Feeding Your Horse

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Quality Farms</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Quality Farms"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><U>About Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Hay Product"><U>Our Hay Product</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Varieties"><U>Varieties</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Inventory / Pricing / Payment Options"><U>Inventory / Pricing / Payment Options</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Grass or Alfalfa hay ?"><U>Grass or Alfalfa hay ?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Identifying Quality Hay"><U>Identifying Quality Hay</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contaminated Hay"><U>Contaminated Hay</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Economical Horse Hay"><U>Economical Horse Hay</U></A>   |   <B>Feeding Your Horse</B>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hay Quality and Horse Nutrition"><U>Hay Quality and Horse Nutrition</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Feeding Horses Free Choice"><U>Feeding Horses Free - Choice</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Choose the right hay for your horse"><U>Choose the right hay for your horse</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Map to Farm"><U>Map to Farm</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hay News"><U>Hay News</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="02ad2c00dkelyh.png"> <div> <IMG SRC="0adb9fd0.jpg" border=0 width="185" height="253" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Feeding Your Horse</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="0849a2e0.png" border=0 width="154" height="46" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Percent of Body Weight A Horse Should Eat Per Day</B></div> <div> <B>(dependent on age and condition)</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="352" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 ><NOBR><div> Mature horse at rest</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="13"><div>  </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <B>1.50% - 2.0%</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 43 WIDTH="215"><div> First 8 months of pregnancy</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="13"><div>  </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <B>1.50% - 2.0%</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 43 WIDTH="215"><div> Last 3 months of pregnancy</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="13"><div>  </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <B>1.50% - 2.25%</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="215"><div> Lactation</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="13"><div>  </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <B>2.25% - 2.75%</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="215"><div> Weanling</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="13"><div>  </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <B>2.50% - 3.0%</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="215"><div> 12 to 18 months</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="13"><div>  </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <B>2.25% - 2.50%</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="215"><div> 18 to 24 months</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="13"><div>  </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <B>2.00% - 2.25%</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 ><NOBR><div> Two-year-old to maturity</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="13"><div>  </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <B>1.75% - 2.25%</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> The above chart was compiled by Ginger A. Rich, Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Equine Sciences Facility at Colorado State University. Feeding and Caring of the Underweight Horse, lecture presented at the National Horse Abuse Investigators School, Denver, CO.</div> <div>  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="0822f170.png" border=0 width="47" height="23" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="0869b260.png" border=0 width="155" height="38" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Calories And Percentage of Protein Per Day</B></div> <div> (dependent on age and condition)<FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="475" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 40 WIDTH="256"><div> <B>AGE / CONDITION</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <B>CALORIES</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <B>PROTEIN</B></div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="256"><div> Mature- at rest</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="110"><div> 13,860</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="99"><div> 10.0%</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="256"><div> Mature-light work</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="110"><div> 18,360</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="99"><div> 10.0%</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="256"><div> Mature-med. work</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="110"><div> 23,800</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="99"><div> 10.0%</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 43 WIDTH="256"><div> Mares, last 90 days of Pregnancy</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="110"><div> 14,880</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="99"><div> 11.5%</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 ><NOBR><div> Mares, peak of lactation</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="110"><div> 24,390</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="99"><div> 13.3%</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="256"><div> 3 months old</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="110"><div> 10,440</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="99"><div> 19.5%</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="256"><div> 6 months old</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="110"><div> 12,410</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="99"><div> 14.2%</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="256"><div> 12 months</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="110"><div> 13,860</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="99"><div> 12.1%</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="256"><div> 18 months</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="110"><div> 14,100</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="99"><div> 11.2%</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="256"><div> 42 months</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="110"><div> 13,860</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="99"><div> 10.0%</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Nutrient Requirements of Horses, National Academy of Sciences. 1973</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0822f170.png" border=0 width="47" height="23" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="088a3300.png" border=0 width="163" height="48" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Composition of Hays</B></div> <div> (This data is based on hay which is sun cured. Some fields may produce hay which is higher in digestible energy or protein.)