Horse feed
Winter Feeding – when exercise is restricted
Feeding your horse correctly does not have to be difficult. Having spent the last 8 years being involved in Equine Nutrition it still amazes me as to how confusing the Large Horse Feed Companies make it out to be. There are so many names for the exactly the same feed that no wonder horses end up being fed a diet not suited to them. And this is not the owners fault. So…if you have a question just ask horse-guru.com
Horses burn calories like we do. The more work they do the more calories they will burn. Now for instance when your horse has a holiday or can not be ridden due to snow and ice their need for calories drops. So in order to keep your horse’s feet on the ground reduce their feed quantity accordingly whilst they are at rest. This will help to keep their mind settled. A horse that has too much starch, protein and energy unused in their system will become more easily irritated, grumpy, fresh and spooky. All commonly associated with horses coming back into work after a few days off.
Too much protein and over feeding during periods of light work/rest and cold weather have been linked to cases of Equine Rhabdomyolysis Syndrome (’Tying-up’, ‘Azoturia’) which is like muscle cramp in humans. Often this affects the hind quarters but in severe cases can encompass the whole body. Recovery after such an episode can take weeks with a high probability of it occurring again.
In such cases a high fibre low protein diet should be fed. My mare had an episode of RES last winter and has since been maintained on a diet of High Fibre nuts, alfalfa chaff and sugar beet. She has a natural high level of energy and so this diet suits her well. When competing hard I add soya oil for extra energy and conditioning calories.
If you have any feeding quiries, specific or general please leave a message below and I’ll do my best to answer you as quickly as possible.
