BURNING QUESTIONS! Trail Blazer readers want to know about EQUINE NUTRITION Recently, we sent out an invitation to our Trail Blazer readers to hit us with their most pressing questions, in 20 different categories. With over 9,000 questions from our readers, the idea for our dynamic new “Burning Questions” series was born. In each issue of 2010, we will focus on one topic that our readers have a keen interest in getting great answers from experts!
Questions by Trail Blazer Readers Answers by Dr. Kathleen Crandell, Dr. Amy Gill & Dr. Clair Thunes I would like to know if feeding hay What are the best energy snacks to in the trailer is safe for horses, and packQ for equines on the trail, items whatQ is your recommendation of you could bring to provide your how to feed a horse in a trailer so it horse with the proper nutrition if the doesn’t choke? grazing is limited? Horses are fed hay in trailers If grazing on the trail is limited you My horse is a very picky eater and without incident all the time, but will need to provide a supplementary A does not do well while trail riding. A there is a slight chance that a horse source of nutrients and should focus SheQ will lose 100 to 200 pounds could choke. There are a few things on forage first, as adequate forage is while on a weekend ride. She is you can do to reduce the risk. Tying necessary for the correct functioning getting older (22) and it is getting the horse so that he is able to get his of the digestive tract. This could be harder and harder for her to recoup head down and chew in a more natural in the form of baled hay although from a trail ride. Any suggestions? swallowing position is one idea. It may this may not be the most practical. seem very convenient when the trailer A loss of 100 to 200 pounds of Other alternatives would be pelleted has a built-in feed bunk, but it can be Abody tissue is very unlikely as this or cubed hay or a commercially very uncomfortable for the horse if he represents 10 to 20% of the total weight produced complete feed. If the feed cannot step back from the bunk and of a 1,000-pound horse, which could you choose is different from your lower his head. Hay bags work better not happen over a weekend. In all horse’s regular diet, then you should because the horse can take a bite and likelihood, your horse is losing water introduce the new feed to your horse then drop his head to chew. Wetting through sweating and respiratory gradually over a week prior to your the hay before putting it in the trailer losses and is becoming dehydrated, trip. This will help reduce the risk of not only reduces the dustiness in the which leads to poor performance. It colic due to sudden dietary change. trailer but also provides moister bites. would be best to make sure she is well Most horses typically consume about Because horses do not particularly hydrated several days before leaving 2% of their body weight per day in like drinking in the trailer, moistening for the trail ride, adding salt to her forage and possibly more if they whatever they are eating may ease ration or administering electrolytes are working hard. Pelleted feeds its passage down the esophagus. and making sure ample water is also are more easily digested and there BURNING Feeding the same hay the horse is available as the intake of mineral is less waste, so it may be possible getting at home may be wise if the salts increases water consumption. to feed slightly less than you would horse has a tendency to gorge when Feeding alfalfa hay, beet pulp and feed in long stem hay. This may be an offered something that is different or other “soluble” fibers such as rice important consideration if you have to more palatable. bran and soy hulls help to keep water pack feed with you. If there is likely to - by KATHLEEN CRANDELL, PhD in the intestinal tract which can also be some grazing then taking enough help prevent dehydration. . of these feeds to provide 1% of your QUESTIONS! - by AMY GILL, PhD horse’s body weight per day would be Trail Blazer readers want to know about a safe minimum. - by CLAIR THUNES, PhD EQUINE NUTRITION continued next page Meet Our Horse NUTRITION Experts
