fly mask. A fly mask or fly cap is a mask used on horses to cover the eyes, jaw, and sometimes the ears and muzzle to protect from flies. The mask is semi-transparent and made from a mesh allowing the horse to see and hear while wearing it. Why put Read more…
by Ron Meredith. Balance is one of those terms in the horse industry that is so misused that it’s become mythunderstood. All it really means is that the horse is distributing his weight equally on all four feet. We want him carrying as much of his weight on the right Read more…
The first priority when looking at a horse is to determine if it is balanced. To begin with, the horse should carry equal weight on his front end and back end and on his topline and underline. This is determined by the skeletal structure of the horse allowing for correct Read more…
One of the most important reasons for feeding whole oats to your horses instead of crushed or steamed and rolled is because to maintain the fat content it is necessary to feed the kernel. Correct chewing and digestion depend very much on feeding the husk. Which oats are better for Read more…
The omega-3 fatty acids—linolenic acid, EPA and DHA—support lower levels of inflammation throughout your horse’s body. A horse’s diet should be rich in these fatty acids. The omega-6 fatty acids that are commonly found in grains are pro-inflammatory and should be limited in the diet. What helps horses with inflammation? Read more…
On the opposite end of the spectrum, if the goal is to increase the calorie density of the ration, about 2 cups (500 ml) of oil per day might be fed,” said Whitehouse. For top-dressing oils, an easy-to-follow recommendation would be to feed no more than 3.5 oz per 220 Read more…
Horses get all the protein they need for muscle growth and strength from plants. The secret lies in their digestive system. Horses have a single-chamber stomach where bacteria break down cellulose from grass to release nutrients like protein and sugars. Horses are astonishing animals. Why horses are so muscular? Their Read more…
Minerals are inorganic nutrients that horses need in relatively small amounts. The essential major minerals include: Calcium (Ca) Phosphorus (P) What is the most important mineral for horses? “Horses foremost need the minerals salt, calcium and phosphorus,” states Mays. “Salt is lost through sweat and urine so it should be Read more…
Pasture Grass and Tender Plants Good pasture contains most of the nutrition a horse requires to be healthy. It also contains silica, which is important for dental health. Primitive horses can live on sparse rations and often have to make do with less than ideal pasture and living conditions. What Read more…
High quality protein includes legumes, young grass pastures, soybean meal, canola meal, and linseed meal. Soybean meal is rated the highest quality due to the amino acid profile being superior to most other plant products. What is the highest quality protein source? eggsAnimal Protein. Proteins from animal sources (i.e. eggs, Read more…