Targeted Nutrition for World-Class Performance
For over 30 years Kentucky Equine Research has continually developed innovative solutions to the health and nutritional challenges inherent in modern equine management. The results of studies conducted at its research farms, as well as advances in equine nutrition from institutions around the world, are applied and thoroughly tested in the creation of KER products.
Proprietary ingredients and science-based solutions characterise KER Targeted Nutrition. Top equestrians worldwide in a variety of disciplines know they can rely on KER to fuel world-class performance.
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Editor Amanda McWhinnie amanda@equestrianhub.com.au
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OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Dr Caitlyn Mittelstadt B.V.Sc.
In 2021, Caitlyn graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. She now works at Apiam Animal Health’s Clermont Surgery as a full-time mixed practice vet with a passion for everything horse. A case of hives can take many owners by surprise, and for this issue, Clare co-wrote an informative article on hives that makes for fascinating reading.
Amanda Mac As editor of Equestrian Hub Magazine, Amanda’s two longstanding passions, one for horses the other for writing, come together perfectly. Although much of her time is spent busily editing away behind the scenes, in this issue she speaks with Wayne Crompton, who, along with wife Jackie, has had a 15 year relationship with Thoroughbred High Impact - a winner on and off the track.
Christine Armishaw Christine is a qualified EA Level 1 Coach and horse trainer who specialises in building confidence in women returning to riding and young riders getting started on their equestrian journey. Based at Otford Valley Equestrian, she runs clinics in NSW and NZ, and is a keen show jumper. Don't miss her six top tips on becoming the kind of leader your horse will be more than happy to follow.
Dr Jennifer Stewart B.V.Sc., B.Sc., Ph.D.
With over 40 years’ experience as a veterinarian in mixed and equine practice, Jennifer’s special interest is equine nutrition. She was Senior Veterinary Officer with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for 10 years, and for two years was Biosecurity Veterinarian with the ACT Government. Are you feeding for your discipline? If not, read Jennifer's article in this issue to learn why you should.
Nicole Tough
An EA Level 2 Dressage Specialist Coach and National A Level Judge, Nicole has over 30 years experience in training, competing, judging and coaching. She enjoys presenting seminars and masterclasses, has trained in Germany, Spain and The Netherlands, and has produced nine very successful FEI horses. This month, she begins a five-part training series by going back to the basics.
Michelle Terlato
Larissa Bilston B.AgrSc (Hons)
Larissa is the Equine Nutritionist for Farmalogic, where she developed Equine Vit&Min and the Farmalogic Equine range. Her extensive experience is highly regarded by trainers, riders and owners who understand the importance of good nutrition. As summer heats up, keeping your horse hydrated is essential, and Larissa has some expert advice to help you keep your equine companion hydrated, healthy and happy.
Dr Ciaran Masters BVetMed
Ciaran, an Equine Veterinarian who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England, is currently working for APIAM Animal Health at Queensland's Samford Valley Veterinary Hospital. His main interests are in sports medicine and surgery, and he is dedicated to ensuring and improving all aspects of horse health. This month he discusses the what, where and why of hives.
Michelle grew up with horses and has always loved them. When she’s not travelling the globe photographing the world’s top equestrian athletes, she’s home riding her own horses. It’s the behind the scenes and the unexpected shots that she likes the best, and in our Behind the Shot feature, she shares her favourites and explains what makes them so special.
BEHIND THE SHOT
Charlotte Fry
One of Australia’s top equestrian photographers, MICHELLE TERLATO travels the world capturing equestrian athletes in action. Each month she shares one of her favourite shots
Rider: Charlotte Fry
Horse: Glamourdale
Event: 2024 Olympic Games Grand Prix Freestyle
Location: Château de Versailles, Paris
Camera & Settings: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, 300mm lens, f/5.6, ISO 200, 1/1000 sec
Challenges: Shooting images at the Olympic Games is challenging. The world's best photographers are there, all with a keen eye to finding the best position and capturing the perfect image. The location with the Château in
the background was the one everyone wanted, although shooting at the end of a dressage arena as opposed to the sides isn't a great angle for capturing some of the movements. However, a few days earlier I had photographed Lottie from the long side in the Grand Prix Special, so for the Freestyle, I opted for the Château – a once in a lifetime opportunity to capture the world’s best horses in one of the world’s most picturesque places.
The sun was very bright with light reflecting off the white sand arena, so
I shot on the lowest ISO with a higher aperture to reduce light and allow more depth of field for the Château. I really like how the Château’s gold dome, the gold fountain, the summer heat haze, and the details of Lottie and Glamourdale sand dancing have all been captured.
Why this shot is special: Since the Olympics ended, I’ve gone back through many of my images, and I find myself returning to this one. Glamourdale is so expressive in his movements and the half-pass was beautiful to watch. Any image that showcases the venue is a favourite, but with the judges on the left, the horse on the right and the feeling of movement, this composition works well. It takes me straight back to their Freestyle music and the buzz in the stadium. They won Bronze with a mark of 88.971%, and I will always remember the location and the atmosphere, and consider myself so incredibly lucky to have been there to capture it.
Michelle is available for event, commercial and private shoots. Visit Michelle Terlato Photography to view her impressive portfolio.
TOUGH
Back to basics
This is the first of a not to be missed five-part series in which NICOLE TOUGH looks at a horse’s training as they progress through the dressage grades.
Ever heard the expression ‘back to basics’? Basics is such a misleading word, because it implies something easy and uncomplicated, and our dressage basics are far from uncomplicated. Visiting international clinicians and judges often see horses who are inconsistent in the rhythm, stiff or crooked to one side, and not working over the back in selfcarriage. These all point to weaknesses in basic training.
For dressage riders, consolidating the basics means cementing an essential foundation for higher schooling. It is
creating the base of a pyramid that we can add layers to as we work towards the pyramid’s peak: Grand Prix. So, where do the basics start and what do they look like?
Horses are usually started at three years of age. This could be likened to kindergarten, where our horses learn to accept a rider on their back and to acknowledge them as their leader in the simple commands: go, stop, turn left and turn right. From kindergarten, they hopefully graduate to primary school, where the dressage trainer introduces
the basics. For humans, these basics include learning the sounds of the alphabet, simple arithmetic and starting to read and write. For our horses, the basics include concepts like rhythm, suppleness and contact, which should take eight to twelve months to consolidate. These training foundations are then examined by the judges in preliminary and fouryear-old dressage tests.
From here, humans graduate to Years 2 and 3, where they learn more complicated words and mathematics; whilst for our horses, we add the beginnings of yielding to the leg, and start training push and carry through some lengthening and shortening of the steps. At this point, still in primary school, our horse’s understanding of push/carry is examined in novice dressage tests.
Over the years, whenever an international trainer came to our shores and I was lucky enough to sit-in, watching, listening and having lessons myself, it intrigued me how many times the trainer would go ‘back to basics’, instead of working on the tempi changes,
HANGING
or the half-passes, or the piaffe as the rider wanted. Turns out, maybe the basics aren’t so basic after all. Maybe they are crucial to the success of higher schooling and the key to bigger scores.
