There's no one-size-fits-all answer to what kind of supplements a horse needs, so determining what vitamins and minerals you should give can be difficult.By analyzing your feed and horse's individual health, you can create a supplement solution to help your horse be strong and healthy.
Step 1: Take a sample of the hay you give your horse.
Most horses eat a combination of roughage and concentrates.You'll only need to collect a sample of your hay to be tested if the nutrition on the grain feed label is listed.
Step 2: If you want your hay tested, contact an agricultural research laboratory.
Hay testing by agricultural research laboratories will give you information about the vitamins and minerals in your feed.This can be done for a fee of up to $50USD.The National Institute of Food and Agriculture has a list of agricultural extension offices in the United States.If there is an agricultural college near you, ask if they offer feed testing.hay testing is provided by some feed companies.
Step 3: Pay attention to the ratio of calcium and phosphorus in the hay.
The amount of minerals in your horse's diet is not as important as the balance of calcium to phosphorus.The ratio should be at least 1.5:1 Cal:Phos.Your horse's teeth, bones, and muscles can become weak from too little calcium in its diet.
Step 4: You can add up the hay analysis with your grain feed label.
This will give you a complete picture of what your horse is getting.Take into account the proportion of hay to grain that you give your horse.
Step 5: The National Research Council has standards for horse nutrition.
Purchase a copy of the latest edition of Nutrient Requirements of Horses from the National Research Council to get the most advanced research on horse nutrition.This will break down your horse's nutrition needs by its age and breed, as well as other factors such as whether it is pregnant, lactating, or highly active.The online purchase of the 2007 edition is around $100USD.Some of this information can be found on the NRC website at http://nrc88.nas.edu/nrh.By using the guidelines in the Nutrient Requirements of Horse with your hay analysis and the label on your grain feed, you should be able to identify whether there are any gaps in your horse's nutrition.
Step 6: Try to keep fresh hay on hand.
Older hay will give your horse less nutrition because vitamins degrade over time.Feed your horse fresh hay to make sure it gets the vitamins and minerals it needs.If you can replace hay, you should give your horse a general supplement of vitamins and minerals.
Step 7: Talk to your vet before making any changes to the horse's diet.
The right balance of supplements can have serious health problems for a horse, so it's important to make sure your horse gets the right amount.Giving your horse too many supplements for no reason is a waste of money and can lead to health problems for the horse.
Step 8: If your horse eats mostly grain, add a calcium supplement to its diet.
If your horse eats hay made from grass and a lot of grain, it will need a calcium supplement.If it has high levels of phosphorous, you may need to add calcium to it's diet.If your horse has access to clean green grass, you don't need this supplement.
Step 9: If the horse needs calories, add oil base, rice Bran, or blackstrap molasses.
If you have a horse that isn't getting enough calories in its diet, these are good additions.
Step 10: If your horse's coat is dull add flaxseed to its diet.
You can add shine to your horse's coat with the help of flaxseed.Adding shine to your horse's coat is possible with the help of Sunflower seeds.
Step 11: If the feed doesn't get green foliage, supplement it with vitamins A and C.
If your horse gets to eat a lot of green grass and shoots, it will get enough vitamins A and C in its diet.If it's in an area that doesn't have a lot of greenery, you should add a supplement to its diet.
Step 12: If your horse has arthritis, feed it Glucosamine.
Glucosamine is a supplement that improves joint health.It is possible to ease the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis with this supplement.Adding chondroitin,HA, or herbal remedies like devil's claw will help if Glucosamine doesn't help.
Step 13: If your horse has bad hooves, you should supplement with biotin.
Horse's hooves have been shown to be strengthened by Biotin.If your horse suffers from weak hooves, you may want to give it a 20 milligrams daily dose.Egg yolks, liver, and yeast have Biotin in them.Hoof supplements like Platinum Performance and Farrier's Formula help strengthen hooves.
Step 14: Give your horse vitamins during times of stress.
It is not stored in the horse's body.Your horse's body may be taxed by times of stress, and a supplement of vitamins C and C can help.It's important to block harmful free radicals from the environment with the help ofVitamin C.
Step 15: If your horse can't get daily sun, add in vitamins D and E.
The horse's body makes vitamins D and E when it is exposed to the sun.If your horse doesn't have access to a sunny pasture, it may not be able to produce enough vitamins to be healthy, so a supplement may be necessary.A lack of vitamins E and K in your horse's diet can lead to diseases.
Step 16: If your horse's diet gets too much iron, you should supplement it with zinc.
If your horse's diet is rich in iron, it may need a zinc supplement.Zinc and iron compete with each other to be absorbed by the body as they travel along the same transporter molecule.
Step 17: Your horse's diet needs to be monitored carefully.
The immune function of a horse is dependent on the soil's selenium deficiency, so a supplement is necessary.Some areas are so rich in the mineral that horses suffer from its toxicity.If you give a supplement to a horse that doesn't need it, it can be fatal.If you're not sure about the levels in your area, ask your local feed store or agricultural extension office to do a soil analysis.There is a limit to how much horses should have in their diet.
Step 18: Purchase supplements at an animal supply store.
If your local co-op or feed supply store doesn't have the supplements you need, you can order them online.
Step 19: Administer supplements to your horse.
If you want to give your horse the best results, give it supplements before or after it eats.The supplements should be administered at the same time each day.
Step 20: Feed your horse pellet supplements.
Grain and molasses mix can bind vitamins and minerals to form a pellet.You may be able to feed the pellet to the horse by hand if you use molasses.If your horse won't eat the pellet, hide it in a treat like cooked carrots or after-dinner mints.
Step 21: There are powdered supplements that can be mixed into feed or a treat.
If you want to give supplements to your horse, you can sprinkle a powder over its daily ration.The horse can eat the powder without being aware it was there.The powder is left at the bottom of the trough if your horse is picky.If this happens, mix the powdered supplement with a sticky, sweet substance like molasses or applesauce, then mix that in with the horse's food.
Step 22: Give your horse liquid supplements.
To improve the taste of the supplement, mix it with molasses or corn syrup and make sure it doesn't get into the horse's mouth.The sugar cubes should be given to the horse as soon as possible.The supplement should be squirted into the back of the horse's mouth after you slide your thumb into his mouth.You should never use a sharp needle on your horse.Press the end down on a flat surface to round the edges if it is too sharp.