Wanna know how many calories your horse is getting from the feed you’re giving him?
Check this out from Infovets.com:
Converting crude fiber on a feed tag to digestible energy (DE) Mcal/lb: Many feed tags do not contain the actual DE; therefore, it is often necessary to use the crude fiber and crude fat percentages to determine the DE (Mcal/lb) of the grain mix. Use the following table to help make the conversion:
Table #6 – Relationship of crude fiber to expected digestible energy in conventional and fat added grain mixes:
|
Crude fiber indicated on feed tag |
If crude fat on tag is <3% |
If crude fat on tag is approximately 8% |
|
4 |
1.55 |
1.65 |
|
6 |
1.45 |
1.55 |
|
8 |
1.35 |
1.45 |
|
10 |
1.25 |
1.35 |
|
12 |
1.15 |
1.25 |
So, let’s take the feed that has fiber of 4 and fat that is 3%. (Highlighted in chart).
For every pound of that feed your horse is getting 1.55 X 1000 (Mcal) or, 1550 calories.
The average horse, at rest (not working), generally needs about 15,000 calories a day to maintain. A working horse in hard work may need at least double that or 30,000 calories a day.
Hope this is helpful to you!
Now add that to the HAY you’re feeding:
TIMOTHY/GRASS approx. 800 calories per lb.
ALFALFA approx. 900 – 1000 calories per lb.
You should come up with at least 15,000 calories a day for a standard sized light horse in maintenance only.
Remember, too, that for ever 10 degree F BELOW 35* your horse will need an additional lb. of hay per day to make up the extra calories he’s using to stay warm.