So, let’s consider these not so basic basics, and how they came about. In the mid-80s, the Training Scale, the German recipe for success, was translated into English. This system of training is sequential, and its qualities are universally accepted and judged through a series of national and international dressage tests (exams if you like) from preliminary level through to Grand Prix.
As mentioned, the first year or two of dressage training is about consolidating the basics, and any concepts that are uncemented, misunderstood, or skipped during this crucial foundational period will be revealed in dressage tests and in later training. Indeed, it is the judges’ job to recognise, highlight and award scores based on the presence or absence of the basic qualities.
The Training Scale (our curriculum) begins with takt. Translated as rhythm,
it incorporates both the tempo and the correct footfalls of the four-beat walk, two-beat trot, and three-beat canter. In the beginning, due to lack of balance and/or understanding, young horses are inclined to either slow down or speed up, detracting from the rider’s goal to maintain one regular rhythm. By concentrating on the consistency of regular footfalls, the rider can become their horse’s metronome and in so doing improve the horse’s mental and physical balance.
Next is losgelassenheit, translated as suppleness, which largely deals with the natural crookedness of the horse. Much like humans are pre-dominantly righthanded, most horses are supple through the right side of the body and stiff to the left. Bending and stretching involves the elongation (lengthening) of muscles and promotes more flexibility and suppleness. Bending promotes lateral (sideways) suppleness, and stretching promotes longitudinal (over the back) suppleness; and it is the rider’s job to ensure their horse is equally supple to the left and right, and able to dorsally flex (lift) their spine.
Which brings us to the final basic anlehnung, translated as contact. From the beginning, the horse should be trained to reach for the bit and accept contact. The bit is not there for the horse to grab, snatch, evade, or lean on, and this concept is not negotiable; horses must learn to carry the bit. When the contact is too strong and the horse is using the contact to carry some of their weight, the rider should use transitions and/or half-halts with aids that encourage the hindlegs to step under the centre of gravity, thus carrying more weight.
When the basics are understood, the rider is able to show a horse who is easily able to maintain one rhythm in all three gaits, who is supple to both sides and over the back, and accepting of contact with the bit in a self-carrying capacity. Once established, these basics are then used to warm-up and prepare the horse for more intense work in their daily sessions.
If you'd like to know more about lessons or a clinic with Nicole, visit Nicole Tough Dressage
LEFT: Dumbledore as a 4-y-o in basic training (Image Christy Baker Photography). ABOVE: Dumbledore in competition (Image courtesy Nicole Tough). The attention Nicole has given Dumbledore's early lessons is evident in his carriage and confidence.
FEATURE
On track for the World Championships
In an exciting first, Australia will be competing at the Icelandic Horse World Championships in 2025. AMANDA MAC spoke with Laura Hall-Smith to learn more.
It might at first seem a little left of centre for a team of Australian riders to be competing at the Icelandic Horse World Championships. Nevertheless, for the very first time, Australia will be one of 22 international teams vying for honours during the week-long event, set to commence in early August 2025 in Birmenstorf, Switzerland.
With an estimated 13,000 people likely to attend, Laura Hall-Smith, a member of the Australian team training squad, is excited. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring back valuable information for members of our community, as well as to promote the breed here and continue to grow the Icelandic Horse Association of Australia,” she says.
There's certainly an increased awareness of the Icelandic breed in this country, and for very good reason. Standing on average between 13hh and 14hh, these horses are renowned for their endurance and athleticism. They’re independent, adaptable, friendly, willing, sure-footed and strong, and shine in any number of disciplines, including working equitation, dressage, trail riding, jumping, and endurance events.
Clearly, the breed offers plusses aplenty, but perhaps one of the Icelandic’s most interesting characteristics is their ability to be either four or five gaited. A four gaited horse has walk, trot, tölt and gallop/canter, while a five gaited horse has an additional gear, the flying pace or skeið. The tölt and skeið are made possible by a mutation in the DMRT3 gene, responsible for synchronising the left and right sides of a horse's body. In the Icelandic (and some other breeds) this mutation allows them to move their
legs laterally as well as diagonallyessentially, to be able to pace.
The four-beat tölt is a lateral gait in which the horse maintains one or two hooves on the ground at all times. This means that there is no suspension, making the tölt a very smooth, comfortable, almost bounce-free ride even at speeds of up to 32 kilometres an hour.
Faster still is the two-beat skeið. Capable of generating speeds of just under 50 kilometres an hour, at one point during the movement all four of the horse’s hooves are suspended above the ground, earning it its ‘flying’ title.
But let’s get back to Laura and the training squad. Unusual for an Australian born and bred, Laura has a long history with Icelandic horses. “When Mum was 17, she went to Denmark as an exchange student. Her host family owned an Icelandic horse stud and after she came home, she stayed in contact with them,” she tells me.
Fast forward and every few years, Laura’s mother, by then a vet with a busy practice, would take Laura and her brother on holiday to Denmark, which included visits to the horse stud and rides through the forests on Icelandic horses. “Obviously they're not a common breed in Australia, and to have been involved with them my whole life is pretty special,” she says.
For Laura, who is based in North West NSW with three Icelandics of her own, the breed’s personality is certainly part of the attraction: “They're a very sweet, personable horse with so much heart. They’re strong, often quite forward, and a lot of fun. An Icelandic will take on any challenge you put their way and because they can carry adults as well as younger riders, you never grow out of them.”
The 10 member training team are all equally passionate about the breed, and are busy working towards next year’s championships. And it’s a multi-national effort in more ways than one! There are two Australians, one American, two Swedes, two Dutch and three Germans.
Laura is the only Australian wanting to compete in the championships, and if she makes the cut, hopes to show the international Icelandic horse community that Australia is also embracing the breed.
The team also have a team manager here in Australia and another one in Germany. Anna Eschner, their German coach, has been training them virtually although she was in Australia in February this year for the first team session, and will be back next February when the final squad is selected.
Under the rules of the International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations (FEIF), a national team at the World Championships for Icelandic Horses can be comprised of up to seven rider/horse combinations and a reserve horse, a reserve rider, or a reserve rider/ horse combination. “There are seven of us wanting to compete," Laura explains, “and hopefully all seven of us will be
good enough to be selected, but the current thinking is a team of four to six who will actually compete.”
To be eligible for selection, the rider must have had experience competing in Icelandic horse competitions. Some members of the team have already fulfilled that criteria - and last month
Laura travelled to Norway to compete. “It was an expensive box to tick, but I was excited to do it,” she says.
Over the eight days of competition, the Championships feature a variety of events designed to demonstrate the versatility and unique abilities of the Icelandic horse. There are competitions for different speeds and styles of tölt; four gait and five gait events to test the horse’s ability to perform multiple gaits, including walk, trot, canter, tölt, and skeið; and an exciting high-speed event where horses race over a short distance in skeið, the flying pace.
ABOVE: Laura and Tyr from Haldane training at home (Image by Bay Nomad Photography). LEFT: Training squad team member Birgit Kossmann and Stimpill fra Steinnesi competing in a T4 event in Germany earlier this year (Image by Krijn Buiteljaar).
Riders aged from 16 to 21 years have the opportunity to showcase their skills in the Young Rider classes; then there are the team events, in which teams from around the globe compete to earn points, hoping to reach a total score of 12; while judges in the breed classes evaluate each horse’s conformation, movement, and overall quality to assess their suitability as breeding stock.
