Feeding Naturally

So many of the common equine nutritional practices are not natural for our horses and this is showing up in a variety of ways. From colic, allergies, poor hoof and coat quality, joint issues to just being “not quite right”, is far too common in today’s horses. By understanding what is really natural for our horses and questioning common feeding practices, you are helping your equine partner to be the happy, healthy horse he deserves to be.

Horses are natural grazers and foragers and their fundamental eating habits have been changed by humans. In many areas of the country horses do not have free-choice feeding either because pasture is not available or because it's easier on the people to keep these horses in confined spaces, feeding them only one or two times a day.

By understanding how their digestive system works, how we can add variety to their diets, to learn to really balance vitamins and minerals and what common practices are hindering our horses, we can ensure our horses the good health they deserve.

Frequent Feedings

The way the horse's digestive system is set-up and works, he needs to eat small quantities throughout his day. The horse's stomach is small and holds only one to four gallons of food. This food moves out of the stomach into the gut track very quickly causing the horse to feel hunger about an hour after he has finished his meal. By only feeding one to two times per day, not only are we taxing their systems, but we're making our beloved partner feed hungry twenty hours of their day and night. Pity the poor creatures who are fed only concentrated pellets, grain or hay cubes. Because they finish their food so quickly, they feel hunger for almost twenty-two hours. Not only do they feel hungry when they aren't able to eat every couple hours, but the intestinal bacteria become unbalanced. This imbalance can result in stomach disturbances, diarrhea, and colic.

For horses who don't live on pasture or the one they do have is over-grazed, dividing your horses daily amount into multiple feedings or offering free-choice hay and scattering small piles in the area, you will re-establish the natural way of eating, wake up the foraging instinct as well as mentally challenging him to work for his food. By feeding different types of grass hay such as Bermuda, Timothy, Orchard, mixed or grain hay and offering small amounts of alfalfa gives the horse not only different textures and tastes, but also a variety of nutrients. Variety is important because sometimes horses that are fed only one type of hay, often cut from the same fields, may develop nutritional deficiencies. Even though the hay may be the same type, nutrient and mineral content in the hay will vary depending on the soil in which it is grown.

Ulcers. Is your horse at risk?

Both the type of feed and the way it is fed are major factors in whether a horse will or will not develop stomach ulcers. It is estimated that 60-90% of mature horses have gastric ulcer disease. Boarding practices, chemical use, and performance training also play a factor in this disease. This condition causes the stomach tissue to be damaged by stomach acid. Because a horse is meant to graze on an almost continual basis, his stomach is set up to constantly produce acid and this digestive acid is used to start the breakdown of this food. When there is food is the stomach, this acid is absorbed properly and along with the saliva helps to neutralize this acid and keep it in check. By allowing the horse free access to pasture or grass hay and cutting down on grain and concentrated process feeds, you will be lowering your horses' risk of this often serious disease. In fact, normally horses that are on pasture full time do not have ulcers.

Differences in Hay

Just remember that there is more to feeding than just offering free-choice hay as not all hay is created equal when it comes to the health of the horse. There are major differences between legume hay like Alfalfa and Clover, and grass-type hays like Bermuda, Timothy, Orchard, Brome, Oats, and Rye. Because of these differences, when feeding on a free-choice basis, use grass rather than legume hays. Use alfalfa as a condiment and grass hay as the main course.

Grain over-use is another common but detrimental practice. In the wild, grain is only found in small, scattered amount and often when winter approaches and the horses need more calories. It is neither natural nor healthy for a horse to consume large amount of this highly concentrated foodstuff and if over-used can cause vices, colic, ulcers and high insulin levels.

It has long been recognized that horses on high grain diets exhibit more "vices" like cribbing, pawing, pacing, and weaving, as well as having excess energy that may show itself while under a rider. Horses fed grain, especially corn or sweet feed are at a higher risk of colic and this risk increases with an increase in the amount of grain.

Grain also wrecks havoc on the horse's glucose levels. There are two types of carbohydrates; simple such as grain, and complex which is fiber based like hay. Simple carbohydrates get into the horses bloodstream quicker than the complex ones, causing surging glucose levels. This in turn causes a quick increase in insulin and a rush of adrenaline. Now, since this extra glucose is too high, the body must remove this surplus from the bloodstream, causing a feeling of fatigue which can last several hours. Insulin-resistant horses, ponies, minis and burros should not be fed grain because of this fact.

