Quarter horses have come along way in their performance use, athleticism, breeding and beauty since the three stallions, Vaquero, Jackaroo and Gold Standard arrived in Australia in 1954.
Whilst QH excel in most equine disciplines we find many of them competing in Western performance sports such as Cutting, Reining, Working Cow Horse, Western Pleasure, Ranch Riding and Hunter classes. They also have great presence in Pony club, Hacking, Dressage, Show Jumping and Campdrafting.
With a good eye, you can pick what type of discipline a QH is bred for. Quarter Horses have become very specialised and bred with the special traits that make them excel in the breeder’s chosen sport.
A really important fact to consider, is that while these Quarter horses may look a little different from each other, based on their athletic requirement, their digestive system has not evolved or changed since they were first domesticated. Feeding a horse is not complicated when we understand that the horse’s digestive system has remained the same for give or take 15,000 years.
The Quarter Horse needs to be fed a species-specific feed, no matter what it’s workload.
Horses need to eat a natural diet. Not only is it cost effective but also far healthier for your horse. The digestive system of each horse is the same, however the biochemical individuality of each horse is different.
Feeding premixed feeds does not take in to consideration the type of horse, temperament, workload or environmental factors. Fast food for horses is not ideal. You need to know what is going in to every dipper without fillers and unnatural ingredients that give the product a long shelf live.
You need to be able to take control of what you are feeding your horse and modify for each individual horse. You can’t do this with premixed feeds.
Horses have unique digestive systems that are designed to process good-quality forages. In order to feed our horses properly, and to meet the increased demands we place on them for work, growth, reproduction and maintenance, we must understand the equine digestive tract and horse feeds.
Most of us realise that a horse’s stomach makes up only a small portion of the digestive tract. The stomach is designed to continually process small amounts of forage and feed.
Feeding a horse large feeds will cause digestive disorders such as colic, ulcers, founder and tying-up. We are too ready to accept these conditions as common place when owning a horse. These conditions have been on the rise over the last 2-3 decades which coincides with the way we have changed our feeding practices.
Different forms of Roughage
Good quality pasture is the ideal roughage for many horses. Nature intended for horses to walk around foraging and browsing which helps with peristalsis (pushing the digesta through the digestive tract).
Pasture can also be a cause of conditions such as Nutritional Hyperparathyroidism (Big Head) or toxicity. You need to make sure your pasture is suitable for horses to graze.
Pasture is not always available, nor does it always supply the nutritional requirements required for performance horses.
Pasture can be used to meet some or all of a horse’s roughage needs. Because of the use of chemicals and fertilisers in modern farming methods, pastures are often deficient in several major minerals and required nutrients.
Good quality Grass Hay is the best roughage with a balance of protein, energy, and fibre for horses. Choose bright green hay that is dust and mould free. If it has been tested, refer to the results and check that it is low in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) and starch.
Allow horses between 1.5% and 3% of their body weight of good quality grass hay.
Therefore, the average 500 kg QH can consume 7kg to 15 kg. If the horse is on the heavy side, then feed in a slow feeder, slowing the consumption down, but don’t leave them without food. The trickle system of the digestive has not evolved to go without a continuous supply of feed.
Lucerne and Clover are examples of legumes. They contain more protein, energy, calcium, and Vitamin A than grass. The inclusion of some legumes (20% - 50% in rations for growing and working horses and brood mares takes advantage of these additional nutrients. Be mindful of too much lucerne or clover with high protein levels, do not over do it, especially with young stock that will be susceptible to DOD (Developmental Orthopaedic Disease). Clover also contains high levels of photo-phytates which can cause Photosynthesis in pink skinned horses.
Fibre pellets are available such as Hi Forms Complete feeds which are made up of consistent, good quality partial or complete roughage sources. Pellets contain higher leaf to stem ration, more concentrated nutrients and less waste compared to most long-stemmed hays. These pellets are ideal for travelling and can be soaked for older horses with dental problems. HiForm Complete Feeds are used as complete feed or to extend, supplement or replace roughage. It has no by product and is species specific.
Problems associated with modern compound feeds
The horse feed industry is not regulated and many of the equine feeds have been extrapolated from the agricultural industry, where the most important consideration is to convert the food into meat or milk as cheaply as possible. There are so many physiological difference between cattle and horses and real concerns about the long term safety for horses of some of these products.
