Throughout history, horses have lent and continue to lend their services and companionship to man  .  Whether in the form of transport, for work, in conflict, in law enforcement, for sport or as pets, the evidence is everywhere  .    Because of this, we are obliged to care for them I Thus, it is our responsibility to look after them.   There are a lot of elements to horse health and many aspects depend on what we ask of them .

Horse Health- The Nutritional Elements of Horse Health

Nourishment forms the basis of horse health .  Their traditional diet consists of hay and oats .  This diet is adequate to sustain a horse engaged in low to moderate levels of activity .  Although this may be so, it usually has inadequate nutrients such as minerals and vitamins .  However, this shortfall can be corrected by introducing balancers and supplements to the feeding regime .

It is essential to maintain horse health with a specially formulated diet to enable them to undertake hard work and deliver high performance .  And the vast range of supplements available allows us to cater for every imaginable element of horse health .  For instance, the demands made on a racehorse are extensive and require maintenance of every part of its body  .  Because horses can be fussy eaters, nutrients can be added to feed in liquid, powder or crumb form .

Horse Health- Horse Health – The Importance of Muscle and Joint Maintenance

Looking after muscles and joints is a vital element of horse health, whether it is during training or recuperation.  High performance horses are more susceptible to injury than low performance horses.  To increase their levels of lean body mass, their metabolism needs to be efficient.  So, to enable them to improve fat utilisation, a good supplement is required.  Joint suppleness is helped by a specially designed formula .  Furthermore, supplement containing omega 3 oils are considered advantageous for easing inflamed joints and the arthritic conditions often experienced by older horses .

Horse Health- Horse Health – Other Aspects

Although the health of muscles and joints are vital, other aspects of horse health need accounting for :

The maintenance of the digestive and respiratory systems are also extremely important .  It is worth adding a supplement to your horse’s diet to sustain the effectiveness of the microbes which help the digestive tract to function effectively .  The response to demanding activities such as competing, taking medicine, travelling or the reproduction process can have disturbing effects on horse health.  Also, a horse can be afflicted by respiratory problems, possibly from dust in its stable, so a suitably formulated supplement is useful to condition the blood, remove mucus and generally sustain healthy airways and lung function .

Hoof condition is a further important element of horse health.  We are helped in this task by an array of palatable and pleasant-tasting liquid supplements that the horse can easily absorb . 

If we choose the correct supplements to support our horse’s physical and psychological well being, we will get the added benefits they provide in improved skin, coat and overall healthier appearance.  Then, perhaps, we can feel proud that we are repaying a small part of the magnificent service they have lent to us.

When we think of horse feed, the image of horses grazing contentedly in paddocks and fields or chomping on hay in a stable may come to mind  .  However, to protect the welfare of a horse, its diet needs to be supplement with horse feed, rich in the nutrients needed to sustain a long and healthy life .

Broadly speaking, the two types of horse feed diets are either one of hay and oats or a specially compounded one.  The diet type will depend on whether the horse does light, medium or heavy work .

Horse Feed-Traditional Horse Feed

The belief is that, if their workload is light, horses can live on a diet of forage.  But, in doing so, the likelihood is that they may not get sufficient minerals and vitamins.  The reason for this is that soil may be lacking in these nutrients and so the crops they produce will also have low levels .  Additionally, because forage is obviously subject to seasonal changes, a horse may face hardship in winter.  But, such shortages can be redressed by combining a horse feed balancer with forage and there are plenty of these available .  Added to this, the use of heat-stable yeast products is popular  because yeast improves food utilisation and, therefore, overall well-being .   Because the yeast factor aids the digestive system, it helps to ensure that all nutrients are absorbed .   A horse feed balancer can be a cost-effective way to improve a horse’s health  .     Combining it with high forage diets will make sure the horse gets enough of each nutrient.  The amount and type of horse feed balancer can depend on the health and workload of the horse .

Quality Horse Feed- Specially Formulated Horse Feed

Racing, eventing and pole are examples of sporting situations where horses are largely expected to work hard and provide high performance .  These are demanding situations so is vital that horse feed is formulated and balanced to ensure the horse is mentally and physically fit .  Because these activities have safety implications and attract competitive and commercial interest, there is an extensive array of supplements available  .   As each circumstance applies pressure to the horse, its owner should understand the nature of these pressures.  Through this knowledge, the horse feed can be supplemented to a suitable level.  For example, rice bran oil is deemed suitable where weight gain and performance are required because it enhances the metabolism of fat and the synthesis of protein whereas flax is good for slow energy release  .   The omega 3 content of flax can contribute to improving the horse’s overall condition and appearance .  Supplementing the diet with digestible fat is considered to have a calming effect on anxious or excitable horses.  {And, of course, the horse feed should be concentrated to cater for muscle and joint well being, whether it is to achieve high performance or aid recovery  I And, undoubtedly, to maintain good muscle and joint health, an appropriately formulated horse feed is needed I  And, undoubtedly, muscle and joint health should be protected by a specially formulated horse feed whether it is to achieve optimum performance or assist recovery}.

By improving our knowledge of the ingredients of horse feed and their functions, we stand a strong chance of being able to care responsibly for our equine friends and leading them through a long, productive and ailment-free life. Cheap Horse Feed