Animal Factors: Body Condition Score and Weight, Production Level, Environment, The Horse's Digestive System. Diet Factors: Water, Carbohydrates and Fats, Protein, Minerals, Vitamins, Yeast and Enzymes. Feeding Factors: Amount, Frequency, Reading Feed Tags, Balancing Feed Rations, Tables. Forage Species for Pastures and Hay: Grass Selection, Legume Selection, Pasture Management, Hay Harvesting, Hay Quality. Plant Identification: Plant Identification, Weed Identification, Poisonous Plants, Trees and Shrubs, Landscape and Ornamental Plants, Poisonous Substances. Diseases Related to Nutrition: Colic (Abdominal Pain), Founder, Growth-Related Problems, Obesity, Starvation, Allergies.

Since the publication of the 1989 Nutrient Requirements of Horses by the National Research Council (NRC) more information has become available to better help us address the nutritional needs of horses. These needs vary greatly depending on the age, reproductive status, and activity level of the animal. The main emphasis of this article will focus on some of the more recent research that has come available regarding energy, vitamins, and some minerals for the performance horse.