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You’ve just purchased your first horse, a fine looking well-muscled American Qua

ID: 158667 • Letter: Y

Question

You’ve just purchased your first horse, a fine looking well-muscled American Quarter Horse. He’s a mature gelding at maintenance. Consequently, he should theoretically be able to meet his nutrient requirements from a mixed grass and legume pasture you have available. Unfortunately, you’re acquiring your new horse several weeks later than you originally anticipated, and the pasture is well along in physiological maturity. Describe the nutritional situation that you face and suggest one or two possible alternatives to solve that situation.

Explanation / Answer

Horses are non ruminant herbivores that usually uses hindgut fermentation. Horses usually have one stomach and they utilize plant fibre that comes from grazing on pastures. As they are unable to regurgitate food except from the esophagus so if they over eat or eat matures pasture vomiting is not an option . They will die

Forages such as hay and green grass can be used or concentrates include grain or pelleted rations and supplememt such as prepared vitamins pellets can be used.