{"id":394,"date":"2015-08-01T18:42:58","date_gmt":"2015-08-01T18:42:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nouvelleresearch.j96fp4es-liquidwebsites.com\/2015\/08\/01\/protein-intake-considerations-in-the-horse\/"},"modified":"2026-03-22T07:56:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T12:56:19","slug":"protein-intake-considerations-in-the-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nouvelleresearch.com\/index.php\/articles\/394-protein-intake-considerations-in-the-horse","title":{"rendered":"Protein; Intake & Considerations in the Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"

How much protein does your horse need?<\/strong>\u00a0 Questions about protein and overall nutrition are very common. \u00a0There are many things to consider in the horse’s diet, mainly being macro- and micro- nutrient provisions, which include proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Protein is essential for the body in a variety of ways, from building muscle mass to regulation of metabolic function. \u00a0How much protein is needed is dependent on each horse and the demands present. \u00a0Exact recommendations are hard to make, generally speaking, but in most cases, we have to look at each individual horse, demands, existing health problems and dietary sources.<\/p>\n

As a veterinarian and clinical researcher, protein intake in the horse is one of the most important factors not just in maintaining health and reducing injury, but also in recovery from an injury, a health issue, or even metabolic conditions.<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0It is one of the most important, in my book, yet is one of the most easily overlooked macronutrients.<\/p>\n

Protein is defined by a quick Google search as “any class of nitrogenous organic compounds which are composed of long chains of amino acids, being an essential part of all living organisms especially as structural components of body tissues including muscle, hair, collagen and as enzymes and antibodies<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

Before we get into details regarding intake requirements and overall needs for the horse, we must get some basic housekeeping out of the way so we have a better understanding.<\/p>\n

Protein Composition and Amino Acids<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are 21 main amino acids that are required by most mammals, which are then broken down into three subclasses; essential, non-essential and conditionally essential.<\/strong>\u00a0The essential amino acids are required to be consumed via the diet as the body does not have cellular pathways to produce them or the pathways are insufficient to meet demands. \u00a0Non-essential amino acids are those that the body can produce due to existing cellular pathways, which do generally meet demand. \u00a0Conditionally essential amino acids are those that the body does possess capabilities to produce but in certain situations, such as disease or injury, those means may not be enough, thus creating a deficit resulting in higher needs via the body.<\/p>\n

Essential amino acids include:<\/span><\/strong> Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan and Valine.<\/p>\n

Non-Essential amino acids include:<\/span><\/strong> Alanine, Asparagine, Aspartate, Glutamate, Serine and Selenocysteine<\/p>\n

Conditionally Essential amino acids include<\/span><\/strong>: Arginine, Tyrosine, Cysteine, Glycine, Proline and Glutamine.<\/p>\n

Crude protein is needed by the body for several functions:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Structure\/function (muscle\/supporting structures)<\/li>\n
  2. Nutrient transport into cells<\/li>\n
  3. Regulation of metabolic processes (enzymes\/peptide hormones)<\/li>\n
  4. Immune function and production of antibodies (immunoglobulins)<\/li>\n
  5. Buffers to regulate pH of the body<\/li>\n
  6. Cellular and tissue repair (healing)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Other functions of the amino acids are production of nitrogen containing compounds which include<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Glutathione (naturally occuring antioxidant) produced via Cysteine, Glycine and Glutamine<\/li>\n
    2. Creatine (involved in cellular energy production) produced via Arginine, Glycine and Methionine<\/li>\n
    3. Carnitine (involved in transport of fats for energy production) produced via Lysine and Methionine<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Some amino acids actually have specific functions and values to the body which include:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Arginine: Involved in the Urea cycle for nitrogen metabolism, also involved in nitric oxide production which impacts blood flow and blood vessel dilation<\/li>\n
      2. Glycine: Involved in the synthesis of Porphyrin in hemoglobin which binds\/transports oxygen in red blood cells<\/li>\n
      3. Branched Chain Amino Acids (Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine) involved in energy or ATP production in muscle cells<\/li>\n
      4. Glutamine: Involed in energy\/ATP production in gastrointestinal and immune cells<\/li>\n
      5. Alanine: Produced by muscle during exercise, then converted in the liver to glucose, which is then used by the muscle cells for energy (“Alanine Cycle”)<\/li>\n
      6. Neurotransmitters including Acetylcholine, Serotonin, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Melanin and Thyroid hormones are all produced from individual amino acids including Serine, Tryptophan and Tyrosine.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Overall, we can see that protein is necessary for your horse in more way than one. All to often, when the word “protein” is tossed around, you immediately think of muscle mass or weight gain, while in fact that is true, protein is needed for many other cellular process as well. \u00a0So, you need to take this into consideration dependent again on the individual needs of the horse and the specific situation.<\/p>\n

