Winter
As we come into the coldest season of the year careful monitoring of our horses weight is essential to ensure they are in good condition and not becoming over or underweight. Monitoring your horse’s condition with a weigh tape will allow you to pick up any changes quickly, and allow you to adjust the diet in good time. As a general rule, you should be able to run your hand lightly across your horse’s ribcage and just feel his ribs, but not see them. Don’t forget that winter rugs and hairy coats can make it difficult to see even quite prominent ribs, and can easily disguise the first signs of a loss of condition.
The horse that loses weight at the first sign of cold weather will benefit from a high calorie feed such as Calm & Condition. Calm & Condition is barley and molasses free, low sugar and low starch and contains good sources of slow release energy helping horses to put on or maintain condition.
At the other end of the scale Fast Fibre is ideal for natives or good doers who only require a small amount of energy. Fast Fibre can be used as a complete or partial hay replacement, and is boosted with vitamins and minerals. It also includes prebiotics to help maintain a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system.
Winter can often be harder on older horses and ponies, with many losing condition. Veteran Vitality has been specially formulated for the older horse in need of extra calories. As a soaked feed it forms a soft palatable mash which is easier for the horse to chew. In the colder months Veteran Vitality can also be soaked with warm water and be fed as a winter warmer.
Why is water necessary?
Water is still just as important in the horse’s diet during winter as the adult horse consists of approximately 70% water. It is important to check water buckets, automatic drinkers and troughs are not iced over daily, so that they still have access to clean drinking water. Some horses will not be as keen to drink cold water, so adding water to your concentrate feed can help get that extra water into your horses.
For further information on any of our products or feeding advice for any horse or pony then our Nutritional Team are always ready and very happy to help. You can email them on helpline@allenandpage.co.uk or call the Helpline on 01362 822 902
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