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Protein is one of the most misunderstood components of a horse's diet. Horse owners often wonder: Can too much protein cause problems? Does protein make horses fizzy? Why is protein so important anyway?
Protein is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of the horse's body. These amino acids support:
There are two types of amino acids:
Lysine is considered the most limiting amino acid in a horse’s diet meaning it’s often the first to be deficient. Without enough essential amino acids, horses may experience poor growth, reduced muscle development, and inefficient feed utilisation.
Protein content is expressed as a percentage (%) and measured based on nitrogen content. Here's a quick look at protein levels in common feeds:
Not all protein in feed is equally digestible. This is measured as Biological Value (BV). Overheated feeds or those high in tannins may reduce the BV, making protein less available to the horse.
Protein requirements depend on the horse’s weight, age, and workload. Here's an example of how a 500 kg horse might meet its needs using CoolStance (21% CP) and 9% protein grass hay:
Its the total protein content of the diet that matters, not the protein contant of the individual components. For example
A horse is fed 7.5 kg of grassy hay per day, plus 1 kg Coolstance copra meal, plus Vitastance to provide a balanced diet
After adjusting for the water content, as only the dry matter provides the nutrients, the protein cocntent in the total diet is 9.6%.
Protein does not cause fizzy or hot behaviour in horses. That myth likely stems from confusion with heat increment, the internal heat generated when protein is metabolised for energy. High protein intakes in hot weather may cause increased sweating, electrolyte loss, and reduced performance, but this is a heat management issue, not a behaviour issue. What does make horses hot? Diets high in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), like sugar and starch, are the real culprits behind fizzy behaviour.
Hair and hooves are made of keratin, a protein formed from sulphur-containing amino acids like methionine and cysteine. These amino acids are crucial for:
Feeds rich in these amino acids, such as CoolStance coconut meal, are excellent for supporting coat condition and hoof growth.
Protein provides about 4 kcal per gram, just like carbohydrates. However, using protein as an energy source is inefficient and costly. Excess dietary protein is metabolised and excreted as urea, producing extra body heat and potentially increasing sweat loss.
Protein should be provided to meet amino acid needs, not as an energy source.
Good quality protein ensures your horse gets the right amino acid profile. While most plant proteins are sufficient, horses fed low-quality forage or imbalanced diets may suffer from combined energy, protein, and mineral deficiencies.
The key to protein in horse nutrition is balance not too little, not too much. Focus on:
Feeds like CoolStance coconut meal offer a unique combination of digestible energy and high-quality protein, making them an excellent choice for performance, condition, and shine.
