Disclaimer:
It is recommended to contact your veterinarian or health care professional for more information. The product descriptions contained herein are for information purpose only and are not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
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Join GLOBAL FORCE NETWORK
See what we are doing to help ourselves and the planet!
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It's great when something happens that make your heart leap with joy!
Well, we are so happy to announce that our friend and supporter Stephanie has just launched her new product line called Fluid Canine and Feline Pet Products.
She is to talented and skilled with mineral supplements for equine and now she has her new products ready for us. Please see them on this site!
We love feedback so if you try the Fluid products please send us your thoughts and we will be sure to forward them to Fluid Canine & Feline Pet Products.Thanks for taking the time to check out these amazing Fluid Mineral products.
Congratulations Stephanie!!
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Can you drop us a comment to say which one you like?
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Continuing on with our mounting tips:
"When mounting your horse, be sure not to stick too much of your foot into the stirrup, not only to keep from booting the horse, but as a safety measure too, in case the horse bolts and get away from you in which case you would be dragged along. Keep your body close to the horse and use your legs to push yourself up into the saddle. Some people lean way too far back and use their arms to try and pull themselves up into the saddle, in effect pulling the horse off balance and the horse will react by moving away from the pressure.
If you do everything correctly and the horse still tries to move away from you, then dismount and put some energy into moving the horse in a couple of tight circles. Then coax him to stand still and try mounting again. It may take a couple times and a couple circles but this usually works as the horse understands standing still is much easier and preferable to moving quickly in small circles.
If you mount and the horse begins to move forward without a cue, then back him a few steps. If he tries to walk off as you get in the saddle he probably also does other things he has a mind to without cues from the rider. Fixing him on the mount will make him better."Check out this video on mounting.
http://functionalhorsemanship.blogspot.com/2010/05/horse-training-correcting-horse-that.html
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When you have a horse who always moves away when you are trying to mount him, there could be 4 reasons for this:
1. The horse probaly isn't ridden enough - this can be solved with consistant and frequent work outs
2. The horse could have too much energy from excessive feed, making him a bit hot tempered
3. You could be putting too much of your foot in the stirrup and as a result end up kicking the horse in the barrel – that would make the horse try to move away
4. Could be that you are leaning back when trying to mount, in effect pulling the horse towards you which would cause the horse to compensate by moving awayHere's a tip to try: when you mount, make sure to shorten the rein on the side you are mounting, which will tip the horse's head to that particular side. If the horse tries to move off while you mount, you can easily pull him into a circle. Just make sure you aren't pulling on the horse's head as you mount as he will move his hindquarters away.
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Overstepping (or overreaching) is when a horse's front legs drag momentarily while running, and the back legs
reach up and clip the back of the front hoof. This is most common in long legged or short-backed horses.
Terrain also plays a part in this. Thick soil or sand can cause the front hooves to briefly "stick", causing the
back hooves to clip the front.What can result from this is the back leg clipping the front and pulling the shoe halfway off, and bruises and
lacerations to the heel bulbs.Bell Boots are a good way to prevent this. They also serve as a protective measure if the horse is already
injured and you have cleaned and dressed the wound. -
Before you take your horse out on the trail, it is important to warm him up. A few simple exercises in a round pen are sufficient, but also crucial in preparing your horse for the ride.
The reason to do this is to maintain leadership over the horse and make sure he is always listening to you. Lead him to do several gaits and change directions, and watch to see if your horse is paying attention and obeying you. If your horse isn't distracted, he will keep his inside ear pointed toward you at all times.
Check out this video on warming up the trail horse.
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A piece of equipment that every horse owner should have on hand for horse hoof care is a protective boot for the hoof. The
protective boot
is sometimes referred to as an “Easy Boot” although this is really one brand type of protective hoof boot.
