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   Nutrition
 Home>Crops & Livestock>Livestock>Horses>Nutrition>
Proper Nutrition
Grazing Horses

The horse production areas of primary importance are growth, reproduction, lactation and work.

Nutrient Requirements
The daily nutrient requirements of the horse are based on a critical need for protein, energy, vitamins, minerals and water, to enable the horse to do a specific job and achieve his genetic and physical capabilities.

Minerals For Horses
The primary concern in mineral nutrition is to provide salt and adequate levels of calcium and phosphorous in approximately a 1.3 to 1 ratio.

Vitamins For Horses
Vitamin supplementation in horses is generally not needed since common feeds normally contain adequate amounts. Vitamin deficiencies occur primarily when horses are sick or stressed, or if feed is improperly processed and stored over long periods of time. In these cases, vitamin supplementation may be necessary.

Toxicants in Feeds, Hay and Forages
Baling alfalfa hay
Conscientious owners should be aware that there can be potentially toxic substances in feeds.
Somatotropin Benefits Doubtful for Growing Horses
Somatotropin, also known as growth hormone, is a protein hormone produced and secreted by the pituitary gland of mammals. Somatotropin has several functions in the body, the most notable of which is growth of the long bones (for example, the femur of the thigh), which is achieved via stimulation of an intermediate hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), from the liver.