Many concentrate feeds contain too many by-products such as sugars and flavourings and other inappropriate raw materials. Most include a vitamin and mineral pre-mix which may contain a high level of synthetic products. Raw material are not always declared on a feed bag in a way which makes their nature clear without specialist knowledge. The horse is not equipped to process these ingredients and over time may start treating them as pathogens. This will compromise the horse’s health.
The most appropriate way to feed any QH is to feed the roughage they need, such as hay and lucerne. Concentrate rations is added when more energy is required. Grains such as Oats and Barley will not cause added heat and fizz if fed along with a natural roughage diet. Soy, Flax or other vegetable oils may also be used for extra energy and have the advantage of being easily digested. They contain little or no protein. The key factor is to add a daily formula to provide the nutritional support your horse needs that he or she is not receiving through the natural roughage diet.
It is very easy to see when a horse is healthy. If you want to cut through all the confusion about feeding your horse, please contact us at HiForm on 03 9775 6422 or email enq@hiform.com.au. We don’t have sales staff, we have qualified practitioners ready to give you the best advice possible for your horse.
]]>Choose your oil carefully. Not all oils are made equal, many have different origins, storage methods and processes that can change their composition entirely to make them go from a beneficial oil to not helpful at all.
Why do people feed oils?
There are many reasons people decide to feed oils to their horse. It can be a good energy source for horses who tend to get too hot from being fed grains, or horses that tend to carry too much weight and feeding more feed is not an option. Some people may feed it for the effect it has on coat shine. Others may be more interested in the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action of the omega 3s. Whichever your reason for feeding oils this guide goes through the ins and outs of what sets apart a good oil from a bad....
]]>With the recent pandemic outbreak there has been much confusion and panic about life moving forward. We would like to offer our nutritional advice for those struggling through this time in understanding how this may affect them.
]]>Mainstream minerals are often more difficult to feed given the risk of side effects, not to mention there is a wide variation of bioavailability for varying forms. Unless there is a thorough understanding of the way each form works, the horses’ individual needs, current feed, pasture and water mineral levels then using crude minerals can become guesswork. Interestingly enough one of the most common forms of iron used in supplements and feeds is Iron Sulphate which has the potential to cause gastrointestinal irritation.
]]>The Golden Oldies
Aging is a complex phenomenon which is a natural part of life, but chronic disease and illness doesn’t always need to be. The average life expectancy of a horse is around 25-30 years although this is far from an indication of their overall health. Like people, horses may or may not develop health conditions as they age, depending on genetics, nutritional status, history and fitness.
As horses get older it is common for things to start slowing down and for them to be not as strong as their younger days. Their digestive system may reduce in function and absorption rates can drop which can reduce their immunity. There may be increased breakdown of their joints and muscles, depending on what they have done throughout their life so far.
Chronic systemic inflammation is a significant part of aging which is commonly accepted in people but not usually discussed in horses. Chronic low-level inflammation throughout the lifespan can occur from a myriad of environmental, genetic and nutritional causes and can contribute to the onset of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, chronic pain, Cushing’s Disease, gastric ulcers and laminitis, just to name a few.
So what can we do about it?
We can look at the areas which we can change, nutrition being the easiest to manipulate. If we start to look at the horses’ diet and assess what may cause inflammation, this can be anything that is un-natural for a horse to eat; from bi-products/waste-products, to animal products such as whey and fish proteins. Significant reduction of inflammation can also be achieved through feeding the horse a natural diet and increasing the levels of beneficial nutrients and vitamins which are involved in these processes.
By feeding your horse a high roughage diet (quality hay, long-stem chaffs and pasture) including what they would naturally consume, you will be significantly reducing the levels of inflammation. Similarly, if we were to support our bodies with nutrient-dense wholefoods instead of processed foods.
Although it may be enticing to feed your beloved old friends a warm porridge-like meal this often does more harm than good. Although we have domesticated horses over time, their digestive system remains in its original format of requiring a high roughage content.
