately how many acres do I need to buy to many acres do I need to buy to support 23 horses? support 23 horses?

Scenario 3Scenario 3

I just bought a race horse who has a I just bought a race horse who has a deficiency in vitamin B.deficiency in vitamin B.

1.1. What can I feed him to increase his What can I feed him to increase his energy level?energy level?

2.2. What can I give him to supplement for What can I give him to supplement for Vitamin B?Vitamin B?

Any Any Questions?Questions?

ReferencesReferences

IMS, Equine Science 8895-BIMS, Equine Science 8895-B Pictures – www.google.com/imagesPictures – www.google.com/images