Nutrient Requirements of Horses

Proper formulation of diets for horses depends on adequate knowledge of their nutrient requirements. These requirements depend on the breed and age of the horse and whether it is exercising, pregnant, or lactating.


A great deal of new information has been accumulated since the publication 17 years ago of the last edition of Nutrient Requirements of Horses. This new edition features a detailed review of scientific literature, summarizing all the latest information, and provides a new set of requirements based on revised data. Also included is updated information on the composition of feeds, feed additives, and other compounds routinely fed to horses. The effects of physiological factors, such as exercise, and environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, are covered, as well. Nutrient Requirements of Horses also contains information on several nutritional and metabolic diseases that horses often have.


Designed primarily as a reference, both practical and technical, Nutrient Requirements of Horses is intended to ensure that the diets of horses and other equids contain adequate amounts of nutrients and that the intakes of certain nutrients are not so excessive that they inhibit performance or impair health. This book is primarily intended for animal nutritionists, veterinarians, and other scientists; however, individual horse owners and managers will also find some of this material useful. Professors who teach graduate courses in animal nutrition will find Nutrient Requirements of Horses beneficial as a textbook.


Table of Contents


Front Matter
Summary
1 Energy
2 Carbohydrates
3 Fats and Fatty Acids
4 Proteins and Amino Acids
5 Minerals
6 Vitamins
7 Water and Water Quality
8 Feeds and Feed Processing
9 Feed Additives
10 Feed Analysis
11 Feeding Behavior and General Considerations for Feeding Management
12 Unique Aspects of Equine Nutrition
13 Donkeys and Other Equids
14 Ration Formulation and Evaluation
15 Computer Model to Estimate Requirements
16 Nutrient Requirements, Feedstuff Composition, and Other Tables
Appendix A: Committee Statement of Task
Appendix B: Abbreviations and Acronyms
Appendix C: Committee Member Biographies
Appendix D: Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications
Index