For most of the horses’ life, their teeth continuously emerge through the gums to replace what is worn away by chewing. There is approximately 2-3 inches of replacement tooth under the gum line. However, when the horse reaches its mid-20s, the reserve is often depleted, leaving them at risk of tooth loss. Tooth loss compromises digestion and their chewing ability, this is the only time where dampening their feed may come in handy as well as choosing softer hays and smaller chopped chaff, so they are able eat easily. This in combination with regular dentist check-ups should keep your horses happy.
Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements can play a role in improving health and well being of the horse. As the horse ages their ability to absorb nutrients declines, therefore supplementation with good quality nutrients can be beneficial in maintaining appropriate levels.
Omega 3 fatty acids can play an important role in reducing chronic inflammation. Although the horse’s natural diet has a higher omega 6 (pro-inflammatory) to omega 3 ratio, it is important to note that we have domesticated horses to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do in the wild, that may increase their levels of stress and therefore inflammation. This is where supplementing with omega 3s may be beneficial in reducing systemic inflammation. Flaxseed/linseed oil and chia seed oil are the best plant-based sources for horses, it is best to get a nutritionist or veterinarian opinion to see if this may be suitable for your horse. Just be sure to steer clear of any marine based oils as horses are herbivores and not fishermen.
Increasing antioxidants; vitamins A, C and E as well as selenium can assist in decreasing inflammation by improving the rate of detoxification and prevent the accumulation of toxins in the body. Although horses’ manufacture their own vitamin C, studies have found that as they age their natural levels of vitamin C decline. Although more research needs to be completed to investigate why this occurs, it gives us more insight into the importance of supplementation.
Exercise
Horses over the age of 12 are more likely to experience pain at a higher level. As horses age, there is a higher risk of injury and pain related conditions, including degenerative joint disease, hamstring injuries, tendon ligament damage, back pain and muscles soreness, to name a few.
Managing these pain-related issues is essential to avoid the escalation of other problems. Every horse should be given assistance to prevent and manage pain. This can be achieved by regular massage, Bowen, acupuncture, equine tension relief and natural products which may include some herb and plant extracts. Always look for products that have science behind them and are produced in a HCCAP, Feed Safe facility to ensure quality control and GMP. Products such as the ProflamAid Plus and EquiGesic Plus are a safe and effective way to manage pain.
When at an event I always watch the horses, as there is so much you can learn from their body language, which can be very strong or very subtle. Many horses at competitions appear to have soreness issues ranging from mild to chronic, some horses can manage pain better than others. Just remind yourself that pain is common, and it should be treated seriously, take the pain away no matter how mild and see for yourself how much improvement there is in a happy, pain-free horse.
Although the musculoskeletal system of the horse loses strength as they age, if your horse isn’t showing signs of slowing down, then there is no reason to send them into early retirement. Exercise like nutrition is one of the easiest ways we can improve our horses’ health. Not only does exercise keep our horses (and ourselves!) fit, there are also many other benefits it provides.
Studies have found consistent low exertion exercise to be the most beneficial for older horses due to the changes in the type of muscle fibre away from the type that assists with endurance exercise. There have been findings of improved insulin sensitivity; this is extremely important to note if your horse has insulin resistance or diabetes. As well as improved immunity and cardiac health in older horses in consistent low intensity exercise.
Both diet and exercise can play a pivotal role in your horse’s health and longevity. It is important to always consult a qualified and reputable nutritionist or veterinarian before starting your beloved companions on a new feed regime for individual dietary advice.
References:
Adams, A. A., Katepalli, M. P., Kohler, K., Reedy, S. E., Stilz, J. P., Vick, M. M. & Horohov, D. W. (2009). Effect of body condition, body weight and adiposity on inflammatory cytokine responses in old horses. Veterinary immunology and immunopathology, 127(3-4), 286-294.
Adams, A. A., Vineyard, K. R., Gordon, M. E., Reedy, S., Siard, M. H., & Horohov, D. W. (2015). 55 The effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA) and prebiotic supplementation on inflammatory cytokine production and immune responses to vaccination in old horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 35(5), 407-408.
McKeever, K. H. (2016). Exercise and Rehabilitation of Older Horses. Veterinary Clinics: Equine Practice, 32(2), 317-332.
Williams, C. A., Gordon, M. E., Betros, C. L., & McKeever, K. H. (2008). Apoptosis and antioxidant status are influenced by age and exercise training in horses. Journal of animal science, 86(3), 576-583.
