Should I be Worried About a High Protein Feed?
All horses require adequate amounts of protein containing specific amino acids for maintenance, growth, reproduction, and work. Proteins are important building blocks for body cells. Not only does it impact topline condition, but inadequate protein content can significantly impact hoof quality, growth and physical activity, endurance, hair coat, milk production, and fetal development.
Protein Level vs. Protein Quality
Most owners can name the protein level of the feed they are currently using. A "12 percent pellet” is a common answer when asked that question. But how important is that protein percentage?
While the total protein in a horse’s diet is important, horses actually require essential amino acids. Many feed manufacturers are moving toward listing the minimum levels of specific amino acids on the tag, which can help horse owners better discern the quality of the protein sources being used to reach that guaranteed crude protein level. In other words, while the guaranteed analysis on the manufacturer’s feed tag is a good place to start, it doesn’t always tell the whole story of bioavailability.
Balancing Hay with Grain
The best route is to not only reference the feed tag, but also let the horse tell you by how their hair coat, topline, and hoof quality respond. Beyond the grain portion of the diet, the hay source is a major factor to scrutinize regarding protein in an equine diet. Because hay makes up the majority of the diet, a lot of the protein in the diet comes from hay. To determine what a horse consumes, the horse owner needs to identify what the hay source is providing, and balance that together with the grain source.
Below are listed the protein percentages required by the major categories of horses, but keep in mind that these percentages are for the total diet, not just the feed portion. Sometimes total dietary protein is met with the hay while essential amino acids are still in short supply. In such scenarios, the remaining essential amino acids will need to be supplied via feed or supplements.
- Foals: 16-18%
- Weanlings: 14-16%
- Yearlings: 12-14%
- Mature horses: 10-12%
- Lactating mares: 12-14%
You can ascertain the protein in your hay by having it tested. Check with your local extension office for a good forage testing lab. Hay protein can vary dramatically from one cutting to the next, even in the same field. Maturity at harvest, forage type, and a variety of other factors can also influence the quality of the hay. Generally speaking, alfalfa hay is considered higher in protein content than bermudagrass or other types of hay.
Having a solid knowledge of the total diet your horse is getting, including what is being provided in the hay, will help you better assess and correct deficiencies in your horse's protein intake. And that will give your horse the best chance for an ideal body condition and a topline that maximizes its genetic potential.
As always, we're standing by to help you identify the nutrition you need. Call or stop by today and we'll be glad to take care of you!
NOTE: This post is adapted (with permission) from content proudly brought to you by our partners at Nutrena and Cargill Animal Nutrition. The original article appears here.