The ridden events are certainly a test of skill and ability for both horse and rider, and are fascinating to watch.
“One of the elements of a tölt test is to complete a lap of an oval track riding the horse on the buckle, so with no contact on the mouth. One hand is on the rein and the other arm dropped down by your side, all while keeping the horse in tölt,” Laura explains. “Then there are the pace races when two horses at a time are released from the barrier. To start with, they can gallop, but at a certain point their riders must get them into flying pace. It's amazing to watch, and I think that'd be so much fun to ride in.”
Laura tells me that the anticipated arrival of the Australian team has caused quite a stir: “There’s a lot of excitement about Australia competing, and a lot is being done to help us. It's been a phenomenal response so far, and it's only going to grow as more of
the international community becomes aware that we're coming.”
With an estimated cost to compete of $20,000 per rider, the team is now busily organising fundraisers and looking for sponsors. And to help them on their way, two big fundraising days have been planned, one at Terarossa Equestrian Centre in Wangoom, Victoria on the 27th
of this month, and the other at Megalong Icelandic Horses in Megalong Valley NSW on the 23rd November. Better save the date!
Interested in learning more? Visit the Icelandic Horse Association of Australia, the Icelandic Horse World Championships site, and the FEIF on Facebook.
ABOVE: Training Squad (LtoR) Michelle Glorie, Anne-Claire Meijer, Lucy Cassella, Anja Giese, Sigrid Barrah Van Moorsel, team coach Anna Eschner, Sara Sjoquist, Birgit Kossmann, Evie Oliver, Joelle Del Rio and Eira Backan (Image by Noveldey Photography)
ABOVE: Anna Eschner coaching Sara Sjoquist and Kapa Fra Koltursey, a mare imported by Megalong Icelandic Horses (Image by Laura Hall-Smith).
TOP TIPS
Six tips to becoming your horse's leader
Are you the leader or the follower?
CHRISTINE ARMISHAW has some top tips to help you become your horse’s leader.
In your partnership with your horse, there will always be two roles: one as the leader, and the other as the follower. If you as the rider or handler are not purposefully being the leader, then by default, your horse will have to lead.
Generally speaking, horses feel comfortable when they are guided, but will become stressed (producing the stress hormone cortisol) if they have to do the leading. In a herd situation, a dominant mare is responsible for moving
the other horses around, picking where they eat, and so on – and she will have a more stressful time of it than the rest of the herd, who happily follow along.
1. The eyes have it: Firstly, you need to establish whether or not your horse is stressed. One of the best ways to decide that is by checking on your horse's eye position in relation to their wither. If their eye is above the wither, you could probably argue that there's some degree of stress. If you watch horses in
the paddock who have seen or heard something that’s startled them, the first thing they’ll do is throw their heads up before becoming very still. Their eyes go hard, they don't blink so much, and their mouths will become quite tight.
So, while you're working with your horse, either handling or riding them, you want them to have their eye in line with their wither, because that’s a much more relaxed posture. And when they’re relaxed, they’re better able to be attentive to what you're asking, and not be so distracted or influenced by whatever is going on around them.
2. Watch their ears: Whatever your horse’s ears are pointing towards is what they're currently thinking about. And that can be something that's happening for two or three seconds when they're momentarily distracted, or it could be a lot longer. But if they’re standing and fixating on something, there’s every chance a spook is brewing. What you may not realise is that you have the opportunity to diffuse that spook before it even becomes a thing by jiggling the reins or giving the horse a little nudge with your heel just to remind them
that you’re still there, because in that moment, you’ve ceased to exist. By giving them a reminder, they’ll flick their ear back to you and as they do, you’ll feel their body soften, because they're like ‘oh yeah, rider aboard!’. So, if you notice their ears are pricked for two to three seconds or more, and they haven’t flicked their ears back to you to check in, you need to do something that says ‘Excuse me, I'm still here’. If you're at a show or some other event, you'll likely find you have to do that quite frequently.
3. On the ground: Often people will say their horse is fine when they lead them past something – a random log, for example - but when they get on, the horse is suddenly convinced there’s a monster there. So, what’s happening? It’s because when people lead their horses they tend to lead from in front, which means they’re in front of the horse’s eyes, rather than being behind the eye as they are when they’re in the saddle.
A good exercise is rather than leading from in front, stay at your horse’s shoulder and send them ahead of you. Initially, especially if they're a little bit reserved, they won't easily go forward and I'll usually carry a dressage whip and give them a little tap where the stirrup would be. It might be a bit stop and start to begin with, because they're waiting for you to physically be in front of them. However, by getting them to move forward with their head out in front of you, suddenly they've got to look at everything themselves. Then, as they become more confident, when you get on their back and you’re physically behind their eyes, it's not such a drastic change.
4. Feeling the horse: When we’re on the horse, we need to be able to feel them. What does that mean? It means you shouldn’t just sit there and leave them out there on their own. Instead, have an elastic contact on the reins so you can feel the weight of the bit in your hands; and have your legs wrapped around their body. If you are not
physically in contact with each other, you can’t easily communicate with each other.
5. Give your horse a job: As a leader, if you give your horse jobs, the more they’re going to be paying attention to you. While they might be quiet when you’re at home, when you’re out at a competition they might find it really hard to focus on you – and the more fractious the horse is, the more you should either change the job you've given them or alternate between jobs. For a really fractious horse, the plan is to change what you're doing literally every eight strides. Practice this at home - it will feel like the change comes up so fast, and it does, but the point is that your horse won’t have time to become distracted because you're already on to the next thing.
These jobs can be as basic as alternating between walking for eight long strides followed by eight short strides, or alternating between walk and trot. The point is that you’re engaging their brain by constantly changing what you ask them to do - but what we’re not doing is waiting for them prick both ears at something and freak out because
they've been left to their own devices for too long!
6. Sideways is your friend: We've talked about giving them jobs, but if you can get your horse to move sideways, there are multiple benefits. Asking them to move sideways by stepping their hind leg underneath their body will engage their core, lift their back, and subsequently lower their head, which brings us back to the very first point about the eye position.
By finding a soft way to encourage the horse to lower their head, you're getting them into a nice, relaxed thinking state, where their eyes are level with their wither. This is called an engaged posture, which leads to mental engagement. Because horses, like humans, can only think about one thing at a time, they’ll be concentrating on taking that step underneath their body, rather than on monsters hiding in the corner.
Christine Armishaw Equestrian offers a variety of coaching and other equestrian services at her Otford Valley Equestrian Agistment & Training Centre
ABOVE: Using these tips, Christine has successfully taught 18hh 5-y-o Melman that she's the leader (Image by Peta Goodman). LEFT: Walk at your horse's shoulder rather than leading them from in front.
The what, where and why of hives
One of the more common skin conditions we come across in horses is hives. For most horse owners, the appearance of hives is usually a sudden and shocking occurrence. You wake up one morning and your horse is covered in bumps
that have seemingly come from nowhere. This can leave even the most experienced owners scratching their heads as to the cause and what to do.
What are hives?
