Clock Change 'Vs' Diet Change

1. FIBRE FOUNDATION

As ever, forage should form the basis of every horse’s ration. This is especially important in the winter months when access to grazing is limited when many horses are reliant on forage being provided by the owner. The minimum a horse should eat on a daily basis is 1.5% of their body weight in forage per day, so keep weighing those hay nets on a regular basis to be sure your horse is eating enough. Take a look at our weight chart as a guide to how much forage to feed this winter.

2. Feed little and often, feed subject to workload, temperament and body condition

When forage alone is not enough to maintain body condition, winter diets will include concentrates to either provide nutrients or energy (calories). The type of concentrate will not only depend on body condition, but also the horse’s temperament and workload. For horses that can be a little bit ‘fresh,’ in the winter months, looking at feeds that contain fibre and oil will help to maintain a more trainable temperament.

Feeds that contain 'Super Fibres' such as sugar beet, soya hulls and alfalfa, together with a high oil level, are useful feeds for horses that have an excitable disposition or for those that are hard to keep condition on e.g. Super Fibre Cubes. High fat supplements, such as rice bran e.g. EQUI-JEWEL® will boost the calorie density of a ration, helping to keep meal sizes to a minimum. Overweight horses that need vitamins and minerals in a low calorie package can be given a feed balancer e.g. Essential Balancer that provides only these nutrients plus quality protein and usually yeast and prebiotics.

Use our Quick Feed Finder to narrow the search for the right feed or call a nutritional helpline on 01622 718487

3. Maintaining water intake

During cold spells, it is not uncommon for owners to notice that their horses have suddenly started to drink less. This can be largely due to them not wanting to drink very cold water, but a reduction in water intake can increase the risk of digestive issues such as impaction colic. Soaked feeds such as our Re-Covery Mash can help to avoid such issues. RE-COVERY Mash is highly palatable, versatile, and convenient to use in many different situations. It contains a blend of ’Super-Fibres’, known for their superior digestibility as well as a provision of non-heating calories helping to keep weight and condition on over the winter months. A source of electrolytes helps to helps to maintain optimum hydration as well as triggering the horse's natural thirst response.

NEED GUIDANCE?

If you would like any further information, please feel free to contact our nutritional team on 01622 718487 or email nutrition@saracenhorsefeeds.co.uk