COOL SCIENCE
We were always told to walk the horse to cool him out after exercise. A new study looked at 5 different ways to cool a horse after exercise in the summer.
- Walking
- Walking with fans
- Walking with intermittent cold-water application
- Walking with intermittent cold-water application and scraping off the water
- Standing with continuous tap water (with a hose) application
The method that resulted in the fastest return to normal body temperature was standing with continuous tap water application for 2 minutes. Just Walking took the longest (25minutes) to bring the horse’s body temperature back to normal.
Electrolyte Supplements
For horses that are competing or sweat a lot, an electrolyte supplement may be needed. Electrolytes can be added to the water or the feed. If you add to the water, be sure to change the water every day or it will sour. Be sure to also provide a bucket of plain water so the horse can choose which one it needs. A salt block or mineral block can be put out if the horse is in the pasture.
We will be stocking the electrolyte supplement, Balance from Aurora pharmaceuticals. Aurora states that Balance increases water consumption, reduces body temperature, helps metabolism, quicker rebound after exercise, supports sweating, helps ulcer prevention by raising the stomach ph in addition to providing electrolytes. Dosage is 1 Tablespoon in 5 gallons water or on feed.
FEEDING MYTHS
Horses should be fed at the same time everyday
The feeding schedule can be varied 1-2 hours except for equine athletes. Horses fed on a strict schedule can have anticipation behavior such as kicking, pacing, stall walking at feeding time. To prevent this, feed free choice hay in slow feed hay nets or feed hay first then feed grain in 1 hour.
Grain is the foundation of the equine diet.
No. Forage, hay and pasture are. The horse’s digestive system is designed to forage/graze all the time. If grain is fed without enough forage in the intestine, the grain causes gas colic. The minimum amount of hay is 2% of the body weight/day, which equals 20lbs for a 1000 lb. horse. If feeding 5lb flakes of hay, that is 2-3 flakes am and pm.
Alfalfa is too rich for horses. Alfalfa is hard on the kidneys
Alfalfa has more protein, digestible energy, and calcium than grass hay but is lower in sugar than grass hay. The higher protein and calcium cause increased water intake & urine output. We have all been told to drink more water to keep the toxins flushed out and stay hydrated, the same goes for the horse.
Horses are skinny or fat due to the type of feed
It’s generally not the type of feed, but most often how much you feed. With Senior Feed, you have to feed double the amount because it is a complete feed providing the grain and hay to the horse. Because it is ½ roughage, you have to feed 2 quart scoops twice a day to maintain the horse.
The obese horse often has metabolic problems due to the fat gene which we can test and treat.
These are the things that make a horse skinny
- Dental problems, especially long front teeth. Horses that need a bite alignment (trimming of the front teeth) often have no molar contact and cannot grind their feed. Sharp, missing, or damaged molar teeth can also affect weight.
- Sand in the intestine. This interferes with digestion & absorption of nutrients.
- Heart murmur. Murmurs are most often found in old horses.
- Insufficient calories. The horse is not getting enough feed or pasture /hay to meet it’s needs.
Horses eat dirt out of boredom
Deficiencies in minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, or vitamins can cause this behavior. Most horses eat dirt in the spring when returning to pasture after being on hay all winter. Foals sometimes eat dirt when they start to eat grass trying everything in their mouths.
Bran mash has a laxative effect and prevents colic
Research has shown that bran does not have a laxative effect and doesn’t prevent colic.
A probiotic added daily to the feed (Fastrack) does help prevent colic. Overfeeding of bran can lead to mineral imbalances due to its high phosphorus content.
Corn is a hot feed
A quart of corn weighs more than a quart of oats or pellets. When comparing the feeds, the additional calories provided by the corn often results in “hot” behavior. In terms of temperature, any metabolic warmth generated by corn is minimal and short lived. Hay lasts longer in terms of digestive time and calories.
Now on the Endangered Species list: Equine veterinarians
Recent Comments