Nutrition
Monitoring Body Condition
March 2019
According to recent studies, horse owners are missing the early signs of their horses and ponies becoming overweight until they are dangerously obese. This means they are putting their horses at risk and making weight loss programs more difficult
New study of bacteria in ponies’ guts sheds light on ageing and obesity
March 2019
The complex community of tiny living cells (microbes) living in the horse’s gut may provide valuable information about ageing and obesity, a new study has revealed. Initial findings have suggested that obesity in ponies may have a greater effect on gut microbes than age in healthy ponies. Ultimately this could help guide better ways to feed older and/or obese horse and ponies.
How Much Salt? Brought to you by Hygain
February 2019
Providing your horse with adequate salt each day can go a long way in maintaining hydration which not only safe guards health but supports optimal performance as well. But, how much is enough and, are there risks in giving too much salt? In this article, Claire Thunes, PhD, a consultant nutritionist for Hygain Feeds, answers all these questions and explains why salt is an essential daily supplement for all horses year-round. Average daily requirements
Feed Balancers: Much More Than Simple Nutrition
February 2019
Very well-established in countries like the United Kingdom, where forage-based diets have been the traditional norm, feed balancers are becoming very popular in Australia as more and more horse owners get in step with the fibre-feeding mantra and move towards healthier, low-starch forage-rich diets for their horses and ponies. We know that forage-based diets are the most natural and the ideal scenario for most horses and ponies but they may not provide all the essential nutrients required.
Feeding for Coat Health
December 2018
Everyone wants to see their horses with a sleek, glowing coat and not only for aesthetic reasons, but also because the quality of a horse’s hair coat is directly related to his overall health. Providing the horse with plenty of roughage and a balanced diet along with an effective parasite control regime, sufficient exercise and grooming is imperative when striving for a healthy coat.
4-Step Guide to Safe Weight Gain
December 2018
Is your horse showing a bit more rib than you like to see? Is he or she losing the fat layer along the spine that is often referred to as topline? Have you tried everything, but your horse never seems to gain weight? In this article, nutritionist Larissa Bilston explains the first four steps to improving your horse’s condition in a safe and sustainable way. It’s about the calories
Effect of Soaking Hay on Nutrient Content and Hygiene Quality
December 2018
Soaking hay in water to reduce the sugar content of hay is very common and, for many people with horses diagnosed with laminitis, insulin resistance, polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) or obesity, it's become a routine part of their daily horse-keeping duties. But, have you considered what the effects of soaking are on the hay’s nutrient profile and hygiene quality?
Equine Gastric Ulcers: Management and Prevention
November 2018
In this article, Dr Emanuela Valle a researcher and veterinary consultant in Torino, Italy, explains the role of diet and behaviour in the prevention and management of equine gastric ulcers.
Feeding Foals, Weanlings and Yearlings, brought to you by Hygain Feeds
October 2018
Fewer topics in equine nutrition stir more controversy than feeding the growing horse. Many factors add to the confusion of providing nutrition throughout these critical stages of life. For example, growing horses may have different commercial end points. Some will be shown in halter futurities where maximum growth and condition are required at a young age. Others will be prepared for sale, also requiring a ‘well-grown’ individual and many will be kept on the farm to be used as replacement horses or future performance horses.
Enteroliths: Is Your Horse at Risk?
October 2018
Enteroliths are stones that can form in the large intestine (right dorsal colon) of the horse that may cause partial or complete blockage of the intestine. They are one of the many causes of colic in horses. This article reviews the dietary factors associated with the formation of enteroliths.
Pages
