Author: L.A. Lawrence, Extension Animal Scientist, Horses, Virginia Tech
Publication Number 406-473, July 1996
Table 7.
Nutrient Concentrations in Total Diets for Horses (Dry Matter Basis)
Digestible Energy Protein Lysine Calcium Phosphorus
(Mcal/kg) (%) (%) (%) (%)
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Mature Horses
Maintenance 2.00 8.0 0.28 0.24 0.17
Stallions 2.40 9.6 0.34 0.29 0.21
Pregnant mares
9 mo 2.25 10.0 0.35 0.43 0.32
10 mo 2.25 10.0 0.35 0.43 0.32
11 mo 2.40 10.6 0.37 0.45 0.34
Lactating mares
Foaling to 3 mo 2.60 13.2 0.46 0.52 0.34
3 mo to weaning 2.45 11.0 0.37 0.36 0.22
Working horses
Light work* 2.45 9.8 0.35 0.30 0.22
Moderate work** 2.65 10.4 0.37 0.31 0.23
Intense work*** 2.85 11.4 0.40 0.35 0.25
Growing Horses
Weanling, 4 mo 2.90 14.5 0.60 0.68 0.38
Weanling, 6 mo
Moderate growth 2.90 14.5 0.61 0.56 0.31
Rapid growth 2.90 14.5 0.61 0.61 0.34
Yearling, 12 mo
Moderate growth 2.80 12.6 0.53 0.43 0.24
Rapid growth 2.80 12.6 0.53 0.45 0.25
Long yearling, 18 mo
Not in training 2.50 11.3 0.48 0.34 0.19
In training 2.65 12.0 0.50 0.36 0.20
Two year old, 24 mo
Not in training 2.45 10.4 0.42 0.31 0.17
In training 2.65 11.3 0.45 0.34 0.20
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* Examples are horses used in Western and English pleasure, bridle path hack, equitation, etc.
** Examples are horses used in ranch work, roping, cutting, jumping, etc.
*** Examples are race training, polo, etc.
Return to the Table of Contents section of Nutrient Requirements and Balancing Rations for Horses.