Tag: horse supplements

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Hidden Gems for Equine Wellness: Three Essential Supplements

Hidden Gems for Equine Wellness: Three Essential Supplements

Are you looking to enhance the wellness of your equine companion? In this article, we will unveil three hidden gems that are essential for the health and happiness of your horse. These supplements may not be commonly known, but they have a significant impact on your horse’s wellbeing.

  • SALT

 Salt is often underestimated, but horses actually need a significant amount of it in their diet. In fact, according to Dr. Kellon, it is a universal requirement for horses around the world.

A lack of salt can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Whereas, supplementing salt ensures optimal hydration. It also enhances digestion and mineral absorption and maintains normal nervous and muscular function.

So, it is important for horse owners to provide a consistent source of salt in their daily diet. For those worried about overconsumption, studies show that horses have an innate ability to self-regulate their intake based on their body’s needs.

  • OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS 

Omega-3 deficiency occurs when not in a fresh grass diet. Fatty acids do not survive long in cut and baled hay. Grains, bran, etc. are also low in omega-3s.

Omega-3 fatty acids are typically thought of as important to anti-inflammatory balance. However, two studies have also demonstrated that taking supplements generally improves immune system responses. Additionally, they play a crucial role in the growth and wellbeing of the brain and eyes, and might affect how young horses behave.

  • VITAMIN E

Like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E deficiency also occurs when not in a fresh grass diet.

This essential nutrient is crucial for muscle function and repair. Thus, it is especially important for active horses or those recovering from injuries. But if they don’t get enough vitamin E, it can have a serious impact on their immunity, nerves, and muscle function.

Ensuring your horse receives an adequate amount of vitamin E through their diet or supplementation is essential for their overall well-being.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, providing horses with the right supplements is crucial for their overall health and well-being. Salt, omega 3, and vitamin E are three essential supplements that can greatly benefit horses. By incorporating these supplements into your horse’s diet, you can help them thrive and enjoy a happy, healthy life.

Reference:

Three Supplements Every Horse Needs

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What is the purpose of amino acids?

Amino acids

Amino acids are the basic unit of proteins. Proteins are important for the growth and development of horses. The body uses amino acids to create new proteins, rebuild old proteins, and perform other essential functions.

Amino acids are needed to make much more than muscle. Enzymes, antibodies, hemoglobin, cellular receptors, cytokines and many hormones are all synthesized from amino acids.

Types of amino acids

There are 20 types of amino acids that make up a protein. Amino acids can be classified as essential or nonessential. An essential amino acid is one which has to come from the intake, as the other type, non-essential amino acids can be manufactured by the horse. All limiting amino acids are also essential amino acids.

Some amino acids are more important than others for horse health. The three essential amino acids that are most important for horses are lysine, methionine, and threonine.

Lysine is important for the growth and development of horses. It is especially important for the growth of muscle tissue. Lysine is also essential for the production of collagen, a protein that is found in connective tissue. Horses that do not get enough lysine may be prone to muscle weakness and injuries.

Methionine is important for the health of skin and hair coat. It helps keep skin healthy by providing sulfur, which is needed for the production of collagen. Methionine deficiency will show up as poor hoof quality, poor coat, reduced muscle mass and impaired performance.

Threonine is important for maintaining a healthy immune system and helping the body turn food into energy.

What are some common sources of amino acids for horses?

There are many different sources of amino acids for horses. Some common sources include seeds, grains, peas, beet pulp, and soy. 

Peas, beet pulp and soy are the best lysine sources. Grains and seeds are the best sources of methionine.

Amino acids can become depleted where dietary sources are too low, or the horse is not absorbing adequate levels for other reasons.

In these cases supplementing amino acids can correct these deficiencies.

How to supplement amino acids

Supplements can help with protein deficient diets.

