Nutrition for Performance Horses
LESSON
SEVEN
FEEDING THE FUTURE PERFORMANCE HORSE
Performance horses are athletes.
Most have been bred to perform a
specific event and do it well.
A sound nutritional program must be implemented
from the time they are conceived.
Without proper nutrition, their genetic potential cannot be reached.
The recommended nutrient requirement levels used in this lesson (and the
other lessons) are taken from the National Research Council's book Nutrient Requirements of Horse. As we learned in lesson six the first step in
balancing a ration is determining what the horse requires – based on weight,
age and activity level. The nutrient
levels used in the lessons are a small cross-section of the information
provided in the charts.
NUTRITION FOR THE STALLION
Research has not proven enhanced
nutrition will directly effect the fertility of the stallion. But a stallion that is healthy and receiving
the proper nutrition will have a better chance of getting a mare in foal.
Proper nutrition, without enhancement,
will ensure he has the energy to cover the mares throughout the breeding
season.
Nutrient requirements for the stallion
will increase during breeding season. A
stallion being worked or shown heavily during breeding season needs to be
monitored closely.
A balanced diet should be fed to meet
the required vitamins, minerals and energy level desired.
The following are the NRC's
approximate recommended levels for an 1100-pound non-breeding stallion:
Digestible
Energy/Mcals:
16-20
Protein: 720 grams
Calcium: 20 grams
Phosphorus: 14
grams
Sodium: 10
grams
Copper: 100
milligrams
Iron: 400
milligrams
Zinc: 400 milligrams
Selenium: 1 milligram
Vitamin
A: 15,000 I.U.
Vitamin D: 3,300 I.U.
Vitamin
E: 500 I.U.
The following are the NRC's approximate recommended levels for an
1100-pound breeding stallion:
Digestible
Energy/Mcals:
21.8 - 25
Protein: 789 grams
Calcium: 30 grams
Phosphorus: 18
grams
Sodium: 13.9
grams
Copper: 100 milligrams
Iron: 400
milligrams
Zinc: 400 miligrams
Selenium: 1 milligram
Vitamin
A: 22,500 I.U.
Vitamin D: 3,300 I.U.
Vitamin
E: 800 I.U.
Keeping weight on a stallion during
breeding season can be the biggest challenge faced by the person responsible
for his care. A stallion during the
off-season may need only 18 DE/Mcal, but prior to and throughout breeding
season may require as much as 25 DE/Mcal per day. Each stallion needs to be treated as an
individual.
A body condition score of 7 is
desirable as the breeding season approaches.
Too low and he will not maintain his weight. Too high can be hazardous to his health.
During breeding season, appetite may
be depressed. If the stallion enters the
season underweight it will be difficult to maintain his body reserves and
impossible to put weight on him.
It is important high quality palatable
feed is offered to the stallion. The
excitement and stress of the breeding season may cause some stallions to
consume less than they require. If
energy dense feed is provided the small amount he does eat will be of some
benefit.
An overweight stallion is not
desired. Overweight and not properly conditioned
stallions can experience heart attacks.
The extra weight is also stressful to the joints and ligaments.
Research has not proven supplemental
vitamins A, C, and E to have any effect on sexual drive or semen quality. Feeding a balanced diet with sufficient
calories, fresh water, salt, and plenty of good quality forage should be all a
breeding stallion requires.
NUTRITION FOR THE BROODMARE
Broodmares need to produce. They need to produce a healthy follicle. They need to produce a healthy foal. They need to produce enough milk to support
the foal and in many cases be able to support a fetus at the same time.
Proper nutrition for the broodmare is
very critical. The feeding program is
supporting her, her current foal, and all the foals she is destined to
have.
The broodmare’s body reserves are like
a bank. With each foal the nutritional
reserves are depleted and if they are not replaced a deficit occurs. If a mare was bred to the same stallion every
year, had the exact same nutrition – every year, and every thing effecting that
mare was identical the first foal would have a greater birth weight than her
last foal. It is important to observe
each broodmare and adjust the nutritional program according to her needs.
The broodmare’s nutritional
requirements vary depending on the stage of reproduction she is in. The various stages can be classified as:
open, first 250 days of gestation, last 90 days of gestation, and lactation.
Open: a
broodmare not in foal and not lactating (producing milk) usually has the same
nutritional requirements as an adult horse at maintenance activity level. If she is old or has health problems she may
need a special diet and extra care.
Observation is the key.
