8/ FEBRUARY 2026 THE RIDER What is a Nutrient Requirement?


a crude protein (CP) requirement is relied on. Crude protein is a measurement of the total nitrogen content


within a feed, or ingredient that has been converted into the esti- mated protein amount. This requirement for horses has been estab- lished through the analysis and summarization of numerous nitrogen balance studies. For an average horse that is not in work the equation ‘body weight (BW) X 1.26 g CP/kg BW/day’ is used. Note that this does not guarantee that the horse is consuming


An Equine Nutrition Series by Madeline Boast, MSc. Equine Nutrition Meeting a horse’s nutrient requirements is critical to their


health. Horse owners should understand the basics of nutritional management, and how to supply adequate nutrient amounts. As a practicing equine nutritionist, I often get questions about


nutrient requirements – how are they determined? What are these amounts based on? How a nutrient requirement has been established largely de-


pends on the individual nutrient, but this article will dive into some of the science behind our current understanding of equine nutrient requirements.


Established Nutrient Requirements In North America, the Sixth Revised Edition of the Nutrient


Requirements of Horses (NRC, 2007) is primarily what is relied upon to balance rations. This text is a project of the Board on Agri- culture and Natural Resources of the National Academics. This pub- lication reviewed the existing scientific literature relating to equine nutrition and summarized it relating to nutrient requirements. It is important to understand that our scientific understanding


of what is ideal for horses is continually expanding and most of the research has used light breed horses (Thoroughbreds, Quarter horses and Standardbreds). Additionally, in cases when there is no equine research, information has been extrapolated from other species. Let’s use protein as an example; protein is comprised of chains


of amino acids and are a major component of body tissues. The equine dietary requirement is specifically for amino acids, not pro- tein. However, aside from the amino acid lysine, requirements for the other essential amino acids have not been established. Therefore,


adequate amounts of the required essential amino acids. It is recom- mended that the lysine requirement be 4.3% of the horse’s crude pro- tein requirement. This example highlights that there is truly always more to know when it comes to horses, and relying on the most up- to-date scientific literature is recommended, but as a horse owner, it is also important to understand that there are gaps in the science.


Mineral Amounts & Ratios Understanding what equine science looks like, and how the


process results in industry changes is fascinating to me, and it is knowledge that I feel is valuable to share with horse owners. In addition to simply providing enough of each essential nutri-


ent, ratios also come into play. For example, the ratio of zinc to cop- per must also be considered alongside the amount of each mineral fed as zinc competes for the same transport mechanisms. Too much zinc in relation to copper can cause a deficiency in copper. Studies have demonstrated that a diet containing 40 mg Zn/kg


adequately supported growing foals and maintained normal body stores of zinc. Other publications have demonstrated that 50 mg Zn/kg dry matter (DM) was adequate for all classes of horses. At the time of publication of the NRC, 2007, no controlled studies sup- ported a dietary zinc requirement greater than 50 mg/kg ration DM. Additionally, there have been publications calculating the true


digestibility of zinc to be 20.8 percent, resulting in the requirement of dietary zinc to be lower than the current recommended require- ment, however with a lack of long-term studies demonstrating that health issues do not arise when a lower amount of zinc is fed to horses the committee decided to keep the requirement at 40 mg/kg DM.


Recent Publications Now, as previously mentioned, new science is being published


regularly. A 2023 study (van Bommel-Wegmann et al.) investigated the effects of dietary zinc chloride hydroxide and zinc methionine on the immune system of healthy horses and ponies. The equids were fed a diet meeting maintenance requirements, 120 mg zinc/kg DM and 240 mg zinc/kg DM.


The study illustrated that both the dietary zinc dose and com-


pound did have an effect on selected immune variables in healthy adult horses and ponies – however depending on the source, both activating and lowering effects were detected. It should also be noted that the sample size of this study was relatively small (8 ponies, 2 horses). Will newer research impact the next publication of the Nutrient


Requirements of Horses? Yes, of course, however, is this enough in- formation to warrant increasing your horse’s dietary zinc levels? Right now, I don’t think so. A lot goes into establishing nutrient requirements, from the sci-


entists performing the studies, to the National Research Council Committees summarizing and reviewing the information. Staying tuned in to the recent publications is of course interesting and critical to maintaining relevance as a professional, but exercise caution on making changes to your horse’s program because of anecdotal evi- dence on online forums or based on singular studies.


Take Home Message The next time you are reading anecdotal evidence on an online


forum, or a summary of one singular research study I would like you to think about the scientific process that goes into establishing nu- trient requirements and recommendations for best practices. Working with professionals that maintain relevance regarding recent scientific work, while understanding the limitations is beneficial to building a science-backed program for your horse.


