How the Horse's System Works

To develop a good feeding program, it's important to understand the horse's unique digestive system. It's different from any other domestic animal.

Starting from the top...

Teeth play an important role in the horse's ability to utilize feed. A horse must be able to chew or food will pass right through. That's why routine dental care is important. Back teeth should be checked regularly by the vet for hooks or sharp projections. These hooks cut into the horse's cheek and tongue, making it hard to eat. The hooks can be filed down, or "floated" by the veterinarian.

Food is chewed, swallowed and passed down the esophagus into the stomach. The stomach mixes food, starts the digestive process and acts as a reservoir to keep the small intestine continuously supplied.

The horse's stomach is relatively small. Food moves through it quickly. Since horses don't vomit, over-feeding can cause serious problems, including colic and stomach rupture. As a precaution, horses that need a lot of feed should be fed three or more times a day.

From the stomach, food enters the small intestine where enzymes that digest carbohydrates, fat and protein are secreted. Carbohydrates are turned into glucose and other simple sugars that are absorbed and used for energy. Proteins are broken down into amino acids, which are absorbed and used as building blocks for the body. Bile secreted in the small intestine helps digest fat. Many minerals are absorbed in the small intestine.

In the large intestine, large populations of bacteria produce enzymes that break down fiber into fatty acids. These fatty acids are then absorbed and used for energy. Bacteria in the large intestine also help synthesize many B vitamins.

DIGESTIBILITY OF FEEDS

Efficient digestion is influenced by a number of factors. Rolling, cracking or crimping certain grains allows enzymes to work more effectively. Cooking does not improve digestibility.

Feeding large amounts at once can decrease digestibility by increasing rate of passage. The faster food moves through the system, the less time bacteria has to act on fiber.

Light exercise has been found to slightly improve digestion by slowing rate of passage. However, heavy exercise can decrease digestibility.

NUTRIENTS HORSES NEED

Energy is supplied by carbohydrates, protein and fat.

Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy. Protein is mainly used to build body tissues. And excess is used to supply energy or is stored as fat.

Fat is a much more concentrated source of energy than carbohydrates or protein. Fat supplies unsaturated fatty acids horses need for healthy skin and coats.

Traditionally, the way to add extra calories has been to feed extra grain. But overfeeding grain can create uncontrolled, "hot" energy, or worse, diarrhea, founder or even colic. Feeding fat provides supplemental calories without the risk of extra grain.

• Weight Builder™ provides extra calories in the form of fat. It can be fed for weight gain, body condition and fuel for performance without the risk of grain feeding. Naturally high in omega 3 fatty acids, Weight Builder also improves skin and coat condition.
• Ascend™ Skin & Coat Health Gel keeps skin healthy and coats looking sleek and shiny with the ideal ratio of fatty acids, vitamins A, B, D and E, and zinc.
• Super 14™ contains polyunsaturated fatty acids plus vitamins E and B6 to leave skin healthy, coats sleek and glossy. Fed daily, Super 14 gives coats a show ring shine in just 30 days. Horses love the taste.
• Horse Health Wheat Germ Oil Blend is a rich, natural source of unsaturated fatty acids for a sleek, lustrous coat.
  

MINERALS

Horses require at least 22 mineral elements. Seven are considered major elements, or macronutrients, because larger amounts are needed. The others, known as trace minerals, or micronutrients, are required in small amounts.

ESSENTIAL MINERALS

The amount of minerals each horse needs depends on a variety of factors, including the horse itself.  Young horses need higher levels of nutrients than full grown horses, as do pregnant and lactating mares. Genetics also play a role. Some horses absorb minerals easily, while others are prone to deficiencies.

Bioavailability, or how efficiently an element is absorbed and utilized by the horse, affects the quantity required. The mineral's chemical and physical form influences its bioavailability. For example, the iron in ferrous sulfate is readily available, while iron in ferrous oxide, or rust, is just about useless.

