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Different feeds have different densities. Remember that a one-litre or other container that you use will not provide 1 kg of feed. Always use a scale to control the amounts of concentrate in your full container. It is also a good idea to weigh the usual amount of hay for each horse so that you can learn to judge how much a kilo of hay is, before you go on to formulate rations with PC-Horse. You can then ensure that the diets formulated for you by the PC-Horse program make good sense. |
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When feeding homegrown or purchased silages, you should try to determine or judge the dry matter content. Silages with different water content will provide different amounts of nutrients per kilo of feed. If you give feeds that you mix with water (i.e. beet pulp), please observe that all amounts in PC-Horse refers to the dry feed. |
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It is difficult to calculate the energy requirement for exercising horses accurately. If your horse performs well with the amounts of feed you are giving, you should base your first rations on your current diet. You may then calculate "backwards" in PC-Horse to determine the level of training that suits the diet you are providing. |
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Always try to estimate the body weight as accurately as you can. You can measure the chest girth or use a scale whenever you have access to one. For young horses you are also asked to provide the expected adult body weight. This is difficult and PC-Horse gives you some suggestions. Additionally, take the mother's body weight into account if your horse is a mare, and increase it if the horse is a male, or if the father is a particularly large horse. |