The uses for these protective hoof boots are invaluable to your horse. These boots protect a sensitive hoof, allow for a hoof
injury to be treated and kept clean, are used to give the horse traction on ice, or used on the trail when a horse pulls a shoe
or is barefoot (un-shod) and is moving in really rocky terrain.Another alternative to the hoof boot that is lightweight and suitable for carrying into the back country in your saddle bags is called a Hoof Wrap. These are not advertised as boots but rather as Hoof Bandages, however, they are perfect to carry one in each saddlebag for use as an emergency boot on the trail. They are made with ballistic nylon and heavy duty stitching, so it is well
constructed and tough enough for repeated use. -
When a horse is tied to a tie rail with too much slack, he can step over the lead line and the pressure will cause him to pull back and break something. Or if he is tied too closely to the rail, that can be a problem too. It's also a problem when someone ties the horse to a rail or fence using both reins with the horse carrying the bit. In cases like these, the horse is able to pull down fence panels or bang their teeth on the bits by pulling back.
The best way to knot a lead line is with a quick release so that you can easily untie your horse. If you need to tie a bridled horse to a rail, then you should consider using a separate rope like a “get down” rope. If you are riding with mecate reins then you have that extra eight feet of rope to tie with.
This video shows a simple knot to use when tying a horse to a tie rail. -
Joint supplementation is something that is usually considered at one point in a horse's life. Horses that typically need additional supplements include those that ha
ve been started before their bones, cartilage and tendons reached full maturity, race horses, horses that been used hard and regularly for a long time, horses that have suffered some trauma or injury to their joints, and very old horses.Most supplements on the market contain glucosamine, which is an amino acid that the body produces naturally and is an active ingredient used in the building and repair of cartilage. You will also find chondroitin, which is an element found in cartilage, and helps form healthy cartilage. It is thought to help prevent or slow the deterioration of cartilage as well. You should look for supplements that also contain hyaluronic acid, which is thought to be related to the production or retention of the natural fluid found in the joints. Additionally, vitamin C and manganese are thought to provide extra nutrients necessary for optimal joint health.
Biomax H.A. contains all of these ingredients and is the ideal supplement for your horse. Recommended serving is one 32gram scoop daily.
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To follow up with my last post - here is a great video on using bosals and hackmores on your horse.
Enjoy!
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A bosal is a piece of equipment used on a horse for riding. When used with a hanger and mecate, it is called a hackamore. The three main parts of a hackamore are:
- The hanger. This is the part that goes over the horse's head, behind the ears.
- The reins, or mecate. Traditionally, mecates are made from horsehair but some may be made from nylon or other synthetic materials.
- The bosal. The bosal goes around the nose of the horse and has a knot at the back, underneath the horse's chin.
Normally, a hackamore is used for training before moving on to the bit. It is common for an unbroken horse to start in a snaffle bit, and then move to a snaffle and hackamore together. After this step, the horse will usually move to a hackamore by itself. Of course this depends on the type of training and purpose the horse is being trained for. Hackamores are not generally used for dressage or jumping horses. Understanding and using tack for a specific purpose requires training and experience. Over tacking a horse as a way of restraint or control is not advised. Training with cooperation and respect will ensure a safer and happier rider and mount. Using the wrong bit or excessive pressure on the horse’s mouth or body will only give the horse a reason to rebel. And like any relationship, cooperation will take you farther than excessive control.
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Founder, also referred to as laminitis, is a very serious horse condition that can lead to death. When a horse has founder, the hoof sole separates from the hoof wall, or the bones rotate inside the hoof becoming closer to the bottom of the hoof. It is a very painful condition that can make your horse lame. It may be evident by pus or fluid coming out of the sole of the hoof or coronet band. Your horse puts a lot of weight on its front two legs, which exerts a great amount of pressure on its coffin bone inside the hoof.
Some causes of founder can be a horse fed too much protein (grain founder), a hot horse drinking a large amount of water (water founder), or a horse running on a ha
rd surface leading to trauma of the hooves (road founder). A horse who has founder will usually stand with their back legs up under them to reduce the weight on their front legs. You should always have Milk Thistle on hand to use in case you find your horse is showing signs of laminitis or if prone to laminitis.Founder can come on fast, and you should immediately and take the horse off grain or alphafa and then call your vet if you suspect that your horse may have it. Treatment may involve x-rays to determine severity, anti-inflammaiton drugs, corrective shoeing and a low protein diet.
