| EQUINETOURISM - EDITORIAL - Equine Feeding & Nutrition |
| Equinetourism Feature - Feeding & Nutrition for Horses and Ponies |
| Sponsored by Dodson & Horrell, this section looks at various equine feeding and nutrition needs during the year. With 70 years experience, Dodson and Horrell can draw on a wealth of expertise to formulate its feeds and supplements and ensure that your horse is receiving the best nutrition. |
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| Confused about laminitis? - Dodson & Horrell launch ‘Laminitis Awareness 2010’ |
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Dodson & Horrell is delighted to have teamed up with three leading veterinary universities to give horse owners the opportunity to hear the latest research into laminitis as well as experiencing some unique practical sessions.
The aim is to answer some of the questions that horse owners often raise about this crippling disease such as; are incidences of laminitis on the increase, why is my horse susceptible and my friend’s horse is fine, what information is relevant to me and my horse?
Supported by World Horse Welfare and The British Horse Society these unique sessions will give owners the chance to hear first hand from the experts what the latest research means to them and their horse as well learning useful practical tips on how to recognise the signs of laminitis and how to manage the disease. Speakers include Professor Derek Knottenbelt, Dr John Keen, Dr Cathy McGowan, Dr Teresa Hollands and Dr Nicola Menzies-Gow
Dates & Venues for 2010:
Saturday 20th March 2010 at the Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire
Thursday 25th March 2010 at World Horse Welfare, Penny Farm and Ribby Hall Hotel, Lancashire; in conjunction with Liverpool University
Saturday 10th April 2010 at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush, Scotland
The package includes: - lectures, proceedings, hands-on practical sessions, lunch and a tour of the vet school – all for £25 inc. VAT
*Places are limited, so early booking is advised. For more information, please visit:
http://www.dodsonandhorrell.com/news-video/news-article/article/laminitis-awareness-2010.html |
| Increase the water content of your horse’s winter diet with KwikBeet |
During the winter your horse may receive mainly hay as part of their forage intake due to the lack of grass at this time of year. Research carried out by Dodson & Horrell has shown that spring and summer grazing can contain as much as 88%water.
However, hay typically only contains 15%, so feeding KwikBeet helps to add some succulents back into the horse’s winter diet. Water is vital to the horse’s digestive system as a ‘liquid diet’ is less likely to cause impaction problems. Feeding KwikBeet which is a quick soaking unmolased sugar beet increases the water content of the diet and is particularly suitable for horses on box rest or restricted grazing.In addition KwikBeet is an excellent source of digestible fibre which is also beneficial to the horse in winter and as KwikBeet is unmolassed it is an ideal source of slow releasing energy. This provides sustained fuel for stamina work and helps to minimise excitability in ‘fizzy horses’. Dodson & Horrell KwikBeet is produced using a unique cooking process and offers all the benefits of traditional sugar beet, without the inconvenience of long soaking times. KwikBeet is ready to feed after only 10 minutes of soaking.If you would like to receive further information or would like to discuss feeding your horse or pony contact the Dodson & Horrell Helpline on 0845 345 2627. |
| Sweet Itch |
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Summer Seasonal Recurrent Dermatitis or as it is more commonly known, sweet itch is a painful condition which often leaves the affected horse in great distress. This seasonal complaint arises during April to November when the biting midges and sand flies are most active. The bite of these files causes an allergic reaction in some horses which causes an intense itch, which the horse will incessantly scratch, leading to hair loss, sores and thickening of the skin.
The most obvious answer to this problem is to remove and protect the horse from the flies. Stabling at times when the flies are most active and providing your horse with a light rug and hood along with using fly repellents and preparations can go a long way to easing the horse’s distress.However, supplementing the horse’s diet may also be beneficial. Dodson & Horrell Itch Free was one of the first blends in the herbal range and has become one of the most popular. This blend was created to help repel flies, repress itching and provide relief to already damaged skin. Garlic, as we all know, has a rather pungent aroma which is transferred through the pores of skin once eaten; this odour is repellent to most insects and helps to deter the attacking flies.
Combined with soothing herbs Burdock Root, Chamomile and Nettle, Itch Free helps to alleviate the urge to scratch, which in turn causes the damage. These herbs also help to provide relief to areas already affected.
