Horses' basic nutritional requirements can be divided into five different categories, each with its own unique requirements.
Energy Requirements
The amount of calories that a horse consumes need to meet his energy requirements. Too few calories and the horse will be too thin, too many calories and the horse will become overweight. This is one of the most commonly made errors. A good rule to follow is approximately 2 pounds of hay per 100 pounds of horse. To see if the horse is being fed enough check the visibility of his ribs. If the horse’s ribs are visible then the horse may be too skinny. However if the horse's ribs are not visible and cannot be felt with moderate pressure along the rib cage then the horse may be overweight. Deciding which type of hay to feed can be based on the condition of the horses. Feed grass hay for overweight horses since it has fewer calories, and alfalfa for horses that do not keep weight on easily.
Fiber Requirements
Horses need fiber for proper stomach functioning of their intestinal tract, and it is often overlooked. Horses get fiber from good hay and pasture grazing. The oats in some grains can also provide a significant amount of fiber. However, grain feeding should be kept to a minimum as it can be unhealthy for the horse to eat a diet high in carbohydrates.
Protein Requirements
Horses need 8 -10 percent protein in their diet, increasing that amount with exercise, pregnancy or with growth spurts. To be sure horses are getting enough protein, owners can check the type of hay that they eat. Alfalfa contains roughly 18 percent while grass hay has around 10 percent. Grain should have the amount of protein listed on the bag.
Vitamins Requirements
Just as humans need vitamins for proper function of their body systems, horses need vitamins to reach peak performance. The majority of horses' vitamin needs are met through hay and grain. If the horse is being fed poorly stored or low quality hay then a balanced vitamin complex should be add to its grain.
Minerals Requirements
Nearly all of the horse's mineral needs are met through its diet; however a trace mineral block should always be available to the horse. If the horse does not use the block than a dash a trace mineral salt can be added to its grain. Some areas around the United States are deficient in selenium and horses in these areas may need to be given a mineral supplement containing selenium. The local veterinarians will know whether the area is sufficient in selenium or not.
