Horses Need Flax 2
Beet Pulp - Everything you need to know
Examining Broodmare Nutrition
Fence, Friends & Horses
The Grass is Greener
Nutrition & Caring for the Older Horse

Feeding horses seems to be a complex subject when you think about all the different types of feed there are today. There are many different types of feed and just as many different companies who make feed. Beet pulp is a by-product of the sugar industry f that is readily available and inexpensive. The pulps are dried, packaged, and shipped off to all the feed stores who want it. Greatly used by the dairy and beef farmers, now the equine industry.

Beet pulp is a highly digestible fibre source. It has a higher quality of digestible fibre than good quality hay and a little less than grains. Fibre is the largest component in a horse's diet. Beet pulp being a high fibre feed can be substituted as the main fibre source, instead of hay, in a problem horses diet. Problem horses are; horses who are old and cannot chew hay properly, have heaves and have to be taken off hay due to mold and dust, horses who are dehydrated, hard-keepers (hard to put and keep weight on), horses just getting over sicknesses and so on.

There are two forms of beet pulp available, shredded and pellets. The shredded form is usually put into 'complete' feeds. Now we have it bagged in the shredded form to make it more convenient to feed. By soaking the shredded pulp it can be ready within minutes. It seems to be a safe way to get beet pulp into your horse's diet, especially if you are uneasy about the pellet. The pellet form is usually soaked for about 12 hours before it is ready to feed. You would probably soak it at your 6am feed for the 7-9pm feed and then again for the morning. There is some controversy about the time it takes to soak the pellets, but as the old saying goes "It's better to be safe than sorry". To soak the beet pulp you would, for example, take one cup of dry beet pulp and put three cups of water in with it in a bucket. It will expand probably three times as much as the dry amount you put in.

If you are feeding this type of feed to your animals be sure to include a balanced vitamin and mineral supplement. Beet pulp is high in calcium but low in phosphorous. This may disrupt the two to one ratio that is required by the animals body. It is also low in vitamin B, beta-carotene, and vitamin D.

To sum this up, make sure you soak the beet pulp long enough for the pellets to expand to their maximum capacity. You don't want to see your horse choke on these pellets, or have them expand in the horse's intestines or stomach. If you are not sure talk to your vet or feed specialist on how to feed beet pulp. Beet pulp can cause choking, and colic, in a worst case scenarios. The shredded form may turn out to be an easier route to take if you are really worried about this. Both forms of beet pulp are available at Rooney Feeds for your convenience.

Information supplied by Michelle Crocker Assistant manager Rooney Feeds 258-1567

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With the foaling season fast approaching, it is time to examine your broodmare’s feeding program. Ensure that we are meeting all nutritional requirements to produce strong, healthy foals. The body conditions of the individual broodmares should determine all feeding programs. Body scoring is a general guide to decide the condition of the horses fro extremely thin (score of 1) to extremely fat (score of 9). Broodmares should have a body score of 5-6 (moderate to moderately fleshy). We should not allow Pregnant mares to become fat. This condition often results in difficulty foaling and may lead to foals with growth problems associated with overfeeding.

During the first eight months of pregnancy the nutritional needs are the same as that of a barren mare. In the last trimester of pregnancy, 60 to 65% of fetal growth occurs. This means a change to the nutritional requirements of the broodmare. Mares now have an increased energy requirement and need higher protein levels. We should feed higher levels of minerals to ensure proper development of the foal and to prepare the mare for the higher demands of lactation.

As a general guideline, the levels of concentrates (grains) should be increased by 10% per month in the last three months of gestation to meet the energy requirements. Normally by meeting the energy requirements, they are also meeting the protein needs. Broodmare rations are usually 14-16% protein.

Fibre is a very important component of your mare’s daily ration for efficient digestion. Because of fetal growth, the mare’s digestive capacity is restricted, making her unable to consume large quantities of bulky feeds. Often breeders choose a more energy dense fibre source (ie. alfalfa based hay) to help the mare reach her daily requirements. The calcium and phosphorus requirements increase greatly during the last three months to foaling. Their diet should contain 0.5% calcium to 0.35% phosphorus. We should pay attention to the forages fed to ensure we achieve these levels.

Other minerals needed by broodmares include copper, zinc, manganese and iron. These are essential for proper bone maturity and growth. They store these minerals in the fetus during the last trimester since low mineral levels found in the milk.

During peak production (six to eight weeks after foaling), a mare can produce 15-20 litres of milk per day. Nutritional needs increased enormously during early lactation. Mares require higher energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus levels. Providing more feed can simply meet the nutritional needs.

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Ah, the fence is a beautiful creature full of strength and understanding. Like an old friend, we rely on the fence to perform and hold a bond of trust. Your fence can be a comforting friend or a bitter enemy.

