Equine feed production

Biology knowledge acquired at secondary education.

Classes are theoretical and practical. An expositive methodology is used for the presentation of theoretical material, immediately demonstrated with real cases from the ESAC farm or through visits to other farms, using videos, photographs or presentations in "power point".

Identify types of feed and plant species most used in equine feeding.

Know the main agronomic practices to install crops and forage to feed horses.

Correctly apply the rules of managing pastures for horses.

Know the appropriate methodology and specific equipment for hay, silage and haylage production.

Know basic principles and technology, of feed processing.

Formulate mixtures and diets for housed equine.

 1- Feed and plant species used on grazing horses

1.1-Main types of feed: Pastures, Preserved Fodder and Concentrated Feeds

1.2-Taxonomy and botanical characteristics of plants commonly used in horse feeding.

1.2.1-Grasses, Legumes and Others.

1.2.2-Relationship between their physiology  and anatomy.

1.2.3-Importance of combining plant species to get diets with the right balanced of energy and protein.

1.3-Installation of grassland and forage crops.

1.3.1-Sowing seasons.

1.3.2-Main agronomic techniques to be adopted.

1.3.3-Basic knowledge of fertilization.

1.4-Feeding grazing horses. 

1.4.1-Grazing systems.

1.4.2-Fences, drinkers and rotational grazing.

1.4.3-Current management operations.

2 - Preserved forage, concentrates and feed mixes for housed horses.

2.1- Forage conservation methods.

2.1.1-Hay and straw.

2.1.2-Sillage.

2.1.3-Haylage.

2.2- Characteristics and origin of concentrated feed and additives.

2.3- Feed processing technology.

2.3.1-Most common equipment and process.

2.3.2-Processing of mixtures at the farm (regulation and potential).

2.4- Formulation of mixtures for horses diets.

NAO

Ortiz-Cañavate, J. (1993). “Las maquinas agricolas y su aplicación”.

Macleod C. (2007). “The truth about feeding your horse”. Ed. Martin Diggle. UK. 258 pp.

Moreira N. (2002). “Agronomia das forragens e pastagens”. Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila real. 183 pp.

Moreira N. (1995). “Pastoreio – Interacções animal-pastagem e seus reflexos no maneio e na produção”. Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila real. 55 pp.

Pardo, M. e Garcia, R. (1991). “Praderas y Forrajes – Produccion y aprovechamiento”. Ediciones Mundi-Prensa. Madrid.

Pastagens e Forragens. , Publicação periódica da Sociedade Portuguesa de Pastagens e Forragens., n/a

Salgueiro, T. (1982). Plantas para pastagens semeadas. Ministério da Agricultura, Comércio e Pescas. Lisboa.

Serrano, J. (1981). “A ensilagem. Fundamentos básicos do fabrico da ensilagem”. Direcção-Geral de Extensão Rural MAP, Lisboa.

Serrano, J. (1981). “A Fenação. Normas fundamentais no fabrico do feno”. Direcção-Geral de Extensão Rural – MAP, Lisboa.

Serrano, J. (2006). “Pastagens do Alentejo: Bases técnicas sobre cracterização, pastoreio e melhoramento”. Universidade de Évora – ICAM.

Serrano, J. e L. Almeida (1991). “A Fábrica de Rações. Tecnologia de Preparação de AC para Animais”. Ed. IPCB, ESA Castelo Branco.

Trindade, H. (1992). Identificação de espécies pratenses e forrageiras. UTAD, Vila Real.