 Dr Kellon recommends per day:

10 – 20 g lysine

5 – 10 g methionine

2 – 4 g threonine

36 g Equine Amino will provide the full complement of these amino acids; 20 g lysine, 10 g methionine and 4 g threonine.

https://myhorsesupplies.com.au/product/equine-amino/

In conclusion, amino acids are important for horses because they help with muscle development and repair, energy production, and immune system function. By ensuring that your horse has a balanced diet that includes amino acids, you can help keep them healthy and performing at their best.

Reference: 

https://drkhorsesense.wordpress.com/tag/amino-acids/

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Deworming Strategy

Deworming horses

Parasites are a common problem in horses. They can cause serious health conditions. Deworming is a good preventative measure for horses. It can help control these parasites and improve their health. 

There are many different deworming strategies available. One common way is deworming by fecal egg count (FEC). You might have already tried using it. But what are the factors that we need to know and consider in deworming by FEC?

Facts about fecal egg count (FEC)

  1. The effect of deworming by FEC is primarily to minimize environmental contamination, not to optimally protect the individual.
  2. FECs have limited capacity to detect parasites.
    •  they only reflect adults that are actively laying eggs at the time of the test
    • egg-laying activity may vary seasonally
    • tapes often missed because eggs are laid in packets/segments, not evenly mixed in the manure
    • can’t detect tissue forms or immature stages in the lumen but these can be the most harmful for the host
    • bots missed
    • pinworms missed (lay their eggs on the perianal skin)
    • Strongyloides in adults not detected
  3. FECs have technical limitations.
    • Samples sent through the mail are useless. 
    • Samples not collected as soon as they are passed then kept cold are likely inaccurate.
  4. There is growing evidence that the practice of only deworming by FEC is leading to reemergence of Strongylus vulgaris – “bloodworms.” These are the large Strongyles which do significant damage to the intestine and arterial system when they are migrating. 

Deworming Resistance

Resistance can develop when the parasites that are treated with deworming agents become resistant to the drugs.

According to parasitologists the major way resistance develops is underdosing. What doesn’t kill them makes them stronger. Frequent exposure can cause a dewormer to go from a 20% failure rate to 80% or higher. 

It’s also true they can’t be fully resistant to a drug they have never been exposed to.

Deworming Products

It’s wise not to attempt to deworm your horse with drugs that are known to have widespread resistance. This includes as follows:

  • Ivermectin
  • Moxidectin
  • Pyrantel
  • Fenbendazole
  • Albendazole

Deworming Schedule

How often does a horse need to be dewormed? The best way is to speak to your vet about developing a program that is optimal for your individual horse.

 

Deworming is an important part of horse care. A strategic deworming plan can help to protect your horse from parasites and keep them healthy. There are many different deworming products on the market, so be sure to talk to your veterinarian about which one is best for your horse.

Recommended Product:

https://myhorsesupplies.com.au/product/diamond-x-vpc-gut-health-prebiotic/

 

Reference: 

https://drkhorsesense.wordpress.com/2022/07/05/deworming-strategy/

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Laminitis for Horses from too High Grain Diet

Laminitis from too high grain

As we all know diet and exercise plays a vital part to be healthy, not only for humans but for horses as well. And you would agree that sometimes balancing diet and exercise is easier said than done. Laminitis for horses can occur when overfeeding grains during low activity times.

This balancing is especially important in cold weather. Horses tend to stay at their stable, get less work or be sedentary while eating more. 

According to Dr. Kellon, horses normally have to spend calories in winter. It helps to maintain their normal body temperature. And hay is the first good choice to feed because it is fermented in the hind gut which generates heat. But since hay is also low in calories, dense sources like grains may be a good addition if they are using too much energy.

Grains are an easily available source of calories. There are people that tend to feed their horse grains for a variety of other reasons. Including admirable ones, such as trying to make the horse happy.  But the fact is the more you push grain into your horse, the more likely the horse is to develop a problem. Why?

Here’s the reasons grain can be a problem:

  1. Overfeeding them with grains may result in overweight horses. Especially horses with less regular work or exercise to burn calories. Overweight horses have a higher percentage of insulin problems. And insulin problems may cause laminitis.
  2. Grains naturally contain higher levels of sugar and starch.
  3. High-grain diets have been also associated with all sorts of other problems, even behavioural problems. 

