Summer
With the warmer days upon us we can look forward to spending more time with our horses and ponies whether it be hacking, schooling or competing. Of course the warmer weather also means that we may need to review our horse’s feeding programme to take into account changes such as better grazing or an increase in work load.
Horses that have a busy schedule of competitions and events ahead of them may require a change of feed to provide them with enough energy for the work they will be doing. Many factors need to be considered when changing to a higher energy feed: the horse’s temperament, type of work and condition; naturally laid back characters may benefit from a higher energy feed that supplies instant energy from sources such as cereals to help give them a bit of extra ‘oomph’. On the other hand this type of feed wouldn’t be ideal for a horse that already has a tendency to be a bit sharp or fizzy as it may just exacerbate this behaviour. A feed which is low in starch but high in fibre would be a better choice as ingredients such as fibre and oil provide the horse with slow release energy which is less likely to lead to fizzy behaviour. Feeds high in fibre and oil are also ideal for horses that require extra stamina for the work that they are doing, such as endurance or driving.
Before swapping to a higher energy feed, remember to ask yourself does your horse really need a competition type feed or would his present feed still supply adequate energy? Often using a medium energy feed is a good ‘stepping stone’ in terms of energy between a low energy mix and a more high powered competition feed whilst your horse is gaining fitness and may be suitable for hard working horses whilst competing if they tend to be naturally forward going types. It is important to bear in mind that energy and calories are much the same thing so by giving your horse a higher energy feed he will be receiving more calories, this is fine if your horse is doing enough work to use up the extra energy but if the workload decreases remember to decrease the feed as otherwise it could lead to unwanted weight gain.
For good doers such as native types and cobs the summer months can prove to be a difficult time of the year as far as feeding is concerned. If your horse or pony tends to be the type to put on weight easily remember to monitor the amount of grass that they are consuming. Good quality spring grass can have a similar effect to high energy concentrate feeds in that it may cause some horses to become fizzy or over excitable or the extra calories may lead to weight gain, so if your horse has a tendency to be fizzy or is a good doer it may be necessary to restrict their grazing, using a grazing muzzle or electric fencing to restrict grass intake can be very useful in these situations. Using a weigh tape on a regular basis can help to identify changes in your horse’s weight much quicker than you would be able to by eye alone. As a guide you should be able to feel your horse’s ribs easily but not be able to see them. However good doers still need to be provided with a diet that will meet their vitamin and mineral requirements but without adding unwanted calories. This can be achieved by using a low calorie feed that has been designed with the good doer in mind, which when fed at the correct quantities will supply essential vitamins and minerals but should not contribute to your horse or pony’s waistline. Alternatively use a small amount of a low calorie chaff with a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement.
Another all too common problem of the spring and summer months is laminitis, although it can strike at any time of year, and does not only affect overweight ponies that are out at grass. This grass is rich in soluble carbohydrates which if eaten by the horse in greater quantities than it is used to, may not be fully digested in the small intestine. These undigested carbohydrates can then cause problems in the hindgut, where specific bacteria multiply as they feed on the starch, producing lactic acid as a by-product. This then irritates the lining of the gut and produces an acidic environment, causes other ‘friendly’ bacteria to die and release toxins into the bloodstream.
As part of their overall management strategy, owners of a laminitic horse or pony will want to provide a diet which is supportive, rather than one which could make matters worse. An essential element of managing this condition and of minimising the risk of it occurring is to keep a close eye on your horse or pony’s weight and ensure that he is in ‘trim’ condition rather than overweight. Starvation is not the answer, and reducing the pony’s dietary intake too much can induce other serious problems. However, you may well find it necessary to reduce the amount of feed your horse is receiving and it is a good idea to change to a feed that is higher in fibre and lower in starch and sugar, without lots of cereals.
We all know changes to the diet should be made gradually to allow the beneficial bacteria in the horse’s gut time to adjust to the new feed stuff to avoid digestive upset, but how often have you put your horse onto fresh grass, particularly in the spring and found that your horse develops loose droppings? Making changes gradually is just as important if you are changing horses on to summer grazing, start by turning your horse out for short periods of an hour or so and gradually build up the amount of time your horse spends on their new grazing.
Water is often the forgotten ingredient but it is essential to keep your horse healthy. Make checking water troughs and buckets part of your daily routine to ensure your horse has access to clean fresh water at all times. Some horses may be reluctant to drink whilst they are away from home, but it is important that they do so to avoid dehydration, often adding a little fruit juice to water can help to disguise the taste of ‘strange’ water. If your horse is going to be travelling long distances don’t forget to stop and offer your horse a drink, or if he is very reluctant to drink offering a small soaked feed can be a good way of getting some extra water on board.
Your horse’s requirements for salt will vary according to how much he loses in sweat, and in particularly hot and humid weather your horse may be losing fluid through the rapid evaporation of sweat, even if you cannot see any visible signs of sweating.
To replace salt lost through sweating, provide your horse with access to a salt lick, or add a tablespoon of salt per day to his feed. After hard work or heavy sweating high losses of electrolytes can lead to fatigue and poor performance, so it is advisable to give your horse oral electrolytes to replace the body salts lost through sweat and ensure that he is able to continue to perform at his best.
Ideally electrolytes should be given in water, particularly when used after exercise to promote efficient re-hydration. If adding electrolytes to the water puts your horse off drinking then they can be added to the feed as long as the feed is made really wet.
Most summer allergies such as sweet itch and pollen allergies are not diet-related, however some horses do appear to suffer from intolerances to certain feed ingredients such as cereals (especially barley), molasses, and even alfalfa. These are all nutritionally sound ingredients and hence are found in the majority of horse feeds, but some horses do not seem to be able to cope with them. Signs of a feed intolerance may include itchy or flaky skin, unexplained lumps and bumps, or recurrent digestive upsets as well as erratic, spooky, excitable or irritable behaviour. As all of these signs may be caused by other things, it is sensible to speak to your vet if you think your horse may have a food intolerance, however there are now feeds on the market that cater for horses with intolerances, whatever their level of work may be.
By following the guidelines above you and your horse or pony can look forward to a enjoyable summer, whatever activities you may be taking part in.
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