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Reaching high levels in the competition arena depends on finding a perfect balance with nutrition. I think it’s important that owners and trainers have a good understanding of nutrition, we don’t expect them to be experts because they are very educated horse owners and they can use their own life experience and knowledge to ascertain what the horse may or may not need. But horses require a certain level of energy, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals and in particular roughage to sustain the horse at a high-performance level.
]]>Can Performance Horses Survive on Roughage Alone?
Written by Equine Nutritional Therapist and Medical Herbalist Antoinette Foster Dip. Nut. © 2018
Reaching high levels in the competition arena depends on finding a perfect balance with nutrition.
I think it’s important that owners and trainers have a good understanding of nutrition, we don’t expect them to be experts because they are very educated horse owners and they can use their own life experience and knowledge to ascertain what the horse may or may not need. But horses require a certain level of energy, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals and in particular roughage to sustain the horse at a high-performance level.
We are understanding and appreciating, more now than ever, that roughage is extremely important for all horses. Many performance horses can be stabled for extended periods of time, this is not a healthy existence for a horse who has evolved to be a grazing animal. So, in the case of horses being stabled for extended periods is very important that owners and trainers ensure that they have access to plenty of roughage in the form of excellent quality hay literally 24/ 7.
Understanding how to manage the musculoskeletal system is also very important, as we know with high performance horses there is a great deal of wear and tear on horses mentally and physically. Along with a really well-balanced diet I often suggest that it is worthwhile to use a really good bodyworker, acupuncturist or other types of qualified therapists to maintain your horses muscles and joints. There are many products on the market that you can also use which will support the muscles and joints, but the most important aspect is to always ensure that you access professional advice. It makes no difference what age a performance horse is, there is always going to be pain involved in the training process.
Another aspect of managing a high-performance horse is to be very perceptive and can observe your horse so that you can note any physical or emotional changes. We know they can’t speak to us verbally, but they do have very powerful body language, and this is something that we need to learn and understand a bit more efficiently. The other aspect of managing your horse aside from nutrition, is to understand the advancements in science and keeping abreast with what is going on as far as managing a high-performance horse. Having a good relationship with your veterinarian is also very important, you need to be in a position where you can discuss your horse confidently.
Performance horses such as racehorses, high-level dressage horses, showjumpers and eventers require an elevated level of energy to perform their work. And we are all aware that a high level of horse feeds contains energy dense concentrates. Unfortunately, it has been proven over many years that these types of feeds have a negative impact on the stomach of the horse. These types of feeds can contribute to gastric ulcers and tend to lack roughage that can in the long-term restrict the horses gut health functioning normally.
Roughage also encourages the normal chewing process and assists in stimulating the enzymatic action at the point of the mouth. Nutrition provides the basic building blocks on which our horses are built. How we feed our horses can affect reproduction, development in utero, the young foal, the developing athlete, competition horses and finally older horses Prevention is certainly better than cure!
In a world where everything is perfect even Thoroughbred racehorses could thrive on roughage alone. However, is it possible that roughage within the diet could support their elevated level of training? Recent Swedish research says this is possible and can also be extremely beneficial for the horse.
During these studies, the most important aspect was to ensure that the hays and grass being fed contained a high level of energy. These are the comments made by Sara Ringmark, PhD, of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, in Uppsala.
It seems that this study has proven that a high energy content can be achieved by a roughage only diet. A high energy diet is essential for high performance horses and it may be worthwhile to have a regular nutritional analysis of the roughage you are feeding or request this information from the supplier of the hays or high roughage feeds.
If the roughage intake reaches the required energy levels than these performance horses should theoretically do exceptionally well. The performance level should be maintained and the condition of the horse also. Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences found that a forage-only diet is associated with lower levels of lactic acid, meaning the horses physically cope with the training regimen better than they would on a mixed diet with concentrates.
