Horse Health!

Question
Hello Samantha, I have been around horses all mmy life (25 yrs) but about year and half ago started taking western lessons. Well, my answer is I am a little confused on the proper feeding of horses. As in what exactly to feed them and what kind of nutrients they really need to stay healthy and live a long life. I am a worry wort when it comes to proper nutrients! Dont ask why but I am. LOL  Would you have any suggestions on a book to go out and purchase? Thanks and I look forward from hearing from you! :-) Thanks Amber  

Answer
Amber,
 Horse health is not rocket science, but mostly common sense in certain respects.  Feed companies have made horse nutrition ver easy the past 10 years or so with omplete formulas and different choices of feeds for different life stages.  THe best thing for you to do is go online to several feed manufacturers (Blue Seal, Nutrena, Purina, etc.)  and read about their different formulas.  If you have mares in foals or babies running around, than you are going to want a fedd that is formulated for young horses, and lactating mares.  If you have horses over the age of 15, you will want to choice a senior feed, or if you have very competative show horses, a performance blend may be best.  THey also offer feeds for pleasure horses.  The major difference between the different formulas is going to be the crude fat, protien, and fiber levels.  Older horses need lower protien, higher fat, and higher fiber, young developing horses need a higher protien level, lower fat and mid rnage fiber.  Pleasure horses need low protien, low fat, and higher fiber.  Every horse needs plenty of forage, I would stay away from straight alfalfa because it has alot of natural sugars, and is ver high in protien and fat.  Beet pulp is an excellent grain additive that will provide forage if that is scarce in your area.  All older horses should recieve a shark cartilage or glucosamine/condroitin supplement for their joints.

I hope this helps.  

Samantha