Dr. Crandell is an Equine Dr. Gill conducted her As an equine nutrition- Nutritional Consultant. graduate studies at the ist through her company, She received her MS in University of Kentucky, Equilibrate Equine Consult- Equine Nutrition and Ex- receiving a Master of Sci- ing, Dr. Thunes has worked ercise Physiology and ence degree in Equine with a wide range of horses PhD in Equine Nutrition Nutrition in 1989 and from lactating mares to and Reproduction from a Doctorate in Equine Nutrition and Exercise competitive driving horses, Virginia Tech. Currently Dr. Crandell is a nutri- Physiology in 2000. Dr. Gill specializes in growth, and with a variety of physiological problems tionist for Kentucky Equine Research, one of the metabolic and exercise-related disorders. Dr. including insulin resistance and muscle my- premier equine research and consulting firms Gill has much practical experience with horses opathies. Dr. Thunes believes in finding the in the world. She has designed and formulated as well and spent many years breaking and gal- right balance not only in the diet of the horse several horse feeds and has consulted with many loping racehorses and working on the racetrack but also between the need of the horse and top US riders on their feeding programs. As a as an equine physical therapist. As a consultant the resources of the owner. Additionally Dr. lifetime avid trail rider, Dr. Crandell has many Dr. Gill has worked extensively with several feed Thunes shares her knowledge talking with lo- hours and miles on the trail. She has been com- manufacturers. In 2004, she produced a series cal equestrian groups on a range of nutrition peting in Competitive and Endurance competi- called Horse Sense for RFD-TV. You can learn related topics. You can learn more about Dr. tions since 1989. To learn more about Kentucky more about Dr. Gill by visiting her website: www. Thunes by visiting her website: www.summit- Equine Research, visit www.ker.com amygillphd.com equine.com
www.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US • March 2010 51 I take my horse out for a 15 to 20 When horses are out on pasture, mile trail ride almost every weekend, what extra vitamins, minerals and Q sometimes two days in a row. Does supplementsQ would be helpful to make she need to be supplemented with sure they are getting all they need? electrolytes and how do I use them? Good-quality forage found in What is the best way to store hay, and Horses should always have access pastures goes a long way in meeting howQ can I tell if my hay is still good to to white salt either loose, in a block a horse’s nutrient requirements. A feed the horse if it has been stored or added to their feed. An 1,100- Nutrients abundant in green grass A for a while? pound horse requires 10 grams of are water, digestible fibers, protein, Hay should be stored in a building sodium or around 1 ounce of salt per vitamin A (in carotenes), vitamin E and separate from where the horses are day even when not in work. Without vitamin D (from sunlight). There can be A housed so that if a fire occurs it will supplemental daily salt your horse is sufficient amounts of macrominerals not endanger the horses. Hay should in a less than optimal situation going such as calcium, phosphorus and not be put in a barn until it is dried into your weekend rides. magnesium. Microminerals like zinc, to 12% moisture or less. If it is higher, Supplemental electrolyte require- copper and manganese are present the chance of molding increases as ments are based on sweat losses, but may be inadequate. Selenium can well as the possibility of the hay which are determined by factors in- be deficient, adequate or excessive spontaneously combusting due to cluding level and speed of work, body depending on the area of the country. active fermentation of starches and surface area, ambient temperature Sodium is usually low in the forage, sugars, which produces heat. Hay and level of fitness. The most com- so free-choice salt (sodium chloride) should be good to feed so long as mon side effect of inadequate elec- should always be available. it is stored where it remains dry. trolytes is dehydration. The purpose If the pasture is poor, either in Certain nutrients, such as vitamin E of a dietary electrolyte is to replace quality or quantity, then the supply values, will decrease over time, but the electrolytes (mainly sodium, po- of the above-mentioned nutrients in general hay one year of age or less tassium and chloride but also small would be less. Three general types of is still suitable for feeding. The only amounts of calcium and magnesium) supplements may be used to balance true way to tell the nutrient content lost in sweat. nutrients that are deficient or missing A of forage is to have it analyzed by a The ratio of sodium, potassium and in the forage, and these vary in what qualified laboratory. chloride in the electrolyte should nutrients they offer: vitamin/mineral - by AMY GILL, PhD mirror sweat 2:1:3.8 and the dose to fortified salt (formulated for horses); be used will depend on the horse’s vitamin/mineral supplement (fed in sweat loss. Administer after the small quantities, only appropriate work is completed and once the if more calories or protein are not horse has consumed water and/or necessary); or commercial concentrate Feeding alfalfa hay, beet pulp and food. Electrolytes may be given (contain additional calories and other “soluble” fibers such as rice by syringe, added to water (plain protein; the amount of calories bran and soy hulls help to keep water should always be additionally needed will dictate whether it would available) or added to feed. you be a low-intake balancer type or a water in the intestinal tract which should provide salt daily and if your regular commercial feed). can also help prevent dehydration horse is sweating then yes, you should - by KATHLEEN CRANDELL, PhD Dr. Amy Gill consider providing an electrolyte. - by CLAIR THUNES, PhD