To find a Dodson & Horrell stockist in your local area or to discuss feeding your horse contact our nutritional helpline on 0845 345 2627. www.dodsonandhorrell.com
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| Laminitis - to feed, not feed or what to feed? |
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The Dodson & Horrell Nutritional Helpline receives many calls from owners confused on the best way to provide nutritional support to their horse or pony suffering from laminitis. Surprisingly, many believe that ‘starving’ the horse to lose weight is the answer. However, this is not the case.
A horse suffering from acute laminitis is seriously ill and it is vital that he receives enough nutrients to repair the damage happening within his gut, foot and elsewhere in his body. He is in and anabolic state which means he needs to make new proteins to repair the damage in his body. This is an energy demanding process and it is vital that he receives correct energy, protein, vitamins and minerals from his diet.
A horse which does not receive enough energy is likely to develop insulin resistance (a survival mechanism), or hyperlipaemia (the rapid breakdown of fat from his body) which can be fatal. Any weight loss should be done slowly and steadily and should be monitored using an accurate weigh tape together with fat scoring, both of which should be recorded weekly.
The feed provided should be in high in fibre, low in starch and provide adequate levels of vitamins and minerals. Dodson & Horrell Safe & Sound was formulated after much research into the dietary requirements of horses prone to and suffering from laminitis. This high fibre feed provides everything that is needed plus additional benefits including biotin, MSM and herbs. Also, the uniquely processed ‘nutri-nut’ found in Safe & Sound helps to maximise chewing and increases eating time.
Recent research has also shown conclusively that high levels of free radicals are found in chronic laminitics*. In light of this research, it is paramount that all horses prone to or suffering from laminitis are fed with the right balance of plant based antioxidants. With this in mind Safe & Sound also includes QLC, the unique blend of antioxidants which supports the horse’s own natural antioxidant system.
You should also provide your horse with at least 1.5% of his bodyweight as fibre to satisfy his to his physiological and psychological needs, as he will be at increased risk of gastric ulcers, colic and developing stereotypic behaviour if denied this. Soaking hay for at least 12 hours is advisable as this can reduce the energy content.
If you are at all concerned about the threat of laminitis, or are dealing with a horse suffering from this condition and would like nutritional advice, please contact our helpline on 0845 345 2627 or visit www.dodsonandhorrell.com
*Neville & Hollands et al (2004) EVJ
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| Dodson & Horrell Limited - “New Take Control” |
| Dodson & Horrell has developed Take Control, a new product to help horses cope with the ups and downs of everyday life, including travelling, stabling, competition, training and diet.
Horses, like humans, face their own challenges on a day-to-day basis, some of which they take in their stride but others can be a little more testing. The knock-on effects, otherwise known as stress reactions, manifest themselves in many different ways including:
• Excitability
• Stereotypic behaviour
• An uneven temperament
• Poor performance
• Gastric ulcers
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
Fortunately feeding can help to manage these issues and Take Control, a pelleted dietetic feeding stuff, is the ideal choice for horses that find certain situations difficult to deal with. Designed to be fed 2-4 weeks before a change in situation or an event, Take Control contains beneficial magnesium, soothing herbs and a prebiotic, as well as other highly digestible ingredients, making it ideal to be fed to horses that may be affected by the following:
• Life on a busy, loud yard
• The questions asked of them during training and competition
• The break in routine caused by travelling
• A change in the management of their diet
Take Control already has some glowing testaments from the trial work we carried out:
“Since we started feeding Take Control, I’ve found the horse to be ten times better in his brain and he is now much easier to train and take out.”Oliver Townend, British team gold medallist
“I am encouraged by the remarkable progress of two particularly challenging gastro-intestinal cases since the introduction of Take Control to their diets. Their success reinforces the important role dietary management plays alongside veterinary care and I would not hesitate to recommend Take Control in similar cases. I truly believe that this diet will be of great value in convalescent nutrition.”