The correct medical term for hives is urticaria; a reaction of the skin
characterised by the appearance of a rash or raised, round, itchy welts. These welts can be tiny dots or large bumps, and can be either localised to a specific area or be more generalised. Whilst they are usually a minor affliction, they can cause your horse significant discomfort.
What are the causes?
Hives have many causes and pinpointing the exact causative factor can be like trying to find a needle in a haystackand just as itchy!
Many different disease processes either immunological or non-immunological can cause hives, but in the paddock, they are commonly the sign of an allergic reaction. They can appear quite dramatically on a horse’s skin with no obvious cause after the immune system has responded to an external foreign stimulus by producing an inflammatory chemical in the body called histamine. Hives often resolve within a day, but ongoing exposure to the stimuli can
VET VIBES
cause them to reoccur and worsen over time, progressing into seasonal flare-ups or chronic reactions as the horse’s immune response becomes overstimulated.
A common immunological cause of hives in horses is from the bites of flying insects, specifically from proteins in the saliva of midges, mosquitoes and biting flies, which can start a dermatitis (an insect bite hypersensitivity reaction of the skin) sometimes termed Queensland Itch or Sweet Itch. Affected areas can include the neck, face, ears, torso and legs, and can result in hair loss of the mane and tail.
Non-immunological causes, such as chemical or toxic plant exposures, act as skin irritants and may present as hives. Culprits can include some soap products; oil of turpentine and petroleum-based products like crude oil or phenol (carbolic acid); plants such as ragweed, parthenium, stinging trees, and high pollen producers; as well as environmental extremes including heat, cold, exercise or stress, all of which can elicit a hive response.
Whether it be insect bites or stings, medications, chemicals, dust, pollen, mould or other environmental factors, they can all cause a reaction and present as hives. Even certain foods can trigger a reaction if the horse is allergic.
Infections are another common cause. Skin infections whether they are of viral, bacterial or fungal origin will all cause a reaction and can present as hives, although the condition is usually precluded by other signs. Similarly to humans, in some less common cases stress and its associated adrenaline release can cause hives. Changes in routine, travelling or intense training are all known stressors. Of course, in some cases it may be down to genetics, and your poor horse may just be more prone to developing hives than other horses.
What are the symptoms?
The most obvious signs are the noticeable and distinctive lumps (weals).
ABOVE: The most obvious signs of hives are the distinctive lumps that can be found in a number of locations on the horse's body and face. LEFT: Your horse is likely to scratch or rub areas affected with hives and may become restless or agitated.
Commonly affected areas are the neck, shoulders and sides but these lumps can be found anywhere on the horse. The weals can be pruritic (itchy) and so your horse is likely to scratch or rub the affected areas. When you're itchy, irritated and uncomfortable, staying still can be a challenge, and it’s the same with horses - the itchiness is often accompanied by a general restlessness and agitation.
Although hives often self-resolve, in more severe reactions there may be a generalised swelling of areas, particularly around the eyes, face and muzzle; coughing and sneezing; nasal or eye discharge; and in extreme cases, anaphylaxis. Reoccurring symptoms and seasonal allergies have been linked to the development of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) also known as equine asthma or heaves. If any of these symptoms occur, or your horse is having
difficulty breathing, or is in distress, immediately contact your veterinarian for assistance.
After the hives disappear there may also be a swelling underneath your horse’s chest or stomach as the fluid pools there before being redistributed.
How are hives treated?
The most obvious treatment is to remove whatever is causing the hives. However, this is very rarely possible as often the causative factor is either unknown or cannot be removed – as in the case of pollen or flies, for example.
Topical treatments such as soothing creams or cool rinsing can also be useful in keeping the horse comfortable. Although some cases of hives will resolve themselves, very often veterinary intervention is needed and can help speed up resolution. Your vet will examine the horse and take a thorough history in an attempt
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to ascertain a possible cause. Very commonly they will then give a steroid and/or antihistamine injection to help reduce the symptoms and make the horse more comfortable.
These injections can also aid in rapidly treating allergic reactions and investigating or eliminating infectious causes. In severe chronic cases, allergy testing is an option. Similar to allergy testing in humans, a skin test is carried out. This is done by injecting small amounts of allergens under the skin in a grid pattern and observing the reaction. These results can then sometimes be used to create allergen specific immunotherapy injections (allergy vaccines). This may involve a lengthy period of treatment with the custom-made vaccine, which is administered in order to desensitise the horse's immune system so that it tolerates allergens instead of overreacting to them. However, these therapies seem to have a variable success rate, with some reports suggesting they are approximately 60 to 70% effective at achieving positive results.
One of the keys to managing hives is managing your horse's environment. Other than that, how we treat hives is largely dependent on the cause, which as we know, can in many cases prove to be elusive, so a broad treatment approach should be followed. On presentation of acute (sudden) hives, remove skin contaminants by bathing the horse with cold water and an antifungal, antibacterial wash (such as Quit-Itch or Topizole) which will aid in removing contaminants and infectious agents from the hair coat. Dish-washing liquid is also a safe option in a pinch, but keep any soap products away from your horse's eyes and mouth and wear gloves for self-protection during this first step. Washing with antibacterial antifungal products is important in the prevention of secondary infections while the skin barrier is weak or damaged.
Please keep in mind that in the case of hives, you should always consult an equine veterinary professional to discuss what the best treatment option for your
ABOVE: Hives presents as distinctive lumps which most commonly appear on the neck, shoulder and sides.
horse might be before administering any type of medication
Can hives be prevented?
Prevention of hives caused from insect bites generally involves using a daily to twice daily insect repellent and protective clothing such as horse rugs/ sheets and fly masks. An important distinction that needs to be made here is the difference between insect killing (pyrethrin) and insect repellent (permethrin) products, as preventing the bite in the first place is the aim. Environment control is important and moving animals away from insect prone regions and eliminating stagnant water sources are good options. Natural products with neem oil can also be used for mild seasonal cases, a common brand is Calafea Horse Oil.
The take home message
Unfortunately, because the exact cause of the reaction is often unknown, prevention can be very difficult. Ensuring
the horse doesn’t come into contact with known reactants is an obvious solution. However, this is often impractical due to the variety of ways they might be encountered. Rugs and fly sprays can be beneficial if the reactant is likely of insect origin. Ensuring low stress can help, although that can be difficult for horses in high levels of work, and as mentioned, allergy injections are another alternative.
Whilst hives can be a nuisance, the condition is usually manageable. By understanding the causes, symptoms and prevention techniques you can prepare yourself for a possible outbreak. So next time you see some mysterious lumps and bumps on your horse, don’t panic - and remember, your vet is always there if you have any concerns.
Dr Ciaran Masters and Dr Caitlyn Mittelstadt both work for APIAM Animal Health in Queensland, Ciaran at Samford Valley Veterinary Hospital, and Caitlyn at Clermont Veterinary Surgery
Feeding for your discipline
What does feeding for your discipline mean, and what should you be aware of? DR JENNIFER STEWART has some expert thoughts on the subject. FEATURE
Despite the many and varied equestrian disciplines, every horse requires the same nutrients regardless of age, breed and discipline –it’s only the amounts that vary.