Is it true that it is better for your horse to soak his hay before you feed it? Q There are certainly some benefits to soaking hay, perhaps the most obvious being that it increases the horse’s water intake. This may be of use in situations Awhere you are concerned about your horse’s water intake and hydration status. It is important to keep in mind that Additionally, soaked hay has lower levels of starch and soluble sugars than the as horses age they may become same hay prior to soaking. For horses with insulin resistance, laminitis or PSSM less efficient at absorbing nutrients and where low sugar/starch hay is not available or levels are unknown, soaking from their diet and may have higher (one hour in cold water or a half hour in hot water) can be a very useful tool. For horses with respiratory issues aggravated by dust and allergens, soaking hay may nutrient requirements than earlier in be beneficial as even clean hay has some dust particles. Soaking for 30 minutes life. As a result, it is often necessary to has been found to reduce the number of respirable particles by 90%. If you do feed a more nutrient-dense diet with decide to soak your hay, more is not necessarily better. No further reduction in respirable particles was found even when soaked for up to 12 hours, however higher quality ingredients. there was a significant reduction in the amounts of some minerals in the hay, - Dr. Clair Thunes which may not be desirable. - by CLAIR THUNES, PhD
52 March 2010 • www.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US If you are packing in the “backcountry” on a multi-day ride, what feed should I have two horses: one is a hard Q keeper and one is an easy keeper. you pack to get the most “bang for Q the pound”? How can I manage them best when they live together in a pasture? Some of what you have to pack depends on the backcountry. If forage I would like ideas on how to feed You are not going to like this answer— A it cannot be done well unless the is sparse, then packing hay cubes myQ trail horse to maintain a healthy A or hay pellets would be the most digestive system and prevent colic hard keeper is dominant over the compact way to bring in essential when away from home on overnight easy keeper, and that generally never forage to supplement what little campouts? happens. Most hard keepers are at the bottom of the pecking order and the horse can pick up. Contact the Sudden changes in feed can cause that is why they are thinner—they get Forest Service for info on grass and gastrointestinal disturbance and colic run off their feed by more dominant water in the area you plan on packing soA keeping the diet as consistent as pasture mates. The only true way in and to check their regulations possible is an important consideration. to manage these two is to separate on certified weed-free forages. If Diets should be forage-based and them at feeding time so that each can there are abundant natural forages, grain should only be added when it quietly eat their feed, and then make then bringing along some type of is not possible to maintain condition sure there are more than two piles grain concentrate will be very much from forage alone. Some horses of hay in the paddock when they are appreciated by the horse. do not handle the stress of new turned out together so there is always On a weight-by-calorie basis, high- surroundings as well as others and hay available to the hard keeper. It fat feeds certainly give the horse more these horses may go off feed and may may require more time but this is energy with less bulk than low-fat or have an increased colic risk. If grazing the only way to ensure each horse conventional feeds. Pelleted rice bran is available, even hand-grazing for a is consuming only what he or she is together with some type of vitamin/ short period may help them to relax supposed to. mineral supplement or high-fat pellets and contemplate eating their regular - by AMY GILL, PhD (6-12% fat) would give more calories ration. Ensuring adequate hydration per pound than conventional pellets. is important because dehydration can Pack only pelleted feeds because increase the risk of impaction colic. they have undergone heat treatment A source of salt should be provided, How do the nutritional needs of killing contaminants; textured feeds and consider an electrolyte if working recreational trail horses differ from have higher risk of