Nutrition: Key Issues and the Consequences of Getting Them Wrong

Large investments in horses are made in China annually, but the wastage rate due to poor performance, slow growth, suboptimal body condition, colic, lameness, infertility, and other disease is high. Ten key issues related to nutrition and feeding horses in China have been identified as possible contributors to this wastage.

These issues include lack of nutrition knowledge, lack of grazing, poor water supply, poor forage supply, owner preference for fat horses, reluctance to pay for quality feeds, costs and time of feed transport, poor nutrient balance, overuse of imported supplements, and a tendency to feed all horses the same.

By addressing these issues, the health and performance of horses in China can improve, and wastage will decrease.

This report was presented at the World Equine Veterinary Association Conference, 2018.

Open Publication