There is so much information online about what you should be feeding your horse daily. It can be unclear, and it is important to know what is right for your animal. Here’s a look at a few essentials.
Water
Water is what horses need daily to stay healthy. Without it, they can develop colic, impaction, or kidney failure. It also helps with digestion. The amount of water your horse needs can be determined by age, activity level, and diet.
Horses need about five to 10 gallons per day. Generally, the more active your horse is, the more water it will need.
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A horse’s body makeup is 70% water. It will lose about five gallons of fluid every 24 hours, which includes defecation, urination, and sweat. Your horse may also need more water if it is pregnant, lactating, or sick.
Your horse’s water intake will be affected by the temperature of the water, the ambient temperature of the area, and the quality of the water. Ideally, your horse’s water source is at an average temperature of 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Providing your horse access to clean, fresh, free-choice water is important to ensure its health. In addition, it will help you monitor your horse’s drinking habits.
One good way to encourage your horse to drink is by adding loose salt to its daily ration. Salt is an electrolyte that can replenish the fluids that your horse loses during exercise. Add one tablespoon of table salt to your horse’s grain per day.
If your horse has access to a man-made water source, check it often for quality. If the quality is not high, your horse may not drink from it.
A well can contain very high levels of bacteria. Moreover, the quality of the water cannot be guaranteed.
Your horse should have access to fresh, clean, and free-choice water wherever it is stabled. Keeping track of your horse’s water consumption is the best way to ensure its health.
Roughage
Roughage is an important part of a horse’s diet. It’s what helps them produce saliva, which is important for digestion. Without it, they’re more prone to developing colic.
Roughage comes in many forms. It can be grass, hay, or haylage. All of them provide nutrition to the horse. If you’re feeding a large animal, you may need to supplement its roughage with grain.
You should only feed your horse roughage that’s of good quality. Moldy, dusty, or rotten hay is not suitable. Also, keep the ration neat and tidy. Your horse should always have clean drinking water available.
Horses need a high-fiber, low-sugar diet to avoid stomach ulcers. This is because the digestive system is designed to receive a steady stream of high-fiber food.
Other types of horse feed include concentrates. These contain grains and other nutrients. Concentrates should be limited to a tenth of the total weight of the diet, however.
For instance, concentrated corn can quickly put a lot of weight on a horse. To combat this, it’s best to feed a small amount every two hours. That way, it’s easier to maintain their appetite and digest.
Measuring the appropriate amount of roughage is the best way to determine it. Roughage accounts for about half of a horse’s diet.
A ration should have a balanced mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber and vitamins. The higher the calcium content of the ration, the better.
In addition, a horse’s diet should contain a good energy source. Alternative sources of energy include sugar beet, soy hulls and corn oil.
Choosing the best type of concentrates for your horse depends on your horse’s breed and activity level. It’s a good idea to consult with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to ensure that your horse gets the proper nutrition.
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Electrolytes
Electrolytes are essential for horses to keep them properly hydrated. They maintain the acid-base balance in their body fluids, power muscle contractions, and carry signals along nerve cells. But how do you make sure your horse has the right amount?
Horses have different electrolyte needs depending on their activity level and environment. For example, endurance horses lose a large amount of sweat, so they require supplemental electrolytes.
Other horses, especially those with light work, do not sweat as much and do not require additional supplementation. The best way to keep them hydrated is to provide free-choice water. Adding sugar to the water may be helpful but not necessary.
Whether you add electrolytes to feed or supplement them with a commercial product, they should be given in appropriate amounts. The amount should be based on the expected length of time the horse is expected to work.
Sodium and potassium are the most important electrolytes for horses. These two minerals are present in the extracellular fluid, while calcium and chlorine are present in intracellular fluid. During exercise, sodium is lost in the highest amounts, while potassium and chloride are lost in the lowest.
Sodium is also essential for horses to maintain normal cellular function. When the levels of these minerals become unbalanced, they can disrupt cellular processes, slow down recovery, and cause dehydration.
When rehydrating a horse, it’s best to use an isotonic solution. In addition, water should be provided at frequent intervals. If your horse refuses to drink electrolyte-loaded water, offer plain water instead.
Electrolytes are a safe way to keep your horse well-hydrated. They can be administered in several ways, including as top dress on the feed or through a syringe.
- MUSCLE HEALTH: Supports optimum muscle health for horses exerting severe physical effort
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Routine check-ups and vaccinations
If you own a horse, having regular check-ups and vaccinations is important. These can help prevent and detect minor problems before they become major ones.
Depending on your horse’s age and activity level, your veterinarian may recommend a vaccine schedule. It is also essential to consider your horse’s geographic location and breeding status.
Your vet will conduct a comprehensive physical exam. This includes a complete blood count and telling your vet if you have any infections or parasites. Also, your vet will palpate your legs to ensure they are healthy. He or she will look for signs of anemia, dehydration, and metabolic abnormalities.
A chemistry panel will be used to examine your horse’s blood. White blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets will all be evaluated. Anemia, dehydration, and metabolic imbalances can signify infection or other health problems.
Some vaccinations are recommended more often than others. For instance, you should vaccinate your horse against rabies at least once yearly. Rabies is a contagious disease, so if your horse is exposed to it, he or she may pass it to other horses.
Many vaccinations can be administered intranasally. However, you may need to administer other vaccines via a needle.
The AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) provides complete information on equine vaccinations. They recommend using a risk-based vaccine strategy.
Risk-based vaccinations include EEE/WEE, influenza, and rhinitis. These are the core vaccines, but several other vaccinations are important in certain regions.
Vaccines can be very costly, and you may want to consult your veterinarian about the best plan. Remember, however, that these strategies are meant to reduce your horse’s risk of infection, not to protect him from diseases.
Preventing laminitis
For your horse to remain fit and healthy, you must ensure it gets the right micronutrients. This is especially important if you own a horse that is prone to laminitis.
Your veterinarian can help you determine whether or not your horse is at risk for laminitis. They can also recommend a diet that helps to control weight and reduce the risk of developing laminitis.
Factors affecting a horse’s risk for laminitis are its age, body size, and stress level. You can also prevent laminitis by taking proper care of your horse’s hooves.
If you have an overweight horse, you should try to keep it on a low-starch and high-fiber diet. Feeding it a small meal a few times a day can help you do this.
In addition to managing your horse’s weight, you must provide it with various exercises. Horses with a lot of weight on their backs are prone to laminitis.
High-fructan and WSC can be added to the diet of horses with laminitis. However, they are not an ideal choice. It is best to feed high-grade, low-sugar hay.
Aside from feeding the correct diet, you can prevent laminitis by taking good care of your horse’s hooves. When your horse becomes lame, it is best to consult a veterinarian or a farrier.
Laminitis is often caused by obesity. Maintaining a stable animal with a balanced weight can prevent many problems arising from overeating.
A Body Condition Score Chart can help you monitor your horse’s health. Also, make sure to check your horse’s hooves daily.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your horse is suffering from laminitis. The sooner you treat your horse, the less damage it will suffer.
