Page 33 - CFANOct13

MAKING SURE YOUR HORSE GETS ALL HIS NUTRIENTS, PART I
continued from page 8

If you’re unsure how much protein your horse is currently receiving or how much your horse needs, consult

a professional nutritionist or your horse’s veterinarian.

CARBOHYDRATES

Carbohydrates include sugars, starches and fiber, which are found in hay, pasture grass and grains. Fiber is a
structure carbohydrates (SC), while sugar and starches are non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). During diges-

tion, sugars and starches are broken down into glucose, which can be used immediately for energy or can be
stored as fat. Since fiber is classified as a SC, it needs to be digested differently than NSC.

Fiber needs to be fermented by the microbes in the horse’s hindgut and then turned into volatile fatty acids for
energy. Some fibers are unable to be broken down and provide bulk through the gastrointestinal track.

The bulk of your horse’s diet should be forage (i.e., grass/hay), and as a general rule your horse needs to eat a

minimum of one percent of his body weight in forage daily. Eating a large amount of forage also means eating
a large amount of carbohydrates. While most horses don’t have a problem eating a lot of carbohydrates, there

are certain horses that need a diet with as few carbohydrates as possible. Horses with insulin resistance or other
metabolic problems need a restricted diet to minimize the risk of founder or other serious health problems.

Please consult your veterinarian to see if your horse needs a special diet to keep him healthy.
In my next column, I will address two other important elements of your horse’s diet: vitamins and minerals.

BIO: Dr. Katie Hennessy graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 with a degree in large
animal health and equine medicine. After completing an advanced internship and working as an Associate Veterinarian, she is
currently practicing at Polk Equine, LLC. Her expertise ranges from small and exotic creatures to large animals, specializing in

equine medicine.

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CFAN | 33