Grass is a natural source of nutrition for a horse

Equine nutrition refers to the feeding of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and other equids. Correct and balanced nutrition is a critical component of proper horse care. Image File history File linksMetadata BayMare. ... Image File history File linksMetadata BayMare. ... Binomial name Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758 The horse (Equus caballus, sometimes seen as a subspecies of the Wild Horse, Equus ferus caballus) is a large odd-toed ungulate mammal, one of ten modern species of the genus Equus. ... A Shetland Pony A pony is any of several horse breeds with a specific conformation and temperament. ... A barren of mules. ... Binomial name Equus asinus Linnaeus, 1758 For other uses, see Donkey (disambiguation). ... Species - Donkey - Domestic Horse - Grevys Zebra - Onager - Przewalskis Horse - Plains Zebra - Mountain Zebra Equidae is the family of horse-like animals, order Perissodactyla. ... The updated USDA food pyramid, published in 2005, is a general nutrition guide for recommended food consumption. ... There are many aspects to horse care. ...

Horses are herbivores, a type of non-ruminant known as a "hind-gut fermentor." What this means is that horses have only one stomach, similar to humans. However, unlike humans, they also have to digest plant fiber that comes from grass and hay. Therefore, unlike ruminants, who digest fiber in plant matter by use of a multichambered stomach, horses use bacterial fermentation that occurs in the organ known as the cecum (or caecum) to break down cellulose. ^[1] In zoology, an herbivore is an animal that is adapted to eat primarily plants (rather than meat). ... Families Antilocapridae Bovidae Cervidae Giraffidae Moschidae Tragulidae A ruminant is any hooved animal that digests its food in two steps, first by eating the raw material and regurgitating a semi-digested form known as cud, then eating the cud, a process called ruminating. ... Natural vegetaton dominated by grasses Grass is a common word that generally describes a monocotyledonous green plant in the family Poaceae. ... Stacked hay in Romania A bale of grass hay weighing approximately 70 pounds, able to be managed by one person without need for mechanized equipment Close view of grass hay. ... Families Antilocapridae Bovidae Cervidae Giraffidae Moschidae Tragulidae A ruminant is any hooved animal that digests its food in two steps, first by eating the raw material and regurgitating a semi-digested form known as cud, then eating the cud, a process called ruminating. ... Fiber or fibre[1] is a class of materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces, similar to lengths of thread. ... With the exception of the animal varients box, this article deals with the human stomach. ... In anatomy of the digestive system, the cecum or caecum is a pouch connected to the large intestine between the ileum. ... Cellulose as polymer of β-D-glucose Cellulose in 3D Cellulose (C6H10O5)n is a long-chain polymeric polysaccharide carbohydrate, of beta-glucose [1][2]. It forms the primary structural component of green plants. ...

In practical terms, horses prefer to eat small amounts of food steadily throughout the day, as they do in nature when grazing on pasture.^[2] Although this is not always possible with modern stabling practices and human schedules that favor feeding horses twice a day, it is important to remember the underlying biology of the animal when determining what to feed, how often, and in what quantities. Grazing To feed on growing herbage, attached algae, or phytoplankton. ... Pastureland Pasture is land with lush herbaceous vegetation cover used for grazing of ungulates as part of a farm or ranch. ...

The digestive system of the horse is somewhat delicate. Because horses are unable to regurgitate food, except from the esophagus, if they overeat or eat something poisonous, vomiting is not an option.^[3] They are also very susceptible to colic, which is a leading cause of death in horses.^[4] Therefore, horses require clean, high-quality feed, provided at regular intervals, and may become ill if subjected to abrupt changes in their diets. ^[5] Because horses are also sensitive to molds and toxins, they must never be fed fermentable materials such as silage^[6] or lawn clippings.^[7] Regurgitation is the passive flow of stomach contents back into the esophagus and mouth. ... The esophagus (also spelled oesophagus/œsophagus, Greek ), or gullet is an organ in vertebrates which consists of a muscular tube through which food passes from the mouth area to the stomach. ... Vomiting (or emesis) is the forceful expulsion of the contents of ones stomach through the mouth. ... Colic in horses is defined as abdominal pain, but is a clinical sign or a symptom rather than a diagnosis. ... Silage (hay) somewhere in Allschwil or Schönenbuch, near Basel, Switzerland. ...

The digestive system

Main article: Horse anatomy

Horses and other members ol the Equidae family are adapted by evolutionary biology to eating small amounts of the same kind of food all day long. In the wild, horses ate prairie grasses in semi-arid regions and traveled significant distances each day in order to obtain adequate nutrition.^[8] Therefore, their digestive system was made to work best with a small but steady flow of food that does not change much from day to day. The anatomy of the horse comes with a large number of horse specific terms. ... Species - Donkey - African Wild Ass - Domestic Horse - Wild Horse - Grevys Zebra - Onager - Kiang - Plains Zebra - Cape Mountain Zebra - Hartmanns Mountain Zebra Equidae is the family of horse-like animals, order Perissodactyla. ... Evolutionary biology is a subfield of biology concerned with the origin and descent of species, as well as their change, multiplication, and diversity over time. ... Prairie refers to an area of land of low topographic relief that historically supported grasses and herbs, with few trees, and having generally a mesic (moderate or temperate) climate. ...

Chewing and swallowing

Digestion begins in the mouth. First, the animal selects pieces of forage and picks up finer foods, such as grain, with sensitive, prehensile, lips. The front teeth of the horse, called incisors, clip forage, and food is ground up for swallowing by the premolars and molars. ^[3] It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with mouth (human). ... Forage is the herbaceous plant material (mainly grasses and legumes) eaten by grazing animals. ... The word grain has several meanings, most being descriptive of a small piece or particle. ... Prehensility is the quality of an organ that has adapted for grasping or holding. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Horses teeth are often used to estimate the animals age, hence the saying Dont look a gift horse in the mouth. At five years of age a horse has forty teeth: twenty-four molars or jaw teeth twelve incisors or front teeth four tusks or canine teeth between... Incisors are the first kind of tooth in heterodont mammals. ... Forage is the herbaceous plant material (mainly grasses and legumes) eaten by grazing animals. ... The premolar teeth or bicuspids are transitional teeth located between the canine and molar teeth. ... A molar is the fourth kind of tooth in mammals. ...