Fibre
Fibre is the foundation of all diets and all horses need to eat 1.5 to 2% of their bodyweight each day. A 400kg horse
will need at least 6 to 8kg, a 700kg horse at least 11 to 15kg of hay/day, chewing for 16 hours, 4,000 times for each kilogram, and producing 40 litres of saliva a day. This protects the stomach from ulcers, the horse from cribbing, and the gut from many disorders. By comparison, each kilogram of grain or concentrate requires only
400 chews which takes approximately five minutes, putting the horse at risk of gut and behaviour problems.
Hay and pasture: Hay is just dry grass but there are important differences in nutrients once the grass becomes dehydrated to make hay. Fresh grass has high levels of vitamins, except for vitamin D, which horses manufacture in their skin. But when cut for hay, levels of vitamins B, C and E fall. Vitamin A is also lost but levels fall more slowly. Both grass and grass hay generally don’t provide enough calcium, salt, copper or zinc, and a balanced mineral supplement is the rule of thumb for pasture and grass hay diets. However, lucerne is an excellent source of amino acids and calcium.
Roughage should be 50% grass, white chaff or meadow hay and 50% legume (lucerne or clover). Early cut, softstemmed hay has a higher water-holding capacity, is better digested and provides more energy than late cut stemmy hay.
Beet pulp and soy hulls: Both are suitable for performance horses. Beet pulp provides as much energy as oats, is an excellent prebiotic, and can be fed at up to 1.5kg a day. Soy hulls are also a good source of fibre and can be fed at 1 to 2kg a day
Each kilogram of roughage holds 6 to 8kg of water and electrolytes in the gut, which acts as a reservoir to replenish body fluid levels. This reservoir of water and electrolytes can be drawn upon as body fluid levels drop during sweating, which is helpful during cross country eventing and endurance rides when dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can contribute to fatigue. However, in show jumping this extra weight from gut ‘ballast’ presents the horse with an added load to carry over the jumps. Thus, for three-day events maximise roughage intake in the days before the cross country, and cut back on roughage intake for six hours before show jumping to reduce the weight handicap created by gut contents.
Protein
Protein features frequently in discussions on feeding horses. Alternately feared and revered, protein is part of the bigger picture of conditioning/nutritional protocols that result in specific changes
in body composition (the power:weight ratio), performance, and muscle mass. The number of muscle cells repaired or created when horses exercise is huge. Adding to the protein requirement is red cell production (the bone marrow makes millions of red blood cells every second) and body tissue maintenance - every four days the blood platelets and most of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract are replaced, and every 10 days most of the white blood cells are replaced. Creation of new cells and maintenance of body systems all require protein. Protein is made of amino acids joined together in long chains. Every protein in the horse (e.g. muscle, blood cells, bone) is made to a precise and specific recipe and horses require a precise number of specific, essential amino acids. A deficiency of even one will reduce total body protein synthesis. For this reason, the total protein of horse feed is a worthless measure, unless you know the quality - in other words, the amino acid profile. For example, the feed tag might say 14% crude protein, but if all the amino acids are not supplied, to the horse it may be only 8 or 9% usable protein. Unusable protein can contribute to higher heart and respiratory rates, increased sweating and dehydration.
Poor quality protein also contributes to the gradual weakening of supportive tissues, bone and muscle. The quality of the feed protein is determined by the number and amount of each of the 10 essential amino acids. Picture a wooden water barrel (or if you prefer, a wine or beer barrel!). The barrel can only hold water, wine or beer to the level of the shortest slat. Now, think of each wooden slat as an essential amino acid (see Figure 1).
Regardless of the percentage protein of a feed, if there is not enough of each essential amino acid, a limit to protein synthesis is set, so that the other essential amino acids cannot be used and they are degraded and stored as fat. When this occurs, horses will lay down ‘cover’ (fat) instead of building muscle, blood and bone. Muscle building is so specific that if the feed meets the required levels of nine essential amino acids, but has only half of the tenth, body protein synthesis will be reduced by up to 50 per cent.
Avoid feeds with tick, faba, or mung beans as they are not well digested and increase gas and ammonia levels in the gut. Mung beans in their raw form also contain harmful compounds (cyanogenic
Figure 1: Liebig's barrel illustrates how essential amino acid uptake is limited by the one in shortest supply
Above: Beet pulp and soy hulls are both suitable for performance horses.
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FEATURE
CATEGORY WEEKLY EXERCISE DISCIPLINE
Light
Moderate
Heavy
1 to 3 hours, 40% walk, 50% trot, 10% canter
3 to 5 hours, 30% walk, 55% trot, 10% canter, 5% jumping/skill work
4 to 5 hours, 20% walk, 50% trot, 15% canter, 15% gallop, jumping, skill work
Very heavy 6 to 12 hours, speed work
anti-proteases) as well as vitamin E antagonists.
Energy
Exercise in all disciplines can be broadly categorized as light, moderate, heavy or intense, and energy requirements increase as the intensity increases (see Table 1 ).
Most energy comes from fibre fermentation in the large intestine – the products of which are converted to fuel for the muscles. Sometimes as work intensity (speed or duration) increases, high energy feeds such as grains are needed. Where the grain is digested has a major impact on the amount of energy released and the risk of gut problems. Ideally grains should be digested in the small intestine but not all are (see Figure 2 on the following page).
Digestion by enzymes in the small intestine releases energy, but fermentation by bacteria in the large intestine releases acid, heat and gas – all of which are unhealthy for the biome. If horses require extra energy, gradually increase grain intake over six weeks in three to four small meals each day. Seven to ten days is too fast and doesn’t allow enough time for the biome to adapt to the increased starch.
Heat-processing by extrusion or micronisation is a double-edged sword.
Pleasure riding, early training, light showing
Show and school horses, recreation, pony/riding club, polo
Low/medium eventing, polo, endurance, cattle work
Elite endurance/eventing, racing, driving
Although they increase digestibility in the small intestine, they also increase the blood glucose and insulin levels, and this is contra-indicated for horses with or at risk of insulin dysregulation (EMS, laminitis, PPID). In addition, extruded and micronized feedstuffs produce up to 221% more lactic acid in the large intestine. If the work category means more energy is needed, oats are the most suitable grain.
Oil
Providing almost three times as much energy as grain, 500ml of oil can replace 1.5 kgs of grain. Highly digestible and with no effect on insulin, oils decrease the incidence of colic and the risk of laminitis – both of which are linked to high starch/sugar and grain diets. In terms of energy, horses fed a fat-supplemented diet have higher muscle energy stores. They also have a longer time to fatigue during exercise. Fatigue is due in part to depletion of energy reserves and is preceded and precipitated by falling blood glucose levels. Because high oil diets exert a ‘sparing’ or protective effect on blood glucose, they increase the time to fatigue.
Oil also reduces the heat load an exercising horse must dissipate. In all disciplines heat load rises as work effort increases. A tug-of-war ensues as blood is diverted away from the working
80 - 90
90 - 115
115 - 220
muscles and sent to the skin for cooling. The reduction in muscle blood flow is a further factor causing fatigue. When the diet is 10% oil, the energy available for exercise more than doubles and heat production falls by 14% - reducing heat stress in both mild and hot climates.