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Understanding hay is a key component of basic horse nutrition. Most people usually do not understand the difference between the two general types of hay (grass and alfalfa) or how much they are supposed to feed their horse, and how often.
A horse needs to consume 2% of his body weight in daily hay. This means that a 1,000 lb horse needs to eat 20 lbs of hay every day. This is a gene
ral guidline and some horses are easy keepers and require less. Of the two types of hay, grass usually runs about 10-12% in protein whereas alfalfa runs about 17-23%. Hay should make up the bulk of the horse's feed, and the feed should be a mix of both types. The reason for this is because the alfalfa contains such high levels of protein, which can negatively affect the horse. Too much protein has been thought to cause gastric blockages and colic, and also affect the hooves in such a way as to lead to founder. These problems can be avoided by feeding your horse a mix of grass and alfalfa. Most horses do fine eating twice a day, but 3-4 times a day is more ideal. If your horse is on pasture then it is not necessary to feed as often or as much. Make sure to divide the grass and alfalfa into equal amounts.
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I hope you found the blog post useful about how to make your horse safer for a shoer. I found a great video that goes over the key points I addressed and shows step by step how to prepare your horse for handling.
Does anyone have some particularly tricky issues with their horse that they want to share?
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When it comes to shoeing your horse, the owner is solely responsible for ensuring that his horse is safe to handle. There is nothing worse than having a horse who is uncontrollable, and jerks away or resists the shoer.
The best way to make your horse comfortable with this is to handle his hooves on a daily basis. You need to be able to pick up your horse's hoof and do whatever you want with it, while you horse stands there comfortably on three feet. If he tries to pull his hoof away, do not let him. He needs to understand that you will give the foot back when you are done with it. It may take baby steps, so start with holding the hoof for about five seconds, then gradually increasing the time until you can hold it as long as you need.
When your horse goes to get shoed, make sure he is comfortable in that particular place. Remove anything of possible distraction or noise, or loose objects that the wind could blow and stir up. You need to eliminate any chances of your horse being spooked while getting shoed.
But really, all it takes is a few minutes every day of handling your horse's hooves in order to make him safer. Trust me, your farrier will be forever grateful!
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I love a good horse-saves-owner story. Here is how Fiona Boyd’s horse saved her life several years ago:
Fiona Boyd was on her farm in England, cooking in the kitchen when she heard the cry of a distressed calf. Since her husband was in a neighboring pasture, she goes out into the field and sees that the calf has become separated from its mother. As Fiona attempts to guide the calf to her mother, the mother cow senses her calf is in danger and attacks Fiona. The cow charges her and knocks her down to the ground, and as Fiona attempts to get up, the cow knocks her down again and then sits on her with full weight.
Fiona attempts to curl up into a ball and protect her head from the cow’s hooves, but she already assumes that she is going to be crushed to death. Then she sees her horse come up to the cow and start kicking it multiple times, in order to make the cow move. The cow does move, and Fiona is able to roll about 20 feet away under a fence and into safety.
Incredible! Read the feature story here.
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Equine pemphigus foliaceus (EPF) is a condition common to humans, and sometimes affects horses and cats as well. Little is known as to what causes this disease. EPF can primarily be identified by lesions on the head and lower extremities, with secondary lesions spreading to other body parts and eventually forming a crust. There may be swelling in the lower extremities and abdomen too.
This disease is rare and fairly hard to diagnose, considering the symptoms look similar to insect bite allergies or other skin conditions. The best way to determine the disease is to have your vet perform a skin biopsy to test the cells. Other symptoms consistent with this condition are fever, loss of appetite, depression, and skin that is painful to the touch.
Currently, treatment is pretty slim, limited to mostly steroids to reduce swelling. If your horse has been diagnosed, consider joining the EPF Group, created to provide support and education on this disease, as well as different treatment options.
