Transitioning to increased stabled time for autumn brings with it a host of new challenges for horse owners. Scientific Nutritional Products takes a look in our top three tips!
1.) Research has found that turn out at pastures reduces the likelihood of a horse suffering from colic according to the results of a study performed by a group of British researchers at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine. The study found that there was a decrease in stable-kept horses' intestinal motility as compared to pasture-kept horses so the transition to increased stable time for Autumn must be done slowly and carefully! If your horse has enjoyed being turned out at pasture 24/7 during the summer months, ensure the transition to stabling is completed gradually in order to allow him to physically and mentally get used to the change.
2.) This year the grass growth has been exceptional but keeping your horse the correct weight and supplied with the necessary nutrients can be more of a challenge in Autumn as it is all too common for equines to loose weight once the nutrient level of the grass deteriorates! Essential fibre in the form of hay or haylage keeps the gut healthy and mobile - avoiding problems like colic or gastric ulcers so as your horse transitions into more stabled time make sure ample is available. Digesting bulky forage helps to keep our horses warm through the fermentation process of the roughage being digested so as the temperature drops this will help your horse to stay toasty and the correct weight! This should be provided alongside a correctly balanced concentrate feed when required and a vitamin and mineral supplement such as Horse & Pony Multivitamin Supplement!
3.) We hope it stays mainly dry but if the UK climate is less reliable, characteristic of autumnal weather try to keep exposure to wet muddy conditions to a minimum to avoid problems such as mud fever, not to mention your pasture getting wrecked. Though your horse is likely to be having increased time stabled turn out during the day is still preferably so having seasonal fields is wise and then horse owners have the opportunity to switch to less muddy, wet fields but without cutting the turnout. If this isn’t an option for you feed hay in the field to reduce your horse churning up the wet ground and use electric fencing to move the area your horse is in regularly. Consider placing hardcore or woodchip in your gateways to help absorb water – a great idea for horses who love to wait by the gate before dinner time!
Here at Scientific Nutritional Products we are looking forward to the next season, so wishing you all a happy Autumn!
Horse & Pony Multivitamin Supplement is available from www.horsesupplementsdirect.co.uk or by contacting a member of our friendly team on Tel: 01377 254 900.
Horse Supplements Direct also manufacture a full range of Supplements for Horses and a Glucosamine for Dogs Joint Supplement.
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