Admitting you have a fencing problem is the first step. While there are no formal clubs with weekly meetings, your peer group provides meaningful insight on your requirements. Slipping your problem into conversation, you find a life of love-hate fence tips. After a few days, you sit sorting it all out. You've bared your soul and you now have 12 opinions and each is different as day is night. While you have not a clue where to begin, you've certainly gained an insight into what you want and don't want.

Now you are ready for the second - draw up a plan. This is a personal journey that only you can travel. Figure out where you want to go and actually what you want. Are you separating fields for the pasture rotation? When the weather turns nasty, have you allowed for a mud area? I s the fence temporary or permanent? Have you allowed for safety factors? Do you want a painted look without the painting? It can take as much effort to make a good fence as it does to make a bad one.

Consider the limitations of the land when deciding what materials yo intend to use. The first thing I ponder is what is under the soil. Tensile fences require excellent corner and brace posts. The ability to establish good anchorage is essential. With no limitations, high tensile options are versatile and effective fences eliminate costly on going maintenance and material replacement of traditional post and board fence. Usually, you will find tensile fences attach to the line posts so that an animal fence collision allows the whole fence to stretch and absorb the impact. Rather than a rigid barrier, the fence line acts as a giant elastic bending to sudden collision and then returning to its original form.

After removing trees and branches for the "ice storm" of 1998, this permanent fence type performed to expectations and only required tightening to regain its functionality. Visibility is the utmost concern of horse fence safety. ExWire and Flex Rail are unique high tensile products designed for safe containment. Encased in a polymer plastic, the sight solidity is increased while eliminating the sharpness of the wire. Using a spinning jenny, these coils are easy to unwind and install. A decision to use Flex Rail adds a wooden board appearance to the fence without the traditional rotting, breaking and painting. Used alone or together, these alternatives provide the unique qualities sought in a containment area: longer life, higher strength, lower cost, maintenance ease, versatile operation and enjoyable installation.

Lacking either the ability or will to install a permanent fence, there are other options available. Using wide band tape will make a visual impact on the containment area boundaries. Among the electric options you may choose wire, strand, tape, rope or braid. I have listed them from least to most desirable. The choice of which option you choose will depend on your intentions, layout and budget. Protek Braid provides you the advantages of a permanent and a temporary fence. A real advancement to temporary stranded electric, Braid is a tightly woven nylon braid that weaves stainless steel wires through it. With insulators, connectors and tensioners, Braid is stretched adding strength to your fence. Either semipermanent or temporary fences are an excellent application of Protek Braid.

Problem areas of an electric fence are limited and usually easy to find. Naturally, you start at the existing wire. Is the wire free from grounding and able to carry the electric load? Energizers are next on the list. Is it producing the required output for the shock? Some units will have a display telling you if they are obtaining the required electrical output. Test the energizer with your voltmeter or spouse to establish the actual output. Satisfied with the reading or the screaming, go along the fence line to find the output reading at various points. A drop in the reading tells you there is a short or a problem with the wire. My next area to investigate is the "ground" contact of the energizer. Lacking a good ground diminishes the overall effective output. Usually two to found ground rods will accomplish this requirement. If your soil is dry, you will require a modification to your grounding technique. Choice of electric fencing for pastures and paddocks is commonly a classical working fencing option. In public access to training areas, paddock, etc. try to diminish the chances of spooking a horse and causing injury to a person or animal by using cutoff switches when appropriate.

As horse owners, a safe fence is a necessity for your horse, visitors and neighbours. A decision to plan a layout and choose effective options to meet your needs is an excellent starting pint. Whether your fence requirements are permanent or temporary, there are options. Of course other considerations like lightning arresters to be aware of and implemented into your plan. Next year, when an acquaintance seeks your professional advice on fencing tips, invite them to look at your system fence. A fence planned with system means you can have faith in a friendly fence. Next time you look past your horses and you see the neighbours, just "smile and wave".

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With all the effort you’ve put into repairing your fences, you know your paddock pals are safe for another year. Dreaming of open prairies, the pounding of hooves resonates the herd’s freedom bound only by imagination and your mended fences. Neighing interrupts your quiet evening as Shadow calls out to you. You nod, silently telling her its okay. In turn, she throws her head and returns to her rank. Watching, you decide it is easier to have planned to enjoy the summer equine experience than fight it.

No matter how much you plan, the grass is always greener on the other side. Through hunger or challenge, those stems of fresh pure grass wave to your horse. In a trance like state, your horse is charmed into finding a way to the calling grass. Under, over or through the fence, avenues are tested for least resistance and in such circumstances, Shadow’s leaning form bends and breaks down over the fence top. Broken boards are avenues to injury and a necessary expense to fix. Your summer fun equine experience has just been interrupted.

Open miles of prairies are but a memory of ancestral nature. The freedom to choose is nature’s way for sustenance and survival. In the terms of pasture selection, variety is the key to happiness for you and Shadow. The ability to handle environmental conditions like trampling, heat and regrowth, makes a balanced pasture ecosystem logical.