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A bit of horse humor and how your horse views the world:
Arena: Place where humans can take the fun out of forward motion.
Bit: Means by which a rider’s every motion is transmitted to the sensitive tissues of the mouth
Bucking: Counter-irritant
Crossties: Gymnastic apparatus
Dressage: Process by which some riders can eventually be taught to respect the bit
Fence: Barrier that protects good grazing
Grain: Sole virtue of domestication
Hitching rail: Means by which to test one’s strength
Horse trailer: Mobile cave bear den
Hotwalker: The lesser of two evils
Jump: An opportunity for self-expression
Latch: Type of puzzle
Lungeing: Procedure for keeping a prospective rider at bay
Owner: Human assigned responsibility for one’s feeding
Rider: Owner overstepping its bounds
Farrier: Disposable surrogate owner; useful for acting out aggression without compromising food supply
Trainer: Owner with mob connectionsHope that brought a smile to your face :) Have a great Easter weekend everyone!
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Thrush is a common problem in horses, and is caused by bacteria festering in the hooves of the horse; mainly the grooves on the bottom of the foot. This happens by bacteria laden material getting packed into the hooves - whether you live in a dry or wet climate, a horse is always going to step through manure and dirt. Bacteria will start to grow since no oxygen can get through the dirt, thus providing a breeding ground for thrush.
Thrush can be detected by picking up the horse's hoof and determining if there is a pungent smell. Strong smells usually mean that bacteria is growing and
is starting to cause rot. Black discoloration is also a good indicator that thrush is forming. Avoid thrush by regularly cleaning out your horse's hooves. Constantly exposing the feet to oxygen helps to curtail bacteria growth. A good home remedy is to make a Sugardine mix. Make Sugardine by mixing a povidone-iodine solution with regular table sugar until it forms a paste. Wash the hoof thoroughly with soap and water and pat dry. Apply the paste deep into the crevices of the hoof and keep applying daily until the thrush is gone.
Checking your horse daily and scraping out the bulld up in the hooves can maintain proper hoof health.
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I have been using Recoverex on a couple of our horses and noticed rapid improvement. And confess to now using it on one of our dogs. Within 4 days he was getting up from laying down without discomfort, jumping (which he's NEVER been able to do), and generally happier as he's no longer in pain. The folks at equinenutrition.ca are always so helpful! Cookie (the dog) is so much happier now and that makes me happy! Thanks Equine Nutrition for being there for me and my animals!
Here is a quick video with some great horse pictures in it.
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It's always a good idea to have a first aid kit prepped and ready for your horse. If you have a vet that isn't available 24/7 or 365 days a year, then preparing a kit should be top priority for any horse owner. I suggest getting a waterproof duffelbag and bagging and labeling all of the items inside to prevent water or dust damage. The following items are a good place to start:
Stethoscope
Digital Thermometer
Duct Tape
Squirt Bottle of Alcohol
Antibiotic Ointment
Assortments of Syringes, 12 cc to 30 cc and Needles, 18 and 20 gauge needles
Vet Wrap
Plastic Wrap
Gauze Sponges
Kerlix Bandage
Cotton Roll
Medical Tape
Pelican Head Lamp (for looking at horses at night)
Bandage Scissors
Povidine-Iodine 10% SolutionGo over this checklist with your vet, and be sure to include any supplements, ointments, and medicines he may recommend. It makes it so much easier to have a bag on hand and ready to go whenever the need arises. Instead of shuffling back and forth trying to collect what you think you may need, all of your items are stowed in one place and can easily be towed along with you or tossed into the back of a truck.
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Blanketing your horse is an important part of the training process, and it's a good idea to break your horse to accept a blanket. Blankets are useful tools when your horse is colicing or you are trying to prevent excess body heat loss after intense exercise, especially in colder weather. If you exercise your horse then have to drive him home in a trailer on a cold day, your horse will still be wet with a raised body temperature and the combination with the cold air is not a good idea. This is a great time to use a blanket. Keep in mind that horses who live in colder climates are more accustomed to the drops in temperature and may not require blanketing until very low degrees, perhaps the low 20's. If you have a horse that doesn't grow a lot of hair, blankets are great ways to add extra warmth in the winter time. You might want to consider blanketing a horse with sparse hair when it reaches the 30's.
