Fenugreek Seeds for Horses

(Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Fenugreek seed is a plant-based feed ingredient used in horse feeding due to its nutrient-rich composition, particularly its high plant-based protein and fibre content. Fenugreek is suitable as a complementary raw material as part of a horse's varied, natural diet.

Protein – a nutritional perspective on musculature

Fenugreek seeds are rich in plant-based protein, which is an essential part of a horse's daily protein intake.

Protein is an essential building block for muscle tissue in equine nutrition, and its intake is directly related to the maintenance and development of the musculature. This is particularly important for sport horses, whose muscles are regularly subjected to the demands of training and work, as well as for horses whose dietary protein levels need to be supplemented as part of a balanced diet. The plant-based protein in fenugreek contributes to the horse's overall protein intake.

Fibre and mucilage – a structural perspective on digestion

Fenugreek seeds are rich in fibre, including soluble fibre and mucilage. These naturally occurring plant compounds effectively bind water and alter the structure of feed when the seeds are mixed into moist feed or water.

Thanks to the mucilage and soluble fibre, fenugreek:

• swells in liquid

• forms a soft, gel-like structure

• makes the feed mass moister, smoother, and more slippery

• helps form a more uniform feed mass

• the gel travels with the feed through the digestive tract.

This type of gel-like structure is typical of plant-based feed ingredients that are rich in mucilage. The gel-like, water-binding structure affects the behaviour of the feed mass in the digestive tract and its physical contact with the surfaces of the digestive tract as part of normal digestion.

From a digestive perspective, it is a matter of the physical behaviour of the feed mass: a softer and moister mass mixes more evenly and moves more gently as part of normal digestion.

Natural Composition

Fenugreek seeds naturally contain high levels of crude protein, crude fibre, soluble fibre and mucilage, compounds naturally found in plants such as trigonelline, minerals and vitamins as part of the plant's natural composition

Nutrient levels are naturally occurring and may vary between batches of raw material.

Use in Feeding

Fenugreek is mixed into the regular feed as is. It is suitable for use as part of the daily diet when you want to supplement the diet with a plant-based protein and a fibre-rich ingredient.

Dosage:

Horse (approx. 500 kg):
20–30 g / day

1 tbsp ≈ 12 g

No need to soak in advance. Mix into the regular feed.

Analytical Composition (100 g)

Crude protein: 28 g, Crude fibre: 25 g, Crude fat: 6,5 g, Ash: 3,54 g, Moisture: 4 %

Vitamins (naturally occurring)

Vitamin C: 3 mg, Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 0,32 mg, Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 0,36 mg, Vitamin B3 (niacin): 1,64 mg, Vitamin B6: 0,6 mg, Folic acid: 57 µg

Minerals (naturally occurring)

Calcium: 176 mg, Iron: 33,53 mg, Magnesium: 191 mg, Phosphorus: 296 mg, Potassium: 770 mg, Sodium: 67 mg, Zinc: 2,5 mg

Note

Fenugreek is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to its oestrogen content.