It takes three to four weeks for the gut to adapt to added oils and a gradual increase is required to avoid soft manure. Metabolic adaptation of muscles to enable maximum utilisation of oils for energy may take six to eleven weeks, so sufficient time must be allowed for the benefits of adding oil to be realised. Oil also has a calming effect on excitable horses and using a high omega-3 oil (linseed or canola) helps balance the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, reducing body inflammation. Incorporation of omega-3 fatty acids into red blood cell membranes improves red cell flexibility, increasing blood flow through narrow capillaries in the lungs and muscles and improving blood oxygen levels. Finally, inclusion of oil (8 to 10% of the diet) and exclusion of high starch/sugar feedstuffs can ameliorate the risk of muscle disorders such as tying-up. For each 100ml of oil added to the diet, 100mg/iu of vitamin E is required to counter the oxidation and free radical production that occurs when oil is burned for energy.
Table 1: Discipline, work level and heart rates
Feeding before, during and after exercise
When complete feeds are not fed at recommended rates, vitamin and mineral intake is sub-optimal. In increasing the amount of complete feed to meet the increased vitamin and mineral needs associated with exercise and training, horses can become fat. Feeding a correctly formulated amino acid/mineral/ vitamin/antioxidant supplement daily, rather than a complete feed, allows you to use various strategies to support performance and recovery.
For all horses, an empty stomach is a major risk for gastric ulcers. Even at a walk there is splashing of stomach acid. The amount increases with speed, but all horses need 0.5 to 1kg of roughage before exercise. Lucerne with its high calcium and protein content is an excellent acid buffer.
to ten days before a ride, the parathyroid hormone may not respond quickly enough when required during the ride. Many riders withdraw lucerne in the week leading up to a ride and reintroduce it just before, during and after.
For endurance horses, feed 1 to 2kg of soft-stem hay one to three hours before the event starts, plus 70g of a 3:1 mix of sodium chloride (salt) and potassium chloride (light salt). Lucerne has a high calcium content and when fed daily it can suppress parathyroid responsiveness. Blood calcium levels fall during a ride and the parathyroid hormone responds in minutes to release some calcium from the skeleton. If the horse has a calcium-rich diet in the seven
For disciplines where horses exercise for long periods or long distances (endurance, cross country), dehydration and electrolyte loss can precipitate fatigue. Hay intake should be high before a ride to increase the reservoir in the gut. During the ride, pellets of roughage can be consumed faster than hay. They reach the hindgut more quickly, fermenting rapidly to increase energy supply. For show jumping where performance weight can be a handicap, roughage should be reduced for six hours before an event.
BELOW: Eventing, racing and polo require a high level of cardiovascular fitness.
Falling blood glucose causes fatigue in muscle and in brain function. Grains should not be fed less than four hours before starting exercise to allow time for blood glucose to stabilise.
After heavy and intense exercise, refuelling is the goal and we need a rapid rise in blood sugar and insulin. This is the time to feed a small amount of oats or extruded grain hourly. Adding a protein/antioxidant supplement plus a tablespoon of salt will promote drinking and rehydration.
Dressage horses don’t need a high level of cardiovascular fitness compared with eventing, racing or polo. Suppleness and strength, however, are extremely important. Correct amino acids (a supplement and soy meal) and a slow, cool supply of energy (oils, beet pulp, early cut hay) support tendon and ligament strength and the muscle response to training.
Genetics sets the limit to performance, but nutrition is a powerful tool when used properly. How closely an individual horse approaches that limit, is ultimately determined by training and nutrition.
Dr Jennifer Stewart BVSc BSc PhD is an equine veterinarian, a member of the Australian Veterinary Association and Equine Veterinarians Australia, CEO of Jenquine and a consultant nutritionist in Equine Clinical Nutrition.
All content provided in this article is for general use and information only and does not constitute advice or a veterinary opinion. It is not intended as specific medical advice or opinion and should not be relied on in place of consultation with your equine veterinarian.
LIFE AFTER RACING
All in the family
Wayne Crompton has a long history with Thoroughbreds.
Now partnered with OTT Double Impact, the pair are enjoying considerable success, writes AMANDA MAC
Wayne Crompton grew up on a Thoroughbred stud owned by his uncle in Wyreema Queensland – so his relationship with the breed, and his respect for their ability, developed early. “There were no purpose bred or Warmblood horses then, so we jumped Thoroughbreds off the track. You’d go and try them and it
went from there, it was just part of life,” he says.
Looking back, Wayne reckons he was “pretty spoiled” when it came to horses. “They were a bit of a family thing. My dad rode, so I learned to ride and then I went on to do what I did.” And for Wayne, that was show jumping. He rode in both Junior and Young Rider
competitions before leaving the sport to become involved in the horse racing industry. After a stint working in the Hunter Valley, he met Jackie and the couple bred Thoroughbreds before turning their attention to training horses for the track. “It was never a full-time thing, we just had eight or ten in work and enjoyed what we did,” he explains.
The Cromptons were by then based on a property just outside of Toowoomba, Queensland, and were on the lookout for a talented youngster to train.
Earmarked by Jackie as a promising candidate, they bought Double Impact, by Mossman (AUS) out of Cornish Moss (AUS), at the 2009 Magic Millions Yearling Sales. Affectionately known as Tiger, the horse, now a long time and much-loved Crompton family member, was trained by Jackie, and in a track career that included nine wins and sixteen placings delivered more than $500,000 in prize money.
ABOVE: Competing at the Darling Downs Show Jumping Club earlier this year. LEFT: Wayne and Double Impact qualified for next year's Magic Millions in July during the Queensland 2024 Festival of Show Jumping (Images by Calico Pony).
After he’d quit jumping to focus on the racing industry, Wayne had to a great extent remained distanced from the competitive world of show jumping, a hiatus of some 20 plus years. He was, however, Vice-President of the Darling Downs Show Jumping Club, and on occasion Olympic equestrian Guy Creighton, a long-standing family friend, would lend Wayne a horse to take around a few 90cm events at small shows – but other than that, he had no real desire to get back into anything more serious.
But in 2018, Channel 7 aired the first Jump Off series, and watching it proved to be a be a real game changer for Wayne – it piqued his interest and held it. “I remember saying to Jackie that it wouldn’t be too hard to win the event,” Wayne recalls.
As it happened, Double Impact had retired from the track in the middle of that same year, and had been sent to
get an education over jumps and crosscountry fences with Guy’s daughter Gemma Creighton, a talented show jumper and a Queensland Off the Track Acknowledged Retrainer. Guy’s estimation of the horse’s ability was that although probably not suited to being a World Cup horse, he would likely be successful around smaller tracks.
However, Wayne still had Jump Off in the back of his mind. Knowing that after such a long break away from serious competition he was not yet ready, nor with a full-time job did he have the time, to campaign Double Impact himself, he’d mentioned the horse to old friend and Olympic equestrian Ron Easey, who offered to take him on his truck to try him out at a few shows. “I got a call from Ron to say he was going really well, so the plan was to get him qualified for the 2019 Jump Off series.”
Many kilometres and more than 30 shows later, Ron steered Double Impact
to victory in a Jump Off qualifier in Nambour, and just two weeks later, took out Jump Off’s Just Raced event with a winner takes all prize purse of $50,000.
