Four tools to calculate the ideal ration for your horse

To determine what and how much to feed your horse, you first need to understand its needs and do some math. Fortunately, there are tools available to help you calculate the ideal ration for your horse and collect the data that your agronomist needs to do so.

Weigh feed with scales

Start by weighing what your horse is currently eating. Avoid vague measurements such as “one flake” or “one scoop” as not all hay flakes weigh the same, and not all feed scoops hold the same volume. Different feeds also have different densities.

Use a hanging scale to weigh several bales or flakes of hay, calculate their average weight and then estimate how much hay your horse eats each day. Next, use a feed scale to weigh the amount of feed and supplements fed each day based on the size of your scoops and how you fill them.

Sample your hay with a probe

Hay can account for up to 95 % of a horse’s ration. So it’s important to know what nutrients are in your forage to calculate the ideal ration.

The best way to find out is to take a representative sample of the stored lot with a hay probe. Then, send the sample to a laboratory for a full analysis of the fibre, protein, minerals, etc. Your agri-advisor can use this data to analyze your horse’s ration and suggest adjustments if necessary.

Estimate your horse’s weight with a tape measure

A horse’s nutritional needs are largely determined by its ideal weight. Your agri-advisor can help you estimate your horse’s weight by measuring the girth of the chest and the length from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock (height is also sometimes taken into account for growing foals or miniature ponies and horses).

Your horse’s ideal weight will then be determined based on its body condition. Your agri-advisor will also visually assess and palpate various parts of your horse’s body to determine its body condition score on a scale of 1 to 9.

Use a ration calculator

Once all the measurements have been taken, you can work out your horse’s nutritional requirements using the National Research Council (NRC) charts. The NRC produces reference books that specify the amounts of each nutrient required to meet the needs of different animals.

Sollio Agriculture’s ration calculator is based on the quantities dictated by the NRC as minimum requirements for horses. Your agri-advisor can also help you tailor the ration to your horse’s specific needs.

The ration calculator allows you to create a ration that provides all the nutrients that your horse needs. A good ration should:

• Provide enough fibre to support a healthy digestive system

• Provide the necessary number of calories for weight gain, loss or maintenance, as required

• Promote the absorption of vitamins and minerals

• Provide adequate levels of protein and amino acids

• Be safe and appropriate for your horse’s digestive system and specific conditions, if any

Your agri-advisor will be able to advise you on the quantities to serve based on your horse’s activity level and physiological stage, as well as any information you provide on your horse’s characteristics and your preferences.