2. Feeding a Horse For $300 Horse Seminar Series 2004 Keith Vander Velde Central District Livestock Specialist Keith.VanderVelde@ces.uwex.edu

3. Feeding a Horse for $300 Assumptions –1. Feed 1,100 pound horse for 365 days and horse is used for pleasure riding-Light activity –2. Horse Owner has area to store forage –3. Horse has access to 2-3 acres of pasture –4. Grain is purchased in bulk

4. Feeding a Horse for $300 Keith Vander Velde

5. Feeding a Horse for $300 Keith Vander Velde

6. Maintenance Requirements Mcal/day 16.4 Protein/day 1.4 pounds Suggested Ration : Alfalfa hay = 18 lbs. Or Orchard grass = 20 lbs. Keith Vander Velde

7. Growing Horse Requirements Mcal/day Yearling-19 2 yr. old-22 Protein/day Yearling-14 % 2 yr. old 10 % Keith Vander Velde

8. Pregnancy Requirements Mcal/day 18.4 last 3 months 1 lb./day fetal growth Protein/day 1.5 lbs. first 8 months 2 lbs.. Last 3 months Keith Vander Velde

9. WORKING REQUIREMENTS Mcal/day 28-30 Protein/day 2.8 lbs. Suggested Ration : Alfalfa = 20 lbs. Oats= 8.5 lbs. Keith Vander Velde

10. Feeding a Horse for $300 Daily Needs-1100 lb Maintenance Ration –Energy-16.4 Mcal/day –Protein-1.4 lbs/day –Trace mineral Salt-Free Choice loose Do not feed white salt in addition –Hay Ration Alfalfa/Brome Hay (.94 +.80)/2=.87 Mcal Alfalfa/Brome Hay (18 + 11)/2=14.5 % protein Need 16.4 Mcal 16.4/.87=19 lbs Protein need 1.4 lbs-19 pounds of hay=2.75 lbs (exceeds needs) Hay at $60 per ton is $0.03 per pound=feed 20 pound per day 20 lbs x $0.03=$0.60 per day x 365 days = $219

11. Feeding a Horse for $300 Daily Needs-1100 lb Maintenance Ration –Hay more Expensive: $300/365=$0.82 per day If need 20 lbs per day you can pay $80 per ton maximum for hay if feeding all hay ration in a year Adding pasture grazing will reduce hay needs for 150 days or more per year Land charge for horse per grazing season is $60-$80 per season –3 acres at $25 in Sandy areas –2 acres at $40 in better soils Grazing 150 days at $60 rent=$0.40per day or $12 per month Grazing 150 days at $80 rent=$0.53 per day $16 per month Keith Vander Velde

12. Feeding a Horse for $300 Daily Needs-1100 lb Maintenance Ration –Hay plus Pasture 150 days pasture at $12 per month= $60.00 215 days hay at $0.60 per day=====$129.00 Trace Mineral Salt Mix 50 lbs/year = $6.00 TOTAL ANNUAL FEED COST=$195

13. Feeding a Horse for $300 Daily Needs-1100 lb Working Horse –Energy-28 Mcal/day –Protein-2.8 lbs/day –Trace mineral Salt-Free Choice loose Do not feed white salt in addition

14. Balancing a Ration worksheet meeting requirements Needs:MC Protein Working Horse 28 2.8 Brome Hay.80 11% (feed 15 lbs) = ( 15x.8)= 12 Mc (15x.11)= 1.65 STILL NEEDED 16 Mc 1.15 lbs Oatsprovides 1.3 Mc 12% Need 16Mc 16/1.3= 12.3 lbs of oats 1.47 protein 12.3 oats x 12% =1.47 Ration = 28 Mcal energy & 3.13 lbs protein

15. Feeding a Horse for $300 Daily Needs-1100 lb Lactating Mare –Energy-28 Mcal/day –Protein-2.8 lbs/day –Trace mineral Salt-Free Choice loose Do not feed white salt in addition –Using the example sheet calculate a ration

16. NURSING REQUIREMENTS Mcal/day 28 Protein/day 12.5 % 3 lbs. Suggested Ration : Alfalfa= 20 lbs Oats= 8 lbs