One of the most important aspects to consider in horse nutrition is whether the feed provided matches the nutritional needs of the horse according to the level of work required. This means ensuring the diet is balanced in terms of energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Another concern is the quality of the compound feed, including the raw materials used and how they are processed, when applicable.
Pasture
When it comes to pasture, legumes are valuable because they have higher levels of calcium and digestible protein compared to grasses, thus improving the nutritional value of the consumed forage. Legumes also contribute to soil fertility, while grasses are more resistant to grazing. Therefore, ideal horse pastures should be a mixture of both, with about 20–30% legumes.
Hay and Haylage
Hay and haylage are methods used to harvest and preserve forage, but they result in variable losses of nutritional value compared to fresh green forage. The optimal cutting stage for grasses is at early heading, and for legumes, at early bloom.
Cereal straw (from wheat, barley, oats, etc.) is characterized by low digestibility and minimal nutritional value. It is low in energy, protein, and essential minerals, and horses tend to consume less straw than hay. Therefore, straw should only be used in cases of forage scarcity.
Compound Feeds
Compound feeds for horses are intended to supplement forage. The main raw materials used in their formulation can be grouped into:
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Energy sources
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Protein sources
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Fibre sources
In addition to these base ingredients, compound feeds often include a premix of additives to balance the vitamin and mineral content of the final feed.