Some other factors to keep in mind are whether your horse is out roaming the pasture or confined to a stall. Horses that have acreage can keep their blood moving and don't need to be blanketed as soon or as often. But horses confined to a stall have no way to warm themselves and will require blankets sooner.
It seems that the velcro belly blankets that are pulled over the head are the easiest ones to use. A good quality blanket shouldn't cost you more than $50.
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Your horse's manure is a good indication of his state of health. Healthy manure will look like firm but moist balls that are slightly bigger than a golf ball. These balls should break apart under gentle pressure.
When your horse's stools are loose, it can mean an imbalance in the gut, lack of digestive enzymes, worms, and poor quality feed. It can also mean that your horse is in a high-stress environment.
If you find that your horse is in this situation, try upgrading the quality of his feed and hay, and distributing prebiotics to balance the intestines. Also be sure to check the stool for worms. If the solutions above don't seem to make a difference, it's time to call your vet.
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The March to the Arch AQHA Show is a fund-raising event originally started by Doug Landon in 2006. A six year cancer survivor, he wanted to create an organization involving horses that would raise money for the American Cancer Society, in an effort to give back to the community that supported him during his own battle with the illness.
It is held every year at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, and the all-volunteer show draws in competitors from all over the country. Most of his stall space sold out in early February despite the current economy. Some were even buying stall space on ebay!
The highlight of the event is the Friday night show - a live auction and ladies pleasure class, which involves a group of horsemen dressing in drag and competing against each other. The show has raised more than $120,000 for cancer research. Doug acknowledges that the reason this event is so successful is because cancer affects everyone. He wanted to create a fun show that would benefit the community and the participants as well.
2010 marked the fifth anniversary of the event.
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Typically, humans are the ones caring for horses. But once in a while, you hear a great story like this, and you realize that horses help us just as much as we help them.
Mr. Bennington was alone on his farm, feeding his horses, when they suddenly appeared skittish and took off running. He turns around to find a pack of hungry coyotes snarling and preparing to attack. Mr. Bennington was alone and unarmed, and convinced he was about to die. Then 4 of Mr. Bennington's horses formed a circle around him, and pushed him tightly into the center while they protected him. The coyotes made several lunges at the horses, only to get kicked in the face multiple times. Every time the coyotes thought they found a hole in the circle, the horses would shift to protect their owner and defend themselves. Eventually the coyotes ran off whining, and Mr. Boddington was safe.
What an incredible story about horses!
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Kentucky has been voted the worst state in the country when it comes to animal abuse. The state's laws and regulations are incredibly lax, which gives a lot of room for animal fighting to thrive unregulated, felony animal cruelty to continue uncharted, and worst of all, no monitoring of animal ownership of convicted abusers.
Kentucky is trying to turn its bad reputation around when it comes to horses. The state will soon be flooded with horse owners that will be riding and training for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. To have a scandal involving horse abuse arise during this time would be quite detrimental and embarrassing.
In response to these issues, the Kentucky Equine Health and Welfare Board (EHWA) will be created under the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet to monitor equine welfare. The EHWA was originally started by a group of equine veterinarians, passionate about horses and their well-being. The mission of the group is to improve equine health, maintenance, and wefare across the state. Hopefully the combined efforts of this group will create a powerful awareness of this horrific problem and eradicate the issue.
Click here to find out more about this organization.
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Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy has become a popular alternative to drugs for the treatmen of pain and inflammation in horses. It works by using electrical energy to deliver a series of magnetic pulses to injured tissue which then induces an electrical signal that stimulates cell repair.
In particular, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy affects endorphin levels, acupuncture point stimulation, nerve regeneration, circulation, tissue regeneration and tissue oxygen. No one has any definitive answer as to why this works so well, but one theory is that it causes anti-inflammatory processes to occur more rapidly. Through this process, Nitric Oxide is produced, which reduces pain, increases blood flow, and reduces swelling.