        Sources of Protein and Protein Quality for the Horse<\/span><\/h3>\n

        All foods in your horse’s diet contain protein to some degree, the question is what is the quality of that protein, meaning how well are the individual amino acids represented. \u00a0This is tough to actually put a score to and in some measurements, they are comparing food amino acid sources to those amino acid levels naturally found in skeletal muscle, which is not seen as a completely reliable method. \u00a0In other situations, they measure rate of gain when using various protein sources and determine success or failure as being a measurement of quality. \u00a0In the end, there are no tried and true methods to measure protein quality, as it can be arbitrary or relative. \u00a0Overall, the specific requirements for essential amino acids in the horse, aside from Lysine, have not been adequately determined at this time. \u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

        In the equine diet, you essentially are dealing with forages\/hays and grains as the main sources of food and protein.<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Grains are generally used as pure energy sources, due to natural high carbohydrate levels, but they do serve as protein and even macro\/micronutrient sources. \u00a0The amount of protein per a particular grain is generally seen as standard and determined, however, in today’s world we have new grain varieties that are being produced with a grain species that do have altered amounts of various amino acids. Overall, grains are generally seen as having moderate to low quality protein, implying that the amino acids ratios are off or some are not present<\/strong><\/em>. \u00a0Grain byproducts which include wheat middlings, wheat bran, corn gluten and even rice bran generally contain higher levels of protein than the whole cereal grains, but the protein quality is often the same or even lower. \u00a0As for definition, you will often see the word ‘meal<\/em>‘ used, as in rice bran meal or flax seed meal. \u00a0This is a byproduct created after the extraction of oils from the seed, which then after extraction are often high in protein.<\/p>\n

        Forages are generally broken down into Legumes or Grasses. \u00a0Legumes include Alfalfa, clover and other varieties, while grasses include anything from fescue to Timothy to Orchard grass or other varieties. Legumes generally have a higher overall protein content, averaging above 14%, while grass hays are generally lower unless well maintained and fertilized. The protein content found within the legumes or grass hays is dependent on the stage of maturity when cut and baled. \u00a0The more active the growth, the higher the protein content in general. \u00a0 The vegetative states can have protein contents from 16-20% or higher, while the full bloom or headed (late maturity) can contain from 6-9% protein. \u00a0So, a hay that is cut late stage or full maturity, especially if it has begun to wilt and lose color prior to baling, is going to have a much lower content as compared to one that is baled prior to fully heading out.<\/p>\n

        Average Protein Levels of Grains and Hays<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Grass Pasture<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a026%<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Lysine 35 mg\/gram<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Legume Pasture<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a026%<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Lysine 52 mg\/gram<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Grass Hay Mid Maturity<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a013%<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Lysine 35 mg\/gram<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Legume Hay Mid Maturity<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a020%<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Lysine 51 mg\/gram<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Mix Legume Hay Mid Maturity<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a018%<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Lysine 39 mg\/gram<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Oats<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a013%<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Lysine 42 mg\/gram<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Barley<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a012%<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Lysine 36 mg\/gram<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Corn<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a09%<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Lysine 29 mg\/gram<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Flax Seed Meal<\/td>\n\u00a0 32%<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Lysine 37 mg\/gram<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Rice Bran<\/td>\n\u00a0 15%<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Lysine 47 mg\/gram<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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        Average Protein Requirements for the Horse along with Lysine Recommendations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Maintenance<\/td>\n690 grams protein<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a030 grams Lysine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Light Work<\/td>\n760 grams protein<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a033 grams Lysine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Medium Work<\/td>\n840 grams protein<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a036 grams Lysine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Heavy Work<\/td>\n940 grams protein<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a040 grams Lysine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

