Making sure horse gets enough calcium?

Question

My horse is going through a growing phase.
I'm worried that his calcium:phosphorous ratio is way unbalanced, since he's getting oats and barley but no real source of calcium.

So how can I go about supplementing him with calcium to make up for this? Will human calcium supplements work? Or a flake of alfalfa a day? I can't find any horsey calcium supplements at the feed store.

Answer 1

The problem you may have is in that calcium has to be fed in a form that will be absorbed and utilized. If your horse is already receiving an excess of phosphorus in the diet, it will bond to any calcium supplement you feed and prevent it from being utilized. So you really should be looking at adjusting your horse's diet in order to reduce the amount of phosphorus relative to calcium. The ideal ratio of calcium to phosphorus in horses is about 1.2 to 1.6 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus. Grains are often too high in phosphorus, and forages are more well balanced. Alfalfa hay is high in calcium, which is okay since high calcium doesn't cause a problem with the ratio of calcium and phosphorus. Calcium intake should always exceed phosphorus intake.

In other words, too much calcium is better than too much phosphorus. However, feeding too much calcium can cause other serious problems, which is why the ideal ratio of 1.2 to 1.6 parts calcium to one part phosphorus has been established. But if you have to overfeed calcium to balance an excess of phosphorus, it is still not ideal.

The best form for minerals to be utilized by the body is in chelated form. This means they are bound with amino acids (proteins), and not just fed in an unbound form. Feeding human calcium supplements fails to take into account any of the factors that affect the way horses absorb and utilize calcium, so it isn't a good solution.

You can feed alfalfa hay to up the calcium ratio, but you risk an overage of calcium if you are trying to balance out an overage of phosphorus.

My point is that you are better off to try to come up with a balanced diet rather than attempting to fix this with supplements that may or may not be absorbed and/or utilized in your horse's body. If your horse is still growing, then it is vital that he has the correct calcium/phosphorus ratio to sustain the growth of his developing bones. There are feeds that have been carefully formulated based on extensive research by equine nutritionists that will meet your horse's needs, and I would recommend that you consider switching to a balanced feed rather than trying to guess at what might work for your horse.

Answer 2

You could always ask your vet since he is familiar with this horse. He would know if the horse requires more calcium or not. If your horse is being fed good hay, and getting oats and barley, he should be getting all the nutrients that his body needs.

Answer 3

get a mineral block from a feed store. we use one made by baileys



Baileys Paddock Lick Plus - Horse Supplements

This lightly molassed vitamin and mineral lick is designed to meet the increased nutritional demands of breeding and youngstock as well as performance and riding horses. When made available in the field for free choice access, it can give all horses in a group the chance to supplement their diets at will. Its unique advanced formulation includes chelated (Bioplex) minerals, with excellent levels of organic, protected copper, zinc and selenium complexes which are all key to bone and tendon development. In addition, the recipe includes the essential amino acid, lysine, important for muscle development, plus seaweed meal and Omega oils, for enhanced hair and coat condition, all of particular importance for correct growth and performance. Paddock Lick Plus is formulated to compensate for mineral deficiencies commonly found in pasture but is equally suited to stable or barn kept horses being fed conserved forages, such as hay or haylage, and which contain lower levels of essential nutrients than fresh pasture. Available in a sturdy plastic bucket, with an estimated consumption rate of 100 150 grams per horse per day, the lick should last a group of four horses around 20 days. Consumption rates may be lower if fed in addition to hard feed.

Answer 4

Wahoo initiated and gallop concluded correctly.



A stable, balanced diet is all your young gun needs. You may give something extra for increasing the immunity levels though. This will ensure that he does not fall sick or catch an infection fast and recuperate early if falls sick.



Certain herbs like Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Nettle (Urtica dioica), Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia) and Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) strengthen the immune system as well as overall health.



You may get details on these here http://www.healthherbsandnutrition.com/pets/equineimmunitybooster-supplement.htm and http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/3/1/11

Answer 5

that's incredibly very worry-loose. i could say stretch them out and consume a banana till now you bypass to mattress. The potassium in the banana can help forestall cramping or a minimum of make it much less severe. additionally, verify you're stable and hydrated, which could help out too.

Answer 6

I have my 3 year old on Calplus with Biotin to make sure he's getting enough.