Whether they’re working in the fields or competing in pulling events, draft horses typically expend quite a bit of energy. Since the work these horses perform is often strenuous in nature, healthy draft horse feed is a must. It’s important for owners to have an understanding of nutrient requirements according to age, size, work, and reproductive state. Otherwise, not only can your horse’s performance suffer, but their overall health and wellbeing too. But draft horse care requires more than just providing grains and grass; incorporating additional equine supplies into your horse’s daily regimen can make the difference between a sluggish horse and one that is fully prepared to work. Ohio-based Direct Action Company encourages owners to research quality horse supplements as a way of enhancing the feed they’re already using. With products like Total Performance and Orange, DAC allows draft horse owners in Washington, Minnesota, New York, and throughout the country to improve their animals’ physical condition.
In an article written by Dr. Stephen Duren of Performance Horse Nutrition, the importance of proper draft horse care is highlighted. While draft horses typically have fairly slow metabolisms, they do tend to exhaust a significant amount of energy as they work, making calorie replacement crucial to their health. Experts agree that a balance of hay, pasture, grain, and quality horse supplements should be given to draft horses in order to ensure that they have adequate nutrition.
Depending on your horse’s size, age, and level of activity, the amount of draft horse feed it should be given will vary. Idle horses, or those that aren’t worked between seasons, can typically manage with a diet of nutrient-rich forage such as grass pasture, grass hay, alfalfa hay, or a blend of each. These horses should be fed 1.5 to 2 pounds of hay for every 100 pounds of body weight. Adding a quality horse supplement such as the Orange product from Ohio-based DAC has also proven to be very beneficial.
On the other side of the spectrum are those that perform hard labor. These animals require additional nutrients in order to compensate for the calories they lose while pulling heavy weight or working at a quick trot. If the draft horse in your own Minnesota, Washington, or New York stable belongs in this category, then additional draft horse feed is required. Along with 1.25 to 1.5 pounds of hay per 100 pounds of body weight, they should also receive 1 to 1.25 pounds of grain per 100 pounds of body weight. One of the equine supplies most highly recommended for these hard-working horses is DAC’s Total Performance. But if more calories are still needed, Direct Action Company’s Oil may also be included in their regimen.
Regular feeding of nutrient-rich draft horse feed combined with a quality horse supplement is a major part of proper draft horse care. By giving your animal the right amount of calories, you can ensure that it will have the energy it needs to compete or work in the fields. But as there are other equine supplies that are important to your horse’s health, such as salt licks, it’s imperative that owners do thorough research. Along with offering a variety of products like Orange, Oil, and Total Performance, Ohio-based Direct Action Company also provides draft horse owners with helpful information on their website and Facebook page. Visit www.feeddac.com to learn more about how their line can benefit your animal, or call 800.921.9121 to find a DAC dealer near your Minnesota, Washington, or New York stables.
Direct Action Company
Ph: 800.921.9121
www.feeddac.com