The following are approximate
recommended levels per day for an 1100-pound broodmare:
Digestible Energy/Mcals: 16.7
Protein: 630 grams
Calcium: 20 grams
Phosphorus: 14
grams
Sodium: 10.0
grams
Copper: 100 milligrams
Iron: 400
milligrams
Zinc: 400
milligrams
Selenium: 1 milligram
Vitamin
A: 15,000 I.U.
Vitamin D: 3,300 I.U.
Vitamin
E: 500 I.U.
Body Condition
Score: 5 – 7
Research has proven a mare with a body
condition score between 5 and 7 will come into estrus sooner than a thin
mare. Overly fat mares have a lower
conception rate, so care must be taken they do not receive too many calories.
First 250 Days of
Gestation: After the mare has
been bred and confirmed in foal her nutritional requirements are generally the
same as an adult horse at maintenance activity level. The developing fetus grows very slowly during
the first 8 months.
If she is on pasture her body
condition score must be monitored. The
pasture may become depleted because of overgrazing or drought causing the mare
to loose weight. Flies and heat may keep
her from grazing as much as she should.
Supplemental forage or a balanced concentrate may need to be fed.
It is critical her vitamin and mineral
requirements are being met. If she is
maintaining her weight on forage alone she will need a balanced vitamin and
mineral supplement. A trace mineralized
salt block will not meet her requirements.
Last 90 days of Gestation:
The fetus does 90% of it’s developing during the last 90 days of
gestation. Growth is rapid, at almost 1
pound per day.
The developing foal requires large
amounts of protein, calcium, and phosphorus.
The trace minerals: copper, iron, manganese, and zinc are being stored
in the foal’s liver for use in the first few months after birth. The digestible
energy requirements of the mare during late pregnancy only increase slightly.
The following are approximate
recommended levels per day for an 1100-pound mare during the last month of
gestation:
Digestible
Energy/Mcals:
21.4
Protein: 893 grams
Calcium: 36 grams
Phosphorus:
26.3 grams
Sodium: 11.0
grams
Copper: 125 milligrams
Iron: 500 milligrams
Zinc: 400
milligrams
Selenium: 1 milligram
Vitamin
A: 30,000 I.U.
Vitamin D: 3,300 I.U.
Vitamin E: 800 I.U.
Body Condition
Score: 6-7
The National Research Council's book,
Nutrient Requirements for Horses, provides the nutrient recommendations for
pregnant and lactating broodmares during every month, based on the weight of
the mare. It is recommended this book is
in your equine library for reference.
Research has shown sufficient copper
intake by the broodmare during gestation will help repair osteochondrosis
lesions in foals after foaling. Copper
does not seem to prevent developmental orthopedic disease. But the lesions are more likely to be
repaired in foals with dams that received sufficient copper in their diet
during pregnancy. Supplementing foals
with copper after foaling was not effective – the copper had to be present in
the system during gestation and at birth to be utilized.
During the last 90 days of gestation
the mare’s body condition must be monitored.
An obese mare will have trouble foaling and tends to have smaller
foals. A thin mare will produce weak
foals and insufficient amounts of milk.
Now is the time to adjust her calories, not after she foals. When calories are decreased in an obese mare
it is important not to decrease needed amounts of protein, vitamins, and
minerals. Make any changes to the diet
gradually.
Lactation: After the mare foals her nutritional
requirements increase. Adequate amounts
of digestible energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins are critical for her and
the foal.
The quantity and quality of milk
changes as the foal matures. During the
first two or three months the amount and nutrient content is at its highest. The peak
production time is around one month after foaling and slowly declines
thereafter.
The following are approximate
recommended levels per day for an 1100 pound mare (second month of lactation):
Digestible
Energy/Mcals:
31.7
Protein: 1530 grams
Calcium: 58.9 grams
Phosphorus:
38.1 grams
Sodium: 12.8
grams
Copper: 125 milligrams
Iron: 625
milligrams
Zinc: 500 milligrams
Selenium: 1 milligram
Vitamin
A: 30,000 I.U.
Vitamin D: 3,300 I.U.
Vitamin
E: 1,000 I.U.
Body Condition
Score: 5 – 6
Refer to the NRC book for levels
during each month of lactation.
If the mare is to be bred back she
must be in condition to conceive. A poor
thin mare will be harder to get in foal.
It is advised to wait until after the foal heat to start increasing her
calories. Increasing grain intake soon
after foaling can lead to colic and founder.
Make the increases very gradually.
It can be very difficult to put weight on a lactating mare – all her
digestible energy will go towards milk production. Make sure broodmares are at the desired body
condition 90 days before foaling.
During all stages, it is very
important the quality and quantity of forage is good. Broodmares should have access to at least 1.5
–2 % of their body weight in hay per day.
