Daily diet for 500kg horse in moderate work
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AQHA FEATURE: NUTRITION
Hay Selection and Quality Assessment
Hay constitutes the foundation of the equine diet, providing structural fibre essential for hindgut fermentation, gut motility, and behavioural satiety. Quality assessment should be systematic and evidence-based.
• Evaluate botanical composition: prefer grass-dominant species( Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense) with minimal weed contamination.
• Assess for mycotoxin risk: hay harvested in humid conditions or stored at > 15 % moisture is susceptible to Aspergillus and Fusarium colonisation.
• Organoleptic assessment: colour( green indicates chlorophyll retention), aroma( sweet, not musty), leaf-to-stem ratio( higher leaf = greater digestibility).
• NSC content varies significantly with cut timing early morning hay contains lower NSC than afternoon-cut hay due to diurnal photosynthesis cycles.
• Soaking hay for 30 – 60 minutes reduces water-soluble carbohydrates by 20 – 40 %, beneficial for metabolically compromised horses.
Daily diet for 500kg horse in moderate work
Compressed hay matrix fortified with targeted supplementation. High structural fibre content with NSC maintained below 10 % on a dry matter basis. Zero artificial additives. Formulated as a controlled daily ration suitable for all equines regardless of workload or metabolic status.
Pasture and conserved forage nutrient profiles fluctuate with seasonal growth patterns, soil conditions, and storage duration. A 10g daily dose of Completavite, administered alongside 450g Equicubes, provides comprehensive micronutrient coverage without stock-grade fillers or synthetic binders.
Cold-pressed flaxseed oil providing a balanced Omega-3,-6, and-9 fatty acid profile. Supports intestinal mucosal integrity, delivers systemic anti-inflammatory action via alpha-linolenic acid( ALA) conversion, and provides sustained lipid-derived energy with zero glycaemic impact.
Grazing management must be individualised based on metabolic status, body condition score, and pasture composition. Ad libitum turnout is optimal for hindgut motility. Where pasture NSC exceeds safe thresholds, restrict access and substitute with analysed low-sugar hay.
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION- www. aqha. com. au