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® 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.
Ultimate Ease® supports the sensitive microbial population in the hindgut and provides comprehensive support for the entire gastrointestinal tract.
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, Chondroitex®, 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. My horse starts to cough in spring due to pollens. How can I manage the sympthoms and prevent further health issues?
A. When spring arrives, many horses experience respiratory issues such as cough and mucus due to the apperance of pollens. A pollen allergy often manifests seasonally, but providing a respiratory supplement can help your horse keeping the airways clear during this period. Clarity® is a powerful blend of herbs which soothe and support the respiratory tract, promoting clear airways and healthy lung function, allowing your horse to perform at their optimum level.