So, can horses at high performance levels be maintained just from a high roughage diet? Naturally the amount of roughage being provided will depend on the workload of the horse and the nutrient analysis. A high roughage diet for performance horses can also be supplemented with feeds such as alfalfa hay pellets. Alfalfa is a great feed for horses as it has an excellent nutrient analysis which includes an appropriate level of calcium and protein but is also quite low in NSC and starch so is quite beneficial to be fed. Maintaining an energy intake for performance horses is essential this can be achieved by feeding a diet that is quite simple with the addition of the occasional grain if necessary and oil. It is quite possible to reach the required energy levels, protein levels and fat content required to support the horse at this performance level. It is important and essential to make sure that these types of horses are receiving the correct nutrient intake every day. The inclusion of a well-balanced supplement is ideal. A supplement should basically play a support role to a high roughage diet and should allow an adjustment to reach the correct nutritional intake that is required for ever horse. It seems that a high roughage diet does not prohibit muscle glycogen storage nor does it affect growth or the body condition of the horse. On the contrary a high roughage diet can promote a high health status. It may be of advantage to feed hays that have been cut early as the nutritional content is much higher.
Feeding high performance horses, a high level of roughage does not seem to fit the current mold of feeding traditions, however the horse has evolved to eat this type of diet and as I have mentioned on many occasions the anatomy and physiology of the horse has not changed.
Many of the standard processed feeds do not provide a normal source of roughage and some processed feeds are also quite high in starch so replacing these types of feeds with a roughage diet based on hays could be of enormous benefit. We already know that there has been an increase in digestive health conditions in horse’s due to the diverse types of feeding substances being fed. We also know that a high roughage diet may prevent the risk of these digestive health issues which also include ulcers.
Remember feeding a high roughage diet is not NEW news, it may just be the perfect health solution for most horses. There are even already some feeds in the market that have a genuine high roughage component. Our Hi Form Complete feeds is an excellent choice due to the high roughage content and produced in a certified organic mill gives the horse owner great confidence.
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An interview with ANTOINETTE FOSTER,
Founder of Hi-Form and Chief Nutritionist at Hi Form Australia
Ulcers
"This is giving me an ulcer!" If our horses could speak these are probably the words that they would utter, many performance horses develop ulcers due to stress that may not be apparent.
A domesticated environment, increased exercise and competition, transport, an unnatural diet, and other factors can all contribute stress to your horse's life. If you manage your horses diet efficiently you can reduce the risk and severity of ulcers in horses. Feeding horses, a high roughage diet will reduce the risk of ulcers in horses quite substantially and this has been scientifically proven.
In a natural grazing situation, the horse requires a steady flow of acid for digestion, so a horse's stomach produces acid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — up to 34 litres of acidic fluid per day, even when not eating. In a natural, high-roughage diet, the acid is buffered by both feed and saliva.
It is an advantage to understand the horses anatomy and it is very easy to appreciate why ulcers are a ‘modern day’ feeding condition. If horses are only fed twice per day the stomach is forced to endure a prolonged period of time without feed to neutralise acid.
Added to this, high-grain diets produce volatile fatty acids that can also contribute to the development of ulcers.
Possible symptoms of ulcers are as follows:
Poor appetite; Dullness, Attitude changes, Decreased performance, Reluctance to train, Poor body condition, Poor coat, Weight loss, Excessive time spent lying down, Low-grade colic and Diarrhea. Harrys Choice feeds are very high in roughage, and are a natural feed which is suitable for all horses.
Colic
Because the horse's gastrointestinal tract is very sensitive any change in the horse's diet must be done slowly, as it can compromise the gut bacteria population.
If these bacteria start dying off there is an increased risk of colic and the horse would not be receiving the correct nutritional intake.
We already know that the horse's gastrointestinal tract must be treated with respect. For those of you who have experienced a horse with colic you will know that it is a very distressing time for both the horse and the horse owner.
Preventative measures are always the best option, in the management of the horse's heal! h Colic causes more deaths in horses than any other disease In many cases, it is diet related, can be stress related and can also be caused by damage to the horse's intestine.
When you change your feed regime for example, this must be done progressively over a 5 to 7-day period An abrupt change in feed can also be a contributing factor to colic.
We have a treatment protocol for colic, the most important aspect of managing colic is to reduce pain and stress, always call your vet this is the number one priority.
The homeostatic balance in the equine intestinal micro biome is very sensitive to factors like gastrointestinal disease and dietary change, which may lead to catastrophic consequences, even culminating in death.
Colic and Roughage
The number one priority with colic is to act quickly - Call the Vet, don't think twice! Keeping the horse moving, not allowing the horse to roll and keeping the horse as calm as possible and pain free is a priority whilst you're waiting for your vet.