The esophagus carries food to the stomach. The esophagus enters the stomach at an acute angle, creating a one-way valve, with a powerful spincter mechanism at the gastroesophageal junction, which is why horses cannot vomit.^[3] The esophagus is also the area of the digestive tract where horses may suffer from choke. (see "Illnesses related to improper feeding," below) The esophagus (also spelled oesophagus/Å“sophagus, Greek ), or gullet is an organ in vertebrates which consists of a muscular tube through which food passes from the mouth area to the stomach. ... Vomiting (or emesis) is the forceful expulsion of the contents of ones stomach through the mouth. ... Choke is a condition in horses in which the esophagus is blocked, usually by food material. ...

The stomach and small intestine

Horses have a relatively small stomach for their size, which limits the amount of feed that can be taken in at one time. The average sized horse has a stomach with a capacity of only four gallons, and works best when it contains about two gallons. One reason continuous foraging or several small feedings per day are better than one or two large meals is because the stomach begins to empty when it is 2/3 full, whether the food in the stomach is processed or not.^[3] With the exception of the animal varients box, this article deals with the human stomach. ...

The small intestine is 50 to 70 feet long and holds 10 to 12 gallons. This is the major digestive organ where most nutrients are absorbed.^[9] Bile from the liver acts here, combined with enzymes from the pancreas and small intestine itself. Equids do not have a gall bladder, so bile flows constantly, another reason for a slow but steady supply of food. Most nutrition is absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine.^[3] In biology the small intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract (gut) between the stomach and the large intestine. ... Bile (or gall) is a bitter, greenish-yellow alkaline fluid secreted by hepatocytes from the liver of most vertebrates. ... The liver is an organ in some animals, including vertebrates (and therefore humans). ... Ribbon diagram of the enzyme TIM, surrounded by the space-filling model of the protein. ... The pancreas is an organ in the digestive and endocrine system that serves two major functions: exocrine (producing pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes) and endocrine (producing several important hormones, including insulin). ... The gallbladder (or cholecyst) is a pear-shaped organ that stores bile (or gall) until the body needs it for digestion. ...

The cecum and large intestine

The cecum is the first section of the large intestine. It is also known as the "water gut" or "hind gut." It is a cul-de-sac pouch,^[9] about 4 feet long that holds 7 to 8 gallons. It digests cellulose plant fiber through bacterial fermentation.^[1] The reason horses must have their diets changed slowly is so the bacteria in the cecum are able to modify and adapt to the different chemical structure of new feedstuffs.^[9] Too abrupt a change in diet can cause colic, as the new food is not properly digested. In anatomy of the digestive system, the cecum or caecum is a pouch connected to the large intestine between the ileum. ... The large intestine, or the organ which is now more commonly referred to as the colon, is the last part of the digestive system: the final stage of the alimentary canal in vertebrate animals. ... Cellulose as polymer of β-D-glucose Cellulose in 3D Cellulose (C6H10O5)n is a long-chain polymeric polysaccharide carbohydrate, of beta-glucose [1][2]. It forms the primary structural component of green plants. ... Fiber or fibre[1] is a class of materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces, similar to lengths of thread. ... Fermentation in progress Fermentation typically refers to the conversion of sugar to alcohol using yeast. ...

The large colon, small colon, and rectum make up the remainder of the large intestine. The large colon is 10-12 feet long and holds up to 20 gallons of semi-liquid matter. Its main purpose it to absorb carbohydrates which were broken down from cellulose in the cecum. Due to its many twists and turns, it is a common place for a type of horse colic called an impaction.^[1][9] The small colon is 10-12 feet long, holds about 5 gallons, is the area where the majority of water is absorbed, and where fecal balls are formed. The rectum is about one foot long, and acts as a holding chamber for waste, which is then expelled from the body via the anus.^[3] Colon has several meanings: colon (anatomy) colon (punctuation) colon (rhetoric) See also Colón This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. ... The large intestine, or the organ which is now more commonly referred to as the colon, is the last part of the digestive system: the final stage of the alimentary canal in vertebrate animals. ... Colic in horses is defined as abdominal pain, but is a clinical sign or a symptom rather than a diagnosis. ... Feces (also spelled faeces in British English, or fæces) are semi-solid waste products from the digestive tract expelled through the anus (or cloaca) during defecation. ... The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. ... Female Human Anatomy Male Human Anatomy This article is about the bodily orifice. ...

Nutrients

Equines require five main classes of nutrients to survive: water, energy (primarily in the form of fats and carbohydrates), proteins, vitamins, and minerals.^[10] Impact of a drop of water Water is a chemical substance that is essential to all known forms of life[1]. It covers 71% of Earths surface. ... FAT may mean: DILL :]] Factory acceptance test (see Acceptance test), a software engineering concept Far Eastern Air Transport, an airline of the Republic of China on Taiwan File Allocation Table, a file system format used by Microsoft operating systems; and others Forces Armées Tchadiennes, the Chad armed forces of... Carbohydrates (literally hydrates of carbon) are chemical compounds that act as the primary biological means of storing or consuming energy, other forms being fat and protein. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... Retinol (Vitamin A) For the record label, see Vitamin Records Vitamins are nutrients required in very small amounts for essential metabolic reactions in the body. ... Minerals are natural compounds formed through geological processes. ...

Water

Water is necessary for life. Horses can only live a few days without water.^[10] Therefore, it is critically important to provide access to a fresh, clean, and adequate supply of water. Impact of a drop of water Water is a chemical substance that is essential to all known forms of life[1]. It covers 71% of Earths surface. ...

An average horse drinks 10 to 12 gallons of water per day, more in hot weather or when eating dry forage such as hay, less in cool weather or when on lush pasture. When under hard work, or for the lactating mare, water requirements may be up to four times greater than normal.^[1][11] Stacked hay in Romania A bale of grass hay weighing approximately 70 pounds, able to be managed by one person without need for mechanized equipment Close view of grass hay. ... Pastureland Pasture is land with lush herbaceous vegetation cover used for grazing of ungulates as part of a farm or ranch. ... A breastfeeding infant Breastfeeding is the practice of a woman feeding an infant (or sometimes a toddler or a young child) with milk produced from her mammary glands, usually directly from the nipples. ... 13 year old Peruvian Paso mare A broodmare and foal In English, a mare (an old Germanic word) is a female horse; the word is also an etymological root of marshal (originally marescalcus horse servant). Mares are considered easier to handle than males, which are called stallions or after castration...

