Author: L.A. Lawrence, Extension Animal Scientist, Horses, Virginia Tech
Publication Number 406-473, July 1996
Table 5.
Expected Feed Consumption by Horses (% body weight)*
Forage Concentrate Total -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mature Horses Maintenance 1.5-2.0 0-0.5 1.5-2.0 Mares, late gestation 1.0-1.5 0.5-1.0 1.5-2.0 Mares, early lactation 1.0-2.0 1.0-2.0 2.0-3.0 Mares, late lactation 1.0-2.0 0.5-1.5 2.0-2.5 Working Horses Light work 1.0-2.0 0.5-1.0 1.5-2.5 Moderate work 1.0-2.0 0.75-1.5 1.75-2.5 Intense work 0.75-1.5 1.0-2.0 2.0-3.0 Young Horses Nursing foal, 3 mo 0 1.0-2.0 2.5-3.5 Weanling foal, 6 mo 0.5-1.0 1.5-3.0 2.0-3.5 Yearling foal, 12 mo 1.0-1.5 1.0-2.0 2.0-3.0 Long yearling, 18 mo 1.0-1.5 1.0-1.5 2.0-2.5 Two year old 1.0-1.5 1.0-1.5 1.75-2.5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Air-dry feed (about 90% DM)
Return to the Table of Contents section of Nutrient Requirements and Balancing Rations for Horses.