Because Wayne’s job often involves travel and doesn’t allow for much free time, he only competes Double Impact in amateur and off the track classes, an approach Ron Easey recommended and one that’s working well. High Impact’s sweet spot are the 1.10m to 1.20m events, Wayne tells me. “He’s very competitive at that, but he hasn’t reached his full potential mainly because he's been held back by me. If he’d had another run with Ron, he could probably have been a Mini Prix horse or gone Grand Prix, but I don't do enough of it. He’s very well looked after and he has a pretty good life really. As it is, he probably only does 15 or so shows a year,” Wayne laughs.
And one of those shows was the Queensland qualifying round for the 2025 Magic Millions Queensland Off-
Next stop, the 2025
more classes specifically for less experienced
The-Track Cup. Held in July during the 2024 Festival of Show Jumping at the Queensland State Equestrian Centre, Wayne and Double Impact sailed into first place and will be competing on the Gold Coast early next year. One of 24 horse and rider combinations vying for a spot in the January Cup final (with only the top ten going through) he was the only horse to jump a double clear, with Gemma Creighton and Its Macewen in second place. Wayne had been focussed just on qualifying, and although he thought they’d be close to being in the top ten he was not expecting the first place slot, which came as a very pleasant surprise.
After a successful racing career, the now 16-year-old Double Impact continues to impress. “It’s good that he’s able to come back and jump the tracks at 1.20m - that he can still do that after all this time. I didn’t expect to be able to compete like that with him really,”
and
Wayne says. Nevertheless, fifteen years after the Cromptons bought the horse as a yearling at the Magic Million Sales, he’ll be back to where it all started, this time to contest the Off-The-Track Cup.
Wayne is well aware of the value of OTT events in encouraging the rehoming of OTT horses, and would like there to be more competitions. "I'd really like to see additional classes that specifically target inexperienced amateur riders so that there's an even greater incentive to own and compete on off the track horses," he explains. "It must get a bit disheartening when the more experienced horses and riders are pretty much consistently winning the existing competitions. So, events designed to encourage less experienced riders and novice horses would quite probably increase the uptake of off the tracks from the retrainers, and that’s something that would benefit everyone involved, not least of all the horses."
ABOVE:
Magic Millions Queensland Off-The-Track Cup in January. BELOW: Wayne would like to see
riders
their novice OTT horses (Images by Calico Pony).
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Hydration through the summer heat
As the weather warms up, keeping your horse adequately hydrated has to be front of mind. Equine nutritionist LARISSA BILSTON offers her expert advice.
As temperatures rise during the summer, horse owners face the challenge of ensuring their equine companions stay hydrated and healthy. Working horses during very hot and/or humid weather can be potentially dangerous (even fatal) due to the risks of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
In this article, we'll explore the importance of hydration, signs of dehydration, strategies to keep your horse hydrated, and tips for managing their health during the hot summer months.
The importance of hydration Water is essential for all living beings,
and horses are no exception. A horse's body is made up of about 60-70% water, which is crucial for various physiological functions. Water is needed for digestion, blood circulation, temperature regulation, and the elimination of waste. Without adequate water intake, a horse's health can quickly deteriorate, leading to serious, sometimes fatal, conditions.
Horses lose water primarily through sweat, urine, manure and breath. In hot weather, the rate of water loss increases significantly, especially when the horse is active. An average 500kg horse can drink between 30 to 50 litres of water a day, but during the summer and when in work, this amount can be much higher.
Signs of dehydration
Early recognition of the signs of dehydration is key to preventing serious health issues. In horses, some of the common signs include:
• Dry, tacky gums: A hydrated horse will have moist, shiny pink gums.
ABOVE: If you have multiple horses, consider adding extra water troughs or buckets to reduce competition and ensure every horse has access.
Swipe the inside of your horse's gums and if they look white or purple, or are dry or sticky to the touch, it could be a sign of dehydration.
• Prolonged skin tenting: The skin pinch test is a simple way to check for dehydration. Gently pinch the skin on the horse's neck and release it. In a well-hydrated horse, the skin will quickly return to its normal position. If it stays tented or takes longer than a few seconds to return, your horse may be dehydrated.
• Dull eyes and lethargy: Dehydrated horses often have a dull, sunken appearance to their eyes and may seem lethargic or less interested in their surroundings. They may appear weak, fatigued and show signs of pain or trembling.
• Reduced urine output and tying-up: A dehydrated horse may produce less urine, and the urine may be
darker and more concentrated. Dark urine, pain and stiffness can indicate that your horse is tying-up.
• Performance, thumps and colic: Dehydration can significantly impact a horse's performance, making them tire more easily and be less responsive during exercise. Thumps (diaphragmatic flutter) and even colic can occur as a result of dehydration.
Hydration strategies
Preventing dehydration starts with ensuring your horse has consistent access to clean, fresh water. Here are some strategies to help keep your horse hydrated during the hot summer months:
Provide ample water: Make sure your horse has unlimited access to water at all times. If using automatic waterers, ensure they are functioning properly. Measure your horse’s water intake by turning the automatic system off and using buckets for a day if you’re concerned that they
are not drinking enough. Check water sources regularly to ensure they are clean, cool and free of debris or algae, which can deter horses from drinking. Consider adding extra water troughs or buckets if you have multiple horses, to reduce competition and ensure every horse has access.
Keep water under cover to help keep it clean (especially if bat or bird droppings are likely to contaminate it) and manage temperature fluctuations.
Offer electrolytes: During hot weather or periods of heavy exercise, horses lose essential electrolytes through sweat. Adding an electrolyte supplement to your horse's feed or water can help replenish these lost minerals and encourage them to drink more water. However, it's important to provide plain water alongside water containing electrolytes because both are needed for optimal hydration (see p.31 for details on electrolyte nutrition).
H e l p y o u r h o r s e b e a t t h e h e a t
S c i e n t i f i c a l l y f o r m u l a t e d t o r e p l a c e t h e
e l e c t r o l y t e s l o s t i n s w e a t , F a r m a l o g i c ’ s R e p l e n i s h
g i v e s a b o o s t o f l e u c i n e t o ‘ s w i t c h o n ’ n o r m a l
m u s c l e r e p a i r f o l l o w i n g e x e r c i s e .
R a p i d r e c o v e r y f r o m e x e r c i s e r e q u i r e s p r o m p t a p v o m r q u r
r e p l a c e m e n t o f e l e c t r o l y t e s , a c c e s s t o f r e s h
w a t e r , a n d p r o t e i n f o r r e p a i r o f f a t i g u e d m u s c l e
t i s s u e R e s e a r c h i n d i c a t e s t h a t l e u c i n e i s t h e
m o s t i m p o r t a n t b r a n c h e d c h a i n a m i n o a c i d f o r
f a s t m u s c l e r e c o v e r y
F a r m a l o g i c M e l o x i s a s c i e n t i f i c a l l y b a l a n c e d b l e n d
o f a n t i o x i d a n t s t o s u p p o r t h o r s e s u n d e r g o i n g
o x i d a t i v e s t r e s s i n d u c e d b y h e a t o r t r a n s p o r t
s t r e s s , g a s t r i c u l c e r s , i n t e n s e e x e r c i s e , i n j u r y ,
s m o k e i n h a l a t i o n , o r i m m u n e c h a l l e n g e s .
