Equine Nutrition.....

This a commonly asked question among us horse people: Is what I'm feeding my horse a good thing for them? Well I'll answer that question in my blog post: Equine Nutrition is the graining of horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, or other equine. The correct and balanced nutrition is a critical point of important horse care. The horse only has one stomach. Therefore, when eating they have to digest plant fiber that comes from the source of grass and hay. When horses digest hay they use "microbial fermentation" in a part of their digestive system known as "cecum" to break down the many layers of "cellulose". Horses are grazing animals so they eat their meals in small amounts of food steadily throughout the day. This may not be possible of the modern culture today with stabling your horse and with our schedule today it may be impossible but when feeding, and free grazing your horse. Always think about the science of the horse when deciding what to feed, how often, and how much. The Digestive System of horses is a very delicate one. "Horses are not able to regurgitate food except from the esophagus." If horses are too hot or eat something that is toxic to them then they cannot "regurgitate" the food back up. "They also have a long, complex large intestine and a balance of beneficial microbes in their cecum that can be upset by rapid changes in feed." Because of these traits horses are very prone to colic which is a very painful way of a upset stomach. If you are going to feed your horse. Make sure that because of their fragile digestive system that you feed your horse something that is very high in fiber. "Horses are very sensitive to mold and toxin". Make sure that what you are feeding them is in a clean container, in a dry place, and away from the heat so the storage bin cannot grow mold. And also make sure you have a feed bin with a lid, and keep it away from moisture, or from getting wet at all times! Nutrients Like all animals, horses need five main classes of nutrients to survive on earth: water, energy in the form of fats or carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. In the equine the healthy sources of energy are fat and carbohydrates. The Protein in a horses life is crucial this is the building blocks for muscles and other tissues. Horses that are exercised a lot, that are growing, or that are expecting or nursing need the help of increased energy and protein in their diet. Vitamins and Minerals Minerals in the equine is required for the care of and function of the skeleton, nerves, and muscles. "These include calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and chloride are are very often found in a expensive high protein feed.