NUTRITION.
A THIRST FOR SUMMER WITH THE PROSPECT OF RISING TEMPERATURES AFFECTING QUALITY AND NUTRIENTS IN PASTURES, CAREFUL MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE HORSES’ NUTRITIONAL NEEDS ARE MET IS VITAL TO MAINTAIN OPTIMUM HEALTH, REPORTS BARBARA YOUNG.
E
ven ‘lush’ summer pasture may be lacking in key nutrients so additional vitamins, minerals and quality protein should be provided, regardless of the season, Spillers’ nutritionist Sarah Nelson explains. “Second to water, forage is the most important component of the
horse’s diet so if over-grazing or a hot dry summer has left your field looking bare, additional hay or haylage may be needed in order to maintain fibre inta e. However, Sarah points out that although grazing may look limited, if you are picking up a similar number of droppings, feeding additional forage isn’t always necessary.
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“When grazing is sparse, it’s possible for your horse to eat fresh growth, even if you can’t see it. Yellow grass may not look particularly appetising, but the energy level can be similar to hay and if there there is enough of it available, may be enough to sustain horses in light work, particularly if they are good doers.”
While hydration is important all year round, experts agree that it’s particularly so during the hottest months as keeping horses well-watered is essential to the health of the digestive tract to avoid the risk of impaction colic. Anna Welch, Top Spec’s veterinary nutrition director, explains that the consequences of dehydration will vary, from poor