Although many ponies & burros and some lightly used horses may get their needed nutrients from a variety of hay and/or pasture, some horses do benefit from added fat, protein, vitamins and minerals. There are numerous options available to replace a high grain diet. Rice bran, wheat bran, beet pulp, small amounts of grain (a pound or two) and some commercial natural feeds are available to use in small amounts to supplement the horse's mainly roughage diet and to add additional supplements to if desired.

Benefits Of Flaxseed

Flaxseed is an excellent addition to many horses’ diets and has numerous benefits. It can help strengthen your horse's immune system, improve mineral absorption, help chronic inflammatory conditions, improve hair, skin, and hoof condition, and can even help allergies. Flax is also a soluble fiber source that forms a quick gel that traps and suspends sand, carrying it out. Flax is also high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which many horses fed hay are lacking. Most diets are much richer in Omega-6 fatty acids than the Omega-3s, which are extremely important in allergic reactions and immune system operation.

Keep in mind that flaxseed can go bad fairly quickly. By using stabilized ground flax or grinding your own in a coffee grinder daily, this won't be a problem. We offer Nutra Flax in our store.

Hair Mineral Analysis

Another key concept in proper nutrition is the importance of minerals which a crucial in the normal functioning of all living cells. They are necessary for energy production, fluid balance, normal growth, bone formation, rate of healing and the balance of every cell in the body. Imbalances can cause a variety of problems including skin & hoof problems, allergies, poor stress tolerance, low immune reserves and intestinal problems to name a few. Stress, exposure to environmental toxins, unbalanced feeding programs and genetic patterns can all contribute to mineral imbalances.

A Hair Mineral Analysis is a very effective tool that can pinpoint these mineral imbalances; excesses, deficiencies, key ratios, and even levels of toxic minerals such as Aluminum, Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, and Cadmium. From a sample of your horse's mane, a HMA can show the mineral levels which can then be addressed through proper supplementation. HMA are available through Uckele Health at www.uckele.com

Initial Hair Mineral Analysis 2001

Variety is the Spice of Life

Horses also derive needed nutrients from a variety of natural plants and plant materials, and rarely choose to eat only hay or grass. They will nibble on leaves, bark from branches, seeds and if available, fresh fruits and vegetables. All of these are very easily obtained and most can be found within your neighborhood.

Branches from a different variety of trees allow the horse to nibble the leaves and bark if they need the nutrients. It also allows natural use of the teeth, helping to wear down sharp edges. Many types of trees may be used; however fruit and citrus trees as well as pines are good ones to start with. Check with your local county extension office about whether a particular tree might be poisonous and also ensure there are no large thorns that may injure the horse.

Fresh vegetable scraps along with some edible flowers and leaves may be offered and many horses also enjoy the tangy taste of citrus. Bird seed can also be sprouted and offered as a treat as well as sprouted seed mixes available in grocery stores. Don't be offended if they don't eat some things, as they are exercising their right to choose what they need. However, organic carrots grown in your garden will always be a hit.

Ground Level Feeding

Although what horses are fed plays a major role on their health, how they are fed is also important. Because humans don't want to eat off the ground, we assume our horses don't either and hay is often placed in hay racks or mangers at chest level to the horse. The additional feed is often placed in a bucket hung at head level, and again the horse cannot eat as nature intended. Built to chew and swallow with their heads at ground level, not only does this unnatural way cause improperly chewed food, decrease in saliva, and uneven tooth wear, but also increases the possibility of choke or partial obstruction. Respiratory problems can also occur as foreign particles of dust, hay and grain hull pieces can easily be inhaled causing irritation and possible infection. If you are concerned about sand colic, you can use rubber mats and feed flaxseed.

Following the same example of ground level feeding, watering also follows nature's rules. Horses don't just sip their water; if given the chance will often submerge their whole muzzle to play or to clean out their nostrils. The bowl-like automatic waterers do not allow this activity and don't allow you to monitor water intake. Rather than using tall narrow tanks, low shallow troughs allow the horse to be closer to the ground as nature intended. Allowing the tank to periodically run over ensures that the hooves receive an occasional moisturizing bath.

Because this is a very different approach to feeding, many people may fear this will cause colic. On the contrary, many of the cases of colic and other intestinal and stomach problems are the direct result of unnatural eating habits. Add to that the over-use of chemicals and the poor horse is fighting a losing battle. By getting back to a natural feeding program, we are giving our horse a much better chance to live a happy, healthy life.

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