HORSES - 8
Feed Requirements.
*Young, growing Horses, Pregnant and Lactating Mares, Working Stallions and Older Horses need more Energy and Protein then Mature Horses.
*Race Horses: are fed anti - Biotics, Electrolytes, excess Protein, Steroids, synthetic Minerals and synthetic Vitamins and their Systems become unbalanced. Treatment: Spell, give good Natural Feed and detoxify their Systems with natural Herbs to suite.
*Ponies / Small Crossbreds: Do not overfeed.
*Wet Mares: especially need high grade Dolomite in their rations.
Seasons
The various Seasons effect the amount of Energy required as Horses feel the cold while others may feel the heat more and even rugged Horses in a cold period have a greater need for more Energy to keep warm.
Grain
Grain rations should be removed or decreased the night before they have a day off and also the day off to avoid Acid build up and Tying Up.
Hoof Care
*Clean the Hooves out and dry during wet weather when stabling at night. *Horses in paddocks need a dry area to shelter in wet weather. Treatment: Apply Olive Oil or Raw Linseed Oil or a mixture of both, daily to the Bulbs, Coronet Band and Frog after picking out.
N.B: Do not apply to the Sole, as this is the area where Moisture is taken in and released.
*Allow water troughs to overflow in dry weather to re - hydrate the Hooves.
N.B: Do not apply Petroleum based products.
*Rice Hulls, Sawdust and Shavings draw water out of the Feet, while Straw does not.
Shoeing
The longer the Toe the greater the leverage and the greater the strain on the Tendons, while lowering the Heels of the Foot to excess also puts strain on the Tendons. The Angle of the Hoof should be the same as the Pastern, which in turn is the same as the Shoulder. From the Front of the Fetlock to the Coronary Band and then on down the front of the Hoof should be straight, with no deflection forwards or backwards at the Coronary Band.
Teeth
Should be inspected every 6 months to ensure the Feed can still be chewed properly and there is no chance of impaired Digestion or that a loss of Condition will result. Young Horses can be checked from 6 months on to ensure everything is going O.K.
Worming.
Routine feeding of fresh or dried granulated Garlic together with proper Pasture practice should be carried out.
Pasture
Provide plenty of roughage as Hay and Chaff, with good Lucerne Hay and Clover up to 23% Protein, which can also be high in Oestrogen, especially Red Clover. Give Oaten Hay, Grass Hay, Clover Hay or Mixtures including well - cured Lucerne containing high Calcium, but do not feed in excess.
N.B. You must be careful with Red Clover when feeding to Breeding Stock.
*The Pasture must be balanced, especially for Breeding Stock or problems will arise, such as Calcium deficiency, which can also be caused by predominately grazing Grasses such as Kikuyu. There are Oxalates in these types of African Grasses that inhibit absorption of Calcium creating Big Head and Scouring.
N.B: Always ensure plenty of Roughage the basis of all good Horse Nutrition.