If on pasture up to 3% of the body weight may be consumed. Have the hay tested and balance the diet
according to the results.
Mares that are eating hay or pasture
containing fescue should be switched to different forage during the last 3
months of gestation. If endophyte
infected fescue is present the toxin can cause prolonged gestation, difficulty
foaling, thick placenta, and decreased colostrum and milk production.
THE NURSING FOAL
It is very important the newborn foal
receives colostrum within the first hour of birth. Colostrum is the first “milk” the mare
produces. It is high in antibodies that protect
the foal from disease. The foal should
receive about 1 cup each hour for the first six hours of life.
To insure the foal has received the
proper levels of antibodies from the mare a serum antibody level (IgG) blood
test should be taken at one day of age.
A normal IgG count is 800mg/dl or higher. Below 200 mg/dl means the foal’s life is in
danger. This test is very important if
the mare was dripping milk before foaling.
The valuable colostrum may be gone by the time she foals.
The colostrum will begin to
change to milk within 12 – 24 hours of birth.
Within the first 12 hours of birth the nutrient composition of milk is
at its greatest. As time passes the
nutrients decrease. It is very important
the foal receives milk as early as possible.
Approximate
Composition of Mare’s Milk
Dry
Matter Basis
|
AGE |
DE KCAL/100G |
PROTEIN |
FAT |
CALCIUM |
PHOSPHORUS |
COPPER |
ZINC |
IRON |
|
Birth |
536 |
75.79% |
2.78% |
0.34% |
0.16% |
3.93 ppm |
25.40 ppm |
5.20 ppm |
|
12 hrs. |
557 |
33.04% |
20.87% |
0.68% |
0.35% |
7.22 ppm |
24.40 ppm |
8.26 ppm |
Mare’s milk is a good source of
calories, protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins. It is not a good source of the trace minerals
copper, iron, manganese, and zinc. The
foal must have these stored in the liver before birth.
The digestive system of the newborn
foal is not designed for utilizing nutrients in grain and forage. The digestive tract does not have the
bacteria and enzymes needed to digest fiber.
The first solid food a foal usually eats is the dam’s manure. Within this first “solid meal” are the
bacteria and enzymes which will inoculate the foal’s digestive system. Some
breeders will introduce a probiotic product designed for foals to aid in the
development of good bacteria in the digestive tract.
There are many good creep feeds on the
market for foals. These products will
use milk-based protein instead of plant-based protein. The cost of these products is well worth the
cost to insure the foal is receiving digestible nutrients.
The foal feed should be at least 16 –
18% crude protein. The calcium should be
between .85 – 1.0% and the phosphorus .75 - .80%.
Do not allow the nursing foal that is
eating creep feed to become too fat.
Extra weight is detrimental to the developing joints and soft
bones. Limit the intake of the creep
feed if the foal starts to become too heavy.
The creep feed should be placed in a
foal feeder designed to keep the mare out.
Deep creep feeders designed for average sized foals may have to be
adjusted for small foals. Placing a
brick in the bottom and a dish with the ration on top of it will raise the food
so a foal with a short head can reach it.
Otherwise the adjustable bars need to be spread so the foal can reach
the bottom and this will allow the mare to reach the feed also.
Make sure the foal can reach the
mare’s water bucket. Good quality free
choice hay should be available, also.
THE ORPHAN FOAL
Feeding an orphan or rejected
foal is not the challenge it once was.
New research and excellent milk replacer products are now available.
It is very important the foal receives
an adequate amount of colostrum, either from the mare or from another
source. Many large breeding farms keep
frozen colostrum on hand. Never thaw
colostrum in the microwave - it will destroy the antibodies. Thaw by setting the container of frozen
colostrum in hot water.
Have the veterinarian test for IgG levels
at one day of age. If the foal is
deficient, the veterinarian will administer plasma to insure maximum
protection.
After the foal has received the
recommended amount of colostrum (about 2 pints within 2 to 18 hours of birth),
a high quality milk replacer designed for foals can be fed. Follow the directions pertaining to that
product. Not following the directions
can cause scours and health problems.
Foals can be taught to drink milk out
of a bucket. Place a finger in the foal’s
mouth, once he is sucking, raise the bucket up to the foal’s muzzle, and slowly
withdraw your finger while he is sucking.
Do not force the foal’s head into the bucket. Once he has learned to drink from a bucket
you can hang on the wall at shoulder height.
The bucket should be a contrasting color to the wall, so the foal can
find it easily.
