Horses are herbivorous animals, and their diet mainly consists of various grasses and moderate amounts of concentrated feed.

forage

Hay: It is an important component of a horse's daily diet, commonly including alfalfa hay, Timothy hay, etc. Alfalfa hay has a high protein content and is rich in various vitamins and minerals, which can provide rich nutrition for horses and help maintain muscle growth and repair. Timothy hay has the characteristics of high fiber and low protein, which helps promote intestinal peristalsis in horses and prevent intestinal diseases.

The daily intake of hay by horses varies depending on factors such as age, weight, activity level, health status, and hay quality. Generally speaking, the daily intake of hay for adult horses is about 1.5% -2.5% of their body weight. For example, a horse weighing 500 kilograms needs to eat approximately 7.5-12.5 kilograms of hay per day. If it is a horse with a high level of exercise, such as racehorses or working horses, it may need to consume more hay to meet its energy needs, which can reach around 2.5% -3% of its body weight. And younger or pregnant or lactating mares will also have an increase in hay intake. In addition, good hay quality may result in relatively less feed intake for horses; Poor quality may require eating more to meet nutritional needs.

Fresh grass: In warm seasons, horses can consume fresh grass such as ryegrass, dog sage, etc. Fresh grass has a high moisture content and a good taste, which can provide sufficient moisture and certain nutrients for horses. However, it should be noted that horses should not consume too much fresh grass at once, especially after rain, to avoid indigestion or diarrhea.

concentrated feed

Grains: including oats, corn, barley, etc. Oats are one of the commonly used concentrated feed for horses. They are rich in carbohydrates and protein, which can provide energy for horses and have good palatability. Corn has high energy content but low protein content, and usually needs to be used in combination with other feed sources. Barley contains a higher amount of fiber, which helps with the digestion of horses.

Beans: such as soybean meal, soybeans, etc. Beans are rich in protein and fat, which can provide additional nutrition for horses. However, due to their high protein content, excessive consumption may burden the kidneys of horses, so they need to be fed in moderation.

In addition to hay, horses also require the following types of nutrients in their diet:

energy source

Grains, such as oats, corn, barley, etc., are important sources of energy for horses. They are rich in carbohydrates and can provide horses with sufficient calories to meet their daily activities, exercise training, and energy needs for growth and development.

Fat: can be obtained from vegetable oil, fish oil, or some oilseed crops. Moderate fat can increase the energy density of horse feed, help horses maintain body temperature in cold weather, and make their fur more shiny.

protein

Soybean meal: It is a high-quality source of plant protein, rich in amino acids, which can meet the protein needs of horses and help their muscle growth, repair, and maintain normal physiological functions.

Alfalfa: In addition to being a high-quality hay, it is also a good source of protein. Alfalfa has a high protein content and a balanced amino acid composition, which can provide rich nutrition for horses.

vitamin

Vitamin A: It is very important for the vision, skin, and bone health of horses and can be obtained from foods such as carrots and yellow corn.

Vitamin D: Helps horses absorb and utilize calcium and phosphorus, promotes bone development. Horses can synthesize some vitamin D on their own by exposing their skin to sunlight, and can also obtain it from some vitamin D-rich feed.

Vitamin E: It is an antioxidant that can protect horse cells from free radical damage and plays an important role in the health of the horse's reproductive system, muscles, and immune system. It is commonly found in fresh grass and vegetable oils.

mineral

Calcium and phosphorus: are key minerals for the development of horse bones and teeth, and it is necessary to maintain an appropriate calcium phosphorus ratio. It can be obtained from feed additives such as bone meal and calcium hydrogen phosphate.

Sodium and chlorine: supplied in the form of table salt, are crucial for maintaining acid-base balance, osmotic pressure, and normal function of nerves and muscles in horses.

Trace elements such as iron, zinc, manganese, selenium: Although horses have a lower demand for these trace elements, they play an irreplaceable role in their metabolism, immune function, and other aspects.

Of course, there are also some foods that horses cannot eat. Here are some foods that horses cannot eat:

Chocolate: contains theobromine and caffeine, and horses may experience poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, convulsions, and even death after consuming it.

Onion and garlic: These foods contain sulfides that can damage horses' red blood cells, leading to health problems such as anemia.

Avocado: Its flesh, skin, and core contain a toxin called "persin", which may cause digestive problems, breathing difficulties, and more in horses.

Alcohol: The liver of horses has limited ability to metabolize alcohol, and consuming alcohol can damage their liver and nervous system, leading to symptoms such as abnormal behavior and balance disorders.

Moldy and spoiled food: Moldy hay, grains, etc. may contain mycotoxins, which can cause toxic reactions in horses, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, liver damage, and other problems.

Toxic plants, such as oleander, foxglove, and parsley, may cause serious poisoning symptoms and even endanger life when ingested by horses.