Vicky Nicholls, MRVCS, Wright & Morten
To find out more about the benefits of Take Control contact our Nutritional Helpline on 0845 345 2627 or www.dodsonandhorrell.com
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| What Your Horse Needs During the Winter Months |
Nutritional advice from the Dodson & Horrell Helpline team:
Rachel Sainsbury BSc (Hons), Pauline Smith HND, BHSAI Int SM and Nicki Rowe BSc
www.dodsonandhorrell.com
The Importance of Fibre
During the colder months as the temperature drops and the daylight hours shorten the quality and quantity of grass will start to decline and provide even fewer nutrients; most horses may be unable to sustain a healthy body weight on grazing alone. Therefore in the winter hay or haylage must be available at all times in the field or indeed when the horse is stabled.
Why is Fibre so Important?
• Horses require small quantities of fibre constantly passing through their digestive tract to promote peristalsis
(gut motility).
• Chewing fibrous material produces saliva which helps to ‘buffer’ the constant supply of gastric acid secreted into the stomach for digestion. If this acid is left to accumulate then gastric ulcers may develop.
• Feeding adequate quantities of fibre from the floor will promote the horse’s natural grazing position and minimise uneven teeth wear.
• Microbial fermentation of fibre in the hind gut results in the production of B-vitamins, essential for energy utilisation and appetite.
• Fibre fermentation produces heat, helping to keep your horse warm during the colder winter months.
• Horses also have a psychological need to perform grazing behaviours and restricting fibre may lead to stereotypical behaviour.
• A supplement such as Yea-Sacc will provide support for the digestive system when horses are gradually changed from grass to hay/haylage.
If your horse has poor teeth and struggles to eat hay or haylage it will be necessary to use a forage replacer which is made up of High Fibre Nuts, KwikBeet (unmolassed sugar beet shreds) and Fibergy (a combination of oat straw and Alfalfa chaff). Each of the products is fed at a rate of 600g per 100kg of ideal bodyweight per day. The sugar beet should be weighed out dry and then soaked and mixed with the High Fibre Nuts and Fibergy to a mash-type consistency. The mash can then be divided into 3 large rubber skip buckets and left with the horse to graze on.
If your horse tends to be a speedy eater then you can place salt or mineral blocks in the bucket to slow him down. Obviously if your horse spends time in the field then he will need to be sectioned off to prevent other horses eating the mash. Electric fencing can be useful because this will still allow social contact with other horses.
How to keep your horse in the correct body condition
It is normal for your horse to lose a little condition over the winter as the grazing quality generally deteriorates due to the colder weather and he will be using more energy (calories) keeping himself warm. It is worth assessing your
horse’s body condition well before winter sets in.
Too Much Condition: It is of interest to note that many of us worry that our equines will automatically lose weight in the winter and this is a problem, but does your horse actually need to lose some weight? If the answer to this question is ‘yes’ this is a good time to let nature help you to allow a natural weight loss. This is especially relevant if you always find you are restricting grazing in the spring and summer. Do be aware that the nutrient levels in the grass will be less during the winter regardless of the temperature, therefore if your equine is a good-doer and does not require large amounts of concentrates, consider using Ultimate Balancer. 100g per 100kg bodyweight of Ultimate Balancer will ensure that all vital vitamin, mineral and antioxidant requirements are met. Remember to weightape your equine regularly; say once a week at the same time of day, so that you can monitor any weight loss.
Too Little Condition : However if your horse is prone to losing too much weight during the winter then you may need to adjust the quantity of type of concentrates you feed. If you have only been feeding a small amount of concentrate feed over the summer, you could look at increasing the amount he is getting, rather than changing to a different concentrate feed. A 500kg horse could be getting up to 3 – 4kg of concentrate feed per day, ideally
split into 2 – 3 feeds, so begin by gradually increasing the amount fed until he is maintaining the correct body condition.However, if you are already using 3 – 4kg of concentrate feed and he is still losing weight, consider gradually replacing it with a conditioning feed, such as Build-Up. This feed has been formulated specifically for horses which struggle to maintain a good body condition and is high in oil and digestible fibre which are both slow-release forms of energy, so should not encourage excitable behaviour.In addition to plenty of forage and your concentrate feed
there are several other products which can be added to your horse’s diet to provide extra calories to encourage a better
body condition. These include Alfalfa chaff, KwikBeet and Soya Oil.