If you are a horse owner and looking for an alternative pain treatment, consider pulsed electomagnetic field therapy. Click here for more information on getting your own unit.
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Do you have problems with your rubber stall mats lifting and shifting? Check out this great video from a fellow horse blogger and what she does to fix the problem. This video is great because easy fixes work best for most people. I would also suggest that the soil or sand under the mat be leveled out before you connect your mats as described.Some people like the interlocking mats, primarily on cement floors.
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Rain rot is the number one skin condition that affects horses. Because it is so common, it's important to be aware of what it looks like, how it is transmitted, and how to treat it. This picture if a mild case but if caught and treated early rather than later if can be stopped in it's tracks. Rain rot sounds so benign but it can be real nasty if neglected.What It Looks Like
Rain rot "disturbs" the natural direction hair growth, causing it to look dull, lifeless, and even matted. The hair in the infected area will pull out very easily, and the skin underneath will probably be pink.How It's Transmitted
Horses in any climate and any region can get rain rot. However it does tend to be more prevalent in humid areas. It can be spread from sharing saddles and saddle blankets, scratching posts, and grooming tools.How To Treat It
Bathe your horse with soap and water to loosen the scabs underneath the affected area. It's important to remove these scabs (gross, I know) so that oxygen can get underneath them and heal the infection. Follow up with antiseptic ointment and your horse should be healed in a few days. Some people use Listerine (brown original) 50/50 with water and spray the area and work in after the scabs have been removed. This seems to do the trick.Click here for a list of products to keep your horse happy and healthy!
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If your horse is a grazer, it's hard to imagine that she isn't getting all of the nutrients she requires from the earth. But selenium deficiencies are very common if you are in the Northwest and some parts of California. Because of increased farming, the land has been stripped of its natural minerals and therefore is no longer producing what the animals need to maintain healthy bodies. Decreased levels of selenium cause problems with birth, growth, recovery, and immunity or nutritional muscular dystrophy where the muscles break down. When the heart is affected, the prognosis is very poor and if a foal is selenium deficient it may be to weak at birth to stand and nurse. In order to combat these issues, your horse needs a selenium supplement. But even then you have to be careful. In-organic selenium, known as Sodium Selenite, is found in dirt and is a by-product of copper mining. Horses are incapable of metabolizing this substance. 99% of products use this in-organic compound. When buying your supplements, make sure the selenium specifically says "organic". The natural way for your horse to receive this mineral is if the selenium is encompassed in an amino acid. Always check your labels, and ask an expert if you still aren't sure.
Click here for more great organic horse supplements. -
Top 3 reasons to adopt a horse:
- Cheaper
- Save a life
- Test drive through fostering programs
Horse rescue centers house animals that have been abused, abandoned, or simply given up for lack of time or money for care. Because you will be adopting your horse from a shelter as opposed to a breeder, you will be paying significantly less for the animal.
Save a life! Horses sold in auctions go to the highest bidder...this could even mean the meat man! Shelters try to rescue as many as they are able to afford, and you help this cause by donating your money by buying the horse, therefore freeing up space for them to acquire more animals and save them from a less than pleasant ending.
You like a horse, but how do you know you will bond with it? Fostering programs allow you to take the horse home for a certain period of time. You will care for the horse as if it is your own, at no cost to you. This is a great opportunity to find the personality that matches yours.
Here are a few links for more information:
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If you are attempting to breed your mare, maintaining her health is a top priority. One of your best options for this is to give your mare daily supplements of Chaste Tree Berries, which has been used for years in balancing and regulating the hormonal system. Other benefits of preparing the mare for breeding are:- soothes irritability due to cycle
- regulates cycle
- supports milk production in nursing mares
- corrects hormonal disturbances
It's also a good idea to give this supplement to mares while in season since it will make them more comfortable and easier to handle. Visit our online store today and pick up the necessary supplements for your healthy mare!