If a nurse mare can be located this is
a very good substitute. A lactating
dairy goat can also decrease the amount of labor involved with raising an orphan
foal. But as the foal grows, the goat
may not be able to meet the demands for food and a milk replacer may be needed.
Cow’s milk and milk from the grocery
store will not meet the nutritional needs of a foal.
A foal starter ration can be
introduced as early as 1 week. Place the
foal feed in a bucket similar to the milk bucket and sprinkle some of the milk
replacer powder on it. After the foal
has consumed the milk for that feeding, hang the bucket containing the dry feed
in its spot. Leave it there until it is
time for the next milk feeding. Once the
foal is eating the dry feed, the foal can be fed free choice in a regular feed
tub. Make sure the feed is kept fresh
and available.
Healthy orphan foals can start to be
weaned after 6 weeks of age. Gradually
reduce the amount of milk replacer being offered. The foal will increase his consumption of dry
feed. By the age of 10 weeks the foal
should be totally weaned from the milk.
Access to fresh clean water at all
times is also important to the health of the orphan foal. High quality hay fed free choice should also
be offered along with the foal feed.
THE WEANLING
By the time the foal reaches 3 or 4
months of age the digestive system has acquired enough bacteria and enzymes to
utilize grain and forage. The
concentrate portion of the diet can gradually be changed from the foal starter
to a grain based ration.
The concentrate portion of the diet is
meant to complement the forage. A hay
test will help with the decision of what type of concentrate to provide.
The following are approximate
recommended nutrient levels per day for a four month old foal that is to mature
to 1,100 pounds:
Digestible Energy/Mcals: 13.3
Protein: 669 grams
Calcium: 39.1 grams
Phosphorus:
21.7 grams
Sodium: 12.8
grams
Copper: 142.1 milligrams
Iron: 210.6
milligrams
Selenium: 0.42 milligram
Zinc: 168.5 milligrams
Vitamin
A: 7,600 I.U.
Vitamin D: 3,740 I.U.
Vitamin
E: 337 I.U.
The greatest concern when feeding young
growing horses is the occurrence of physitis (once known as epiphysitis) or
developmental orthopedic disease (DOD).
It is the inflammation of the growth plate in the long bones.
The calcification of cartilage is how
long bones grow in a developing foal.
The area where the growth takes place it called the growth plate. The growth plate is made up of cartilage,
which calcifies and results in the bone becoming longer. As the bone becomes longer the growth plate
becomes smaller and the area closes.
This process is called endochondral ossification.
Physitis occurs when the thickening
cartilage projects outward instead of into the ends of the lengthening
bones. Foals with physitis will appear
to have knobby knees and a dished in or hour glass look. Pain, heat, and swelling are also symptoms of
physitis. Small lesions may form – this
is where the stored copper the foal received during gestation may help with the
healing process.
The causes of physitis are many. However, excess protein is not one.
Protein is needed for the development
of muscle, skin, hair, and hooves. It
maintains healthy red blood cells, bones, and is needed for the regulation of
the body’s internal organs. Limiting the
amount of protein in a growing foal will not prevent or cure physitis. Creating a protein deficiency will cause poor
growth and the foal may not reach his genetic potential.
Some known causes of DOD are genetics,
exercise, excessive digestible energy, excessive body weight and mineral
imbalances. Research into the causes,
prevention, and treatment continues.
Genetics: Studies have shown certain stallions and
mares pass on the tendency to develop physitis.
Fast growing foals from these crosses have a higher risk of incurring
DOD.
Exercise: Exercise is an important part in joint
development and health. Growing foals
need exercise. The freedom to run and
play enhances bone growth and development.
Forced exercise is not good for foals and should be avoided. Do not keep foals confined in a stall or
small area.
It is possible that during rough play
a foal may injure the growth plate. The
small risk of this occurring is not a good reason to keep a foal confined.
Excessive DE: a feeding program which produces excessive
amounts of digestible energy is a major cause of physitis.
Overfeeding carbohydrates and starch
increases the production of insulin and glucose. Research has shown high insulin and glucose
levels suppress the development of cartilage cells. These studies have proven the glycemic
response (the measurement of how much blood sugar rises after a meal) needs to
be kept low in growing foals. It is
important to feed a concentrate that has a low glycemic index.
Feeds that have a low glycemic index
are forages (not new spring grass), feeds containing forage, and concentrates
that provide calories from fat - not grains.
A sure way of causing physitis in a rapid
growing foal is to over-feed grain, get the foal fat, and then confine him in a
stall.
Mineral imbalances: The amount of minerals available and the
ratio of calcium to phosphorus are very important to a growing foal.
