Grazing News

Although the horse does not have an exact fiber requirement, the horse cannot survive without fiber. Fiber is in most feedstuffs the horse eats but varies between feeds. Hay typically has the most fiber (Table 1). Hay should be fed at a minimum of 1% of a horse's body weight per day. So a 1,000 lb. horse should be fed a minimum of 10 lbs. of hay/day. With the drought hay prices are at a premium and may be difficult to obtain. Listed below are some forage "substitutes" that can safely be incorporated into horse rations to provide the necessary fiber.

Beet Pulp

Figure 1. Feeding mixed grass hay and beet pulp to a mature horse at maintenance.

Beet pulp can replace up to 10 lbs. of hay. It is a good source of fiber, high in calcium and has moderate protein (10%). See Table 1.

Figure 1. demonstrates meeting the energy and protein requirement of a horse at maintenance. The ration of 10 lb. mixed grass hay and 7 lbs. of beet pulp provides approximately 13.5% crude fiber. DO NOT feed beet pulp as the sole source of nutrition.

Complete Concentrates

Complete concentrates are a mixture of grains, hay or beet pulp, minerals and vitamins. They are available in a textured, pelleted or extruded form. They are formulated to meet the different horse's requirements (growing vs. performance) so make sure you choose the correct one for your horse. The mature horse at maintenance requires 1.5 to 2.0% of their body wt. per day in feed so a 1,000 lb. horse requires 15 to 20 lbs. of feed per day. The average 1,000 lb. horse will require 12-15 lb. of complete feed per day split over two feedings. To minimize the possibility of wood chewing due to less chew factor provide the horses with a small amount of hay (at least 1 flake per day).

Hay Cubes

Hay cubes are alfalfa or a mixture of alfalfa and timothy hay that is dried, chopped and compressed into cubes. The mixed hay cubes are more appropriate for horses at maintenance and performance horses. Straight alfalfa cubes are more appropriate for growing horses and lactating mares. They can be fed as the sole source of fiber. Cubes are generally sold in 55 lb. bags. For the average 1000 lb. horse at maintenance they will require 12 - 15 lbs. of cubes/day. Horses may increase wood chewing with cubes being the sole source of hay. If you want to extend your source of hay, feed 2-6 lbs. cubes/horse/day.

Haylage

Haylage has been fed successfully with few problems by horse owners. Haylage is produced by the ensiling process, which consists of cutting, partially wilting and placing young respiring plants in a silo or container. Ensiled bags may be twice as heavy as bales of dry hay. Hay is baled at about 45%-50% moisture and immediately wrapped with plastic or placed in a bag, to reduce the presence of oxygen. The pH should be below five. Ensiling maintains a high quality forage. It is usually high in energy and protein because the cutting date is not dependent on the weather. If the bag is punctured, secondary fermentation will, and the haylage will become spoiled. Spoiled haylage is extremely dangerous to horses and can cause botulism. There is a botulism vaccine so one could vaccinate a horse prior to  feeding haylage.

Rice Bran

Rice bran is a fair source of fiber (Table 1) and has a high level of Phosphorus. Commercial rice bran products add calcium to correct the imbalance. Rice bran is a good source of fat. It is not recommended as a replacement for hay but can be fed in addition to hay.

Soybean Hulls 

Figure 2. Feeding mixed grass hay and soy hulls to a mature horse at maintenance

Straw

Straw is the stalks left over from harvesting grain crops. It contains little nutritional value but it is a good source of fiber. If you are feeding a complete pelleted feed you could allow the horse access to straw via bedding the horse in straw or feeding the horse straw which would satisfy the horse's desire to chew. DO NOT think of straw as a source of nutrition, only a source of fiber that satisfy chewing in the horse. DO NOT use Rye straw as it may cause problems in pregnant mares.

Wheat Bran

Wheat bran is a good source of fiber but should not be fed for long periods of time. It is extremely high in Phosphorus and can cause calcium/phosphorus imbalances. If you are feeding wheat bran as a supplement limit to no more than 1 lb. per adult horse per day. 

Table 1. Nutrient Concentrations in Various Feedstuffs

Schedule

Monday, August 6 

3:00 pm            Horses May Arrive

                          Barn Party (see July Grazing News) 

Tuesday, August 7

8:00 - 10:30 am  Horses May Check-In

10:30 am            Horses Must Be In

1:00 pm              Exhibitor Meeting - Jacobson Exhibition Center  

2:00 pm              Jacobson Exhibition Center - Ranch Horse  

                           Pleasure, Poles, Barrels 

                           Livestock Pavilion - Pony Showmanship, Miniature Horse  

                           Showmanship, Pony Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Saddleseat  

                           Pleasure, Saddleseat Equitation, Miniature Horse Driving 

Wednesday, August 8

8:00 am            Livestock Pavilion - 5-8 Showmanship, 5-8 Horsemanship, Trail,  

                         Miniature Horse In-Hand Trail 

                         Outdoor Arena - 9-12 Showmanship, 9-12 Horsemanship, Reining 

Thursday, August 9

8:00 am               Jacobson Exhibition Center - 2 & 3 yr old Western Pleasure,  

                            Western Pleasure starting with 5th grade

IOWA STATE FAIR HORSE COMPETITION SCHEDULE

• Two farm/ranch visits from an ISU specialist 
• Soil analysis
• Fertility recommendations
• Forage quality analysis (if possible) and species identification
• Poisonous plant identification and weed control recommendations
• Feeding program analysis
• Overall facilities assessment
• Manure management recommendations
• Phone and e-mail support
• Supporting fact sheets and supplemental information
• Customized pasture and grazing management plans
• Cost is $650 

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