Why Is Protein Important in a Horses Diet?
Protein in vegetable sources helps a horse’s body create and maintain strong muscles, produce milk for foals and promote healthy tissues. Protein deficiency, on the other hand, can make a horse ill, according to The Merck Veterinary Manual.SourcesSuitable sources of protein for horses include hay and grain mixes, but many owners use supplements, such as meals made from linseed oil, soybean oil, rapeseed, canola and cottonseed oil, according to the “Horse Owner’s Veterinary Handbook.”SignificanceGood protein sources for horses include any of 22 amino acids, such as lysine, according to The Ohio State University Extension Bulletin.PhasesFoals, yearlings and pregnant and lactating mares need more protein than other kinds of horses, according to the “Horse Owner’s Veterinary Handbook.”WarningSigns of protein deficiency in horses include brittle hooves, hair problems, weight loss and a poor appetite, while lactating mares will not be able to produce enough milk for their foals, according to
