08/30/2024
Topic of the day…
Feeding.
I know this is a heavily controversial topic, especially amidst the tragedy that occurred in Tx.
However, I think it is a very important one. Please note, I am not telling anyone what they MUST do, it is your personal choice as to what you feed.
Now, I am NOT a nutritionist, but I have fed a lot of horses over the years and I’ve done a ton of research. I have seen how feeds affect the body, and namely the feet and gut. As someone that has struggled with food sensitivities due to autoimmunity, I am all the more ever learning.
First: and foremost, horses are grazers. They NEED good QUALITY forage. Cubes/ pellets are ok when needed but they actually need stem. They need to chew as this produces saliva that neutralizes the stomach acid. They need apx 1-2.5% of the body weight in forage every day. So a 1,000 lb horse should eat, on avg, 20lbs of hay, per day. Winter, aged horses, and performance horses may require more. They SHOULD have hay in front of them 24/7. This keeps them from getting bored, chewing, etc
Second: get your hay tested. Or buy hay that already is tested. It will help you out a ton if you know what minerals are already present in their hay. Then you can supplement whatever they are missing. Mineral deficiencies or unbalanced intakes cause problems with feet, coat, etc. (side tip: get your water tested also)
Third: most “grains” cause inflammatory responses. Corn, wheat, oats, soy, molasses, etc. they all digest down into sugar. Sugar=inflammation.
I avoid these at all costs. I don’t want to have to fight inflammation (IE: Joint probs/ arthritis/ etc) when I can just remove it from my diet.
Alfalfa based/ grain free feeds are typically way better. The cheaper the feed, the worse it is. I often say, you can either spend the extra $$ now fighting disease, or you’ll spend the extra $$ later fighting it in poor health.
Fourth: Signs to look for- If they are flanked(sunken in) and you know they have been drinking, treat them for hindgut ulcers
( i use Simply Equine. It’s expensive, but not as expensive as the vet and it works)
If they are dropping feed or not putting on/ holding weight as they should, they likely need their teeth done.
Fifth: the age old argument between alfalfa and grass. Yes, some horses can’t handle alfalfa. BUT. Alfalfa is low in starch (think Cushing/ PSSM1) higher in protein(hello performance) and neutralizes the stomach acid. Horses are less likely to colic compared to grass compaction.
If they’re not drinking, pull their hay so they don’t colic.
Give a tube of electrolytes and make sure they have access to free choice LOOSE salt.
Sixth: Let’s touch on ulcers again. Lack of feed to digest, causes the stomach acid to eat away at the lining of the stomach. Ulcers.
Anxiety from training, hauling, or otherwise in pain somewhere also causes ulcers.
ulcers cause anxiety. Anxiety causes buddy sourness. Treat the cause, not the symptom. Treat the ulcers and the anxiety will (typically) go away.
Seventh: Hauling. I always haul with hay and water in front of them. I find they are less nervous, don’t move around as much and ride better when I get where I’m going. If they have a little bit of anxiety when I get to a race, I’ll also give them a tube of Gastro-plex for their tummy.
Eighth: Ground feeding: Horses are meant to eat from the ground. I try to stay away from hay bags unless I’m hauling. I keep my feeders low, this helps keep their top line rounded and not dropped.
Just some tips and tricks I’ve learned/ researched over the years. I’m sure I’m missing some stuff…
please feel free to ask any questions!
I hope you have a wonderful day and I hope this helps someone!
