20/04/2024
Autumn Feeding 🍂
As the temperature begins to cool down and the winter months fast approach, our horses need to be equipped for the upcoming winter weather.
The primary needs of grazing horses and ponies during cold weather is an adequate supply of good quality roughage, shelter from cold wind and rain, as well as free access to clean water and room to exercise to keep warm.
Older horses, in particular are more likely to lose condition during the cold, wintery weather as they may not be able to graze for long enough each day or walk comfortably to harvest their feed due to arthritic conditions. It is not uncommon for older horses to suffer from dental issues and reduced digestive efficiency, which makes maintaining condition throughout colder weather difficult.
In preparation for the cooler months, a horse’s diet should include an adequate supply of good quality roughage. Fibrous roughage is fermented in the hindgut by intestinal microbiota to release heat, energy and other essential micro-nutrients. The addition of hay (or chaff) in the morning and evening feeds will help provide available energy and fibre for hindgut fermentation to prepare for the cold overnight conditions and help keep your horse warm.
Research shows that, one biscuit (approx. 2 kg) of lucerne hay provides extra energy, protein, calcium and fibre. Feeding your horse at least twice daily, in the morning and evening will help to provide a more continuous supply of energy and maintain the warming effect and enjoyment which eating provides in cold weather. This is particularly important in mares and foals, weanlings and yearlings, where heat lost from cold weather will sap energy away from growth.
Adding a supplement of trace-minerals and zinc, copper, selenium and vitamins including vitamin A and E such as in Kohnke’s Own Cell-Ultimate, or Cell-Grow for sound bone and joint development in unborn foals and growing horses, will help to maintain immunity, the appetite as well as overall health and vitality under cooler autumn conditions.
A horse does not start to lose significant amounts of body heat until temperatures fall below 8°C for more than 4 hours overnight. They adapt to the cold conditions by growing a longer coat, horses will start to grow a longer coat as daylight diminishes heading into winter.
The growth of a longer haircoat requires extra energy and protein; therefore, it is important to ensure that your horse’s diet contains a good quality source and sufficient amount of energy and protein for this process. Feeding a slow release starch energy feed such as steam-rolled barley will help to provide a sustained, slower release of energy and protein essential for coat growth and maintenance.
The addition of a cold-pressed oil blend such as Energy-Gold, with balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is a great source of ‘cool’, slow-release energy. Energy-Gold also is fantastic for coat conditioning as well as acting as an anti-inflammatory oil.
Pictured - Kohnke's Own sponsored rider Andrew Hoy making his feeds with Kohnke's Own supplements.
