Table 5 lists minerals commonly used to balance the calcium-phosphorus ratio. If minerals and salt are to be added to the concentrate, liquid molasses will need to be added to bind the fine particles to the grains, or the concentrate will need to be pelleted. Use the body condition scoring discussed earlier to feed horses. If the horse is getting thin, add more feed or increase the concentrate portion of the diet. If the horse is getting fat, decrease total feed or the concentrate portion of the ration.
Most rations are best when kept simple.
Adding a lot of different grains and various supplements does not necessarily improve a ration and often may make it economically wasteful or even dangerous. Energy needs are best met by grains, and protein needs are met by legume hays or protein supplements. Remember, a ration is the total feed intake of a horse for one day and includes both the concentrate and roughage portions. In general when you approach making a ration, you start by providing adequate protein because it is the most expensive ingredient. Then minerals are usually checked last since they can be added without affecting energy or protein very much.