RATION FORMULATION FOR HORSES

Step 1: Factors to consider Present state of condition and health. Size and type. Age. Weight. Amount of work. Temperament. Ability of rider. Weather (horse in / out?). Cost-effectiveness. Availability of foodstuffs. Feed storage and ease of handling.

Step 2: Assessing condition in horses The horse’s condition can be described as GOOD or BAD. Soft Good condition Hard Underweight Bad condition Overweight Condition is assessed by using the “condition scoring” system. This measures the weight distribution over the neck, back, ribs and quarters.

Step 3: Calculating the horse’s weight How big is the horse? Either measure or estimate. Ideally, use a weighbridge. Weightapes – measure around the girth and they give an approximate weight. Formulae - Girth & body length measurements – measure around the girth (G) & from the point of shoulder to the point of hip (L) and use the following equation: G(cm) x G x L(cm) = Bodyweight (kg) or 8700 G(in.) x G x L(in) = Bodyweight (lb) 241.3

Table of approximate bodyweights: TypeHeight (h.h.) Approx. weight (KG) Approx. weight (lb) Pony Large pony Small hunter Medium hunter Large hunter Draft / shire

Step 4: Calculating total daily feed requirement A horse can eat up to 2.5% of its bodyweight daily, although it does not have to eat the maximum. Calculation used: Bodyweight (kg) x 2.5 = Max. daily amount of food kg 100 For example – a 15.2hh small hunter weighs approx. 500kg. 500 x 2.5 = 12.5kg (28lbs) (to convert kg to lbs x 0.25) 100 Quantity then needs to be adapted to suit the individual & the circumstances.

EXERCISE Using the formula given, calculate the total daily feed requirement for the following horses: kg horse kg horse kg horse kg horse

Step 5: Roughage: concentrate ratio Total daily feed intake is split into the hay / haylage / grass ration & the concentrate ration. Based mainly on the horse’s workload.

Work doneRoughageConcentrates Resting100%0 Light work80%20% Medium work65%35% Hard work50%

The percentages then have to be converted into weights of feeds. For example, the 500kg horse being fed 12.5kg food / day. If being fed 75:25% R:C 12.5 / 100 x 75 = 9.38kg roughage / day 12.5 / 100 x 25 = 3.13kg concentrates / day

EXERCISE Individually, work out a ration for your own horse or one that you care for. State the height & type & estimate the weight. State the work done & temperament etc. Calculate the total daily feed requirement & roughage : concentrate ratio. Calculate the weights of the roughage & concentrates. Suggest suitable types of feed & forage.

Step 6: Allocating feed types You have calculated the daily intake, and the roughage: concentrate ration. You now have to decide on what types of feeds to give. Start with the roughage. Use this as your base and try to give as much energy as possible through the roughage. Any shortfall can then be made up with the concentrate portion of the ration. Does the horse need high energy or low energy foods? Does the horse need quick releasing or slow releasing energy?

EXERCISE: Suggest a suitable daily diet for a 14.2hh horse doing 1 hour of hacking / day: Feed type e.g.Quantity fed kg / day Hay Haylage Cool mix Hi-fi Sugar beet Total kg / day:

EXERCISE: Suggest a suitable daily diet for a 16hh horse hunting twice a week : Feed type e.g.Quantity fed kg / day Total kg / day:

Ongoing monitoring of the horse’s response to its diet is vital (i.e. condition scoring), to gauge whether she is loosing / gaining weight or maintaining a desirable body condition. The diet can then be manipulated to take the response into account, in one or more of the following ways: Reduce the maximum daily appetite from 2.5% of bodyweight to as little as 2% of bodyweight. Roughage : concentrate ratio. Choice of feed types. Proportions of different feeds (particularly concentrates). Workload. Step 7: Monitoring