Water plays an important part in digestion. The forages and grains horses eat are mixed with saliva in the mouth to make a moist bolus that can be easily swallowed. Therefore, horses produce up to 10 gallons (85 lb.) of saliva per day.^[9] Saliva is the watery and usually somewhat frothy substance produced in the mouths of humans and some animals. ...

Energy nutrients and protein

Nutritional sources of energy are fat and carbohydrates.^[6] Protein is a critical building block for muscles and other tissues.^[12] Horses that are heavily exercised, growing, pregnant or lactating need increased energy and protein in their diet.^[1] However, if a horse has too much energy in its diet and not enough exercise, it can become too high-spirited and difficult to handle.^[13] FAT may mean: DILL :]] Factory acceptance test (see Acceptance test), a software engineering concept Far Eastern Air Transport, an airline of the Republic of China on Taiwan File Allocation Table, a file system format used by Microsoft operating systems; and others Forces Armées Tchadiennes, the Chad armed forces of... Lactose is a disaccharide found in milk. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... A pregnant woman Pregnancy is the process by which a mammalian female carries a live offspring from conception until it develops to the point where the offspring is capable of living outside the womb. ... A breastfeeding infant Breastfeeding is the practice of a woman feeding an infant (or sometimes a toddler or a young child) with milk produced from her mammary glands, usually directly from the nipples. ...

Fat exists in low levels in plants and can be added to increase the energy density of the diet. Fat has 9 Mcal/kg of energy,^[1] which is 2.25 times that of any carbohydrate source.^[14] Because equids have no gall bladder to store large quantities of bile, which flows continuously from the liver directly into the stomach, fat, though a necessary nutrient, is difficult for them to digest and utilize in large quantities.^[15] However, they are able digest a greater amount of fat than can cattle.^[13] Horses benefit from up to 8% fat in their diets, but more does not always provide a visible benefit. Horses can only have 15%-20% fat in their diet without the risk of developing diarrhea.^[14] FAT may mean: DILL :]] Factory acceptance test (see Acceptance test), a software engineering concept Far Eastern Air Transport, an airline of the Republic of China on Taiwan File Allocation Table, a file system format used by Microsoft operating systems; and others Forces Armées Tchadiennes, the Chad armed forces of... Bile (or gall) is a bitter, greenish-yellow alkaline fluid secreted by hepatocytes from the liver of most vertebrates. ... The liver is an organ in some animals, including vertebrates (and therefore humans). ... FAT may mean: DILL :]] Factory acceptance test (see Acceptance test), a software engineering concept Far Eastern Air Transport, an airline of the Republic of China on Taiwan File Allocation Table, a file system format used by Microsoft operating systems; and others Forces Armées Tchadiennes, the Chad armed forces of... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Binomial name Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 Cattle (often called cows in vernacular and contemporary usage, or kye as the Scots plural of cou) are domesticated ungulates, a member of the subfamily Bovinae of the family Bovidae. ... Types 5-7 on the Bristol Stool Chart are often associated with diarrhea Diarrhea (in American English) or diarrhoea (in British English) is a generally unpleasant condition in which the sufferer has frequent watery, loose bowel movements (from the ancient Greek word διαρροή = leakage; literally meaning to run through). Acute infectious...

Carbohydrates, the main energy source in most rations, are usually fed in the form of hay, grass and grain. Soluble carbohydrates such as starches and sugars are readily broken down to glucose in the small intestine and absorbed. Insoluble carbohydrates, such as fiber (cellulose), are not digested by enzymes, but are fermented by microbes in the cecum and large intestine to break down and release their energy sources, the volatile fatty acids.^[1] Carbohydrates (literally hydrates of carbon) are chemical compounds that act as the primary biological means of storing or consuming energy, other forms being fat and protein. ... Stacked hay in Romania A bale of grass hay weighing approximately 70 pounds, able to be managed by one person without need for mechanized equipment Close view of grass hay. ... Natural vegetaton dominated by grasses Grass is a common word that generally describes a monocotyledonous green plant in the family Poaceae. ... The word grain has several meanings, most being descriptive of a small piece or particle. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Solution. ... Starch (CAS# 9005-25-8) is a complex carbohydrate which is soluble in water; it is used by plants as a way to store excess glucose. ... Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Glucose (Glc), a monosaccharide (or simple sugar), is the most important carbohydrate in biology. ... In chemistry, especially biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid often with a long unbranched aliphatic tail (chain), which is either saturated or unsaturated. ...

Soluble carbohydrates are found in nearly every feed source; corn has the highest amount, then barley and oats. Forages normally have only 6 to 8% soluble carbohydrate, but under certain conditions can have up to 30%. Sudden ingestion of large amounts of starch or high sugar feeds can cause colic or laminitis.^[6] For other uses, see Maize (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Hordeum vulgare L. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a major food and animal feed crop, a member of the grass family Poaceae. ... Species References ITIS 41455 2002-09-22 Oats are the seeds of any of several cereal grains in the genus Avena. ... Forage is the herbaceous plant material (mainly grasses and legumes) eaten by grazing animals. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

Protein is used in all parts of the body, especially muscle, blood, hormones, hooves, and hair cells.^[16] The main building blocks of protein are amino acids. Alfalfa and other legumes in hay are good sources of protein that can be easily added to the diet. Most adult horses only require 8 to 10% protein in their diet; however, higher protein is important for lactating mares and young growing foals.^[12] A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... A top-down view of skeletal muscle Muscle (from Latin musculus little mouse [1]) is contractile tissue of the body and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. ... Human blood smear: a - erythrocytes; b - neutrophil; c - eosinophil; d - lymphocyte. ... Norepinephrine A hormone (from Greek όρμή - to set in motion) is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. ... The horse hoof is the distal phalanx of the III digit of the four limbs of Equus species, and it is covered by complex horny structures. ... Phenylalanine is one of the standard amino acids. ... Binomial name Medicago sativa L. Subspecies subsp. ... Varieties of soybean seeds, a popular legume The term legume has two closely related meanings in botany, a situation encountered with many botanical common names of useful plants whereby an applied name can refer to either the plant itself, or to the edible fruit (or useful part). ... Stacked hay in Romania A bale of grass hay weighing approximately 70 pounds, able to be managed by one person without need for mechanized equipment Close view of grass hay. ... A foal is a young horse of either gender; a female foal is called a filly, while a male foal is called a colt. ...

