When grazing is adequate, the addition of minerals and vitamins to the diet is not usually necessary. However, when hand feeding grain diets in the absence of grazing or lucerne hay or chaff, a daily supplement of 35 g of limestone should be provided. Salt should be supplied freely to working horses because considerable quantities are excreted in sweat. The provision of salt blocks or rock salt in feed boxes will help ensure adequate intake. Feeds for horses Two basic types of feeds are available to provide the nutrient requirements of the horse.
Tables outlining the average composition of feeds are available.
A comparison of some of the more commonly used feeds is given in Table 1. These are only average compositions. Concentrates are usually labelled with their protein level. Check this, as the protein level varies between feeds. Only the best quality hay, free from mould and dust, should be used.