Penn State University Equine Environmental Stewardship Program In partnership with the Northeast Region Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program
Penn State Equine Stewardship Program Promoting Care of the Horse, the Environment, and the Industry Through Research and Education
Mission Statement Due to the continual growth and diversity of the equine industry in Pennsylvania and the increasingly important role that the industry plays in supporting agriculture, the Penn State Equine Stewardship Work Group has been established to provide current, research-based information that is both relevant and timely. The program promotes care of the horse and the environment for the entire industry by providing research and education designed to enhance environmental health, water quality, sustainable farm management practices, and horse health and wellbeing.
Result of Over feeding protein, Excess nutrients in the manure can negatively affect the fish and aquatic wildlife in streams, ponds, and lakes. Nutrients can leach into the groundwater, potentially contaminating well water you and your horses drink. Violates the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law P and K
How to Begin? Start by understanding the digestive tract of the horse
Digestive tract of the horse.
Horse digestive tract Volume (gal) Length (ft) Stomach 2-4 Small intestine 10-12 50-70 Cecum 7-8 3-4 Large colon 14-16 10-12 Small colon approx. 5 10
45 to 72 hrs for food to pass through to the horse s digestive tract.
The Horse s foregut is make up of: intestine the stomach and small The majority of starch (the principle component of cereal grains metabolized for energy), protein, fat, vitamins and minerals are digested and absorbed in the foregut (primarily in the small intestine)
The hindgut is make up of: cecum, large colon, small colon and rectum The hindgut contains microbes, which are bacteria and protozoa capable of digesting dietary fiber supplied by roughages. The horse does not produce enzymes that digest fiber and use microbes to break it down. Horses require fiber for the gut to function normally.
A horse requires five types of nutrients. Energy nutrients (carbohydrates and fats) Proteins Vitamins Minerals Water Each nutrient has an important role in the horse s body and is needed to keep the horse healthy. But only feed what the horse can utilize.
Goal: Healthy horse in good body condition
When feeding a horse take into account its: Age, weight, work and growth to determine its diet. Some horses are easier to feed and require fewer nutrients than others. Other horses are very difficult to feed and require special attention.
Estimate body weight Multiply the girth (in inches) times itself (heart girth 2) times the body length (in inches) and divide by 330. Example: Heart Girth = 74.8 inches Body length = 63 inches 74.8 x 74.8 x 63 330 = 1,068 pounds
When Balancing Rations: After determine the age, weight and level of activity or work of the horse. Determine the actual nutrient content of feed use a testing laboratory. Or read the lable. Use National Research Council tables as a guideline to determine available nutrients to meet your horse s requirements.
Hay test NIR or wet chemistry
Good quality hay is sufficient feed for a mature horse that is ridden very little. With an increase in work, grain should be added to its diet. To supplement what is missing in the forage.
Daily Feed Required (Average Adult 1,000-pound Horse): Approximate Amounts 1,000-pound hay grain No work 20-25 lbs. None Light (1-2 hrs./day)15-20 lbs. 1-3 lbs (1-1.5 lbs. Grain/hr. Of work) Medium (2-4 hrs./day)15-20 lbs. 3-8 lbs (1.5-2 lbs. Grain/hr. Of work) Heavy 15-20 lbs. 5-10 lbs (4- more hrs/day) (1.5-2.5 lbs. Grain/hr.Work)
Only a horse that is worked extremely hard would ever receive half of its ration in grain. A racehorse in heavy training is an example of a horse requiring half of its ration in grain. So never feed your pleasure horse more than it needs.
Daily Nutrient Requirement of the Average Horse ( 1,000 lb. weight) National Research Council D. Energy C. Protein Lysine Calcium Phosphorus (MCal) (grams) (grams) (grams) (grams) Mature horses Maintenance 16.4 656 23 20 14 Working horses Light work 20.5 820 29 25 18 Intense work 32.8 1,312 46 40 29 Stallion 20.5 820 29 25 18
The Horse s Nutrient Requirements increase as the horse s work load increases
Lactation is hard work
Daily Nutrient Requirement of the Average Mare ( 1,000 lb. weight) National Research Council D. Energy C. Protein Lysine Calcium Phosphorus (MCal) (grams) (grams) (grams) (grams) Mature Mare Pregnant mare 19.7 866 30 37 28 11 months Lactating mares: Foaling 28.3 1,427 50 56 36 to 3-months 3-months 24.3 1,048 37 36 22 to weaning
High quality protein provides essential amino acids Lysine
Over and under feeding horses can result in severe disorders in addition to Environmental Impacts t
Feeding Disorders Metabolic disorders Insulin resistance Obesity Laminitis Developmental orthopedic disease Digestive disorders Colic Laminitis Diarrhea
laminitis
Hoof Anatomy Coffin bone Hoof wall Laminar
Younger horses require special rations. Foal with DOD
Developmental Orthopedic Disease (DOD) Can be feed induced
Pasturing Horses and Other Livestock Most economical and easiest way to feed. Inconsistency of feed quantity and quality. Poisonous plants and weed can cause metabolic disturbances or death.
Photosensitization dermatitis
Selenium toxic: Hair loss & laminitis
Take Home Message Balance the ration. Do not feed excess nutrients. Excesses of some nutrients can inter-act with others. Use National Research Council tables. Metabolic disorders stem from imbalances. Feed amounts that are adequate to maintain desired body condition.
Penn State University Equine Natural Working Group Chairs Dr. Ann Swinker, PSU Equine Specialist aswinker@gmail.com, 814-865-7810 Tom Walker, Extension Central CEO tew11@psu.edu, 717-248-9618 Donna Foulk, PSU Northampton County Educator dlf5@psu.edu, 610-746-1970
Team Members Helene McKernan, PSU Equine Specialist hbm10@psu.edu, 570-726-0022 Nancy Kadwill, Extension CEO Southeast nmk1@psu.edu, 610-489-4315 Donna Zang, Extension CEO West dsz1@psu.edu, 724-287-4761 Lisa Jones, York Extension 4-H/Youth lhj5007@psu.edu, 717-840-7408 Pat Comerford, PSU Horse Specialist pcomerford@psu.edu, 8814-863-3657 Andrea Graeff Kocher, PSU Horse Specialist agraeff@psu.edu, 814-863-3957