</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="505" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 43 WIDTH="236"><div> <B>TYPE</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <B>CALORIES/</B></div> <div> <B>POUND</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> <B>PROTEIN</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> <B>ALFALFA</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="138" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="121" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> early bloom </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 1057 </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 12.3</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> mid-bloom</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 1021 </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 11.0</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> full bloom</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 953 </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 9.9</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> mature </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 880 </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 7.7</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> <B>BERMUDAGRASS</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="138" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="121" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> (Overall average)</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="138" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="121" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> Coastal </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 880 </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 12.5</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> <B>BROME, SMOOTH</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="138" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="121" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> (Overall average)</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 866</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 6.2</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> <B>CLOVER, ALSIKE</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="138" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="121" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> (Overall average)</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 1002 </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 8.7</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> <B>CLOVER, CRIMSON</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="138" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="121" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> (Overall average)</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 989 </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 10.9</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> <B>CLOVER, RED</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="138" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="121" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> (Overall average) </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 980</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 8.3</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> <B>FESCUE, MEADOW</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="138" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="121" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> (Overall average) </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 889</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 5.3</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> <B>OAT</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="138" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="121" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> (Overall average) </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 889</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 4.3</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> <B>TIMOTHY</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="138" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="121" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> pre-bloom</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 1061</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 6.6</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> mid-bloom </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 880</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 3.6</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> late bloom</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 862</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 3.6</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> <B>WHEAT</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="138" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="22" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="121" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 22 WIDTH="236"><div> (Overall average)</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="138"><div> 866 </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="121"><div> 3.4 </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Data derived from Nutrient Requirements of Horses, National Research Council, 1973</div> <div> <IMG SRC="08a96010.png" border=0 width="406" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="08ba23f0.png" border=0 width="418" height="63" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="482" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 1314 WIDTH="478"><div> When you are calculating your horses diet remember these things which you learned from the above charts:</div> <div> A horse or burro should not be fed more than 3% of its body weight. (See Chart I) </div> <div> Qualitative nutrient requirements of adult, growing, aged, pregnant, lactating, and/or working horses vary. (See Chart II) </div> <div> The quality, nutrient and protein content of hay varies depending on the type or variety of hay, as well as the time it is cut and how it is cured. (See Chart III) </div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>APPLICATION:</B> </div> <div> To illustrate this I will use both a 900 pound horse and a foal as examples.</div> <div> To put Charts I-III to work let us <B>start with a 6 month old foal</B> who now weighs approx. 400 pounds (who will mature to be a 900 pound horse) and who is being fed Oat hay. This animal will need 12,410 calories per day. Good quality Oat hay will average 889 calories per pound of feed. The foal should be fed 2 pounds of hay per 100 pounds of body weight. This is 8 pounds of hay. Multiply the 889 calories per pound for oat hay x 8 pounds of Oat hay being feed. This equals 7,112 calories from the Oat hay consumed by the foal. The foal is 5,298 calories short each day! Even if the foal consumed the maximum 3% of body weight or 12 pounds of Oat hay, the total calorie intake would only be 10,668. Additionally, this foal, should have a 14.2% protein diet. The Oat hay is providing only 4.3. The difference in the calorie intake and deficient protein factor must be made up by the addition of grain, supplements etc. to the diet.</div> <div> As a <B>second example we will use a mature 900 pound horse</B> (which has been on a proper worming program, without teeth problems and free from disease or injury) not being used and/or on a maintenance diet being fed Oat hay. his animal will need 13,860 calories per day. The horse should be fed 2 pounds of hay per 100 pounds of body weight. This is 18 pounds of hay. Multiply the 889 calories per pound for oat hay x 18 pounds of Oat hay being feed. This equals 16,002 calories from the Oat hay consumed by the horse. In this instance the horse must begin an exercise program or reduce the amount of hay consumed to maintain its current weight.</div> <div> If we take the same mature 900 pound horse and ride it at a walk for two hours it will need 18,360 calories per day to maintain its weight. The same diet will be 2,358 calories deficient.</div> <div> If the same horse was nursing a foal it would need 24,390 calories. The same diet will be 8,388 calories deficient. Additionally, this horse, should be fed 13.3% protein diet. The Oat hay is providing only 4.3. The difference in the calorie intake and deficient protein factor must be made up by the addition of grain, supplements etc. to the diet.</div> <div>  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="08c66200.png" border=0 width="102" height="32" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> As with all care questions, you should check with your veterinarian for specific dietary questions regarding your horse.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>