Your Horse's Winter Energy Needs

the energy balance of the horse in winter.
Forages The Perfect Energy Source for Your Horse
For most mature horses doing light to moderate work during a temperate winter climate forages such as grass or alfalfa hay will provide most of their energy needs. Horses that are working growing senior and pregnant or living in extreme winter weather conditions may need more energy from additional feed sources usually grains containing additional protein fats and starches.
Beware of the assumption that average hay is always average. Hay can vary hugely in its energy generating capability depending on the analysis. Hay that is high in lignin an indigestible substance that accumulates in the forage as it matures is much less digestible and will yield less energy when fed to your horse. It is important to base ration balancing decisions for winter feeding on a good hay test. Consider having your hay analyzed for nutrient content in order to accurately assess its contribution to your winter feeding program.
Optimize Your Winter Feeding Regime
The goal in any winter feeding program for your horse is to balance his energy requirements with his energy intake. To successfully accomplish this it is imperative that you accurately assess what your horses energy requirements are and formulate a ration to meet them. Start off with an accurate body weight for your horse a tape measure or a weight tape work very well when used properly and calculate how much feed he should be consuming daily.
A good rule of thumb for a mature healthy horse doing light work is approximately 2 to 2 5 percent of his body weight in feed intake per day. That means your 1000pound horse will require approximately 20 to 25 pounds in total of hay and concentrate daily. Try as much as possible to stretch that feed intake out over at least three meals daily. Your horse will be happier and healthier as a result.
Be honest in your assessment of your horses requirements. A mature 1000pound Quarter Horse ridden lightly three times per week probably doesnt need much more energy than his maintenance requirements. On the other hand if you have a mature 1000pound Thoroughbred that is a high anxiety animal he may require more energy just to keep the lights on and the furnace going so to speak than his equivalent bodyweight Quarter Horse counterpart.
Energy fed in excess of requirements has to go somewhere. If you find that