Top Tips for Winter Care
• Feed plenty of forage e.g. hay or haylage.
• Use a forage replacer for horses that can no longer chew their forage.
• Weigh and condition score regularly.
• Consider Ultimate Balancer for good doers that need to lose weight.
• Consider Build-Up for poor doers.For more information on the best feeds for your horse this winter contact the Dodson & Horrell Helpline on 0845 345 2627.
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| Winter Herb Support for Horses and Ponies |
Sometimes horses need that little something extra to offer nutritional support through the winter months. This is when an alternative supplement like a herbal product may help.
Firstly you need to ensure that your horse’s diet is providing him with the basic nutritional needs. If you are unsure of the correct diet for your horse then please contact the Dodson & Horrell helpline for some friendly advice. If your horse still needs that something extra then Dodson & Horrell provide a wide range of herbal products that help maintain and support the various nutritional requirements of horses and ponies.
Inevitably horses are kept in their stables longer during winter and this increases their exposure to dust and other irritants which can lead to respiratory problems. Management must be addressed if your horse is suffering from RAO (Recurrent Airway Obstruction) and providing nutritional support is also advisable.
As well as providing a dust free environment, bedding, feed and forage additional support is often needed. Breathe Free is beneficial mix of herbs to help maintain a healthy respiratory system. It also contains additional antioxidants in the form of the unique Dodson & Horrell QLC antioxidant package. Antioxidants have been scientifically proven to maintain a healthy respiratory system.
If you have a horse which suffers from stiffness or an older horse which has mobility problems then extended time indoors can aggravate such conditions. Mobility® contains a blend of herbs to nutritionally support joints and muscles. An important ingredient of this product is Devil’ Claw Root which can soothe muscular and joint conditions.
If you would like to discuss these products or a feeding plan for your horse this winter please contact the Dodson & Horrell Nutritional Helpline on 0845 345 2627.
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| Looking after Horses & Ponies in The Big Chill! |
| With the temperatures getting down to -6C in some areas of the country and long periods of cold weather with frosts lasting much of the day, we have see an increase in calls to the Dodson & Horrell Helpline from owners concerned about their horses’ losing weight and condition during the winter months. Research has shown that at -1C, horses need 23% more calories compared to ambient temperature of +20C. Add a wind chill factor and their calorie requirements can double to 50% more. In a lot of cases forage alone will not meet the increased calorie requirements, although fibre does provide the most internal warmth. To combat the cold weather conditions make sure you choose a high quality digestible mix or cube ration to feed alongside your horse’s forage intake. Use a reputable brand and check ingredients on the bag, sometimes it is a false economy to feed large meals of a lower quality feed and is actually better for your horse’s digestive system to feed small meals of a very digestible good quality feed that will encourage weight maintenance.
Check the feeding guidelines on the back of the bag, as you may find that you are able to simply increase the amount you are feeding over the winter period especially if you are feeding below the recommended amount and then if you still struggling to maintain your horse’s weight consider products specifically designed to address weight loss such as Build-Up and Build-Up Cubes or for veterans products including Sixteen Plus and Sixteen Plus Cubes.
Don’t forget the importance of water even during the winter. Horses drink less when the water temperature is cold and if they drink less their water consumption is reduced and there becomes an increased risk of impaction and other forms of colic. Check water troughs and buckets regularly and try to position in a sheltered area.
Remember, a warm well fitted rug, will also help your horse use less of his calorie intake to keep warm.
For advice on feeding during the winter contact the Dodson & Horrell Nutritional Helpline on 0845 345 2627
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| Spring into Action - Feeding & Nutrition |
Dr Teresa Hollands, R.Nutr
Technical manager, Dodson & Horrell Ltd With the nice weather we have recently had no doubt we are starting to anticipate the longer days, more pleasurable time with the horses…less mud and the promises of shows to come. Even if competition isn’t our end goal, we are very likely to be spending more time out riding and therefore many of the same preparation principles apply.
