Kohnke's Own

11/05/2026

Have you checked your horse’s water trough recently?💧 💧 💧

Even during winter, horses need a reliable source of fresh water. Although they may drink a little less due to reduced sweating, water remains essential for proper digestion. Encouraging regular drinking can help lower the risk of impaction colic, which often occurs when dry feed is consumed without enough water.

As pasture becomes scarce in winter, horses are typically fed more hay. Since fresh grass contains around 80% moisture and hay only about 10%, horses on a hay-based diet need to drink significantly more to meet their hydration needs—sometimes up to 60% more than horses grazing on pasture.

Without enough water, especially on dry feed diets, the risk of digestive problems like impaction colic increases as the gut contents become too dry. To help, consider dampening or lightly soaking hay to add moisture and make it easier to digest.

If your horse is exercised in cold conditions, offering lukewarm water afterwards can encourage drinking and help replace fluids lost during work. Some horses may avoid very cold water, so this small step can make a big difference.

During frosty weather, water troughs can freeze overnight. Be sure to check them each morning and break any ice so your horse can drink freely. This is particularly important when feeding hay or hard feed, as horses need access to water soon after eating to support healthy digestion.

10/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible horse mums 💐🐴

Early mornings, late nights, muddy boots, and endless care—you do it all without hesitation.

Being a horse mum isn’t just a role—it’s a lifestyle filled with patience, strength, and a whole lot of heart.

Today, we celebrate you and the special bond you share with your horses. Thank you for everything you do.

Wishing you a beautiful Mother’s Day 🤍

09/05/2026

Fabulous FABBY feedback!🤠

Many horses are already experiencing the benefits of FABBY!

“I have been using FABBY and Formex for the last 8 months and I have been so happy with the results! Digestive health is one of my top priorities for my performance horse especially during show season when their work and competition schedules can become quite intense. I always want to make sure that their gut health is supported especially during times of travel or stress and I have noticeably seen a huge improvement in their condition and their manure since using FABBY and Formex. I have also started my young horse on Muscle XL to help with muscle recovery after shows and top line development and I am excited to see the results!” Meg P, NSW

08/05/2026

❄️ Winter feeding costs adding up? We can help.

As the weather cools down, many horse owners find that keeping condition on horses through winter becomes more challenging — and more expensive.

With pasture quality declining and horses using more energy to stay warm, it’s common to increase hay, hard feed or supplements to maintain body condition. Unfortunately, these changes can quickly push feed costs much higher.

However, many horse diets end up becoming more complicated and costly than they actually need to be.

Sometimes horses are receiving multiple feeds or supplements that may be doubling up on nutrients or providing more than the horse really requires, which can quietly add unnecessary expense to the winter feed bill.

💡 This is where a professional ration analysis can really help.
At Kohnke’s Own, we offer a free ration analysis service where we can:
✔ Assess the nutritional balance of your horse’s current diet
✔ Calculate the approximate cost of the ration you are currently feeding
✔ Identify any nutritional gaps or unnecessary duplication
✔ Suggest practical adjustments to help make the diet balanced, effective and more cost-efficient

Often, small adjustments can help maintain condition through winter while keeping feeding costs under better control.
If you’d like us to take a closer look at your horse’s diet this winter, simply complete our ration analysis questionnaire and we’ll be happy to help.

Because good winter nutrition should support both your horse’s condition and your budget. 🐎❄️

07/05/2026

Dr. John would like to thank everyone for their fantastic questions and feedback! Each week, Dr. John will answer a question that was asked in our previous, Ask Dr. John post! If you have any more questions, drop them in the comments below!

Q: I would ask John for the best treatment for mud fever.

A: Greasy heel (aka mud fever) can be a frustrating condition for horse owners—especially in wet, muddy conditions. But with the right approach, it’s both preventable and treatable 👇

🐴 Managing Pastern Infections (Simple At-Home Care Tips)

Option 1 (Mild cases):
Apply a gauze pad soaked in 10% PVP iodine (e.g. Betadine®) to the affected area.
Wrap it securely with a few layers of kitchen wrap or a elastic bandage.
Leave it on for 24 hours, then remove and gently clean the area with a damp cloth.
Repeat if needed to help control infection.

Option 2 (More severe or ongoing cases):
Mix:
🍯 70% honey (Manuka or Tasmanian Leatherwood work best for their natural antibacterial properties)
🧴 30% (10% PVP iodine) (e.g. Betadine®)

Apply the mixture to a gauze pad and place over the affected area.
Wrap securely and leave for 24 hours.

After removal:
✔️ Gently rinse with warm saline (1 teaspoon of salt in 600 mL cooled boiled water)
✔️ Pat dry
✔️ Reapply the dressing

This method can also help soften and remove thick scabs over 2–3 days while supporting healing and keeping the skin dry.

💧 Prevention is key
Keeping the skin strong and resistant to infection is your first line of defence. Adding Kohnke’s Own Tox Target to your horse’s diet supports the body’s natural detoxification processes and helps maintain healthy skin from within—reducing susceptibility to conditions like greasy heel.

🧴 Treat early, treat effectively
If greasy heel appears, act quickly. Kohnke’s Own Activ-8 provides nutritional support to help the body respond to bacterial challenges and promote skin healing, making it a great addition during recovery.

