FeedXL Equine Nutrition Team

About FeedXL Equine Nutrition Team

This author has not written his bio yet.
But we are proud to say that FeedXL Equine Nutrition Team contributed 152 entries already.

Entries by FeedXL Equine Nutrition Team

Spring & Autumn Pastures

in /by

As temperatures warm up heading into spring or cool down heading into autumn you will start to notice your pastures changing as temperature and moisture conditions change. In spring you will usually see a rapid growth of lush pasture while in autumn, depending on the climate you may see a flush of growth similar to that of spring in warmer climates, or you may simply get a slower growth of lush pasture in cooler areas with possible early frosting. While this new growth is usually a welcome site and means horses are able to return to or remain out on pasture, this new growth pasture can present some unique problems for horses.

Pasture: Is it Affecting Behaviour?

in /by

During times of the year when pasture is young, lush, very green and growing quickly it is common to find horse owners having problems with their horse and particularly their behaviour. Normally quiet, calm horses can become ‘spooky’, behave erratically and become excited easily, show signs of incoordination, muscle tenseness, soreness or twitching and in severe cases may become dangerously aggressive and exhibit unusual herding behaviour.

Understanding Protein Quality in Horse Feed

in /by

After energy, protein is the most important nutrient in a horse’s diet. Protein is needed to build good quality hoof, hair, skin, organ tissue, muscles, eyes, blood and bones. Protein is also a crucial part of enzymes and hormones. Protein is an absolutely essential nutrient in a horse’s diet and after water, is the most plentiful substance in a horse’s body.

Omega 3 for Horses: What, Why, How?

in /by

‘Omega 3’ is a term used to describe a group of fatty acids that cannot be made by an animal. They are therefore classified as essential fatty acids because they must be consumed in the diet. There are three ‘Omega 3’ fatty acids; the ‘short chain’ alpha-linoleic acid (derived from plants) and the ‘long chain’ eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docohexaeonic acid (DHA) (available almost exclusively from oily fish). Alpha-linoleic acid is the only form of Omega 3 present in a horse’s natural diet. This form of Omega 3 can be transformed (elongated) into EPA and DHA via a metabolic pathway in the horse’s body. EPA and DHA are the two biologically active forms of Omega 3.

Identifying Pastures Part 2: Bighead Grasses

in /by

Following on from Newsletter Number 24 that looked at how to identify grasses that could cause mycotoxin problems for horses, this newsletter will help you to identify grasses that have the potential to cause Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism, also known as ‘Bighead Disease’. Bighead occurs due to a severe calcium deficiency and one way this is caused is by grazing sub-tropical or C4-type pastures (for more on Bighead, read FeedXL Newsletter # 25 – Bighead).

How to Choose a High Quality Horse Feed

in /by

With literally hundreds of feeds available for all of us to choose from for our horses the choice can be a bit overwhelming. While FeedXL is a brilliant tool in helping you see which feeds deliver the nutrients your horse needs and which don’t, what FeedXL can’t help you with is determining the actual quality of the feed. Nutrient profile and balance is one thing, but the ingredients used to make the feed are another thing entirely, and it is this aspect of feeding that you need to stay fully in control of.

Garlic for Horses: Should You Feed It?

in /by

Herbs have been used in some cultures as remedies for disease and illness for more than 5000 years and their effectiveness as part of an ‘integrated system of primary health care’ is well recognised. Given the benefits we see in humans, it is becoming more and more commonplace for herbs to be used for horses. However, in many cases for horses, herbs are used not as part of a holistic approach to health care, but rather as a nutritional supplement.

Bighead

in /by

Bighead is a disease resulting from long term calcium deficiency in the diet. Bighead has severe effects on your horse, making movement painful and lameness a constant issue. Luckily though, it is a condition that is easily avoided by carefully balancing your horse’s diet.

© FeedXL

Limited time savings! Get 25% off your first TWO months - use code JAN25