Estimated Average Daily Nutrient Requirements of Mature (Over 3 to 4 Years of Age) Horses and Ponies

------------------------------Daily Nutrients Per Animala--------------------------------------------

Body Weight (kg)

Digestible Energy (Mcal)

Crude Protein (g)

Ca (g)

P (g)

Vitamin Ab (IU)

Maintenance

200

6.7

252

8

6

6,000

500

16.7

630

20

14

15,000

900

30.0

1,134

36

25.2

27,000

Last 90 Days of Gestation

214–226

7.7–8.6

319–357

14.4

10.5

12,000

500

19.2–21.4

797–893

36

26.3

30,000

600

34.6–38.5

1,434–1,607

64.8

47.3

54,000

Lactating Mares, First 3 Months

200

12.2–12.7

587–614

22.4–23.6

14.4–15.3

12,000

500

30.6–31.7

1,468–1,535

55.9–59.0

36.0–38.3

30,000

900

52.4–54.4

2,642–2,763

100.6–106.4

64.9–68.9

54,000

Lactating Mares, 3 Months to Weaning

200

10.9–12.2

506–587

15.0–22.4

9.3–10.5

12,000

500

27.2–30.6

1,265–1,468

37.4–55.9

23.2–36.0

30,000

900

46.3–52.5

2,277–2,642

67.4–100.6

41.8–64.9

54,000

a Assumes good-quality forage with or without additional concentrates. Maximal daily intake is estimated to be 2.5%–3.0% body weight in dry matter. Ranges are given for requirements that change with time of pregnancy/lactation.

b One mg of beta-carotene equals 400 IU of active vitamin A for the horse.

Adapted from Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 2007, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy Press, Washington, DC