Equine Diets
Equine nutrition is the feeding of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, and other equines. Correct and balanced nutrition is a critical component of proper horse care. Horses are non-ruminant herbivores of a type known as a `hind-gut fermentor.`This means that horses have only one stomach, as do humans. However, unlike humans, they also have to digest plant fiber (largely cellulose) that comes from grass and hay. Therefore, unlike ruminants, which digest fiber in plant matter by use of a multichambered stomach, horses use microbial fermentation in a part of the digestive system known as the cecum (or caecum) to break down the cellulose.In practical terms, horses prefer to eat small amounts of food steadily throughout the day, as they do in nature when grazing on pasture. Although this is not always possible with modern stabling practices and human schedules that favor feeding horses twice a day, it is important to remember the underlying biology of the animal when determining what to feed, how often, and in what quantities.
The digestive system of the horse is somewhat delicate. Horses are unable to regurgitate food, except from the esophagus. Thus, if they overeat or eat something poisonous, vomiting is not an option. They also have a long, complex large intestine and a balance of beneficial microbes in their cecum that can be upset by rapid changes in feed. Because of these factors, they are very susceptible to colic, which is a leading cause of death in horses. Therefore, horses require clean, high-quality feed, provided at regular intervals, and may become ill if subjected to abrupt changes in their diets. Horses are also sensitive to molds and toxins. For this reason, they must never be fed contaminated fermentable materials such as lawn clippings. Fermented silage or `haylage` is fed to horses in some places; however, contamination or failure of the fermentation process that allows any mold or spoilage may be toxic
Sports Horses
Sports Horse Videos - Watch videos of leading horses and riders competing at the highest level and shows. Buy sport horse videos online at the stableexpress online store
Sports Horses For Sale - Quality home bred sport horses for sale to excel in show jumping & Dressage also well as home of proven breeding stallions for both show jumping & dressage.
Dutch Sports Horses - KWPN Durch Sporses Horse KWPN Stallions, dutch warmblood sport horses, Its The Business, Nimmerdor, Jasper, Ahorn, Le Mexico, Libero H ...
Sports Horse Breeders - Search for Sport Horse Stallions and stud, Find Sport Horse Stallions and breeders. Sports Horse Breeders, High Offley Stud, Beech House Stud, Zangersheide Stud, Team Nijhof
Sport Horse Stallions - Crocodile Dundy Z competing in the 6 year old qualifier 2007, Crocodile Dundy Z from high offley stud in staffordshire is a promising young showjumping stallion for more info visit:
- Stableexpress - Equine Classifieds
Equine Classifieds
Horses For Sale
Horses for sale by category
Equestrian Directory
If your are looking for an equestrian business search our online equine directory with 1000's of businesses from around the world we can help you find equine businesses & services what ever your needs.
If you are own or run an equestrian business you can add your company into the equine directory FREE. Stable Express is a leading equestrian website getting thousands of unique visitors each month.