Vitamins and minerals

Many commercially prepared vitamin and mineral supplements are available for horses

Horses that are not subjected to hard work or extreme conditions usually have more than adequate amounts of vitamins in their diet if they are receiving fresh, green, leafy forages. Sometimes a vitamin supplement is needed when feeding low-quality hay, if a horse is under stress (traveling, showing, racing, and so on), or not eating well due to illness. Grain has a different balance of nutrients than forage, and so requires specialized supplementation to prevent an imbalance of vitamins and minerals.^[1] Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (3200 × 2400 pixel, file size: 621 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Equine nutrition Metadata... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (3200 × 2400 pixel, file size: 621 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Equine nutrition Metadata...

Minerals are required for maintenance of the skeleton, nerves and muscles. These include calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and chloride, and are commonly found in most good-quality feeds. Horses also need trace minerals such as magnesium, selenium, copper, zinc and iodine. Normally, if adult animals at maintenance levels are consuming fresh hay or are on pasture, they will receive adequate amounts of minerals in their diet, with the exception of sodium chloride (salt), which must be provided, preferably free choice.^[17] A human skeleton - (endoskeleton) In biology, the skeleton (from Greek σκελετός, dried-up) or skeletal system is the biological system providing physical support in living organisms. ... Nerves (yellow) Nerves redirects here. ... General Name, Symbol, Number calcium, Ca, 20 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, Period, Block 2, 4, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 40. ... General Name, Symbol, Number phosphorus, P, 15 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 15, 3, p Appearance waxy white/ red/ black/ colorless Atomic mass 30. ... General Name, Symbol, Number sodium, Na, 11 Chemical series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1, 3, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 22. ... General Name, Symbol, Number potassium, K, 19 Chemical series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1, 4, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 39. ... The chloride ion is formed when the element chlorine picks up one electron to form an anion (negatively-charged ion) Cl−. The salts of hydrochloric acid HCl contain chloride ions and are also called chlorides. ... Microminerals (also known as trace elements) are micronutrients that are chemical elements. ... General Name, Symbol, Number magnesium, Mg, 12 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, Period, Block 2, 3, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 24. ... Se redirects here. ... General Name, Symbol, Number copper, Cu, 29 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 4, d Appearance metallic pinkish red Atomic mass 63. ... General Name, Symbol, Number zinc, Zn, 30 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 12, 4, d Appearance bluish pale gray Atomic mass 65. ... General Name, Symbol, Number iodine, I, 53 Chemical series halogens Group, Period, Block 17, 5, p Appearance violet-dark gray, lustrous Atomic mass 126. ... A magnified crystal of a salt (halite/sodium chloride) Salt covering the floor of Bad Water in Death Valley, CA, the lowest point in the US. A salt, in chemistry, is any ionic compound composed of cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negative ions) so that the product is neutral...

Calcium and phosphorus are needed in a specific ratio of between 1:1 and 2:1. Adult horses can tolerate up to a 5:1 ratio, foals no more than 3:1. A total ration with a higher ratio of phosphorus than calcium should never be fed. ^[17]

Foals and young growing horses through their first three to four years have special nutritional needs and require feeds that are balanced with a proper calcium:phosphorus ratio and other trace minerals. A number of skeletal problems may occur in young animals with an unbalanced diet.^[17] Hard work increases the need for minerals; sweating depletes sodium, potassium, and chloride from the horse’s system. Therefore, supplementation with electrolytes may be required for horses in intense training, especially in hot weather.^[1] A foal is a young horse of either gender; a female foal is called a filly, while a male foal is called a colt. ... A human skeleton - (endoskeleton) In biology, the skeleton (from Greek σκελετός, dried-up) or skeletal system is the biological system providing physical support in living organisms. ... An electrolyte is a substance containing free ions which behaves as an electrically conductive medium. ...

Types of feed

Forages, such as hay, make up the largest portion of the equine diet by weight.

Equids can consume approximately 2% to 2.5% of their body weight in dry feed each day. Therefore, a 1000 lb adult horse could eat up to 25 pounds of food.^[18] Foals less than six months of age eat 2 to 4% of their weight each day.^[19] Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 714 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1595 × 1339 pixel, file size: 203 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Horse care Equine... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 714 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1595 × 1339 pixel, file size: 203 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Horse care Equine... Stacked hay in Romania A bale of grass hay weighing approximately 70 pounds, able to be managed by one person without need for mechanized equipment Close view of grass hay. ... Species - Donkey - Domestic Horse - Grevys Zebra - Onager - Przewalskis Horse - Plains Zebra - Mountain Zebra Equidae is the family of horse-like animals, order Perissodactyla. ... A foal is a young horse of either gender; a female foal is called a filly, while a male foal is called a colt. ...

Solid feeds are placed into three categories: forages (such as hay and grass), concentrates (including grain or pelleted rations), and supplements (such as prepared vitamin or mineral pellets). Equine nutritionists recommend that 50% or more of the animal's diet by weight should be forages.^[19] If a horse is working hard and requires more energy, the use of grain is increased and the percentage of forage decreased so that the horse obtains the energy content it needs for the work it is performing. However, forage amount should never go below 1% of the horse's body weight per day.^[18] Forage is the herbaceous plant material (mainly grasses and legumes) eaten by grazing animals. ... The word grain has several meanings, most being descriptive of a small piece or particle. ...

Forages

Good quality grass hay is green and has visible leaves and young seed heads.

Forages, also known as "roughage," are plant materials classified as legumes or grasses, found in pastures or in hay. Often, pastures and hayfields will contain a bland of both grasses and legumes. Nutrients available in forage vary greatly with maturity of the grasses, fertilization, management, and environmental conditions.^[18] Grasses are tolerant of a wide range of conditions and contain most necessary nutrients. Some commonly used grasses include orchard grass, brome, timothy, bluegrass, coastal bermuda and fescue. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2486x1166, 307 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Hay Equine nutrition Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2486x1166, 307 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Hay Equine nutrition Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Varieties of soybean seeds, a popular legume Pea pods The term legume has two closely related meanings in botany, a situation encountered with many botanical common names of useful plants, whereby an applied name can refer to either the plant itself, or to the edible fruit (or useful part). ... Natural vegetaton dominated by grasses Grass is a common word that generally describes a monocotyledonous green plant in the family Poaceae. ... Pastureland Pasture is land with lush herbaceous vegetation cover used for grazing of ungulates as part of a farm or ranch. ... Stacked hay in Romania A bale of grass hay weighing approximately 70 pounds, able to be managed by one person without need for mechanized equipment Close view of grass hay. ...

