Table of Contents
- 1 What is a good protein for horses?
- 2 What does high protein do for horses?
- 3 Do horses need high protein?
- 4 How much protein should a horse be fed?
- 5 Can you feed your horse too much protein?
- 6 Can too much protein make a horse act up?
- 7 Can horses get too much protein?
- 8 Can you give a horse too much protein?
- 9 What is the best protein for horses?
- 10 How do horses get protein?
What is a good protein for horses?
Which horses need high quality protein?
| Name | Crude Protein (%) | Lysine (g/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Black Sunflower Seeds | 29 | 5.1 |
| Soybean Hulls | 12 | 4.7 |
| Sugarbeet Pulp | 9 | 4.0 |
| C3 Type Grass Hay | 11 | 3.8 |
What does high protein do for horses?
Protein levels that exceed requirements are linked to increased heat of digestion and metabolism, and the urea and acid from excess dietary protein may lead to earlier fatigue with exercise. Horses consuming excess protein excrete more urea in the urine leading to wet stalls and elevated ammonia levels in the stable.
What is horse protein diet?
Protein and the Horse’s Diet
| Crude Protein, % | Threonine mg/g CP | |
|---|---|---|
| Flax seed Meal | Crude Protein, % 32.6 | Threonine mg/g CP 38 |
| Soybean, Meal, 48 | Crude Protein, % 53.8 | Threonine mg/g CP 40 |
| Grass Hay, mid-maturity | Crude Protein, % 13.3 | Threonine mg/g CP 36 |
| Legume Hay, mid-maturity | Crude Protein, % 20.8 | Threonine mg/g CP 44 |
Do horses need high protein?
In general, growing horses need a higher percentage of protein than mature horses. A growing horse generally needs between 12 and 18 percent crude protein in its diet for proper growth and development. Mature horses will most likely do fine on a lower protein percentage (8 to 12 percent), depending on their workload.
How much protein should a horse be fed?
A mature horse (average weight of 1,100 lb or 500 kg) needs about 1.4 lb (0.6 kg) of protein a day for maintenance, early pregnancy, or light work. The horse usually ingests at least this much protein by grazing or eating grass hay (dry matter intake of about 22 lb or 10 kg).
How can I increase my horse’s protein intake?
For your horse’s diet to contain quality protein, consider how many protein sources you are feeding. Adding one or more whole foods to hay and/or pasture will accomplish this goal. This will boost the essential amino acid content, allowing for every tissue in the body to get what it needs to thrive. Variety is key!
Can you feed your horse too much protein?
Feeding excess protein will not create a problem unless the horse has existing kidney problems. High-protein diets will cause a high level of ammonia to be excreted in the urine. If horses have kidney problems and are consuming high levels of protein, it could create further kidney complications.
Can too much protein make a horse act up?
Some of the excess protein is turned into non-protein nitrogen (urea) and/or nitrates, which are toxic to horses. This toxicity is a common cause of out of character aggressive behaviour, spooking, excessive sweating and the like. The body produces ammonia in an effort to flush excess protein, urea, and nitrates.
How much protein can a horse have?
A 500-kilogram (roughly 1,100-pound) horse at maintenance has a crude protein requirement of 630 grams. If fed 2% of his body weight (10 kilograms or 22 pounds) of this grass hay, the horse will receive 1,000 grams of protein—plenty to fill his needs.
Can horses get too much protein?
Can you give a horse too much protein?
Is 20% protein good for horses?
Horses at maintenance need about 8 to 10% of their diet to be protein; this will only increase very slightly if exercising but will increase more significantly if breeding, lactating, or growing (up to 16% at times). Feeding excess protein will not create a problem unless the horse has existing kidney problems.
What is the best protein for horses?
Good sources of dietary protein for horses include: Fresh Grass, chop or pellets. Good quality hay and haylage. Wholesome Balancers. Alfalfa chop or pellets. Linseed meal.
How do horses get protein?
Adult horses need protein only for repair and maintenance of body tissues, so their total requirement is fairly low. Many mature horses get all the protein they need (about 10% of the diet, on average) from grass or hay. Owners can confirm that this need is met by having pastures and hay analyzed.
How much protein does a horse have?
Adult horses require 10-11% crude protein in their overall diet while growing horses require 12-14%. Pure alfalfa hay, as found in second cut hay, can have protein levels up to and exceeding 18% protein. This high level of protein is not required for most horses.