         <\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        In order for protein synthesis to occur by the horse’s body, all amino acids must be present in specific ratios. \u00a0If one amino acid is present in levels lower than that required for protein synthesis to occur, then the total rate of protein synthesis will be limited by the intake of that limiting amino acid. \u00a0In most food sources for the horse, the rate limiting amino acid is considered to be lysine first and threonine second. The reason being is that lysine is generally in the lowest levels in those food sources, thus considered to be the limiting amino acid in the diet.<\/strong>\u00a0 This is why we often refer to lysine with importance and also use lysine levels in relation to other amino acids. Threonine levels can vary quite a bit between food sources, thus not considered to be a huge limiting factor as often levels are sufficient.<\/p>\n

        If you look at general recommendations of feeding forages at 2% of bodyweight in the horse, that would equate to 20 lbs of hay per 1000 lbs of body weight. If you then look at forage types, you can see the differences in protein that they provide overall.<\/p>\n

        If you fed a grass hay, mid-maturity, 13% crude protein at 2% of bodyweight, it would equate to 1170 grams of protein and 318 grams of Lysine.<\/p>\n

        If you fed a legume hay, mid-maturity, 20% crude protein at 2% bodyweight, it would equate to 1800 grams protein and 459 grams of Lysine.<\/p>\n

        You then have to take grains into consideration, their feeding levels and associated protein. \u00a0As you can see, if you feed a high enough quality hay at sufficient levels, then protein requirements are often met with no problem, in most cases. \u00a0The issue that I see is the quality of forage that is fed by most horse owners. \u00a0In many cases, you can look at the hay, determine quality knowing at what stage it was cut and gauge protein levels. \u00a0In other cases, the hay looks good, but protein levels after analysis are often very low. \u00a0This is reflective of maturity and also pasture management on the grower’s part. \u00a0In my experience, most hays in our region are less than 10% protein, usually of a Fescue variety and cut late stage. As a vet, I have seen fescue hail baled when it is brown and withering in the pasture, almost looking like straw. Here, as a case in point, protein levels, not to mention overall nutritional value is sub-par.<\/p>\n

        Protein Deficiency in the Horse Diet<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

        In reality, a protein deficiency can occur due to inadequate levels of intake of one or more amino acids in the horse, but it can also occur due to inadequate intake of total nitrogen which leads to decreased non-essential amino acid production by the body. \u00a0In most respects, nutritionists will say that if enough ‘energy’ is consumed via the diet, then generally nitrogen intake is sufficient, so it really boils down to decreased essential amino acid intake.<\/p>\n

        Clinical signs of protein deficiency include: general un-thriftness, decreased appetite, weight loss and poor hair\/hoof conditioning.\u00a0 Additionally, failure to heal from an injury, mend a wound, or poor overall body conditioning are also linked with insufficient protein intake.<\/strong>\u00a0 These are general signs associated with overall decreased protein synthesis by the body but may also be reflective of specific amino acid deficiencies. \u00a0One thing to keep in mind is the equine athlete in training, who is developing lean muscle mass and has an increased demand for protein. \u00a0In many of these cases, the protein needs are not kept up with as the horse’s body demands increase, which equates to a relative protein deficiency and can create weight\/muscle loss, poor performance and increased nitrogen excretion by the body.<\/p>\n

        Protein Excess In the Horse Diet<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

        An excess protein intake is relative to total body functions and needs or essentially demand. \u00a0When there is an excess intake of amino acids, they cannot be stored and are often catabolized to carbon dioxide (CO2) and urea in the liver, which then results in increased nitrogen excretion in the feces and urine. In many cases, this is detected by high levels of ammonia in the stall within the urine, as the nitrogen is then transformed to ammonia, which actually can be detrimental to overall health to the groom and impacts soil pH as well.<\/p>\n

        The production of urea by the liver has been termed ‘metabolically expensive’ as it requires a good bit of energy in the form of to create, so an excess intake of protein can actually deplete the body of energy, in theory, impacting growth gains and even performance. \u00a0The high production of urea also requires high volumes of water to ‘flush’ the system and eliminate it in the urine. \u00a0High protein diets have also been shown to create an acidic body pH, which when combined with an already lowered pH due to lactic acid production during exercise, could actually contribute to further health problems, acidosis and poor performance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

