It is important to balance protein in the TOTAL DIET, not just protein in your forage or concentrate. It is also very important to remember that while protein is important in the diet, it is amino acids that the horse requires. Amino acids are essential in nutrient absorption & utilization. Verifying guaranteed levels of Lysine, Methionine and Threonine (first 3 limiting amino acids) on your horse’s feed tag ensures the best utilization of protein for muscle maintenance, muscle repair, hair coat, hoof quality and overall topline strength.
To calculate the percentage of protein in your horse’s TOTAL DIET, follow this simple calculation:
( (Lbs Hay x % Protein in Hay) + (Lbs Grain x % Protein in Grain) ) / Total Lbs Fed (hay + grain) = Protein in TOTAL DIET
The average maintenance type horse’s protein requirement is typically met when the horse is consuming 1.5-2% of their body weight in good quality forage.
Equine Protein Recommendations (in the TOTAL DIET):
Foals: 16-18% Weanlings: 14-16% Yearlings: 12-14%
Mature Horse: 10-12% Lactating Mares: 12-14%
Example Balancing Protein in the Weanling diet:
Weanling daily/protein recommendation 14-16% Protein (total diet)
1-2% of Body Weight in Hay 6-12 lbs/day
Feeding an Average Grass Hay 10.8% Crude Protein
Grain 2lbs/day of a 16% concentrate
((12 lbs X 10.8%) + (2 lbs X 16%)) / (12 + 2) = 11.54% Protein in the TOTAL DIET (deficient in protein)
Increase the lbs of concentrate in the diet (7lbs), and decreasing forage (6 lbs):
((6 lbs X 10.8%) + (7 lbs X 16%)) / (12 + 6) = 14.73% Protein in the TOTAL DIET
(meets Protein Requirement**)
**NOTE: Just because we have met the horse’s protein requirement does not mean that we have ALSO met the vitamin & mineral requirements of the horse.
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