subject: Horse Care Using Natural Supplements [print this page] Any adept horse keeper can confirm that raising a horse for show, work, or recreational requires considerable stamina, square footage, and know-how. Like individuals and all other animals, stallions thrive on a well balanced, nutrient-rich regime based on the species' particular needs. With so much material being published and updated each day, establishing those needs can seem challenging.
Consider the controversy regarding vitamin supplements for humans: many people believe taking high doses of vitamins can prevent and even cure terminal illnesses while others would swear this might kill a person. The fact is that humans can achieve optimum nutrition simply by eating an adequate amount of the right foods. Domesticated horses, however, cannot control their nutrient levels and thus, depend upon humans to achieve a nutritional balance.
The key to a healthy, energized horse is high-quality, nutrient-rich forage, such as hay. Hay should never be moldy or dusty. As natural herbivores, hay-fed horses will benefit from the addition of fruits and vegetables into their diet. Like humans, horses reap significant health benefits from the essential vitamins and nutrients found in the produce aisle of the local market. Among other plants, horses can safely munch apples, carrots, squash, beets, strawberries, bananas, corn, raisins, sweet potatoes and turnips. The key is variety so that the horse receives a wide range of nutrients promoting health and longevity. Be sure to remove pits and rinds.
Horses should keep away avocados, onions, potatoes, persimmons, rhubarb, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower. These foods are harmful to horses and can cause serious physical damage if ingested.
Most horse feed is low in sodium and chloride, which are essential to horse care. All animals need salt in their diet and wild animals obtain it from natural sources. Domestic horses often require a salt supplement in the form of a salt block or loose NTM (natural trace mineral) salt. Linseed oil, an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, can be added to a horse's daily feed to improve equine joint flexibility. Molasses, a crowd favourite among horses, can be added to medications or dry food to make them more appealing to a hesitant horse.
Products marketed as "Equine Supplements" may contain a few or many of the essential vitamins and minerals that are vital to a balanced diet. These products are often less cost-effective than buying fresh produce to achieve the same effect. Remember that horses, like humans, can garner optimum nutrition through food sources alone. However, if an owner cannot regularly feed her horse a fresh, varied diet, a supplemental product is a viable option.
Owners can speak with their veterinarian to discuss a particular horse's dietary needs. Pregnant, sick, and young horses have special dietary requirements that can be prescribed by a professional. It is best to err on the side of caution when deciding what to feed a domestic animal. All food items should be fresh and high-quality. A well-fed horse is a happy, healthy horse.
