Proper nutrition is key to a horse’s health, performance, and overall well-being.
A balanced diet gives horses the energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals they need for daily activities, muscle repair, and growth. Good nutrition also supports digestion, keeps them in good shape, and strengthens their immune system.
For working horses, a customized diet helps maintain energy, improve performance, and speed up recovery. Meeting your horse’s specific dietary needs is essential for keeping them healthy, happy, and thriving.
International Horse Services has a tailored horse feed specifically for horses in work.
Balancing the diet of a horse in moderate work requires a mix of forage and concentrates to meet its nutritional needs:
Energy: Carbohydrates and Fats
These are the main energy sources. The amount needed depends on workload. For moderate work, a horse may require around 20-25 Mcal per day.
Protein: Muscle Repair and Growth
Protein helps with muscle repair and growth. A horse in moderate work typically needs 10-12% of its diet to be protein.
Vitamins and Minerals
- Vitamin E: Supports muscle function.
- Vitamin B: Helps with energy metabolism.
- Electrolytes: Sodium, chloride, potassium, and magnesium are lost through sweat and need to be replaced.
Fiber: Roughage
At least 1-2% of the horse’s body weight should come from forage (hay or pasture) to maintain healthy digestion. For a 500 kg horse, that’s 5-6 kg of forage daily.
Water: Hydration
Adequate water intake is essential. A working horse may need up to 70 liters of water daily, especially in hot weather.
Example Diet for a 500 kg Horse in Moderate Work
- Forage: 6 kg of good-quality hay
- Concentrates: 4 kg of hard feed
- Supplements: Adjust according to the horse’s specific needs, living conditions, and workload.
Additional Tips
- Monitor Body Condition: Adjust the diet as needed based on the horse’s weight and performance.
- Hydration: Ensure access to clean, fresh water at all times.
- Regular Feeding Schedule: Feed small, frequent meals to support digestion and prevent colic.
The Conditioning Mix serves as an excellent foundation for your horse’s complete diet, comprising Lupins, Lucerne, and Canola – all cultivated in Western Australia.
Please Click below to open IHS Conditioner Nutrient Analysis and comparison against recommended daily rates for 500kg horse in moderate work.
We are confident that the IHS Conditioning Mix will reduce your costs by replacing more expensive base ingredients and enhance your horse’s condition due to the high-quality ingredients it contains.
Please contact us to receive a sample or find out more.