        High protein diets have not been connected with liver or kidney disease, but those animals with pre-existing kidney or liver damage may be at risk with high protein diets due to formation and elimination of excess urea.<\/p>\n

        Concluding Thoughts on Protein Intake and the Horse Diet<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

        Overall, protein is an essential part of the equine diet, serving many functions and purposes. \u00a0As the work load and demands on your horse are increased, protein and other nutrient requirements will rise. One interesting note revolves around the limiting amino acid, lysine. \u00a0In one study, it was noted that if horses were fed a lower protein diet in addition to added lysine and threonine, to compensate for their limiting rates, the growth in that group of horses was no different but they appeared to utilize the protein in their diet more efficiently.<\/p>\n

        As a veterinarian, I have fought with the concept of protein in our patients. \u00a0Obviously, in critically ill or injured horses, we had higher protein requirements to aid in recovery as demands were increased. However, in other classes such as metabolic patients, it is very common to deprive these patients of protein due to using much lower quality forages and overall diets. We have to remember that disease comes in all different forms, from a septic colic to a metabolic patient. \u00a0In all those health situations in the horse, there is an ongoing inflammatory condition, which is creating increased demands on the body, which often are not met.<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0In human medicine and research, as a case example, they are finding that increased protein intake, specifically glutamine, helps aid in recovery of various health conditions impacting the GI tract and leaky gut conditions.<\/p>\n

        One of your goals in metabolic cases is to reduce carbohydrate intake, especially high glycemic carbohydrates,\u00a0 but on the same side of the coin, in the act of doing this you are reducing protein and other micronutrients, which is then reflective in their overall appearance down the road.<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0Is it possible, due to increased demands metabolically and also due to concurrent inflammation, that your horse’s needs are higher than what we originally perceive? \u00a0Could it be possible that by ‘depriving’ these equine metabolic patients, dry lotting them and feeding much lower quality hays that we are actually inducing more harm?<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0In human research, a higher protein diet is associated with improved weight loss and metabolic function. The theory is to create more lean muscle, while impacting metabolic rate and thus burning fat. There is no answer to this from a research point of view at least in horses, but only one from experience. \u00a0My experience tells me that if you improve the quality of the diet, even increasing the levels of protein, that these horses actually lose weight and their condition becomes more manageable<\/strong><\/em>. \u00a0Of course, carbohydrate intake needs to be monitored, but even then, without getting too excessive regarding intake, I find that these patients still do well without much intervention regarding carbohydrates. \u00a0Could it be that proper nutrition, actually using whole foods and all of the goodness that comes with them, could be the answer or the missing piece of the metabolic horse puzzle?<\/em><\/p>\n

        This is part of a concept that we have explored over the years with our EQ Rejuvenate formula. We have used this formula in our TB rehab patients for some time, helping to provide another source of protein along with nutrients in their natural form, mainly providing support for tendon and hoof conditioning. Recently, we also explored the use of EQ Rejuvenate<\/em> in metabolic patients with laminitis, in which case, it did seem to help provide additional relief for those patients, even in the short term. Many horse owners are also using the formula in Cushing’s patients, which have a tendency towards metabolic problems, reporting improved hair coat and even weight loss. \u00a0Could it be the added protein? \u00a0Is it the naturally occurring nutrients?\u00a0 (Please note:\u00a0 The EQ Rejuvenate has been discontinued, but can easily be created by combining the Cur-OST EQ Topline formula with the SV EQ Whole Food Greeens or similar blend)<\/em><\/p>\n

        We briefly discussed increased nitrogen excretion in those horses receiving too much protein in the diet, noting increased ammonia smell to the stalls. This smell of ammonia is common and can be an indicator of excess protein in the diet in relation to demand, but on the opposite side of logic, it could also be an indicator of too little protein or possibly more due to a low level of lysine or other rate limiting amino acid, which then impacts overall protein utilization<\/strong><\/em>. \u00a0This is something we have played with in our rehab horses, which are on roughly 2% bodyweight of an alfalfa mix hay along with whole grains. \u00a0In some, there was an increased ammonia smell to the stall, which would indicate too much protein, but these horses needed the protein for weight gain, hoof conditioning and recovery. \u00a0In those horses, recently, we have added pure lysine to their diet, which in 3-days-time has reduced the ammonia smell in the stall by over 50%, while still maintaining the prior diet. \u00a0Could it be in actuality, they were not receiving too much protein, but actually too little of the rate limiting amino acid lysine, which was impacting overall protein utilization?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