sprouting grains for prolonged periods and/or those of horses competing in other (and attracting bears). Make sure sweating. Some horses will not drink Qdisciplines? the horse is accustomed to eating water when away from home. Adding any type of feed you bring before There is not much difference in a small amount of apple juice to the vitamin, mineral and protein embarking to reduce risk of colic. your home water and then doing the Bring along a small salt block or loose requirements between trail horses same when away from home can be andA other performance horses. The salt to add to the feed. helpful for creating a familiar taste - by KATHLEEN CRANDELL, PhD biggest differences would be the and encouraging a picky drinker. Plain amount of calories needed and water should always be additionally the form in which the calories are available. Hard work can induce colic consumed. Forages (grass or hay) especially if the horse is exercised provide an ideal source of energy that FOR MORE beyond its fitness level; therefore, is constantly available as the horse your horse should be fit enough to goes down the trail. Forages are also INFORMATION comfortably perform the exercise necessary for a properly functioning about great being asked of him. digestive tract and act as a major - by CLAIR THUNES, PhD equine nutrition stimulus to the thirst response for water intake. All of these are important for the trail horse. If the trail horse can Farnam, p.3,33 If the trail horse can get enough get enough calories from forage alone, Herbsmith, Inc., p.31 then the ideal diet would be forage calories from forage alone, then the with a vitamin/mineral supplement LifeData Labs, p.11 ideal diet would be forage with a and salt to supply the other nutrients Milk Specialities, p. 71 vitamin/mineral supplement and that are low or missing in the forage. Select the Best, p.41 salt to supply the other nutrients Only if the horse cannot maintain his weight on forage alone is it necessary Source, Inc., p.59 that are low or missing in to add some kind of more calorie- White Haven Farm, p.23 the forage. dense feed. - Dr. Kathleen Crandell - by KATHLEEN CRANDELL, PhD Zephyr’s Garden, p.22 continued next page
www.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US • March 2010 53 Is there anything I can feed that Now that my trail horse has hit 20 would prevent or greatly reduce the Qyears old, how should I manage her riskQ of tying up, and are there any nutrition to keep her healthy? feeding regimes that could cause Especially important with the tying up? older horse is regular dental care What is the recommended protein Aand a suitable deworming schedule. vs. fat content recommended in Q These should be discussed with your packaged feed? AThere has been a long-recognized vet, and you may also wish to discuss association with the feeding of high- A horse’s nutrient requirement whether it would be beneficial to starch meals and the occurrence of Adepends on multiple factors, such test your horse for Cushing’s disease, tying up. Consumption of high-starch as what he does for a living, his which is caused by a benign pituitary meals is commonly thought of as the metabolic state, i.e. how hard he is tumor and is typically found in older cause of “Monday morning disease”, working, whether he is growing, etc., horses and may lead to weight loss seen in work horses that were fed the weather, and his state of health. along with other issues. full rations on their day off and then Therefore how much protein and fat Beyond these health considerations suffered from tying up the following should be in a feed depends on the it is important to keep in mind that day when pulled out to work. individual horse. However, assuming as horses age they may become More recently, researchers have we are talking about a mature horse, less efficient at absorbing nutrients been able to link high-starch intakes to he will need his total diet to have a from their diet and may have higher tying up in horses with certain genetic crude protein content of around 10 nutrient requirements than earlier in muscle disorders, polysaccharide to 12% even in quite heavy work. The life. As a result, it is often necessary storage myopathy (PSSM) and recurrent bigger concern is the quality of the to feed a more nutrient-dense diet exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER). A protein, as protein from lower quality with higher quality ingredients and/ horse with PSSM builds up too much forage sources may not provide or a more processed diet (pellets, sugar (glycogen) in the muscle tissue, adequate essential amino acids. extruded feeds) that makes digestion and thus responds well to removal of as If the horse does not need larger easier. Fermentable forages such as much starch as possible from the diet. amounts of grain to maintain