It’s quite a challenge trying to predict what the spring and summer might bring, will we be battling the heat as in 2006 or the floods as in 2007; How one adjusts will depend very much on what the horse is doing and how they are being kept. BUT one really needs to ask if it is appropriate to separate feeding according to seasonality. With the variability of the weather, do we really need to modify feed regimes? The main difference is probably based more on the management of the horse, those competing at lower levels, will still allow their horse daily grazing and the base forage therefore alters in the summer.
Energy: Is he getting enough of the right type?
If you are thinking about competing your horse or pony this summer, energy will be the most important ingredient in his feed to make sure he can perform at his best. But did you know the type of energy he needs will be different depending on what type of work you will be asking him to do? This is because doing different types of exercise means different muscle types develop.
There are two types of muscles, ‘fast’ and ‘slow’. Fast muscles use fast releasing energy sources for short bursts of activity such as jumping. ‘Slow’ muscles use slow releasing energy sources for long periods of activity such as long distance riding. Human athletes are very aware that they need different types of energy or calories in their diet depending on what type of sport they compete in. But how many of us think about our horses in the same way?
Endurance horses are the marathon runners of the horsey world. Like their human counterparts, they have to keep going for miles and need to have enough energy to last for the whole of the race. Therefore they develop muscles which use slow releasing energy such as fibre and fat.
Showjumpers are a bit like human hurdlers. They don’t run a great distance, but they need instant energy for bursts of speed and power when they jump. Therefore they develop muscles that need fast energy sources such as glucose and starch as well as fibre.
Eventers have to combine long distances with bursts of jumping activity and therefore need a mixture of slow and fast energy sources i.e. glucose, starch, oil and fibre.
To help ensure you are feeding the correct mixture of energy sources to your horse, Dodson & Horrell have developed two ranges of performance feeds: Staypower Muesli and Cubes have high fibre and high oil i.e. slow releasing energy and are designed for horses that need stamina. Competition Country Mix and Competition Cubes have higher starch levels for fast releasing energy.
Fit not fat
If you are showing your horse or pony, remember he should be fit not fat! Think of your horse like a human weightlifter – both want to develop toned muscles, a ‘six-pack’ in the case of the weightlifter and top line for the pony. Everyone knows that human weightlifters eat plenty of high quality protein and calories to get their muscles but that’s not all, they train every day. Can you imagine what would happen if they didn’t train? All those extra calories would turn to fat. Well it’s the same for your pony, if you want good top line and toned muscles, then you must get him fit and feed him according to his workload.
If your horse or pony tends to be a bit of a fatty and a bit sluggish but you want to take him to competitions, it’s no good giving him lots more high energy, (calorie), food to ‘pep him up’. Imagine a couch potato sitting in front of the TV all day. Would giving him loads of sweets and chocolate make him want to do some exercise? Of course not, he’ll just feel fatter and more sluggish. The same goes for your horse/pony. You should exercise him and get him enjoying his work to get him fit. You could feed Dodson & Horrell Performance Concentrate or Ultimate Balancer both are designed to be fed in small amounts so too many calories are avoided, but have high vitamins and minerals vital for ensuring the energy cycles work at biochemical level.
Water and electrolytes
If you watch human athletes competing, their water intake is very important to combat losses through sweating. Marathon runners are handed water throughout the race while many athletes and sportsmen can be seen drinking isotonic sports drinks after the big race or big match to make sure they don’t become dehydrated.
Dehydration can be a worse problem for horses because horses cannot get rid of the increased body heat due to exercise as easily as humans. This is particularly true if they are competing at a high level of competition in hot conditions.
Water and electrolyte loss through sweat can cause the horse to perform poorly and in the worse case can make the horse become seriously ill. A long journey to the show or event, hot weather and the competition itself all contribute to dehydration. If you are competing consider Dodson & Horrell’s Surelyte. However if you feel that electrolytes may be unnecessary for your horse, especially if he does not sweat very much, you should still add 55g of table salt daily to feed especially in hot weather.
Any horse owner can ration for the energy or calorie requirement of their horse; too many and they get fat, too little and they lose weight, just right and you can feel their ribs and their bodyfat stays constant. Enjoy the summer and remember it’s not just about winning!
Dodson & Horrell Nutritional Helpline 0845 345 2627
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All information is sourced with kind permission from www.dodsonandhorrell.com
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