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Cleaning out the hooves of your horse should be a regular part of your grooming regimen. One of the greatest benefits of this process is that it allows you to monitor the health of your horse's hooves. In the event that you should notice something is amiss with your horse, we have the resources available to help you eradicate the problem.
HOOFEFEX is a supplement that aids healthy hoof growth, in addition to preventing them from becoming brittle and flaky. It is especially important to keep brittle hooves at bay since in their worst condition they can lead to fractures and splits, and eventually lameness in the most extreme cases.
But like most health issues, being preventative is the best way to ensure your horse's health. By developing proper grooming habits and monitoring your horse, you can usually avoid problems before they arise.
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Calcium is a supplement necessary for horses since their skeleton comprises approximately 35% of the mineral. Maintaining healthy levels will ensure that your horse stays injury free during training sessions and other activities that put strain on the body. Along with strengthening the bones, calcium also regulates enzymes and manages muscle contraction. This is a supplement you can't afford to leave out of your horse's diet!
http://EquineNutrition.ca -
This is a beautiful video and a pleasure to watch. Here Marley, a 14h Welsh Cob is trained to jump using free lunging techniques. He progresses from a 2' vertical to 3'3 with a 3'3 spread over the course of this video.
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I love the gentle way this man works with the horse. You can feel the calming energy
as you see him work. Parelli is such a loving and aware training style. I can't help
but think about how the world would be if we all communicated with each other with
honest and caring communication that we see here. I love to see the connection
between horse and man. Hope you enjoy it too.
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Several people have asked lately about supplementation requirements. Why do horses need supplementation and how would I know what my horse needs. First look at the quality of your hay (have it tested if you are in doubt) and then the quality of the grass or pasture that you are turning your horse out on. This of course is assuming you can turn your horse out on pasture or field. The protein content is valuable to know and generally you should be feeding about 2% of the horses body weight in forage per day.
Just as with humans we used to think that we were getting everything we need in our food. For the most part our grand parents grow some if not all their own food and the soil was cared for because they valued it and knew how to keep it healthy. But over the last few generation our soil has been degraded with chemical fertilizers and over use. So too it is with the fields and the pastures. Over watering can leach the nutrients out of the soil and over use can give rise to weeds that most horses won't eat. So here we are trying to figure out what we can do to keep our horses strong and healthy.
Sometimes we can kill them with love. Thinking that if we give them treats and grain they will be happy and love us all the more. But too much grain can have a adverse effect as can too much green grass. You can judge by looking at a few things that will give you good information. If your horse hyper, excitable and even though you feed him/her lots of grain and hay he/she can't put on weight? This may indicate that you are giving your horse too much rich food and she/he is ready to jump out of her skin with all that energy. This would cause the horse to be stressed and drop weight because she is so hyper. Cut back on the grain or eliminate it all together until you see you horse is calm again. Grain is too hot to feed a horse that is not worked often. Then see to it that your horse is giving a good wormer to be sure that this is not the problem. Exercise is key to keeping your horse happy and if you find you are not able to work her for some reason then find another rider to work with you to fill in the exercise routine. An overweight horse is not a healthy horse and weight puts strain on all body functions as well as legs and hooves.
Once you find out what your hay and grass is lacking or if it contains too high a percentage of protein (over 10% approx.) then you should get advice from your vet as to what is needed to supplement your horses diet or what to avoid.
Wishing you the best ride...
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What a great story about Molly. Thank goodness there are great people out there that are not just looking for the almighty buck. Kudos to Dr. Ruston Moore for his contribution to Molly's good health. This story has touched me deeply. -
It is nice to see there are people who are offering natural supplements and vitamins for animals and people. I bought the calminex and glucosamine and I am very happy with it. Keep up the good work.
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Well I am just getting into the nutrition of horses, and it applies to people as well, but I found out that there is a lot I don't know and when I search around looking for information, there is an abundance of information to be had. I get confused as to what is the best action for me to take with my horse. Well I am still learning and will keep searching for answers. I am glad there is Equine Nutrition site out there so I can give the best to my four legged friend.
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