The Need For and Production Of Quality Forage Feeds

Horses have evolved over millions of years as roaming grazing animals, and they have specialized digestive tracts adapted to digest and utilize diets containing high levels of plant fiber. They are capable of eating and processing large quantities of forage to meet their nutrient demands. In an attempt to maximise growth or productivity, horses are often fed diets that also contain high levels of grains and supplements. Unfortunately, this type of grain supplementation often overshadows the significant contribution that forages make in supplying the horse’s nutrient demands and can lead to serious gastrointestinal, metabolic, and behavioral disturbances.

In China, few horses have access to pasture and rely on hay for their forage intake. When forage is grazed as pasture, its nutrient quality is almost always higher than when it is harvested as hay, unless the pasture is the dead remnant left from the previous growing season. Hay production is limited to Northern China and Inner Mongolia. Grass hay is cut too late and is usually of lower quality than that grown in many countries. Poor transport conditions and storage often leads to further deterioration in quality. Many horses are not fed enough hay or are fed hay of inferior quality leading to health, productivity, and welfare issues such poor growth, inadequate body condition, substandard performance, stable vices, and digestive disturbances.

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

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