Other minerals and nutrients in the diet influence bioavailability. Feeding high levels of one mineral can lead to problems. Excessive calcium can interfere with the utilization of zinc. Too much phosphorus decreases calcium bioavailability. Minerals must be kept in balance.

The best way for horses to get the right balance of minerals is naturally, through their feeds. Mineral bioavailability in feeds depends on minerals in the soil, plant species, stage of maturity and method of harvesting.

VITAMINS

Vitamins are organic compounds the body needs for normal functioning. The fat soluble vitamins--A, D and E-- are stored in the body. Excesses of these vitamins can be toxic. Water soluble vitamins, including the B vitamins and vitamin C, are flushed out in the urine when the body has too much. Because they are not stored, water soluble vitamins should be fed daily.

• Vitamin A: Essential for normal vision, skin, hair, nerves, growth and reproduction.
• Vitamin B1, or Thiamine: For nutrient metabolism, energy utilization and nervous system function.
• Vitamin B2, or Riboflavin: For healthy skin, hair and nerves, energy utilization and normal healing.
• Vitamin B12: For blood building, a healthy appetite and proper growth.
• Vitamin C: Required to form collagen. Synthesized from glucose in the horse's system.
• Vitamin D: Works with calcium and phosphorus to build and maintain strong bones, joints and teeth.
• Vitamin E, or Tocopherol: Works with selenium to help prevent tying up and white muscle disease. Promotes healthy muscles, body tissues, skin, coat and reproduction.
• Vitamin K: For normal blood clotting.
• Biotin: For healthy skin, coat and hoof condition.
• Choline: For fat metabolism, cell structure and nerves.
• Folic Acid: Helps form red blood cells.
• Niacin: For healthy appetite, nutrient metabolism, proper growth, skin condition and nerves.
• Pantothenic Acid: For healthy skin, coat, appetite and nerves.

While vitamins horses need are available in their feed, some horses may need more than their daily ration provides.

• Vita-Plus® meets the needs of today's equine athletes, show horses, breeding stock and young, growing horses. Virtually every beneficial nutrient a supplement can supply is in Vita-Plus. Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, balanced electrolytes, polyunsaturated fatty acids and more makes Vita-Plus a compete supplement to keep horses in top condition.
• Growing foals have higher nutritional needs than mature horses. Specially formulated for young horses, Grow Colt® supplies 27 vitamins and minerals foals need for proper development. It includes everything foals need for a healthy start in life.
• Developed specifically for mares during breeding season, Mare Plus® is rich in vitamins A, D and E, plus calcium, phosphorus and iodine. Fed daily starting 90 days before conception, Mare Plus helps build and condition mares for the demands of pregnancy. After conception, Mare Plus continues to keep them in peak condition during gestation, foaling and lactation.

Farnam has a variety of other top quality feed supplements, targeted to different needs. Check out the full line of supplements on the Product page.

WATER

The most important nutrient is water. A horse can live for weeks without food, but only a few days without water.

Water makes up about 70% of a horse's lean body mass. That means the average 1,100 pound horse is about 90 gallons of water.

Water is vital for digestion, body temperature regulation, joint lubrication, cushioning the central nervous system, transporting sound, sight and many other important functions. Dehydration occurs when water loss exceeds water intake. This can be caused by inadequate water supplies, severe diarrhea, excessive sweating or the physical inability to drink because of "choke", tetanus or other problem.

How much water a horse needs depends on weather, activity level, body temperature, water content of feed and how much is eaten. A horse can be expected to drink 2 quarts of water for every pound of feed.

A sedentary 1,100 pound horse may drink up to 10 gallons a day. An active, hard-working horse requires much more, especially in hot, humid weather. A lactating mare needs about 5 gallons more water than the average horse.

Horses should be given water free choice and allowed to drink all they need. The only time a horse shouldn't be allowed to drink is when it's overheated after exercise. Watering a hot horse shocks the system and can lead to founder. Once the horse cools down, let it drink all it wants.