As we head into spring, we are all looking forward to longer days and better weather which means we can do more with our horses. Feedmark's Registered Nutritionist Stephanie Hyland takes a look at some of the questions you have asked us about spring.
Q. My horse gets quite fresh in the spring, how can I help him stay focussed?
A. Some horses definitely feel the joys of spring and whilst it's great to be out of the stable and in a field full of grass this isn’t always ideal for us when we are trying to ride them. Spring grass has a much higher energy content compared to preserved forages such as hay. Horses eating lots of grass will be getting more energy in the diet and will therefore have higher energy levels. To help maintain focus during work, feeding a calmer such as Steady-Up® or using Calming Treats will help to aid concentration.
Q. My horse is sensitive to the flush of spring grass which causes her to get lose droppings. How can I help to support her digestion?
A. Often when we see digestive upset from Spring grass, its usually management changes that are the instigator. Horses that have been fed hay or haylage all winter with no access to grass will have higher populations of bacteria in the hindgut which are geared up to utilising hay or haylage. These same horses turned out on grass will not have the correct proportions of bacteria that digest grass, and therefore digestive efficiency is reduced and we see symptoms like loose droppings. Dietary changes should be made gradually, even when changing forage types, however you can also feed a digestive aid that contains a live yeast to support digestive function.
BioPro helps to balance the population of microorganisms in the hindgut as well as optimising digestion and supporting intestinal activity.
Q. I’m bringing my horse back into work after the winter off. How can I support him in the best way?
A. Horses that have been out of work for a while benefit for joint support when working again and an increase in workload will place a higher level of stress on the joints. Feeding a joint supplement is the best way to support joint health so look out for ones containing proven joint ingredients such as Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Hyaluronic Acid. Best-Flex HA® is a highly effective joint supplement containing proven joint support ingredients at optimum levels.
Q. My horse struggles during coat change, she gets itchy, and her coat looks dull. What can I do about it?
A. Coat change can be a difficult time for some horses and often has them looking a bit worse for wear. Feeding high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids can help to support skin health as omega-3 fatty acids help to increase the skin cell elasticity reducing itchiness. EquiDermis™ is specifically designed to support skin and coat health from the inside out and contains ingredients such as Burdock root which counteracts dry, scurfy skin, and Chamomile to help soothe.
Q. I want to do more with my horse this year, but I am worried about travelling and stress. Is there a supplement that I can use?
A. Travelling and stress can increase the risk of digestive issues so using a digestive supplement will help to support and maintain a healthy digestive system. Supplements that contains buffering and coating agents will help to support stomach health and pre, pro and postbiotics will support hindgut health. Feeding plenty of forage and an appropriate diet for the individual horses requirements is also very important for maintaining a healthy digestive system. Our Ultimate Ease® is a scientifically proven composition providing comprehensive support for the entire gastrointestinal tract.
Q. My horse is sensitive to flies, how can I best prepare for managing them this year?
A. Getting prepared ahead of time will help to reduce your horse’s reaction to flies. You can help your horse nutritionally through feeding ingredients which help to repel flies. Starting to feed ingredients such as garlic, and other aromatic herbs such as fenugreek, lemon peel and peppermint help to keep flies at bay. Our Fly Formula™ is designed to reduce irritation from flied whilst supporting a healthy skin and a shiny coat and is ideal for horses with a sensitivity to fly bites.