Protein – the key to muscles and well-being

What is protein?

Protein is the building block for muscles, tissues, fur and hooves – and absolutely crucial for the horse's health and metabolism.
If the horse doesn't get enough, it may look round around the belly, but still lack muscle elsewhere.

How much protein does the horse need?

• Approx. 1.5 g crude protein per kg body weight per day
• Example: A horse weighing 500 kg needs approx. 750 g of crude protein daily

How do you know if the horse is getting enough?

• Make one roughage analysis → it shows how much protein is in hay or wrap
• Then you can see if roughage alone is enough – or if you need to supplement.

Signs that the horse may lack protein

• Big belly, but flat or weak muscles on the back, rear or shoulders
• Doesn't build muscle even if you train it
• Matte fur without shine
• Brittle or frayed hooves that grow slowly or crack
• Less energy and stamina in training
• Young horses: slow development of body and muscles

Good sources of extra protein

• Soybean meal
• Lucerne

👉 In short: Protein is essential for muscles, fur, hooves and energy – and the only way to know if the horse is getting enough is to know the protein content in the roughage. That is, there is a roughage analysis.

Inspiration blogs

• Soy in horse feed – Myths, facts and practical examples
• Protein sources for horses – what's the difference?
• Sainfoin for horses – benefit or pitfall ?
• The amino acids in horse feed sources, with a focus on lysine (which is often the limiting one), methionine and taurine
  
• Mallenders & Sallenders – when skin, fur, environment and feed meet: protein, soy, alfalfa, sainfoin and the feed's saponins
  
• Supreme Minerals and amino acids – this is how you ensure that the horse gets it all
  
• Mold, skin and nutrition – when environment, nutrition and the skin barrier interact
  
• Protein for the horse: Soybean meal versus Horselux Green Protein – see the significant difference
• A protein product analyzed – this is how you can evaluate it yourself (no. 3)
• Muscle supplement for horses – what's in Krafft Muscle Up?
  
• Yeast in horse feed – when does it make sense?
• What happens when horse feed contains yeast?
• When the immune system becomes overactivated – why yeast in horse feed can do more harm than good
• 3 good reasons why Regulator Complete does not contain yeast
• What is yeast really – and why is it added to horse feed?
  
• Soybean hulls, Peak Performance and milk in the udder – myth or real effect?
  
• Poor quality hooves? Why biotin is rarely enough – and what the body actually needs
  
• Why is my frugal horse so hungry and grumpy – even though it is getting its roughage?
• Straw: The key to healthy weight and a calm stomach
  
• Food aggression in horses: It's rarely about behavior – but about lack

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