A n t i o x i d a n t s a l s o i m p r o v e s e m e n q u a l i t y a n d
p r o m o t e n o r m a l r e s p i r a t o r y h e a l t h .
Wet their feed: Adding water to your horse's hard feed or offering soaked hay can increase their overall water intake. Beet pulp or other super fibres and soaked hay cubes are excellent ways to add moisture to their diet.
Shade and shelter: Providing ample shade and shelter is crucial to reducing the effects of the heat. Horses that are kept cool are less likely to become dehydrated. Ensure your horse has access to shaded areas, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
Schedule rides wisely: If you plan to ride or exercise your horse, do so during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening. Avoid strenuous activities during peak heat, as this can exacerbate dehydration and heat-related stress.
Encourage drinking during travel: Horses often become dehydrated during travel, especially on long journeys in hot weather. Make frequent stops to offer water and, if possible, soak hay or feed during breaks. Some horses are reluctant to drink unfamiliar water, so consider bringing some from home or using flavoured additives to mask the taste of new water sources.
Monitor body condition: Keep a close eye on your horse's overall condition. A horse who is sweating excessively or appears to be losing weight may need more attention to hydration and diet. Body condition scoring can help you track changes in your horse's weight and muscle tone, which can indicate how well they are coping with the summer heat.
Managing electrolyte balance
Daily salt requirements: Horses require 7 to 12 grams of plain salt per 100kgs of bodyweight every day. This is the amount required for maintenance - even more is needed for sweat replacement on very hot days and following heavy exercise. Since salt is usually added to pellets and grain mixes designed for horses, this salt must be counted in calculations of how much extra to add.
ABOVE: Horses need to be rehydrated with the right balance of water and electrolytes.
Top up with plain salt (sodium chloride) which can be purchased as table salt, pool salt, flossy salt or stock salt. Free access to a container of clean, loose salt rather than a salt block is also advisable because many horses will not lick a block for long enough to meet their salt requirements
Sweat replacement: Sweating horses can lose as much as 10 to 15 litres of fluid per hour. Dehydration occurs if this liquid is not replaced but plain water is not enough. The fluid in horses' bodies contains various salts called electrolytes (mainly sodium, potassium, chloride, some calcium and magnesium, and traces of other minerals such as phosphorous, zinc and copper) which help manage the hydration of individual cells and blood volume. Horses need to be rehydrated with the right balance of water and electrolytes. Dehydration can worsen with too many electrolytes, and not enough water or too much water when electrolytes are depleted.
You can make a simple electrolyte blend that provides the major electrolyte salts lost in sweat by adding 45g plain table salt (sodium chloride) and 45g of Lite salt (potassium chloride/sodium chloride) to 10 litres of water. Apple juice can be added to improve palatability. This will replace the sodium, potassium and chloride lost in approximately 9 litres of sweat.
However, a faster recovery is often desirable for horses who work every day, are living in hot and humid environments, or are competing over a number of
days. These horses will benefit from a well formulated commercial electrolyte supplement. Various supplements are available, containing the major electrolyte salts (sodium, chloride and potassium) as well as the electrolytes lost in smaller quantities (calcium and magnesium). They may also include amino acids and vitamins to aid recovery and sweeteners to improve palatability. A quality electrolyte supplement should not contain more than 20% sweeteners or fillers. Horses usually have to be trained to drink electrolytes so if planning to use them at a competition, make sure your horse is familiar with the taste in the weeks beforehand.
Always make fresh clean water available to a horse after sweating, and do not offer electrolyte-enhanced water without providing access to plain water.
Keeping them hydrated
Keeping your horse hydrated during the summer heat is essential to their health and well-being. By providing ample access to clean water, offering electrolytes, and managing their environment and activity levels, you can help prevent dehydration and the associated risks. Pay close attention to your horse's behaviour and physical condition, and be proactive in addressing any signs of dehydration. With proper care and attention, your horse can stay hydrated and thrive, even in the hottest summer weather.
Larissa Bilston, BAgrSc (Hons) is the Equine Nutritionist for Farmalogic.
WHAT WE'RE LOVING
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And what’s not to love with Ariat's Green Baroque Sunstopper 3.0 1/4 Zip Baselayer. Delivering UPF protection, as well as innovative cooling, moisturewicking, and odour-fighting technologies, these baselayers are crafted from a soft fabric that keeps you looking tidy from sunup to sundown. Added underarm mesh allows for maximum breathability without sacrificing the coverage you need on warm, sunny days.
Kastel Denmark Amethyst Watercolour Cap Sleeve Sunshirt from Horse in the Box
Kastel Denmark Navy Floral Elbow Sleeve Sunshirt from Horse in the Box
Green Baroque Sunstopper 3.0 1/4 Zip Baselayer from Ariat
Cavalleria Toscana CT Team Pique Training Polo from Trailrace
Spectacular doesn't come close
If excellence trumps budget, 34 Aberfeldy Road, Closeburn in Queensland is without doubt the property for you.
This world-class equestrian estate offers an unparalleled lifestyle, all tucked away in a peaceful cul-desac in one of South-East Queensland's most sought-after locations.
With dual living options, cutting edge equestrian facilities, and breathtaking views spanning 8.75 acres of rolling countryside with extensive Cedar Creek frontage, this property is just 40 minutes
from Brisbane's CBD and airport, and only minutes from the quaint charm and amenities of Samford Village.
The five-bedroom custom designed main residence embodies a warm, modern aesthetic with stunning mountain views. The north-facing design seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living for a relaxed, year-round lifestyle. A sparkling 12m x 5m saltwater pool complements
the home's serene surrounds, while a gourmet kitchen features high-end integrated appliances, a vast stonetopped island and a cleverly concealed walk-in butler's pantry. The master bedroom boasts an expansive walk-in robe, a luxurious double vanity ensuite, and a private courtyard.
The three-bedroom secondary residence is positioned for utmost privacy. With
soaring ceilings and warm timber accents, this inviting retreat is perfect for extended family or for guests.
The architect-designed Floridastyle equestrian facilities focus on a climate-smart design, safety, and peak functionality for the equestrian athlete. There are six spacious Smulders stables with Belmondo rubber flooring, automatic ceramic waterers, and individual remote-
controlled fans. Three tie-up bays include a hot water wash bay and a four-panel solarium, while the tack room is fitted out with laundry facilities and a kitchenette. The stable compound includes a bathroom and grooms' quarters, which would also be ideal as an office or lounge for the busy equestrian professional.
Additionally, there are six large paddocks with shelters and six smaller paddocks, all
equipped with automatic waterers, plus a 60mx20m Olympic-size Martin Collins waxed surface arena outfitted with Jarret mirrors, best-in-class drainage, hardwood surrounds and commercial-grade floodlighting.
For further information visit Horse Properties, or contact Chelsea Perry on 0415 901 389, or Peter Dabas on 0439 113 809.
The custom designed main residence embodies a warm, modern aesthetic.
Three tie-up bays include a hot water wash bay and a four-panel solarium.
The spacious stables have rubber flooring, automatic ceramic waterers, and remote-controlled fans.
