Diet is Critical!
Equine’s have a sensitive digestive system, one in which was designed by mother nature to eat high fiber, low nutrient forage, 17 hours out of 24. Their stomach is small relative to their size, and produces acid 24/7. In order to prevent stomach ulcers, forage needs to be available for them around the clock.
This poses a big problem for most domesticated horses in today’s world. The average boarding facility feeds 2 flakes of hay in am and then again in the pm. Horses resort to eating fences and fence posts in order to sooth the pain in their stomach, and ease their mind.
Most of the domestic breeds we have today are what are referred to as “easy keepers”. This is a term that describes a horse that could work all day on very little nutrition, and still maintain a healthy body weight. The problem is, most domestic horses, are meant for pleasure riding, and do not work 6- 8 hrs a day. So how should we feed these horses so they do not suffer from obesity?
Although we are not nutritionists, Connie and I have now a combined 30 years of experience with thousands of horses. Diet directly affects hoof health. You cannot be an effective hoof care provider without noticing the effects of diet on the overall health of the animal.
We have noticed that today’s horse world has now become reliant on processed feeds. The epidemic to “feed” supplements/extras/treats are having a detrimental effect on domestic horses. We see horses that are developing Cushing’s earlier and earlier. We see horses that have very tender soles, leading the human to demand hoof protection. We see cases of laminitis and founder skyrocketing.
Horses are suffering due to the addition of BEET PULP, and processed feeds of all shapes and sizes!
We realize this is a controversial subject, because many health care professionals recommend these products. We cannot, however, turn a blind eye due to the HEALING we witness once these products are removed.
Horses return to health, hoof and otherwise, when they return to their basic diet of low nutrient forage, loose trace mineral salt, a loose vit/min supplement (which contains no added fillers or feeds)and water. We call this the DETOX DIET. Of course if they need any medications, there are alternatives such as low NSC soaked hay cubes, to mix the meds into.
We go into greater detail in our video series, but for now, if your horse is foot sore, try the DETOX diet for a month! Within days your horse will feel relieved, once the inflammation is reduced…:)