Whilst we can't say categorically that a lack of roughage causes colic, feeding a high roughage diet will help to prevent the risk.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can Ье caused Ьу many factors, many of these аге feed related. Feeding а wet feed for example simply does not encourage normal chewing and grinding of feed, in fact it reduces the desire to do so, this is not normal for а horse.
Granted, if you own an old horse with роог teeth there is an advantage to feeding а damp feed, but it also needs to Ье the right type of feed. Feeding а wet feed can increase the risk of digestive conditions such as diarrhoea, ulcers and colic.
Giving your horse а feed that consists of Ьу products such as сорга, beet pulp, rice bran which is а fine consistency, does not encourage normal chewing and grinding of the feed. The horse has the most amazing way of chewing, unlike any other species and only chews on one side at а time.
А high roughage diet can also reduce the risk of diarrhoea in horses. Another risk factor, and one that is very common is short grass starts which comes through after rainfall. In spring, very often the grass is quite high in fructose and often contains а high volume of water, sometimes this can cause diarrhoea in horses.
Horses suffering from stress through disease, changes in environment and even travelling can also cause diarrhoea in some cases.
Good nutrition, managing your horse in the correct manner and а good Level of roughage сап assist in reducing the risk of diarrhoea.
Osteoarthritis
"Arthritis" is a general term that refers to inflammation in a joint. Osteoarthritis [OA) is a specific form of arthritis caused by the progressive, painful destruction of articular cartilage, which is the specialized tissue lining the ends of the bones inside the joint.
Articular cartilage permits smooth, frictionless movement and cushions the underlying bones against body weight loads during movement. Changes also take place in the underlying [subchondral) bone and other joint tissues such as the synovial membrane and joint capsule.
Osteoarthritis is very common in horses of all ages and there are not many options open to horse owners for the management of this disease. Research has shown that activity is extremely important for horses who have been diagnosed with arthritis.
Managing the condition will generally allow the horse to return to work, mobility is the key. We recommend our Proflamaid Plus primarily, this product is quite remarkable in that it does not have a Band-Aid affect like an anti-inflammatory drug, it has a pro-inflammatory effect so increases the healing process naturally.
This product has been used for over 30 years and is highly effective. We have the same product for humans which is TGA approved and achieves exceptional results for those suffering!
For acute cases, we combine the ProflamAid Plus with our EquiGesic Plus, which is a Curcuma Longa extract and includes BioPerine, a black pepper extract, Boswellia serrata and essential fatty acids, this formula has the most scientific studies behind any product in the world of its type and the ingredients used are exclusive to Hi Form Australia.
Nutrigenomics and disease states
You might not know that we offer Nutrigenomics testing for people, unfortunately there is no such testing for horses yet, 1 am а Nutrigenomics practitioner and we have utilised the study in this агеа of science to expand the knowledge in the use of nutrition in horses.
The power of nutrition can switch gene expression on and off, for us to consider that this would not apply to the equine body does not make sense!
Laminitis
Laminitis is а painful inflammatory condition of the tissues [laminae] that bond the hoof wall to the pedal [coffin] bone in the horses hoof. lt can affect any horse, of any age ог sex, at any time of the уеаг. Although it is traditionally considered а disease of fat ponies, laminitis can Ье triggered Ьу а variety of metabolic ог physical causes in any horse.
Recent research has shown а strong association between the high insulin levels seen in most ponies with Cushing's Disease [Pituitary Pars lntermedia Disease [PPID]] and Equine Metabolic Syndrome [EMS] and susceptibility to laminitis; indeed, it is now thought that the majority of laminitis cases аге PPID ог EMS individuals. We have an excellent protocol for managing laminitis that we have used for approximately 27 years.
The ProflamAid Plus and the EquiGesic Plus formulas аге the ones we tend to use together in conjunction with а diet that is suitaЫe for а horse with this condition. We generally recommend Harrys Choice AlphaFibre as it is very low in starch and NSC. lt is high in protein, but this can Ье of great assistance to horses with equine metabolic syndrome.
Horses with laminitis do not require high levels of this type of feed. Roughage becomes exceptionally important in these cases, а poorer form of hay is fine, but horses still require а good level of roughage even in this situation.
