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Information sheets   |   Elsenburg infopaks   |   Animals, feeding: 3

The feeding of the farm horse Afrikaans | Xhosa

Click to enlarge!		 The feeding requirements of horses differ from that of, for example, cattle. Horses can utilise a variety of fodder types that are readily available on a farm. These fodder types include lucerne, grass hay and grass grazing, oats, bran and a protein source such as peanut oil-cake meal or soy-bean oil-cake meal, among others.

To understand the feeding requirements of the farm horse, the following must be borne in mind:

  • Horses adapt readily to a regular routine. Horses should preferably be fed at the same time every day. If it is necessary to change the feeding routine, this should be done over a period of two weeks. This applies in particular to horses that have been resting for a certain period, and that are about to be used, for example during the ploughing season.

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  • Unlike cattle, horses are not able to consume large quantities of fodder in a short space of time. A horse with a mass of 500 kg has a stomach with a volume of about 7-15 litres, whereas the volume of the stomach of a head of cattle of the same mass could be as much as 252 liters.

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  • As a result, horses have to eat continuously to meet their nutritional requirements, and they eat mainly grass and coarse vegetable matter. Unlike cattle, horses do not ruminate, and consequently they are not able to utilise coarse vegetable matter as efficiently. Therefore the quality of the fodder is of the utmost importance.

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  • The type of work done by the farm horse determines the energy requirements of the horse. As the intensity of the work done by the farm horse increases, a supplement of grain may be essential.

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  • Well-prepared, fit farm horses are never fat. Too much fat places unnecessary strain on the horse's lungs and heart.

The fodder mixture


Click to enlarge!		 The fodder mixture can be divided into two main components, namely a hay component such as lucerne or grass, and 

Click to enlarge!		 a concentrate component such as oil-cake meal, or grains such as maize, oats or barley.

A complete feed mixture comprises proteins, carbohydrates and minerals, together with fibre to ensure good digestion and to prevent fermentation.

The following aspects are of importance in the composition of the feed mixture:

  • The age, size, and breed of the horse, and the purpose for which it is to be used, will determine the amount, type and proportion of the feed mixture.
  • During the early part of the pregnancy a brood mare can be maintained on planted grazing or on sweet veld. After eight months her needs will increase, and in order to supply in the demand for proteins, energy and minerals, a daily supplement of grain will be necessary.
  • On the other hand, a saddle horse which has worked hard for some hours will require a much larger amount of grain, especially for supplementing energy and minerals.
  • A lactating mare requires coarse fodder with a high protein content, such as lucerne hay, while grass hay is sufficient for an adult horse doing light work.
  • As far as the coarse fiber content of the fodder is concerned, the lactating mare will require rations of high digestibility; and as for the average daily amount in kilograms, she would need as much as 3 kg of fodder per day more than the adult horse mentioned in the example above.
  • The use of fodder components in the rations will be determined largely by the characteristics and deficiencies of the most common fodder types found on a farm.

Lucerne hay

Leafy lucerne hay of a good quality is an excellent coarse feed for horses. It has a high protein content and is rich in Vitamin A and calcium. However, it may be too bulky for horses doing hard work, and with its high calcium content an alternative source of phosphorus is essential to prevent imbalances.

Teff hay

Teff hay is very palatable, with a high level of digestibility, so that it is used particularly for horses working at a brisk pace.

Oats

This is the best grain for horses. It is very palatable, and with its good calcium : phosphorus ratio it is always a sound choice where the only hay fodder is lucerne. Oats is also a safe source of energy.

Wheat bran

Bran is palatable and has a light lactating effect. It is a rich source of energy and is also rich in phosphorus.

Peanut oil-cake flour and soy-bean oil-cake flour

Both of these are high-quality sources of protein, used in small quantities to prevent the occurrence of certain protein deficiencies; this in particular where low-quality hay is used, or where a horse has to work hard and its need for protein is great.


Click to enlarge!		 In practice the following must be borne in mind:
  • Divide horses into classes (e.g. stallions, pregnant mares, mares with foals, 

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young horses, working horses, old horses, etc.) and feed according to class.

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  • Follow a fixed routine.
  • Supply the hay component of the rations in a low crib or at 

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ground level since this is the natural feeding posture of a horse.

  • Feed a horse at least two hours before the animal has to work or be exercised.
  • Feed horses several times per day, rather than giving them large quantities of fodder at longer intervals. Changes in feeding must occur gradually, for example grain must not be increased by more than 200 grams per day. The same rule applies when reducing rations.
  • A working horse should preferably be given additional fodder at night in the stable, to ensure that the animal eats peacefully and digests its food efficiently.

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  • Stable-horses must get sufficient daily exercise.

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  • A horse must be cooled properly before it is given any fodder.

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  • Always use the best available fodder. Avoid dusty or mouldy fodder, and do not give horses fodder that contains grass seeds or poisonous plants.
  • If fodder had been stored for a long time, it may be necessary to immunise horses against botulism. Fodder that is more than one season old should preferably not be given to horses.
  • Horses should not be given finely ground fodder. Rather use a fodder cutter or a course sieve in a hammer mill. However, baled lucerne hay does not cause any problems.
  • The hay component of the fodder is always supplied before the corn ration component.
  • The addition of 1% salt and 1% bone-meal is advisable.

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  • It is essential that fresh, clean drinking water be available at all times.
  • The ribs of a working horse should not be visible. In practice it is found that on the same rations some horses get fat while others get lean.
  • Stable-horses need regular daily exercise.
  • A twice-yearly de-worming programme is essential to get rid of all parasites.

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  • The molar teeth of stable-horses and older horses sometimes wear abnormally, so that the horses' cheeks get hurt. If a horse's chewing is inadequate, the food does not get properly fragmented. This results in inadequate salivation, which hampers proper digestion.

AG Erasmus
ELSENBURG / LITTLE KAROO ADC