Protein in Horse Feed

Proteins are essential in the horse's diet because of their constituent amino acids. Proteins have many functions in the body,  these being the main ones 

• Hormones
• Structural Proteins (for muscle and connective tissues, hair and hooves)
• Immunoproteins / immunoglobins to fight infection
• Transport proteins within the blood to carry nutrients

Some proteins can be made by the body (non-essential amino acids) and some have to be supplied by the diet (essential amino acids) 

Unlike ourselves Horse's don’t need a high amount of protein in the diet

A horse at rest à target figure is 8%

Horses in work à target figure is 10 – 12%

Breeding and youngstock feeds tend to be higher in protein than for horses at rest.

The following table shows the approximate protein content of various feed stuffs

Also see our guide to Carbohydrates in the Horse's Diet and Oils in the Horse's diet