Table of Contents
Preface vii
1 Basics of Equine Digestion 1
Nature's Plan for Feeding Horses
Carbohydrate ABCs
Domestication Brought Drastic Changes
How the Horse Digests His Food
The Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract
2 All about Nutrients 15
Water
Energy
Carbohydrates
Fats
Producing Energy for Muscles
Protein Basics
Minerals
Electrolytes 101
Microminerals: Less Is Best
Vitamins
3 What to Feed and Why 60
Forage Feeds
Hay is for Horses
Silage and Haylage
Chopped-Hay Options
All about Concentrates
Other Sources of Fiber
Commercial Blends
Protein: What and Why
Sources of Fat
Supplementation for Specialized Diets
4 Designing a Balanced Feeding Program 95
Feed Analysis
Calculating Rations: The Basics
Practical Applications: Dobbin and Smokey Joe
General Feeding Advice
Basic Feeding and Management Guidelines
5 Feeding for a Lifetime 124
Equine Body Condition Scoring System
Life-Stage Requirements
6 Feed Storage and Feeding Tips 142
Storing Grain
Storing Hay
Feeding Grain and Hay
Feeding Tips
Feeding Checklist
7 Pasture Management 153
Identifying Good Pasture
Turnout for Exercise and Grazing
Hay Pasture
Pasture Plants
8 Diets for Common Equine Disorders 164
Anhydrosis
Choke
Colic
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Cribbing
Cushing's Disease/PPID
Equine Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance
Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP)
Hypokalemic Diaphragmatic Shudder (Thumps)
Joint Disease
Laminitis and Founder
Metabolic Bone Disease
Misbehavior
Excess Weight
Pigment Loss
Toxins in Feed
Tying-up Syndrome
Ulcers
Thinness
Appendixes
Appendix 1 Weight/Unit Volume 212
Appendix 2 Conversions 213
Appendix 3 Nutrition Contained in Feed 214
Appendix 4 Feed Requirements for Horses 216
Appendix 5 Seasonal Management Calendar 218
Appendix 6 Horse Anatomy 219
Glossary 220
Resources
Recommended Reading 234
Periodicals 234
Commercial Laboratories 234
Products & Services 235
Web Sites & Other Sources 236
Index 237