🐴 Management tips that matter
✔ Keep legs as clean and dry as possible
✔ Avoid excessive washing—this can weaken the skin barrier
✔ Gently remove scabs only when ready (don’t force them)
✔ Provide a balanced diet with adequate zinc & copper for skin health
✔ Use barrier creams if your horse is exposed to wet, muddy paddocks

Consistency is everything—support from the inside and good management on the outside will give you the best results.

06/05/2026

That’s a wrap on the Sydney CDI 🐴✨

What an incredible event—great competition, fantastic horses, and a wonderful opportunity to connect with so many passionate riders and supporters. It was a pleasure to be part of it and to support our Kohnke’s Own community both in and out of the arena.

A big congratulations to all competitors and especially our Kohnke’s Own rider Susan Elekessy, who showcased the results of dedication, horsemanship, and attention to detail.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat—we love being part of your journey and supporting your horses’ health and performance.

Until next time, Sydney 👋

05/05/2026

Feeding horses in cold weather

When temperatures drop, your horse relies heavily on dietary fibre fermentation to generate internal heat. Understanding how different feeds contribute to this process allows you to feed more effectively through winter.

🔬 The concept of “heat waste”
During hindgut fermentation, fibre is broken down by microbes, producing energy in the form of volatile fatty acids — but also a significant amount of heat as a by-product.

Feeds such as lucerne hay, clover hay and cereal chaff can lose up to 70% of their energy as heat during digestion, making them highly effective for supporting warmth in cold conditions.

🔹 Why lucerne is a winter essential
Lucerne provides:
• Highly digestible fibre
• Quality protein for coat growth and metabolic function
• A strong thermogenic effect during fermentation

👉 Feeding lucerne hay at night helps sustain hindgut fermentation overnight — effectively acting as an internal heater during the coldest hours.

🔹 Balancing forage and concentrates
In cold, wet or windy weather — or when horses are losing condition — additional energy may be required.

A combination of chaff and oats for horses who do not suffer metabolic issues is particularly effective because:
• Oats contain ~10% fibre
• They produce around 30% heat waste, higher than corn or barley (~20%)
• They provide a safer, more balanced energy source when combined with fibre

🔹 The role of fibre-based concentrates for sugar sensitive horses
Where additional energy is required beyond forage, low sugar fibre-based hard feeds provide a safer energy source when compared to high-starch grains.

✔️ During very cold or wet conditions (when daytime temperatures remain below 10°C), a mix of 50:50 lucerne chaff and oats can be fed at approximately 500g per 100kg bodyweight, in addition to hay, to help meet increased energy and heat production demands.

🔹 Feed management matters
Avoid feeding large amounts of concentrates (such as oats or pellets) to hungry, cold horses. Rapid intake can increase the risk of choke, digestive upset and colic.

👉 A better approach is to offer dampened hay first to slow intake and partially satisfy appetite, then follow with a measured concentrate feed.

🔹 How much hay is enough?
On sparse winter pasture, feeding hay at approximately 1–1.5kg per 100kg bodyweight will generally maintain condition — provided the hay is good quality and leafy.

Using a hay rack or feeder can also reduce wastage and ensure consistent intake.

💡 Key takeaway:
Winter feeding isn’t just about increasing volume — it’s about choosing feeds that maximise fibre fermentation and heat production while managing intake to protect digestive health.

If your horse is dropping weight or you’re unsure how to structure their winter ration, we can help you fine-tune a feeding program to suit their individual needs.

04/05/2026

Winter Gut Health Tips for Your Horse ❄️🐴

Supporting gut health through winter is essential for maintaining condition, immunity, and overall wellbeing.

• Keep grazing or hay consistent – Horses rely on fibre to keep their gut functioning properly. Horses require access to good-quality grazing or hay to support healthy digestion, fibre also provides warmth.

• Maintain a regular feeding routine – Sudden changes in feed can disrupt the hindgut. Keep diets consistent and introduce any changes gradually.

• Support hydration – Horses often drink less in cold weather. Provide clean, fresh water at all times. Check troughs and buckets do not become frozen overnight.

• Add digestive support – A good gut support supplement is essential, Kohnke’s Own FABBY is speficially formulated to help stabilise the hindgut environment and support healthy digestion. FABBY helps improve fibre utilisation – allowing horses to process their feed more efficiently and supports their condition throughout the colder months.

• Monitor body condition – Winter can lead to weight loss if nutritional needs aren’t met. Adjust feed to ensure your horse maintains condition without overloading concentrates.

• Check teeth and worming – Effective digestion starts with proper chewing and parasite control. Stay up to date with dental care and your worming program.

Supporting your horse’s gut health during winter helps ensure they stay comfortable, maintain weight, and perform at their best all season long. 🌟

04/05/2026

01/05/2026

What’s one question you’d like to ask Dr. John Kohnke? 🤔

Let’s hear your thoughts! 💬

29/04/2026

Come visit us at Sydney CDI! 🎠 🏆

The famous Kohnke's Own trade stand is now open for you to explore.

Our lovely Kohnke's Own Team, have an array of your favourite products at exclusive trade prices and are eager to assist with any nutritional inquiries.

Enjoy a complimentary 30-minute dietary analysis consultation—just PM us to secure your spot! 😊