Concentrated horse feed: A guide to proper use and selection

Concentrated horse feed includes cereals and by-products of the milling industry (bran, meal, kitchen waste) obtained from the cultivation and processing of cereals and legumes. Oats, barley, corn, rye and wheat are the most commonly used cereals, both independently and as part of combined mixtures (muesli, granules). Of the legumes, soybeans are the most popular, because no other crop can be compared to it in terms of protein content and biological value. Peas can also be found in livestock feed. In Croatian conditions, oats are the basic concentrated meal for horses because they are relatively easy to grow and well absorbed by the horse's body. However, other types of cereals can be used with equal success for horse nutrition, as well as products of milling production - barley, corn, soybeans; rice, wheat and rye bran.

Challenges with concentrated foods

Cereals and legumes differ from grass and hay in their high protein content, rich in essential amino acids, and low fiber content, which has a positive effect on their nutritional value and digestibility. However, everything is good in moderation, and this especially applies to the use of cereals in horse nutrition. Namely, cereals, and especially oats and barley, contain a lot of rapidly fermenting carbohydrates that can cause a whole range of colic symptoms, as well as laminitis (inflammation of the hoof bone). The use of cereals is also limited by the fact that their composition is poor in calcium compared to the high phosphorus content, which can lead to a serious disease - fibrous osteodystrophy (depletion of calcium from the bones with subsequent softening and deformation). Therefore, no matter how nutritious and tasty concentrated horse food is, its share in the diet of an average horse (500 kg) should not exceed 40% of the total amount of food with daily training of at least 1.5-2 hours. It is difficult to specify more precise feeding standards because in each individual case, many factors will guide this: breed, weight, sex, temperament, physiological condition, level of stress, and, of course, the availability and quality of the feed used.

Dietary feed In the diet of horses, one cannot do without bran (rye, wheat, rice), which is a by-product of mill production. Bran is an excellent, easily digestible dietary food, traditionally used to prepare porridge with nutritious oats. As a rule, bran is an integral part of most animal feed (muesli, granules). Also, no recipe for food for horses with digestive system diseases can do without bran. However, along with the advantages, this food has a significant drawback - it contains a lot of phosphorus and little calcium. Therefore, a highly concentrated diet (where the share of cereals and bran exceeds 40% by volume) can lead to serious health problems. Troubles can be easily avoided by properly observing the structure of the ration and not exceeding the norms of feeding bran (no more than 1-2 kg per day), as well as adding mineral supplements containing calcium and phosphorus to the diet.

Balanced diet Unfortunately, whatever type of grass, hay, grain and bran or their combination you choose, it will be very difficult to achieve a balanced diet for your horse in terms of energy, vitamins, minerals, etc. Therefore, an increasing number of veterinarians, trainers and athletes prefer to use combined food. Feeds are produced for horses taking into account their age, physiological condition, intensity of work performed, so the food should be chosen based on these factors. Feeding standards are usually indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.

Safe Feeding When introducing concentrated horse feed into your diet, it is important to follow a few safety precautions. Always introduce your horse to new foods gradually. Never feed your horse immediately before or after intense exercise. Divide the daily amount of concentrated horse feed into several smaller meals to avoid overloading the digestive system. Always provide plenty of good quality drinking water. Every horse is an individual, so adjust the diet to its specific needs. If in doubt, always consult a veterinarian or equine nutritionist.