Equine Nutrition I
What are the 5 essential nutrients for horses?
1. Protein
2. Carbohydrates
3. Lipids
4. Vitamins/Minerals
5. Water
What are the two main sources of energy?
Carbohydrates and fats
What is Maintenance Energy?
The energy horses must have to sustain their body weight while performing activities not defined as "work".
Like grazing, slow walking, occasional trotting, or galloping.
How much does energy intake increase for mares that are too thin to reproduce?
Energy intake increased 10-15% above nutritional requirements for those that are too thin
What horses have light energy levels?
Hunter and Western Pleasure
What is a nutrient that horses need unlimited access to?
Water
Where do horses digest carbohydrates?
In the stomach and small intestine before reaching the area fermentation
How do you calculate maintenance?
Maintenance (Mcal/day) = 1.4 + 0.03 (BW)
The BW needs to be in kilograms!
2.2 pounds = 1 kilogram
What time period of gestation does the foal grow the most inside of the Mare's womb?
The last three months
What horses have medium energy levels?
Range, Roping, Cutting, Barrel Racing, and Jumping
What are some main factors affecting nutrient requirement?
1. Maintenance
2. Reproduction
3. Gestation
4. Lactation
5. Growth
6. Work
Where does fermentation occur?
In the cecum and colon
What are hard keepers?
Horses that require a good amount of feed and supplements
How many Kcal are required to produce one kg of milk?
792 kcal
What are the building blocks of protein?
Amino Acids
Where are vitamins A, D, E, K stored?
In the fat/lipid cells.
What is Net Energy?
The energy that horses can actually make use of
What are easy keepers?
Do not need as much feed as hard keepers to stay fat.
What is DOD? How do horses get DOD?
Developmental Orthopedic Disease
Protein content is highest in milk when?
After foaling
What is Net Energy Production mean?
Energy stored in milk products (for mares) and energy used in work
What is Net Energy Maintenance used for?
Energy is used for metabolism, activity at maintenance, and sustaining body temperature
What are some requirements that Mares should have when it comes to reproduction?
Mares must have good body condition at breeding time
What horses have intense energy levels?
Race horses and polo horses
What is Urea?
chemical compound which is the waste product when the body metabolizes protein