Feeding the Wintering Out Horse – 10 do’s and don’ts
Louise Jones MSc, BSc (Hons)
Nutritionist Dodson & Horrell Ltd
1) Don’t forget to supplement trace minerals. Recent research by Dodson & Horrell has shown that the quantity of almost all the essential trace minerals in your pastures will decline during the winter months. For example the amount of calcium, which is essential for the maintenance of healthy muscles and bones, in winter grass can be as much as 70-80% lower than in spring grass. Similarly zinc, which is essential for the maintenance of healthy hooves, is typically 60% lower in winter grazing compared to spring pastures. To balance the vitamins and minerals deficiencies in grass this winter make sure you feed a fully supplemented concentrate ration, at the manufacturers recommended intake. Alternatively, if your horse is a good doer a feed balancer such as Ultimate Balancer is ideal for ‘topping-up’ your horse’s vitamin and mineral intake.
2) Do feed extra antioxidants. During the winter it is often necessary to supply additional forage e.g. hay. However, it is important to remember that hay is low in certain key vitamins and minerals, particularly a group call the antioxidants, which support the immune system and ‘mop-up’ free radicals. For example hay can contain as little as 33% of the vitamin A and 5% of the vitamin E the horse's requires. To ensure your horse receives adequate levels of antioxidants this winter look out for feeds that contain added antioxidants such as those found in Dodson & Horrell’s Quality Life Care (QLC) antioxidant package.
3) Do feed plenty of forage. Date from the UK Met Office showed that last winter daily temperatures decreases by approx 10-14OC. To help your horse keep warm during the winter you should feed ad lib forage such as hay or haylage. Forages are digested by bacteria in the hind-gut and this process results in the production of heat, acting like an internal hot water bottle. If you are feeding haylage remember that once a bale has been opened it has a lifespan of about four days. After this time any remaining haylage should be removed from the paddock as it will have begun to ferment. Finally, avoid feeding forage in gateways and along fence lines. This will help to prevent these areas getting poached. Instead, pile it in a sheltered area of the field and to avoid arguments, put out more piles than there are mouths to feed.
4) Do make sure your horse has free access to water: One of the most important factors in caring for your horse in winter is the availability of water. Not only is frozen water unavailable for drinking, but horses will also avoid drinking water if it is too cold. This is dangerous as low water intake will increase the risk of impaction colic. To avoid your water troughs freezing pop a tennis ball into them. Also studies have shown that during cold weather filling your water buckets with hot water (46-49OC) twice daily will increase your horse’s water intake by 40%. Soaking your hay or feeding sloppy wet sugar beet is also a useful way of increasing your horse’s water intake.
5) Do boost the immune system: Illnesses such as coughs and colds often become a problem in the winter; not helped by that fact that many owners fail to feed supplementary antioxidants to support the immune system. Adding Dodson & Horrell’s Echinacea to your horse’s daily ration will help to boost the immune system and help him/her to fight off any nasty bugs.
6) Don’t feed a bran mash once a week: Many horse owners sporadically feed their horses a hot bran mash during the winter with the mistaken belief that it will warm the horse. In fact, the warming effects of a mash probably only last for 5-10 minutes, a much better way to keep your horse warm in the winter is to feed increased amounts of forage. Feeding a bran mash once a week will also mean that you are suddenly changing the horse’s normal diet. This can destroy the balance of bacteria in the digestive system and could cause digestive problems such as colic or diarrhoea. If you do want to give your horse a ‘hot meal’ once a week why not try feeding a cube such as Dodson and Horrell’s Pasture Nuts. They can be fed dry during the week and for an extra treat at the weekend can be mixed with a little warm water to form a nutritious and balanced mash.
7) Do monitor your horse’s weight and condition regularly. A heavy winter coat can often hide weight loss. Therefore it is important that you regularly weigh and condition score your horse so that any changes in body weight can be detected early and the diet adjusted if necessary. Conditioning feeds such as Dodson and Horrell’s Build Up Mix or Cubes are ideal if your horse is prone to weight loss during the winter months. Old horses prone to weight loss may need a more specialist ration such as Sixteen Plus Cubes, these can be fed soaked if the horse is having difficulty chewing his feed. Alfalfa Chaff, Kwik-Beet and Soya Oil are also useful sources of additional calories.
8) Don’t neglect your horse’s hooves. Studies have shown that in the winter hoof growth decreases; however this does not mean that hooves don't need attention. In winter hard, frozen ground can cause the hoof walls to break, whereas muddy conditions can exacerbate problems such as thrush. However, careful feeding can help minimise hoof problems during the winter months. Dodson and Horrell’s alfalfa based Surefoot is ideal for horses prone to poor hoof condition and contains high levels of sulphur amino acids, zinc and biotin all of which are necessary to maintain healthy hooves.
9) Do feed a joint supplement, if your horse appears stiff. In winter the cold and damp weather can exacerbate stiffness and mobility problems. Many owners find that feeding a herbal supplement such as Mobility helps. Mobility contains a blend of herbs including Nettle, Devils Claw Root and Comfrey all of which are reputed to help reduce the inflammation and pain associated with stiffness.
10) Do speak to a Nutritionist. Deciding on the best way of feedings your horse throughout the winter can be confusing. If you need some expert advice from a qualified Nutritional Advisor why not contact the Dodson & Horrell Helpline on 0870 442 3322.
