Trivia Challenge: Feeding ‘Fails’—Can You Nail ’Em?
Challenge yourself! Have fun and test your knowledge of equine nutrition with Horse&Rider’s Trivia Challenge, featured in The Ride newsletter.

Illustration by Navah Rae Adams

1. A horse with a big pot belly yet visible ribs might plausibly have a…

A) carbohydrate deficiency.

B) protein deficiency.

C) food allergy.

2. A horse that looks like the equine version of the Michelin Man has a high risk for developing…

A) gastric ulcers.

B) energy deficiency.

C) insulin resistance.

3. True or false: The nutrient most commonly found to be lacking in a horse’s diet is selenium.

T / F

4. Mouth ulcers and excess salivation might result if a horse eats hay contaminated with…

A) bot flies.

B) blister beetles.

C) immature ladybugs.

HOW’D YOU DO? (Answers below.)

1. B is correct. A horse without enough protein in his daily ration will lose muscle and shape along his topline, even while the poor-quality grass hay he’s eating gives him a pot belly. If you’re in doubt, have the nutritional content of your hay tested, then supplement with a protein-rich commercial feed if need be. A mature horse in hard work should have 10% to 12% protein in his daily ration to build and maintain muscle.

2. C is correct. Excess fat can spike a horse’s risk for developing insulin resistance, a diabetes-like condition that can lead to a life-threatening founder episode if left unchecked.

3. T is correct. Horses’ diets can be deficient in many different vitamins and minerals, but selenium is the most commonly lacking nutrient, especially in certain areas of the country.

4. B is correct. Blister beetles cause extensive burning of a horse’s mucous membranes. Severe blister-beetle toxicity can lead to colic, shock, damage to the kidneys or heart, and even death.

[Before you go! Learn more about dangerous feeding mistakes that could harm your horse.]

Hey! Not already receiving H&R’s fun and informative newsletter? Sign up right now for The Ride.

CATEGORIES
TAGS
Related Articles
HR_23FALL_Ranch Trail_05
Test Your Ranch Trail Knowledge!
Trivia Challenge: Are You Ranch Trail Ready?
Horse Knee Injection
Comfort Management Matters
Common Treatment Options for Equine Osteoarthritis
156A5641 (1)
Let's Move!
Strengthen and Support: Exercises for the Arthritic Horse
The front view of a rider in jeans, cowboy chaps and checkered shirt on a reining horse slides to a stop in the red clay an arena
Are You Taking Proper Care of His Joints?
Take Our Quiz! How Joint-Smart Are You?
Newsletter
Receive news and promotions for Horse & Rider and other Equine Network offers.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Country*

Additional Offers

Additional Offers
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Horse and Rider
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.