When there is sudden, day-long torrential rain, or any other reason why you decide to keep your horse or pony inside for a day or two when he would normally be turned out for an hour or more, what should...
We all want to turn our horses and ponies out to enjoy a wonderful summer grazing freely and socialising with herd mates. However, if your horse and pony is sugar-sensitive and has an enforced stay inside because of suspected problems...
Recovery mashes can add fluid and fibre after exercise, travel, illness or hot weather, but formulas differ. Here is when they may help and what to check before feeding.
Cut down turnout in Spring for sugar-sensitive ponies and horses. Often heard; but how much…….let’s take a typical small native pony weighing 250-290kgs. 3 hours? No. I hour? No. Why, of course everything depends upon the individual circumstances but a...
Although we cannot affect a horse’s inborn temperament, by thinking about the way the horse’s digestive system evolved, and feeding in sympathy with it, we can help him feel much more relaxed and focused. So how do we feed in...
Cobalt has not been added to horse feed or supplements made by reputable manufacturers since 2010 when cobalt carbonate (the salt added to premixes) was declared potentially carcinogenic for the people working in the premix plant because of its small...
The primary function of iron is as a component of haemoglobin, which is vital for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. It is also a component of other proteins e.g. myoglobin, which transports oxygen in muscle...
Selenium needs to work in conjunction with vitamin E in order for them both to act as antioxidants to help maintain healthy cell function, repair DNA and reduce tissue damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are normally produced during...
Iodine is very well known as it is contained in thyroid hormones e.g. thyroxin, a powerful hormone, contained largely in the thyroid gland, which controls growth and is essential for healthy metabolism, thermoregulation and reproduction. Therefore iodine is also essential...
Manganese is well known for its role in bone and cartilage formation. It is essential for the synthesis of mucopolysaccharides and chondroitin sulphate, the latter itself being needed for cartilage synthesis. It is also essential for a healthy central nervous...
Zinc is a co-factor for hundreds of enzymes in the horse’s body, several of which are required for bone formation and calcification. It supports the synthesis of chondroitin sulphate which is essential for cartilage formation. Other roles include support for...
Copper is important for multiple functions, often as a co-enzyme, e.g. lysyl oxidase which facilitates cross-linking of elastin and collagen in connectives tissues, making them stronger and more flexible e.g. tendons, ligaments, bone and cartilage. It is vital for the...