Timothy, while offering great initial establishment and growth, has low production in midsummer. Orchard grass has excellent early season production and maintains production into midsummer but will loose quality if allowed to mature. Tall Fescue must be a certified seed variety for cleanliness from disease. Tall Fescue’s contributive qualities are high yielding, good summer and fall production and a toleration for trampling. By combining these and other species together into a mix, it is possible to introduce the variety that Shadow and the barnyard gang require of their pasture.

Having chosen to rejuvenate your pasture/paddock is an inexpensive and easy to do task. Introducing a new seed species back into the field as early as possible in the spring, the young seedlings sprout and grow just when the rest of the existing plants awaken and grow. It is important that time is heeded for thicker existing pastures; however, if there are many bare patches, the pasture can most likely be seeded successfully. Shadow appreciates that you take the time to watch the pasture diversity. Identifying toxic weeds like poison hemlock, field horsetail, tansy ragwort, buttercups, nightshade, bracken fern and St.John’s wort, avoids some nasty reactions into the season and does happen in Eastern Ontario!

Shadow and the herd appreciate the seasonal equine experience. Your efforts to ensure a balanced and lasting pasture have in likewise added to your summer’s enjoyment. Contentedly watching Shadow, the other mare and her foal, you feel a sense of inner satisfaction and pride. Your horses are in great shape. Their six-acre pasture is quite adequate to carry through the full season. You see Racer, Shadow’s new little brother racing around the two adults. Silently, you wish you could kick your heals like Racer; however, the peace of the summer time experience is in itself a reward granted and appreciated.

(Information provided by Andrew Droppo, manager Rooney Feeds Ltd.)

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When thinking of the most beloved and trusted of all horses, never forget the senior horse. They often refer to older horses for being in their late teens, but now with good nutrition, management and care, horses can live well into their twenties. We give attention to the common problems to extend into healthy lives.

Dental

Chewing is difficult for the older horses when teeth are worn or missing. Poor dental care can cause mouth ulcers resulting in pain. Poor teeth discourage horses from chewing their food long enough. This creates a lack of saliva production necessary for digestion and proper lubrication of the esophagus for swallowing. Feeding a processed feed, such as a pellet or extruded helps to promote chewing. These feeds can also be soaked to make a gruel to make it a more digestible selection and to increase water consumption.

Digestive System

With age, the digestive tract begins to weaken. Lack of activity, results in gas production and impaction, which can lead to colic. Feeding smaller meals more frequently helps with the digestive process. Reducing starch or grain and replacing it with a highly digestible fibre source helps to reduce excess gas and impaction. Feeding beet pulp or a processed feed with beet pulp is highly digestible for the older horse. Remember to offer tepid water between 10-20 degrees Celsius and free choice salt should always be available. Adding salt to the horse's diet also helps to stimulate water consumption.

Parasite infestation hinders digestion and in common sense you know that a proper deworming and parasite control program should be in place.

Respiratory

Senior horses may begin to experience some respiratory problems including heaves or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Minor symptoms include a dry cough. In severe cases, the horse may develop rapid breathing, difficulty inhaling and exhaling and a "heave" line along the lower sides of the abdomen. Slight changes to feeding programs and environmental factors with medications and herbal products can help to aid respiratory problems along. The first step is to eliminate dust and allergens. Feed only high quality, clean hay. Wetting or steaming hay before feeding further eliminates any dust that may be present. Feeding a complete feed can eliminate hay from the diet. "Heavey" horses often thrive when living completely outside.

Hair & Skin

An inadequate diet is often to blame for problems with hair, skin and hooves in horses of all ages, but is particularly evident in older horses. Often with regular grooming and good nutrition the problem gets resolved; however, a poor coat in elderly horses can sometimes be due to Cushing's disease, which is caused by a tumor in the pituitary or thyroid disjunction. Malfunctions like an intolerance to glucose or blood sugar can cause this. After a meal high in starch, such as cereal grains, blood levels of glucose and insulin become abnormally high. Horses with Cushing's disease respond well to diets lower in starch and high in fat and fibre.

Bones & Joints

As horses begin to get older, we begin to see lameness due to laminitis, arthritis or stiffness from weakened bones due to demineralization. Now, many solutions to help aid in joint discomfort like glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate are available. A combination that combines more than one of these with MSM gives you a multi approach to rebuilding both the synovial fluids and the cartilage. Other considerations include herbal remedies like Mobility that combines the healing and renewal properties of comfrey, burdock, dandelion, devil's claw and yucca.

Older horses and ponies deserve all the extra loving care. They are the ones that taught most of us to ride and gave us the foundation of experience to move on! I would like to thank an old pony named Spanky that lived to a ripe old age of 37.

13% Fat "N" Fibre Horse Ration is formulated to be fed to all classes of mature horses with a dietary requirement for increased levels of fat and fibre.

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