Fuel Your Horse Right This Summer – Expert Nutrition Tips Inside!
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🥕 Monitor Your Horse’s Nutrition
Regular Weight Checks: Use a weight tape monthly to track your horse’s weight. Consistent monitoring helps you spot sudden weight loss or gain early. For example, rapid weight loss could indicate health issues or insufficient feed, while unexpected weight gain might lead to metabolic problems.
Body Condition Scoring (BCS): Evaluate your horse’s fat cover using a 1–9 scale, where 1 is emaciated and 9 is obese. Maintaining a score between 4 and 6 is ideal for most horses. Regularly assess areas like ribs, neck, and hips to ensure your horse isn’t too thin or overweight, both of which can affect performance and health.
Observe Behavior and Energy Levels: Changes in appetite, mood, or energy can be early signs of nutritional imbalance or illness. A lethargic horse or one refusing food may need a diet adjustment or veterinary check.
🌾 Optimize Their Diet
Balanced Forage and Concentrates: Good-quality hay or pasture should make up 60–80% of your horse’s diet. Supplement with grains or commercial pellets based on activity level and nutritional needs. For working horses or those in training, energy requirements increase, so appropriate concentrates are key to meet these demands.
Hydration: Water intake is critical, especially in the UAE’s hot climate. Horses can drink 20 to 55 liters (5 to 15 gallons) daily, but during intense heat or exercise, this can increase significantly. Always provide fresh, cool water and encourage drinking to prevent dehydration, which can impair digestion and overall health.
💊 Supplements to Consider
Electrolytes: During hot weather, horses lose electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride through sweat. Adding electrolyte supplements helps replenish these essential minerals, supports hydration, and prevents cramps or exhaustion. Look for products designed for horses with natural ingredients and balanced mineral content.
Probiotics & Prebiotics: These support gut health by promoting beneficial bacteria, aiding digestion, and enhancing nutrient absorption. They are particularly helpful during dietary changes or stressful periods.
Vitamin and Mineral Mixes: Depending on forage quality, your horse might need extra vitamins (like A, E, and D) and minerals (such as selenium and zinc). These supplements help strengthen the immune system, promote healthy coat and hooves, and improve recovery.
Joint and Hoof Supplements: Ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and biotin support joint flexibility and hoof integrity, essential for active or aging horses.