Legumes such as clover or alfalfa are usually higher in protein, calcium, and energy than grasses. However, they require warm weather and good soil to produce the best nutrients. Legume hays are generally higher in protein than the grass hays. They are also higher in minerals, particularly calcium, but have an incorrect ratio of calcium to phosphorus. Because they are high in protein, they are very desirable for growing horses or those subjected to very hard work, but the calcium:phosphorus ratio must be balanced by other feeds to prevent bone abnormalities.^[6] Species See text Clover is my sisters name! Clover (Trifolium) is a genus of about 300 species of plants in the pea family Fabaceae. ... Binomial name Medicago sativa L. Subspecies subsp. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... General Name, Symbol, Number calcium, Ca, 20 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, Period, Block 2, 4, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 40. ...

Hay is a dried mixture of grasses and legumes. It cut in the field and then dried and baled for storage.^[18] Hay is most nutritious when it is cut early on, before the seed heads are fully mature and before the stems of the plants become tough and thick. Hay that is very green can be a good indicator of the amount of nutrients in the hay; however, color should not be used as sole indicator - smell and texture are also important.^[20] Hay can be analyzed by many laboratories and that is the most reliable way to tell the nutritional values it contains.^[10] Moldy or dusty hay should not be fed to horses. Stacked hay in Romania A bale of grass hay weighing approximately 70 pounds, able to be managed by one person without need for mechanized equipment Close view of grass hay. ... Natural vegetaton dominated by grasses Grass is a common word that generally describes a monocotyledonous green plant in the family Poaceae. ... Varieties of soybean seeds, a popular legume Pea pods The term legume has two closely related meanings in botany, a situation encountered with many botanical common names of useful plants, whereby an applied name can refer to either the plant itself, or to the edible fruit (or useful part). ...

Hay, particularly alfalfa, is sometimes compressed into pellets or cubes. Processed hay can be of more consistent quality and is more convenient to ship and to store. However, these more concentrated forms can easily be overfed and horses are somewhat more prone to choke on them. Choke is a condition in horses in which the esophagus is blocked, usually by food material. ...

Haylage is a term for grass sealed in airtight plastic bags, a form of forage that is fed in the United Kingdom but is not seen in the United States.^[21] Another type of forage sometimes provided to horses is beet pulp, a byproduct left over from the processing of sugar beets, which is high in energy as well as fiber.^[13] Beet pulp is a byproduct left over from the processing of sugar beets, it is sometimes fed to horses and other animals because it is high in energy and fiber. ... Two sugar beets - the one on the left has been cultivated to be smoother than the traditional beet, so that it traps less soil. ...

Sometimes, straw or chaff from cereal grains is fed to animals. However, this is roughage with little nutritional value. It is not recommended by nutritionists as a horse feed, though it is sometimes used as a filler; it can slow down horses who eat their grain too fast,^[22] or it can provide additional fiber when the horse must meet most nutritional needs via concentrated feeds.^[23] Straw is more often used as a bedding in stalls to absorb wastes. Bales of straw bundles of rice straw Pile of straw bales, sheltered under a tarpaulin Straw is an agricultural byproduct, the dry stalk of a cereal plant, after the nutrient grain or seed has been removed. ... Chaff is the seed casings and other inedible plant matter harvested with cereal grains such as wheat. ... Cereal crops are mostly grasses cultivated for their edible seeds (actually a fruit called a grain, technically a caryopsis). ...

Concentrates

Oats

A premixed ration of crimped corn, oats, barley and pelleted supplement

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1210x1198, 240 KB) Picture taken by myself: (nl:Haverkorrels) Avena sativa; Avena sativa File links The following pages link to this file: Oat ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1210x1198, 240 KB) Picture taken by myself: (nl:Haverkorrels) Avena sativa; Avena sativa File links The following pages link to this file: Oat ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 554 pixel Image in higher resolution (3200 × 2217 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 554 pixel Image in higher resolution (3200 × 2217 pixel, file size: 1. ...

Grains

Oats are the most popular grain for horses. Oats have a lower digestible energy value and higher fiber content than most other grains. They form a loose mass in the stomach that is well suited to the equine digestive system. They are also more palatable and digestible other grains.^[16][6] Binomial name Avena sativa Carolus Linnaeus (1753) The Oat (Avena sativa) is a species of cereal grain, and the seeds of this plant. ... The word grain has several meanings, most being descriptive of a small piece or particle. ...

Corn, referred to as Maize in the UK, is the second most palatable grain. It provides twice as much digestible energy as an equal volume of oats and is low in fiber. Because of these characteristics, is easy to over-feed corn, causing obesity, so horses are seldom fed corn all by itself. Nutritionists caution horse owners that moldy corn should never be fed because it is poisonous to horses.^[10] For other uses, see Maize (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Maize (disambiguation). ...

Barley is also fed to horses, but needs to be processed to crack the seed hull and allow easier digestibility.^[6] It is frequently fed in combination with oats and corn, a mix informally referred to by the acronym "COB" (for Corn, Oats and Barley). Binomial name Hordeum vulgare L. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a major food and animal feed crop, a member of the grass family Poaceae. ...

Wheat is generally not used as a concentrate. However, wheat bran is sometimes added to the diet of a horse for supplemental nutrition, usually moistened and in the form or a bran mash.^[6] Wheat bran is high in phosphorus, so must be fed carefully so that it does not cause an imbalance in the Ca:P ratio of a ration. Once touted for a laxative effect, this use of bran is now considered unnecessary, as horses, unlike humans, obtain sufficient fiber in their diets from other sources.^[13] Species T. aestivum T. boeoticum T. compactum T. dicoccoides T. dicoccon T. durum T. monococcum T. spelta T. sphaerococcum T. timopheevii References:   ITIS 42236 2002-09-22 For the indie rock group see: Wheat (band). ... Bran is the hard outer layer of cereal grains, and consists of combined aleurone and pericarp. ...