Gene types, Humans and Horses
ln human nutrition there аге three gene types, we аге either an А, В ог С gene type, it has not yet been determined what gene types there аге in the horse. We have done а lot of work with а genetic scientist and have integrated these learnings into our formulations, bringing the best of human science into equine science.
Ву doing so, the formulas combined with the feed, give us the opportunity to balance the feed ration with any individual case. The feed and the formulas work in а synergistic way.
Treat the patient not the disease, treat the cause not the symptoms, treat as an individual to prevent an existing illness from becoming worse and to prevent vague symptoms from developing into а fully Ыown disease.
Maintain good health in the present absence of disease and ensure that treatment should do no harm - Philosophically Natural Therapy does not judge between disease and good health, these two states аге interchangeaЫe. - Antoinette Foster
To get а Free Diet Analysis, including а daily cost guide based оп our recommendation, to assist you comparing and budgeting your horse's diet
PLEASE NOTE:
These treatment recommendations have not been provided to replace veterinary advice, should you Ье concerned about your horses health at anytime please contact your vet.
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The wet weather can cause a number of problems with horses, paddocks will stay wet for some time after heavy rains even when there has been a slow down in the rain and sunny days. Many soils will retain high levels of water and this can present a serious risk for the horse’s health. Even if horses are shod they need to be protected from diseases and problems related to standing in mud.
There are a number of conditions that can result from consistent wet weather these include seedy toe, Greasy heel and mud fever.
Horses standing in water for a number of days will increase the risk of these conditions. It is very important to try to prevent these conditions from occurring. It is highly recommended to bring you horse out of the paddock daily and clean the hooves and then apply a good quality dressing on the bottom of the feet and the hoof itself. I find that effax is a very good hoof product, but if you are already using something similar that is fine, providing it offers some form of protection from the dampness, in other words a product that can repel the water.
Make sure you clean the hoof properly so that there is no dirt left and wipe clean with a towel. In the wet weather it is essential that you clean right down to the sole of the hoof that way you can see if there is any damage.
A small scrubbing brush would be useful also, just remember if you don’t clean the hoof every day your horse will possibly end up with seedy toe
If you locate white line, this can mean the start of an infection, but if you take about 2mm off and protect with a good water proof hoof dressing you should reduce the risk of seedy toe. Seedy toe is the separation of the hoof tissue from the sole of the hoof which is called the white line or laminar. If an infection did take hold this can reach to the coronet band and that will not be a great outcome, your horse could also become sore.
Horses that have white feet tend to be a little more susceptible to greasy heal, however any horse can develop greasy heal in wet weather.
The other problem can be swelling in the legs due to lack of exercise. When there is lack of movement and muscle contraction, it can affect the venous and lymphtic system leading to a build-up of fluid in the venous system and a decrease in lymphatic drainage resulting in excess fluid in the subcutaneous tissues of the leg. These swellings are generally quite mild and do not appear to cause pain. Keeping horses moving is the ideal situation, this means taking you horse out for regular walks or exercise under saddle. Light work should be sufficient to reduce the swelling, however there are some excellent natural products that can assist the venous and lymphatic system and reduce swelling.
The final and almost certainly the most important, is nutrition and avoiding digestive disorders. Feeding a diet that contains plenty of roughage is ideal, no soaking of hays or hard feeds, horses have teeth for a reason and plenty of roughage is healthy for the digestive system. However when horses are located in wet areas with poor pasture there are a number of problems associated with this. Horses grazing some tropical grasses for extended periods can suffer `Big Head' disease or Osteodystrophia fibrosa. These grasses are buffel grass, green panic, setaria, kikuyu, guinea grass, para grass, pangola grass and signal grass. The cause of the problem is a high level of oxalates. Calcium oxalate is insoluble and unavailable to the horse. There needs to be more calcium than oxalate in the pasture for the calcium to be available. This is where supplementing becomes vital to the horse, but this means the correct formula, which is balanced and assists the uptake of minerals vital to the horses health including calcium and magnesium.
Some horses can also lose weight in wet weather due to the poor nutritional value of grasses, feeding a good balanced ration is essential to maintain a good body condition
Prevention is far better than waiting for things to go wrong. Feeding good quality lucerne hay can be of great benefit due to its excellent level of calcium and overall nutritional analysis.