        These are all just observations from my perspective, applying some research theories and testing the waters. \u00a0This area is somewhat void of concrete information in the horse and there are really only guidelines available. \u00a0The rest we have to gain based on observation. \u00a0There is no ‘cookie cutter’ approach and each horse is different in their requirements.<\/p>\n

        Overall, as a veterinarian and researcher, protein deficiency is a real concern in the horse.\u00a0 I believe that through dietary modifications, equine athletes can perform better and even maintain soundness longer, while being less predisposed to injury and joint dysfunction.\u00a0 Additionally, I believe that through modification of the protein intake, horses with injured tendons, muscle strains, joint concerns, laminitis, and even metabolic issues can also greatly benefit.<\/p>\n

        The first thing to consider is your horse’s current diet.\u00a0 What type and quality of forage are you feeding? Next, you must keep in mind gut function.\u00a0 A horse can be fed a superior diet with high quality protein, but they are unable to properly digest and assimilate it.\u00a0 This is one main cause behind a horse becoming ‘hot’ when fed alfalfa hay.\u00a0 If you are feeding a high-quality forage and feel a desire to increase protein intake for your horse, here are some options.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. SV Whole Food Greens <\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0(whole food and natural protein)<\/li>\n
        2. Cur-OST EQ Topline<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>(pea protein with added amino acids)<\/li>\n
        3. Spirulina blue-green algae<\/a><\/span><\/strong> (60% protein)<\/li>\n
        4. Pea protein isolate<\/a><\/strong><\/span> (80% protein)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Everything in moderation, I suppose, but time will tell. So far, things look promising.<\/p>\n

          I hope this article helps to guide you.<\/p>\n

          For more information on Carbohydrates<\/a><\/strong><\/span> and the Horse<\/p>\n

          For more information on Fats<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>and the Horse<\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          Author:\u00a0 Tom Schell, D.V.M., CVCH, CHN<\/p>\n

          Nouvelle Research, Inc.<\/p>\n

          www.nouvelleresearch.com<\/a><\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          References:<\/p>\n

          Geor, RJ et al. Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition. Saunders. 2013, 113-132.<\/p>\n

          Graham-Thiers PM, Kronfeld DS. Amino acid supplementation improves muscle mass in aged and young horses. J Anim Sci. 2005 Dec;83(12):2783-8<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          How to feed a horse is one of the most popular questions that I get as a veterinarian.  There are many things to consider, mainly being macro and micro nutrient provisions, which include proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Protein is essential for the body in a variety of ways, from building muscle mass to regulation of metabolic function.  How much protein is needed is dependent on each horse and the demands present.  Exact recommendations are hard to make, generally speaking, but in most cases, we have to look at each individual horse, demands, existing health problems and dietary sources.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2524,"featured_media":7999,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[1114,633,208,1115,207,1112,1113,275,204,460,1110,1111,242,1117,1116,501],"class_list":["post-394","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-equine-articles","tag-alfalfa","tag-amino-acid","tag-equine","tag-fescue","tag-horse","tag-how-to-feed-horse","tag-legume-hay","tag-lysine","tag-nouvelle-research","tag-pea-protein","tag-protein-requirments","tag-protein-sources","tag-spirulina","tag-supplementation","tag-timothy","tag-tom-schell-d-v-m"],"yoast_head":"\nProtein Intake in the Horse Diet; Considerations on How Much and When<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Protein intake requirements in the diet vary from horse to horse and are dependent on several factors. High levels of competition and training require more, while the sedentary horse may require less.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nouvelleresearch.com\/index.php\/articles\/394-protein-intake-considerations-in-the-horse\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Protein Intake in the Horse Diet; Considerations on How Much and When\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Protein intake requirements in the diet vary from horse to horse and are dependent on several factors. 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