Mixes and Pellets

Many feed manufacturers combine various grains and add additional vitamin and mineral supplements to create a complete premixed feed that is easy for owners to feed and of predictable nutritional quality.^[16] Some of these prepared feeds are manufactured in pelleted form, others retain the grains in their original form.^[24][25] In many cases molasses as a binder to keep down dust and for increased palatability.^[6] Grain mixes with added molasses are usually called "Sweet feed" in the USA and "Course mix" in the United Kingdom. Pelleted or extruded feeds (sometimes referred to as "nuts" in the UK) may be easier to chew and result in less wasted feed. Horses generally eat pellets as easily as grain. However, pellets are also more expensive, and even "complete" rations do not eliminate the necessity for forage.^[26] Molasses or treacle is a thick syrup by-product from the processing of the sugarcane or sugar beet into sugar. ...

Supplements

The average modern horse on good hay or pasture with light work usually does not need supplements; however, horses subjected to stress due to age, intensive athletic work, or reproduction may need additional nutrition.^[18] Extra fat and protein are sometimes added to the horse's diet, along with vitamin and mineral supplements.^[14]

Soybean meal is a common protein supplement, and averages about 44% crude protein. The protein in soybean meal is high-quality, with the proper ratio of dietary essential amino acids for equids. Cottonseed meal, Linseed meal, and peanut meal are also used, but are not as common.^[12] Binomial name Glycine max (L.) Merr. ... Phenylalanine is one of the standard amino acids. ... Cotton plant as imagined and drawn by John Mandeville in the 14th century Cotton, from the Arabic qutun, is a soft fiber that grows around the seeds of the Cotton plant (Gossypium spp. ... Binomial name Linum usitatissimum L. Linnaeus, 17?? Common flax (also known as linseed) is a member of the Linaceae family, which includes about 150 plant species widely distributed around the world. ...

Vegetable oil is a common fat source added to a ration. Corn oil is particularly popular, but other oils are used as well.^[14] Rice bran is a very good fat supplement that contains 20% fat as well as fiber and other nutrients. ^[27] Flax seed is another good source of fat, though it must ground up for horses to digest it.^[28] Some commercial feed manufacturers now make products containing both flaxseed and rice bran.^[29] It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with cooking oil. ... Corn oil is oil extracted from the germ of corn. ... Rice bran is the layer underneath the rice hull rich in oils. ... Binomial name Linum usitatissimum Linnaeus. ...

There are hundreds, if not thousands of commercially prepared vitamin and mineral supplements on the market, many tailored to horses with specialized needs.^[30]

Balance and content of feed rations

A pelleted or extruded horse ration contains grain and other plant products, plus vitamin and mineral supplements.

Most horses only need quality forage, water and a salt or mineral block.^[10] Grain or other concentrates are often not necessary.^[5] But, when grain or other concentrates are fed, quantities must be carefully monitored. To do so, horse feed is measured by weight, not volume. For example, 1 lb. of oats has a different volume than 1 lb. of corn.^[1] When continuous access to feed is not possible, it is more consistent with natural feeding behavior to provide three small feedings per day instead of one or two large ones. However, even two daily feedings is preferable to only one.^[7] To gauge the amount to feed, a weight tape, available at most feed stores, can be used to provide a reasonably accurate estimate of a horse's weight. The tape measures the circumference of the horse's barrel, just behind the withers and elbows, and the tape is calibrated to convert inches or centimeters into approximate pounds or kilograms. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 592 pixel Image in higher resolution (2635 × 1951 pixel, file size: 669 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Equine nutrition Metadata... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 592 pixel Image in higher resolution (2635 × 1951 pixel, file size: 669 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Equine nutrition Metadata... The anatomy of the horse comes with a large number of horse specific terms. ...

Feeding forages

Equids always require forage. When possible, nutritionists recommend it be available at all times, at least when doing so does not overfeed the animal and lead to obesity. It is safe to feed a ration that is 100% forage^[5] (along with water and supplemental salt), and any feed ration should be at least 50% forage.^[19] Hay with alfalfa or other legumes has more concentrated nutrition and so is fed in smaller amounts than grass hay, though many hays have a mixture of both types of plant.

When beet pulp is fed, a ration of 2 to 5 pounds is usually soaked in water for 3 to 4 hours prior to feeding in order to make it more palatable, and to minimize the risk of choke and other problems. It is usually soaked in a proportion of one part beet pulp to two parts water. Beet pulp is usually fed in addition to hay, but occasionally is a replacement for hay when fed to very old horses who can no longer chew properly.^[13] Beet pulp is a byproduct left over from the processing of sugar beets, it is sometimes fed to horses and other animals because it is high in energy and fiber. ...

Some pelleted rations are designed to be a "complete" feed that contains both hay and grain, meeting all the horse's nutritional needs. However, even these rations should have some hay or pasture provided, a minimum of a half-pound of forage for every 100 pounds of horse, in order to keep the digestive system functioning properly and to meet the horse's urge to graze.^[26]

Feeding concentrates

Concentrates, when fed, are recommended to be provided in quantities no greater than 1% of a horse's body weight per day,^[18] and preferably in two or more feedings.^[1] If a ration needs to contain a higher percent of concentrates, such as that of a race horse, bulky grains such as oats should be used as much as possible; a loose mass of feed helps prevent impaction colic.^[31] Horse-racing is an equestrian sporting activity which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times were an early example, as was the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. ...

In general, the portion of the ration that should be grain or other concentrated feed is 0 to 10% grain for mature idle horses; between 20 to 70% for horses at work, depending on age, intensity of activity and energy requirements.^[19] Concentrates should not be fed to horses within one hour before or after a heavy workout.^[5] Concentrates also need to be adjusted to level of performance.^[10] Not only can excess grain and inadequate exercise lead to behavior problems,^[13] it may also trigger Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis, or "tying up," in horses prone to the condition.^[31] Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER) or Tying Up or Azoturia or Monday Morning Disease is a syndrome that damages the muscle tissue in horses. ...

Access to water

Horses normally require free access to all the fresh, clean water they want. However, water may need to be temporarily limited in quantity when a horse is very hot after a heavy workout. As long as a hot horse continues to work, it can drink its fill at periodic intervals, provided that common sense is used and that an overheated horse is not forced to drink from extremely cold water sources. But when the workout is over, a horse needs to be cooled out and walked for 30—90 minutes before it can be allowed all the water it wants at one time. However, dehydration is also a concern, so some water needs to be offered during the cooling off process. A hot horse will properly rehydrate while cooling off if offered a few swallows of water every three to five minutes while being walked. Sometimes the thirst mechanism does not immediately kick in following a heavy workout, which is another reason to offer periodic refills of water throughout the cooling down period.^[11][13] Impact of a drop of water Water is a chemical substance that is essential to all known forms of life[1]. It covers 71% of Earths surface. ...