condition beet pulp are particularly valuable RER horses can tolerate a moderate then a small amount of a high protein and are often a major ingredient in (30%) feed may be fed to ensure that amountThere of are starch, a few but nutrients, a narrowly such defined as complete feeds. essential amino acids are provided. thresholdselenium/vitamin often tips Ethem or calcium,over the edge. that Protein content in the diet may As for fat, it is required for absorption when deficient or imbalanced can lead need to be increased and a pre-biotic of the fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D to muscle problems. Also when a horse may be beneficial in supporting and K and as a source of omega fatty becomes dehydrated and has lost a digestion. Whenever possible, acids. Fat content of grass is about lot of electrolytes through sweating continuing to work the older horse 6%; however, in hay it is around 3% it can bring on a bout of tying up. To within its abilities is also important as some of the fatty acids are lost avoid tying up, make sure the horse as many older horses seem to thrive during curing. For your average horse, has a well-fortified diet with the proper on knowing they are still valued. feeds containing less than 10% fat are balance of minerals and vitamins; back - by CLAIR THUNES, PhD off or slow down if the horse becomes adequate. dehydrated; replace electrolytes when - by CLAIR THUNES, PhD the horse is sweating intensely; and avoid high-starch meals if the horse is suspected of having either PSSM or What should you feed your horse when your trail ride ends up being longer and RER. harder than you expected and the horse gets back to the trailer pretty tired? - by KATHLEEN CRANDELL, PhD Q There is nothing better for a tired horse than to allow him to graze fresh grass, if it is available. Grass has the benefit of having the right combination ofA nutrients for energy and a lot of water for rehydration. Letting the horse eat Protein content in the diet may need with his head down is also relaxing for the horse and stretches back muscles to be increased and a pre-biotic may tired from carrying the weight of a rider or pack. If there is no grass, then hay be beneficial in supporting digestion. is the second best. Feeding the hay on the ground and dousing it with water may sneak a little moisture into the horse. Whenever possible, continuing to Make sure there is fresh water (not too cold) available for the horse. Fiber work the older horse within its abili- from the forage in the gut should trigger the thirst response and make the ties is also important as many older horse want to take a good drink. The fiber and water in the gut form a reservoir horses seem to thrive on knowing of energy and electrolytes for the horse to draw upon to replace what was lost during the long trail ride. Once the horse has gotten a belly full of forage, it they are still valued. would be reasonable to offer a small concentrate meal. - Dr. Clair Thunes - by KATHLEEN CRANDELL, PhD
54 March 2010 • www.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US I just want to ride my horse forever! QWhat are the best supplements that can help keep his joints as young as possible for as long as possible? The best combination of nutrients NEXT ISSUE: Ato keep joints and bone healthy How do I add calories to my horse’s includes chondroitin, glucosamine, Qdiet to keep weight on him without MSM, hyaluronic acid, bio-available overfeeding? silicon, vitamin D, copper, zinc, Industry experts calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Allowing a horse to eat as much Additionally, a natural anti- Ahay as he likes is the best way to inflammatory is omega 3 fatty acids, keep weight levels optimum. A horse and this compound can help prevent cannot be overfed forage unless he answer Trail damage to hard-working joints and is starting to gain too much weight. bone. A powerful antioxidant such If simply allowing free-choice hay is as BioBerry (blackberry extract) will not providing adequate calories to Blazer reader help combat the negative effects maintain body condition, adding a of free radical damage in working concentrate higher in fat and soluble horses. As always, all of the above fiber is the next logical step to help are only helpful when the horse is with weight maintenance or gain. Fat questions about fed, managed and trained correctly. is calorie dense and will not cause And remember, supplements are not changes in blood glucose levels like magic bullets and can only be used soluble carbohydrates do. Fiber is EQUINE to augment a feeding and training the most natural feed for a horse program. and is always the place to start when adjusting the diet to increase caloric HEALTH - by AMY GILL, PhD intake. - by AMY GILL, PhD ISSUES
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