An unhealthy diet predisposes our horses to diseases , including laminitis, tying up, colic, diarroea and abnormal behaviours (which used to be called vices). Just like us, unhealthy diets for horses tend to contain too many foods not natural to them- ie, starchy grain and lush pasture grass. A list of healthy guidelines for your horse might look like this:
Eat plenty of fibrous foods, mostly unprocessed - at least one per cent of bodyweight per day and preferably ad lib.
Have access to food for most of the day and no fasting periods greater than a few hours. Make sure your horse maintains it's bodyweight within recommended limits.
Control starch intake and replace grain feeds with digestible fibre and quick-dried forages.
Avoid lush pasture and strip-graze with supplementary fibrous forage if necessary.
Try to spend as much time as possible roaming to eat - i.e turn out for as much time and for as long as possible.
If your horse is stabled, simulate normal eating behaviour with several nets of various forages.
Make sure your horse has regular de-worming and dental treament. (Remember - Your horses skeleton should be felt but not seen).
Water works!
A big part of your horse's body weight is about 70% water, so keeping tabs on his fluid levels mean you maximise his health and performance!
You can also try horse feed and equine supplements. NAF sell a 5 star range of horse supplements to keep your horse in optimum health.
Eat plenty of fibrous foods, mostly unprocessed - at least one per cent of bodyweight per day and preferably ad lib.
Have access to food for most of the day and no fasting periods greater than a few hours. Make sure your horse maintains it's bodyweight within recommended limits.
Control starch intake and replace grain feeds with digestible fibre and quick-dried forages.
Avoid lush pasture and strip-graze with supplementary fibrous forage if necessary.
Try to spend as much time as possible roaming to eat - i.e turn out for as much time and for as long as possible.
If your horse is stabled, simulate normal eating behaviour with several nets of various forages.
Make sure your horse has regular de-worming and dental treament. (Remember - Your horses skeleton should be felt but not seen).
Water works!
A big part of your horse's body weight is about 70% water, so keeping tabs on his fluid levels mean you maximise his health and performance!
You can also try horse feed and equine supplements. NAF sell a 5 star range of horse supplements to keep your horse in optimum health.
About the Author:
Check out the range of Horse Feed and Equine Supplements including the NAF 5 Star range of feed supplements at Barneys
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