Special feeding issues for Ponies

Ponies need less feed than full-sized horses

Ponies and miniature horses need less feed than full-sized horses. This is not only because they are smaller, but also, because they evolved under harsher living conditions than horses, they use feed more efficiently.^[32] Ponies easily become obese from overfeeding and therefore are at high risk for colic and, especially, laminitis. Fresh grass is a particular danger to ponies; they can develop laminitis in as little as one hour of grazing on lush pasture.^[33] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2400 × 1800 pixel, file size: 537 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Grace of Carlung, Highland Pony champion at the Royal Highland Show 2005. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (2400 × 1800 pixel, file size: 537 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Grace of Carlung, Highland Pony champion at the Royal Highland Show 2005. ... A Shetland Pony A pony is any of several horse breeds with a specific conformation and temperament. ... AMHA Registered Pinto Miniature Mare. ... Obesity is a condition in which the natural energy reserve, stored in the fatty tissue of humans and other mammals, is increased to a point where it is associated with certain health conditions or increased mortality. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

It is important to track the weight of a pony carefully, by use of a weight tape. Forages may be fed based on weight, at a rate of about 1 pound of forage for every 100 pounds.^[32] Forage, along with water and a salt and mineral block, is all most ponies require. If a hard-working pony needs concentrates, a ratio of no more than 30% concentrates to 70% forage is recommended.^[21] Concentrates designed for horses, with added vitamins and minerals, will often provide insufficient nutrients at the small serving sizes needed for ponies. Therefore, if a pony requires concentrates, feed and supplements designed specially for ponies should be used.^[32] In the UK, extruded pellets designed for ponies are sometimes called "pony nuts."^[21].

Special feeding issues for mules and donkeys

Donkeys and mules need less concentrated feed than horses

Like ponies, mules and donkeys are also very hardy and need less concentrated feed than horses. Mules need less protein than horses and do best on grass hay with a vitamin and mineral supplement.^[34]. If mules are fed concentrates, they only need about half of what a horse requires.^[35] Like horses, mules require fresh, clean water, but are less likely to over-drink when hot.^[34] Download high resolution version (856x670, 351 KB)personal photo taken in July 02 of adopted female wild burro File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Download high resolution version (856x670, 351 KB)personal photo taken in July 02 of adopted female wild burro File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A barren of mules. ... Binomial name Equus asinus Linnaeus, 1758 For other uses, see Donkey (disambiguation). ...

Donkeys, like mules, need less protein and more fiber than horses. They do best when allowed to consume small amounts of food over long periods, as is natural for them in an arid climate. They can meet their nutritional needs on 6 to 7 hours of grazing per day on average dryland pasture that is not stressed by drought. If they are worked long hours or do not have access to pasture, they require hay or a similar dried forage, with no more than a 1:4 ratio of legumes to grass. They also require salt and mineral supplements, and access to clean, fresh water.^[36] Like ponies and mules, in a lush climate, donkeys are prone to obesity and are at risk of liminitis.^[37]

Treats

Many people like to feed horses special treats such as carrots, sugar cubes, peppermint candies or specially manufactured horse "cookies." Horses do not need treats, and due to the risk of colic or choke, many horse owners do not allow their horses to be given treats. There are also behavioral issues that some horses may develop if given too many treats, particularly a tendency to bite if hand-fed, and for this reason many horse trainers and riding instructors discourage the practice.^[38] Binomial name Daucus carota L. Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ...

However, if treats are allowed, carrots and compressed hay pellets are common, nutritious, and generally not harmful. Apples are also acceptable, though it is best if they are first cut into slices. Horse "cookies" are often specially manufactured out of ordinary grains and some added molasses. They generally will not cause nutritional problems when fed in small quantities. However, many types of human foods are potentially dangerous to a horse and should not be fed. This includes bread products, meat products, candy, and carbonated or alcoholic beverages.

It was once a common practice to give horses a weekly bran mash of wheat bran mixed with warm water and other ingredients. It is still done regularly in some places. While a warm, soft meal is a treat many horses enjoy, and was once considered helpful for its laxative effect, it is not nutritionally necessary. An old horse with poor teeth may benefit from food softened in water, a mash may help provide extra hydration, and a warm meal may be comforting in cold weather, but horses have far more fiber in their regular diet than do humans, and so any laxative assistance is unusally unnecessary. There is also a risk that too much wheat bran may provide excessive phosphorus, unbalancing the diet, and a feed of unusual contents fed only once a week could trigger a bout of colic.^[13] In chemistry, hydration is the condition of being combined with water. ...

Feed storage

All hay and concentrated feeds must kept dry and free of mold, rodent feces and other types of contamination that may cause illness in horses.^[5] Feed kept outside or otherwise exposed to moisture can develop mold quite quickly. Due to fire hazards, hay is often stored under an open shed or under a tarp, rather than inside a horse barn itself, but should be kept under some kind of cover. Concentrates take up less storage space, are less of a fire hazard, and are usually kept in a barn or enclosed shed. A secure door or latched gate between the animals and any feed storage area is critical. Horses accidentally getting into stored feed and eating too much at one time is a common but preventable way that horses develop colic or laminitis. (see "Illnesses related to improper feeding," below) It has been suggested that Toxic mold be merged into this article or section. ... Suborders Sciuromorpha Castorimorpha Myomorpha Anomaluromorpha Hystricomorpha Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents. ...

It is also important to never give a horse feed that was contaminated by the remains of a dead animal, it is a potential source of botulism.^[39] This is not an uncommon situation. For example, mice and birds can get into poorly stored grain and be trapped; hay bales sometimes accidentally contain snakes, mice, or other small animals that were caught in the baling machinery during the harvesting process. Botulism (from Latin botulus, sausage) is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin, botulin, that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. ... Feral mouse A mouse (plural mice) is a rodent that belongs to one of numerous species of small mammals. ... “Aves” redirects here. ... blue: sea snakes, black: land snakes Superfamilies and Families Henophidia Aniliidae Anomochilidae Boidae Bolyeriidae Cylindrophiidae Loxocemidae Pythonidae Tropidophiidae Uropeltidae Xenopeltidae Typhlopoidea Anomalepididae Leptotyphlopidae Typhlopidae Xenophidia Acrochordidae Atractaspididae Colubridae Elapidae Hydrophiidae Viperidae For other uses, see Snake (disambiguation). ... Stacked hay in Romania A bale of grass hay weighing approximately 70 pounds, able to be managed by one person without need for mechanized equipment Close view of grass hay. ...