Keeping an area fenced off is also ideal so you have somewhere to bring your horse to when all the other areas are muddy and water logged. A good quality high roughage hard feed is essential and during very wet weather it is also worth considering using a really good pro and pre-biotic such as BioEquus, a product such as this will reduce the risk of digestive disorders such as diarrhoea etc. Horses in water logged area tend to ingest a higher level of water and this can be unhealthy. Make sure when you feed you horse in water logged areas that you have you feeders on the ground, this is the normal way for horses to eat, but I recommend investing in a thick piece of rubber matting to reduce the ingestion of excess water including stagnant water and mud. Rubber matting can be easily hosed off each day if necessary. Rubber matting can also be used under hay nets or you can place the hay straight down on the matt. If you are using haynets don’t have them too high.
Make sure if possible that you horse has shelter so he or she can be out of the rain and have somewhere dry even if only for short relief.
I hope these tips have been helpful and if your require any further advice or information on feeding please contact me enq@hiform.com.au or 03 97756422
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Nutrition:
Hi Form products create balance and harmony, by harnessing the power of natural therapy, using non genetically engineered tissue salts, amino acids, trace elements, vitamins and organic or wild crafted herbs – this is the key to their success. Utilising only superior quality ingredients allows maximum absorption and utilisation to occur within the body.
Feeds such as Lucerne and red clover are considered as herbs, and while some herbs have useful medicinal action, be aware - other herbs can also be toxic in high doses.
One of the major arguments for the advocacy of natural medicine for both animals and humans is the overall safety and low toxicity of natural substances.
There has been much argument among doctors, vets, dietitians, nutritionists, trainers, etc. regarding the need for vitamin and mineral supplementation. Some argue that a nutrient dosage as found in a ‘good’ diet or in a standard ‘racing feed regime’ is enough because it meets the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA’s) of vitamins and minerals needed for optimal nutrition and health. At the same time it is generally accepted for example, that mineral electrolyte supplementation is necessary for horses during and after heavy exercise stress and sweating.
Often horse owners and professionals are using supplements in an unsystematic way, without a clear understanding of their therapeutic uses.
Recommended Daily Allowances for horses do not take into account the individual specific needs and circumstance or the individual stress, disease, injury or genetic status. This is known as biochemical individuality and there is a huge number of instances where an increased dosage, ie. A therapeutic dosage, of a vitamin, mineral or amino acid is efficacious.
Some examples are genetic status, temperament, stress, diseases and injuries
At Hi Form Australia there is an emphasis on natural substances.
No synthetic chemical substances are used in Hi Form Australia formulas, ie. All ingredients can be found in Nature, in the human and animal body, or in food and plants. However, some of our biochemical ingredients are produced in a laboratory including vitamin C, several B group vitamins, and the amino acids. There is a focus on the whole combination rather than the individual ingredient... Synergy.
There is a focus on the anergic biological activity of each ingredient and the form in which it can best be absorbed by the gut, rather than on crude but often pure high gram doses, eg. ... Hi-Form microsalts™, minerals which have been microfined by ultrafine grinding and dispersed through a lactose carrier (known as trituration).
It must be noted that pure chemical substances are often not as well absorbed and metabolised by humans and animals, compared to many organic complexes containing actual lower concentrations of a specific mineral. Perhaps this is because the minerals and vitamins found in human and animal food are not found in a purified form, but rather in complex organic molecules or complex solutions.
There is a focus on prevention before treatment. It is now clear that if a horse experiences stress whether facing a possible viral infection, competing too heavily as a two year old, about to travel on a long float trip, or is just very nervous...... either way, therapeutic nutrient dosing can prevent problems before they occur.
This involves achieving optimum nutrition for the individual. Optimum nutrition means achieving the right mix and amount of nutrients necessary for peak health and stress prevention. This is an ideal, and obviously difficult to access since it varies with the individual and specific circumstances. However, clinical biochemists are now suggesting some Recommended Optimal Allowances (ROA’s) instead of RDA’s.
The whole idea of natural therapies is to treat the whole horse not just the ailment and to treat by using preventative measures, on a long-term basis. To achieve OPTIMUM HEALTH is the key to a longer life.
For further advice on a detailed diet and management system for your horse please during the cooler months contact me on (03) 9775 6422 or email me enq@hiform.com.au
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