If the mare is fed alfalfa hay, be sure her diet is balanced for calcium and phosphorous, since the calcium:phosphorous ratio of alfalfa can be as high as 10:1. The mare’s total diet should contain at least.4 percent calcium and.3 percent phosphorous.
What is the best alternative to feed a young horse?
Feeding a high calorie, chopped fibre feed such as one that combines alfalfa with oil, is a safer alternative to a cereal based feed but can still provide sufficient energy for a youngster. Fibre feeds with about 10% added oil contain around 12.5MJ/kg DE which is the same level of energy found in a traditional stud mix.
What do you feed a weanling horse?
The transition from suckling foal to weanling is a tremendous change, going from mare’s milk and a little feed to a total diet of dry feed and hay/pasture. As the young horse grows and transitions from weanling to yearling, nutritional demands continue changing, although not quite as dramatically.
When can I introduce other feed to my youngstock horse?
Between 3 and 4 months of age the foal’s digestive tract starts to develop the ability to gain more nutrition from fibre and so becomes less dependent on a milk based diet, this means that other youngstock horse feeds can be introduced.
What do lactating mares need during lactation?
Here are five tips for meeting mares’ nutritional needs during lactation. Go with grain. Although high-quality hay and/or grass should remain the basis of the diet, in most cases forage alone cannot meet lactating mares’ nutritional requirements.
What should you feed a senior horse?
Good quality grass hay and corn or a complete pelleted ration for mature (not aged) horses are the feeds of choice. Avoid legumes (alfalfa and clover), wheat bran and beet pulp due to high calcium (legumes, beet pulp) or phosphorus (wheat bran) content.
When should I feed my senior horse feed?
15As a general rule, senior feeds usually become appropriate for horses when they reach the age of 15. That said, however, it's possible that a much younger horse with digestive and nutritional challenges will benefit from senior feed.
Do senior horses need grain?
Typically, no grain is required but if desired or needed, choose one with restricted starch/sugar and contains added fat (4-7%). In these horses, forage based pellets or cubes could replace 10 to 50% of the long stem/chopped forages.
How much grain should a senior horse eat per day?
Because most senior feeds on the market today can be fed as a sole ration (ie 16-18 lbs. per day to a 1,200 lb. horse in light work) they have to be formulated in such a way that a horse eating this much of the feed won't be overdoing the concentration of vitamins/minerals, etc.
Are alfalfa cubes good for older horses?
Research in Colorado reported that mature horses fed alfalfa cubes maintained their body weight better than horses fed equal amounts of long-stem hay.
Are alfalfa pellets good for senior horses?
Energy dense forage sources such as Alfalfa pellets, cubes of chopped forage are ideal to increase the calorie content of the diet. Protein requirements: Older horses in good body condition have protein requirements that are similar to those of horses at maintenance.
What do underweight senior horses eat?
Common alternate forms are hay cubes, hay pellets, chopped forage, and beet pulp. Senior feeds often include some type of alternate forage like alfalfa meal, soy hulls, and/or beet pulp. For this reason, their feeding rate is usually double that of a normal concentrate feed.
How do you keep an old horse healthy?
Make sure your saddle fits properly as your senior horse's topline changes. Feed your horse a high quality diet that meets all their nutrient needs. Watch for early signs of cancer or Cushing's syndrome for best treatment outcomes. Keep senior horses up-to-date on vaccines and deworming to prevent infection.
Do old horses need supplements?
While you can get supplements to support specific areas of your horse's wellbeing, such as joint supplements or digestive supplements, some companies also make supplements for older horses that are formulated to support their all-round health.
Are oats good for senior horses?
Yes – if your horse needs them! Of all the cereal grains (e.g. corn, barley, wheat, etc.) oats have the most appropriate nutritional profile for horses. They are an excellent source of calories, and have a better protein and amino acid profile than many other grains.
Is beet pulp good for senior horses?
In summary, beet pulp is a good dietary supplement for "hard keepers", as a forage or fiber replacement for poor quality hay, and for older horses with problems chewing or digesting hay. The digestible energy content of beet pulp is greater than hay and less than grain.
Is sweet feed good for horses?
Sweet feed is bad for horses—it's nothing but sugar.”
What should I feed my 16 year old horse?
A combination of Alfa-Beet, Grass Pellets and a High Fibre Cube/Mash can be the best senior horse feed options for for those who can't even manage to chew short chop fibres any more.
How often should you feed your horse grain?
twice a dayIf you feed your horse grain, give it in multiple smaller meals rather than one large one. Most horses are given grain twice a day for the convenience of their human caretakers. If for some reason you must give your horse a large quantity of grain, consider an additional lunchtime feeding.