Feeding behavior

Horses can become anxious or stressed if there are long periods of time between meals. They also do best when they are fed on a regular schedule, they are creatures of habit and easily upset by changes in routine.^[1] When horses are in a herd, their behavior is hierarchical;^[40] the higher-ranked animals in the herd eat and drink first. Low-status animals, who eat last, may not get enough food, and if there is little available feed, higher-ranking horses may keep lower-ranking ones from eating at all. Therefore, unless a herd is on pasture that meets the nutritional needs of all individuals, it is important to either feed horses separately,^[10] or spread feed out in separate areas to be sure all animals get roughly equal amounts of food to eat. In some situations where horses are kept together, they may still be placed into separate herds, depending on nutritional needs; overweight horses are kept separate from thin horses so that rations may be adjusted accordingly. Horse behavior is best understood from the perspective that horses are prey animals with a well-developed Fight-or-flight instinct. ...

Dental issues

Horses' teeth continually grow throughout their life, are worn down as they eat, and can develop uneven wear patterns that can interfere with chewing. For this reason, horses need a dental examination at least once a year, and particular care must be paid to the dental needs of older horses.^[41] The process of grinding off uneven wear patterns on a horse's teeth is called floating and can be performed by a veterinarian or a specialist in equine dentistry. Horses teeth are often used to estimate the animals age, hence the saying Dont look a gift horse in the mouth. At five years of age a horse has forty teeth: twenty-four molars or jaw teeth twelve incisors or front teeth four tusks or canine teeth between... There are many aspects to horse care. ... Look up veterinarian in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Illnesses related to improper feeding

Colic, choke, and laminitis can be life-threatening when a horse is severely affected, and veterinary care is necessary to properly treat these conditions.^[42] Other conditions, while not life-threatening, may have serious implications for the long-term health and soundness of a horse. Look up veterinarian in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Colic

Main article: Horse colic

Horse colic itself is not a disease, but rather a description of symptoms connected to abdominal pain.^[3] It can occur due to any number of digestive upsets, from mild bloating due to excess intestinal gas to life-threatening impactions. ^[43] Colic is most often caused by a change in diet, either a planned change that takes place too quickly, or an accidental change, such as a horse getting out of its barn or paddock and ingesting unfamiliar plants. But colic has many other possible triggers including insufficient water, an irregular feeding schedule, stress, and illness.^[44] Because the horse cannot vomit and has a limited capacity to detoxify harmful substances, anything upsetting to the horse must travel all the way through the digestive system to be expelled. Colic in horses is defined as abdominal pain, but is a clinical sign or a symptom rather than a diagnosis. ... Colic in horses is defined as abdominal pain, but is a clinical sign or a symptom rather than a diagnosis. ...

Choke

Main article: Choke (horse)

Choke is not as common as colic, but is nonetheless a medical emergency. The most common cause of choke is horses not chewing their food thoroughly, usually because of eating their food too quickly, especially if they do not have sufficient access to water, but also sometimes due to dental problems that make chewing painful. It is exceedingly difficult for a horse to expel anything from the esophagus, and immediate treatment is often required. Unlike choking in humans, choke in horses does not cut off respiration.^[3][45] Choke is a condition in horses in which the esophagus is blocked, usually by food material. ... Choke is a condition in horses in which the esophagus is blocked, usually by food material. ...

Laminitis

Main article: Laminitis

Horses are also susceptible to laminitis, an inflammation of the lamina of the hoof. Laminitis has many causes, but the most common is related to a sugar and starch overload from a horse overeating certain types of food, particularly too much pasture grass high in fructan in early spring and late fall, or by getting into excessive quantities of grain.^[46] This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... The horse hoof is the distal phalanx of the III digit of the four limbs of Equus species, and it is covered by complex horny structures. ... Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Pastureland Pasture is land with lush herbaceous vegetation cover used for grazing of ungulates as part of a farm or ranch. ... Fructans are a monosaccharide or single-sugar composed of chains of fructose molecules. ...

Growth disorders

Young horses that are overfed or are fed a diet with an improper calcium:phosphorus ratio over time may develop a number of growth and orthopedic disorders, including epiphysitis, osteochondrosis and a several conditions grouped under the popular term "contracted tendons." If not properly treated, damage can be permanent. However, they can be treated if caught in time, given proper veterinary care, and any improper feeding practices are corrected.^[47] Young horses being fed for rapid growth in order to be shown or sold as yearlings are at particularly high risk.^[48] Adult horses with an improper diet may also develop a range of metabolic problems.^[49] Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics (BE: orthopaedics) is the branch of surgery concerned with acute, chronic, traumatic and recurrent injuries and other disorders of the locomotor system, its musclular and bone parts. ... Osteochondrosis is a orthopedic disease. ... The Yearling is a 1946 film which tells the story of a boy who adopts a fawn as a pet. ...

"Tying up"

Main article: Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis

Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis, or "tying up," is a condition to which only some horses are susceptible. But, for those that are, a day of rest on full grain ration followed by heavy work the next may often lead to severe muscular cramping, a set of symptoms that led to the archaic nickname for the condition, "Monday morning sickness." The condition may also be related to elecrolyte imbalance. Proper diet management may help minimize the risk of an attack.^[50][51] Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER) or Tying Up or Azoturia or Monday Morning Disease is a syndrome that damages the muscle tissue in horses. ... Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER) or Tying Up or Azoturia or Monday Morning Disease is a syndrome that damages the muscle tissue in horses. ... Archaic is a generic adjective that can refer to several things from the past. ... An electrolyte is a substance which dissociates free ions when dissolved (or molten), to produce an electrically conductive medium. ...

Footnotes and other references

• "Horse Nutrition - Table of Contents." Bulletin 762-00, Ohio State University. Web site accessed February 9, 2007.
• Mowrey, Robert A. "Horse Feeding Management - Nutrient Requirements for Horses." from North Carolina Cooperative Extension Center Web site accessed February 14, 2007.