As the days are getting shorter and the temperature plummets, there are a few extra considerations we need to think about when it comes to caring for our horses in cold weather.
Seedy Toe, also known as White Line Disease, is a fungal/bacterial infection that eats into the hoof via the white line, similar to thrush it is often worse in wet conditions. It is accompanied by other common hoof issues like hoof cracks, wall flares, frequent abscessing, flat and thin soles.
Thrush is the name that we tend to use for any type of fungal or bacterial infection of the horse’s frog. Its characterised by a foul-smelling and often white, grey or black sludgy residue in and around the frog and it can cause significant pain and tenderness in the area.
Adaptogens are natural substances that help the body deal with stress.They increase resistance to stress and decrease sensitivity to stressors which results in protection and prolongs the stress resistance phase.
If we place a high priority on getting the diet as optimal as possible, many of the ailments and diseases that we commonly see in the horse tend to resolve on their own.
The next few months are going to be tough with so many people impacted by financial stress induced by COVID 19. We would like to address how your horse can continue to be fed well, receiving what they need nutritionally, but not cost you a fortune. This is how you can best feed your horse whilst on a tight budget.
Biotinis one of the most importantB vitaminsin the horses' diet, particularly for hoof growth and hoof horn quality.
The B vitamins are closely involved with protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism and interactions, therefore they play a very important part in the metabolism of hoof tissue which is highly active and fast-growing.
Mineral Balance Is The Key. Our horses’ coats can suffer in the summer months however there are a few things we can do to help keep that fresh spring coat sleek, smooth and shiny!
Vitamin E and Selenium are commonly deficient in the Equine diet and deficiency symptoms are commonly seen in horses. Low levels will also cause a decline in health and performance before symptoms are obvious.
Psyllium (Plantago) Husks are the thin outer coating on Psyllium Seeds and are rich in a form of soluble fibre called mucilage. Large doses of Psyllium Husk form a gel in the intestines and can be used to help horses move sand out of their digestive tract.
Magnesium is often deficient in the Equine diet and because of its importance, and the fact that it is generally a very safe supplement to add to the diet, we recommend it routinely.
Copper is one of the ‘Trace’ minerals required in Equine Nutrition. Even though it is only needed in tiny amounts, it is extremely important for good health and is utilised in 100’s of enzyme systems throughout the horse’s body!
Many horse owners, even equine professionals, will ignore these symptoms unless the horse is actually lame. However, they can all indicate serious pathology in the hooves and be a sign of things to come.
The digital pulse is the pulse flowing through the artery to the hoof and is a useful tool in determining if a horse has inflammation in the hoof capsule. It is also useful in determining if a horse could be suffering from Laminitis.
Diet is key when it comes to addressing laminitis and founder in horses. The number one priority is to ensure that the diet is low in simple sugars and starch.
When testing forage, Ethanol Soluble Carbohydrates (ESC) is the measure of simple sugars. It's the ESC and starch that need to be considered when assessing forage for the laminitic prone horse. Anything with a combined ESC and starch content below 10% is considered safe. Unfortunately, many feeds, pasture and even hay, can be much higher than this.
It is very tempting to want to give your laminitic horse pain relief medication such as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory phenylbutazone (bute). However, these medications must be used with caution and preferably only in the first 3-5 days.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest risk factors for laminitis and founder in horses is domestication. In the wild, horses will often cover very long distances looking for food and water and their digestive systems have evolved to be very efficient in obtaining energy and nutrients from sparse low-calorie fodder.
You’ve done your research, forked out your hard earned cash and after waiting for your supplements to arrive you head excitedly to the feed shed to make your horses new magic brew… WAIT
Not all the signs of Laminitis are obvious! Your horse doesn’t have to be standing ‘Camped under’ in the classic Founder Stance or have ‘Aladdin’ slipper feet! Some of the signs can be subtle and easily confused with other common problems.