Calcium and phosphorus are needed in
bone development. But supplementation
can interfere with the absorption of other minerals.
The ratio of calcium to phosphorus
needs to be monitored. High phosphorus
levels have caused lesions in the cartilage of growing foals during
studies. A desired ratio of about 2:1
(calcium to phosphorus) is generally recommended.
Care must be taken during the weaning
process. Gradually weaning the foal is
less stressful, but more labor intensive.
If the foal is abruptly removed from the mare the amount of dry food he
consumes will decrease due to the stress.
Then when he becomes hungry he will overeat and colic is a likely
possibility. Observation is the key.
YOUNG GROWING HORSES
The yearling, long yearling (18
months), and 2 year old require adequate nutrition to support growth and help
them reach their genetic potential.
Yearling: By the time the foal reaches one year of age
the growth rate has slowed significantly.
The chance of developing a developmental orthopedic disease has
decreased, because the skeletal structure is reaching maturity.
The following are approximate
recommended levels per day for a true yearling (12 months) that will mature at
1100 pounds:
Digestible
Energy/Mcals:
18.8
Protein: 846 grams
Calcium: 37.7 grams
Phosphorus:
20.9 grams
Sodium: 6.9 grams
Copper: 80.3 milligrams
Iron: 401.5
milligrams
Selenium: 0.80 milligram
Zinc: 321.2 milligrams
Vitamin
A: 14,500 I.U.
Vitamin D: 5,589 I.U.
Vitamin
E: 642 I.U.
Yearlings being conditioned for sale,
training, and futurities need to be monitored.
Their body condition score may need to be higher than the desired 5 and
the higher recommended DE rate fed.
Keep in mind the commercial
concentrates using fat as a calorie or energy source is the safest method of increasing
digestible energy in horses. This will
limit the starch intake. Fat also
promotes skin health, hair coat, and hooves.
Long yearling: At 18 months of age the protein requirement
has decreased again.
The following are approximate
recommended levels per day for a long yearling (18-months):
Digestible
Energy/Mcals:
19.2
Protein: 799 grams
Calcium: 37.0 grams
Phosphorus:
20.6 grams
Sodium: 8.0
grams
Copper: 96.9 milligrams
Iron: 484.4
milligrams
Selenium: 0.97 milligram
Zinc: 387.5 milligrams
Vitamin
A: 17,400 I.U.
Vitamin D: 6,161 I.U.
Vitamin
E: 775 I.U.
2 year old: The 2 year old may be starting intensive
training and needs to be closely observed.
The following are approximate
recommended levels per day for a two-year old that is not
being exercised:
Digestible Energy/Mcals: 18.7
Protein: 770 grams
Calcium: 36.7.0 grams
Phosphorus:
20.4 grams
Sodium: 8.8
grams
Copper: 107.3 milligrams
Iron: 536.5
milligrams
Selenium: 1.07 milligram
Zinc: 429.2 milligrams
Vitamin
A: 19,300 I.U.
Vitamin D: 5,880 I.U.
Vitamin
E: 858 I.U.
Body Condition
Score: 5
Refer to the NRC book for nutrients
recommended for the two-year old during light exercise, moderate exercise,
heavy exercise and very heavy exercise.
The nutrient requirements change.
When feeding young growing horses,
observation is paramount. The
approximate recommended levels stated are only a guide. Each horse is an individual, and every
horseman has a different body condition score as his desired appearance. The important thing is to offer a balanced
diet, fresh clean water, access to free choice salt, and plenty of good quality
forage.
Assignment:
Visit
your local feed store (or go online) and examine the tag of a specialized
product labeled for each of these growth states. Good sites are Buckeye Nutrition, Nutrena and Blue Seal.
(Purina does not publish feed tags.)
Send your report via e-mail
to elblazer@horsecoursesonline.com Remember to put your full name and e-mail address
on the document - not just in the e-mail.
A. Starter or creep feed for foals still nursing
(not a milk-replacement product).
1. What is the crude protein level?
2. What is the crude fat level?
3. What is the first ingredient listed?
4. What are recommended feeding rates?
5. At what age does the manufacturer recommend
the foal be changed to a
weanling ration?
B. Weanling or product formulated for young
growing horses.
1. What is the crude protein level?
2. What is the crude fat level?
3. What is the first ingredient listed?
4. What is the recommended feeding rate for a
foal at 4 months of age?
5. Does the manufacturer recommend other
supplements be fed along with
the
product?
6. If so, what are they?
7.
Until what age does the manufacturer recommend this product be
fed?