ABSTRACT
Pregnant mares and young growing horses are often subjected to poor mineral feeding practices. Some are fed excessive carbohydrates and protein, resulting in heavy bodies with weak legs because: mineral requirements are high for young growing horses, and calcium and phosphorus ratios are often incorrect. The effects of poor mineral feeding are not readily apparent but can result in irreversible damage to bones that appears as lameness in later life. The horse nutritionists' challenge is to analyze the feeding program, recognize areas of deficiencies or excesses, formulate or select satisfactory rations for different ages and stages of growth and work, and to monitor the horses' feed with routine chemical analysis. National Research Council Standards are minimum amounts based on research of "average" horses under controlled management conditions fed "average" feeds. In reality, there may be a "peck order," different ages in group-fed horses, feed wastage, and great variation in quality of feeds offered.