Follow the recommended feeding rates to control the intake of sugar and starch. Taking into consideration their level of activity. Make sure also that you keep your grain secure with latches on doors and secure tops on storage bins. This helps to prevent accidental access and overeating. These cautions will help to prevent laminitis development and other problems.

Helpful tip: Allow your horse to lose weight or maintain a body score of around 2.5/5 during winter. That allows their systems enough capacity to cope with seasonal fluctuations in grass sugar levels in spring. And prevent them from laminitis development as well.

Hay and Grains sometimes won’t work so well for horses with metabolic problems. A fat supplement can be helpful since all the horse needs is extra calories and fat supplies. That is 5 times the calories of average grass hay and triple that of plain oats.

Product Recommendation:

Australian Equine Gold – My Horse Supplies is made from 100% Camelina oil. And contains a great balance of omegas 3, 6 and 9 providing a rich source of beneficial fatty acid. https://myhorsesupplies.com.au/product/australian-equine-gold/

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Laminitis risk in horses increases as it turns cold

laminitis in horses in cold weather
We humans struggle with cold weather and so too can our horses if they are at high risk of developing laminitis. The cold can lower the blood supply to the hoof which may compromise hoof health. Add to this frost which causes the grass to stop growing and to concentrate its sugars close to the roots. When the horses eat the short grass the intake of high sugar and starch content skyrockets. This combination adds a significant risk factor of the horse developing laminitis.
 
Laminitis is an inflammation of lamellae inside the hoof that may cause your horse to be in pain or discomfort if not addressed immediately. Horses may move around less due to the cold weather anyway so the onset of laminitis is not easy to notice. There may be changes in how they move, or in the health of the hooves. Being observant of these changes can be critical to early diagnosis of a bout of laminitis. 
 
If you notice your horse reluctant to move then this could be a strong warning sign of laminitis.
Other indicators could be:
  • shortening stride,
  • unwilling to lift its hoof,
  • showing lameness,
  • having hot hooves,
  • unbalanced standing,
  • display growth rings in the hooves,
  • increased digital pulse pressure,
  • or separation of the hoof wall from the hoof.
Immediate action is needed as laminitis is a serious condition. It is always best to consult your vet to discuss management and treatment strategies.
 
Your horse doesn’t need to suffer from laminitis. You can help them to avoid that. And I’m sure that’s what you wanted for them. So, what are the steps to take to avoid this problem?

Steps to avoid laminitis

  • Proper dietary management – this is especially important because overweight horses are prone to laminitis. Maintain your horse with a body score of around 3/5 to allow them their systems enough capacity to cope with seasonal fluctuations in grass sugar levels.
  • Grazing management – control the intake of sugar and starch as this is the common risk factor of laminitis. Where possible opt for grasses that are naturally low in sugar. Otherwise limit grazing time from late night to early morning, and provide low sugar grass hay, or soaked hay.
  • Enough exercise – providing a track system for your horses to encourage movement is one of the best natural exercise prompters.
  • Provide them practical care routines – let nature help with a system reset over winter by leaving rugs off and allowing them to reduce weight levels. 
  • Be vigilant with hoof care – shedule regular visits with the farrier or trimmer. 3-4 week intervals work best for most of the year.
  • Provide the right supplements – Copper and zinc are vitally important minerals for hoof strength. Combining these with magnesium and biotin helps support the metabolism.

HoofXtra contains these essential ingredients along with selenium, pyridoxine and folic acid to provide optimum support for laminitic prone or insulin resistant (IR) horses.  https://myhorsesupplies.com.au/product/laminitis-rescue-mix-carol-layton/ 

Note: Horses vary from one another and what works for one horse may not work for another. If you’re considering what to supplement your horse with, we recommend speaking to either your vet or an equine nutritionist to ensure you’re feeding the best option for your horse. 

Consult your vet regularly – they are more equipped with regards to horse health problems and can easily identify signs of problem

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