By: Madeline Boast, MSc. Equine Nutrition, PAS About


the author: Madeline Boast completed her master’s in Equine Nu- trition at the University of Guelph and started an independent nu- trition company known as Balanced Bay. She has worked with a variety of equids – from miniature ponies to competing thorough- breds. Through Balanced Bay she designs customized balanced nu- trition plans that prioritize equine well-being. This includes diets for optimal performance as well as solving complex nutritional issues and everything in between. For additional information see www.bal- ancedbay.ca


References: van Bömmel-Wegmann, S., Zentek, J., Gehlen, H., Barton, A. K., & Paßlack, N. (2023). Effects of dietary zinc chloride hydroxide and zinc methionine on the immune system and blood profile of healthy adult horses and ponies. Archives of animal nutrition, 77(1), 17-41. National Research Council. 2007. Nutrient Requirements of Horses.


Winter Care Tips for Boarded Horses


By Dr Madison Ricard, DVM, PhD, DACVP, PAS Cold temperatures, icy footing, limited turnout, and changes


in forage and water availability can all influence a horse’s com- fort, health, and behavior during the winter months. Boarded horses rely on barn staff, shared facilities, and set management routines to stay safe and healthy. With a clear understanding of winter management chal-


lenges, you can help ensure your boarded horse stays healthy, comfortable, and well-cared for all season long.


Footing Frozen, icy, or muddy ground can raise the risk of slips and


soft tissue injuries. Mud


Deep mud can be challenging for horses to move through


and may lead to slipping, missteps, or even pulled shoes. These issues can increase the likelihood of soft tissue injury or hoof problems. Prolonged exposure to muddy, wet conditions also raises the risk of thrush and scratches (pastern dermatitis). If you notice your horse’s turnout area is extremely muddy, you can request an alternative turnout area if space is available.


the risk of hoof damage


If alternatives are not available, consider strategies like: ● Removing your horse’s shoes or using bell boots to reduce


skin cleaner and drier Ice


dents can lead to:


● Head injuries Ask how your facility determines when footing is too icy


● Radial nerve paralysis ● Pulled groin muscles ● Rupture of the peroneus tertius tendon ● Bruising, scrapes, or cuts


for turnout, and what alternative turnout options may be avail- able.


Other strategies to help your boarded horse deal with icy


the risk of thrush and scratches ● Clipping feathers or excess hair on the legs to keep the


●Asking the facility to section off the muddiest areas ● Cleaning your horse’s legs and hooves regularly to reduce


Ice is extremely dangerous for horses. Slip-and-fall inci-


studs to your horse’s shoes ● Leading horses slowly while avoiding icy areas whenever


conditions include: ● Having your farrier apply traction options like borium or


possible ● Offering to help apply sand on icy patches, with barn ap-


bruising


proval ● Checking your horse daily for lameness, swelling, or


Snow In snowy conditions, many horses develop snowballs


packed into their hooves. Standing on these snowballs can strain their tendons and ligaments or cause hoof bruising. If your horse is shod, consider having your farrier apply snow pads, which help pop snowballs out of the shoe as the horse walks. Other options to help reduce snow accumulation in the hooves include:


● Petroleum jelly ● Cooking spray ● Hoof boots


Temperature & Wind Chill Horses have a relatively low thermoneutral zone, the tem-


perature range in which they can maintain body heat without ex- pending extra energy. In winter-acclimated horses, the lower end of this range is estimated at about -15°C (5°F).


Strategies to help your horse maintain their body temperature in- clude:


from the ground when lying down Ask your boarding facility about the availability of shelter and bedding to help determine a blanketing plan for your horse.


ter include:


● Breaking ice frequently to ensure access to liquid water Ask your boarding facility about their plan to provide fresh


ity manager to develop a plan for increasing water intake through the winter.


Strategies may include: ● Providing salt in the horse’s grain to encourage water con-


ual paddock so their water intake can be monitored closely


water intake ● Stalling the horse overnight or putting them in an individ-


source of heat. Increasing access to fiber sources, such as hay, increases fermentation in the horse’s digestive system, which in- creases their body temperature. Cold temperatures also increase the horse’s metabolic rate,


as a higher metabolic rate produces more heat. For these reasons, access to good quality forage is an im-


portant component of a cold weather plan. Ideally, horses turned out during cold weather should have free-choice access to hay. Ask your boarding facility what their policies are surrounding forage access during cold temperatures. Read the full story at: https://madbarn.ca/winter-safety-for-


boarded-horses/


sumption ● Feeding soaked grain, hay pellets, or mashes to increase


Feed Availability Horses use fermentation in their large intestine as a primary


●Adding a water heater to the water trough ● Insulating the water trough to maintain water temperature


water during the winter and how frequently water sources are checked for freezing over. If your horse is prone to dehydration, work with your facil-


of windchill ● Providing suitable bedding, which helps insulate the horse


Water Access Common strategies to keep your horse hydrated during win-


● Blanketing to increase the horse’s insulation ● Providing a windbreak or shelter, which reduces the effect


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