Horse Nutrition 201

Nutrients

1

Approx. 65-75% of the horse's total body weight is made up of __.

Water

1

What are amino acids made up of?

Carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen molecules

1

A more concentrated source of energy than carbohydrates

Fat

1

How much of a horse's diet should be made of protein?

8-15%

1

How much of a horse's diet should be of energy-producing nutrients such as carbohydrates, starches, sugar, fiber, and fat?

80-90%

Vitamins

1

This vitamin is needed for clotting blood. It is found in green, leafy plants and produced in the cecum. 

Vitamin K

1

The vitamin required for eye function, bone development, and proper formation of cells

Vitamin A

1

A deficiency in this vitamin can cause "white-muscle disease" in foals

Vitamin E

1

Name 4 Water-Soluble vitamins.

B-Complex vitamins (B1-Thiamin, B2-Riboflavin, B6-Pyroxidine, B12-Cobalamin, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid) and Vitamin C

1

What is another  name for Thiamin?

Vitamin B 1

Minerals

1

What are the 2 categories of minerals?

Macro and Micro

1

Which macro-mineral goes with Chloride and is needed to regulate body fluids and water metabolism? 

Sodium

1

What is the main function of calcium in the diet?

bone and tooth health

1

Name 2 sources of calcium found in the horse's diet.

plants, ground limestone, oyster shells, grass and hay diets, alfalfa and other legume hays. 

1

This micro-mineral is needed for oxygen storage and transport in the body's cells. It is contained in the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. 

Iron

Digestion

1

This part of the digestive tract secretes acids and enzymes

Stomach

1

This part of the hind gut is site of fiber digestion of forages eaten by the horse. 

Cecum

1

Most of the fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed here. 

Small Intestine

1

What is the primary function of the small colon?

Water absorption

1

This is the magical location where fecal balls are formed 

Small Colon

Energy

1

2 sources of energy in the diet

Carbohydrates and Fat (lipids)

1

The primary energy nutrient for the horse

Carbohydrates

1

Carbohydrates are divided into 2 main categories. Name them.

Non-fiber carbohydrates (nitrogen-free extracts)

Fiber

1

Too much energy in the horse's diet can cause problems. Give 2 examples.

Obesity, Colic, Founder, Poor Reproductive Function, Decreased Life Span

1

Monosaccharides are also known as what common name?

Simple Sugars