HealthyHorseWorld.com

When we talk about 'performance horses' we are referring to horses that are used in activities such as cutting, roping, barrel racing, eventing, jumping, rodeo or just working hard on the ranch. In other words, any horse that 'has a lot asked of him in a short period of time'™.  These horses use up minerals and electrolytes either through heavy prolonged work or by sweating.  Hauling from show to show also imposes stress which can result in electrolyte loss.  The amount of these nutrients in good quality hay and grain are not enough to keep up with these high demands and therefore need to be supplemented.    

A salt block should be kept in front of horses at all times as insurance that sodium needs are met.  Minerals and vitamins should be mixed with the grain ration and fed twice daily (three times is better) to insure that we help to meet the amount required.  Remember, free choice is just for insurance.  The old wife's tale that an animal will eat supplements if he needs it is no more true today than it was 50 years ago.  If that were true then we would not need nutritionists, computers, NRC guidelines and every hiorse would be healthy and never have a problem.  Horses that were critically deficient in phosphorus offered straight monosodium phosphate (one of the purest forms of  feed grade phos.) refused to eat it, even when mixed with a little grain.

A Healthy Horse is a Happy Horse™

Colic, 'tying up', attitude and joint problems can in most cases be corrected by feeding the horse a more balanced diet with the addition of bioavailable minerals and nutrients such as glucosamine and MSM.  Calcium and phosphorus ratios and the levels of other related minerals, trace elements and vitamins all need to be considered when balancing rations. The huge difference between alfalfa and grass hay demands a supplement balanced for each type of forage.

Still have questions?

Please feel free to contact us any time, we look forward to hearing from you!