Overfeeding is common in the horse world because fat horses are more attractive than skinny horses and people often overestimate how much work their horses are actually doing. The obesity caused by overfeeding can be remedied with one goal. ENERGY EXPENDITURE MUST BE GREATER THAN ENERGY INTAKE. In black and white, that means diet and exercise.
Managing the nutritional needs of a good doer is the same as managing any other horse. Ensure that its nutritional requirements are being met by analysing the nutritional value of the forage, and balance the nutrients that are absent with a low intake and low calorie feed such as Shape-Up™.
Get your Shape-Up sack
The whole subject of feeding and what to feed or what not to feed or how much or how little can leave you feeling confused and exhausted!! As horse owners we use farriers to look after our horse's feet, vets to treat any illness, physiotherapists to keep them mobile and saddle fitters to keep them on the road!
So why not let a nutritionist sort out his feeding programme for you! The correct feeding plan will give you the peace of mind that he is getting all the nutrients that he requires leaving you just one thing to focus on ... Yes that's right! The riding and exercise!
Get your dietary programme
In order to keep your equine in great shape, body condition scoring and weigh taping should form part of your fortnightly management routine. Buy a notebook and keep a record of any changes because you may be surprised at some of the changes that you record before you actually notice it with the eye alone!!
Body condition scoring (fat coverage) gives you an idea of the horse's energy reserves and the suitability of his diet. It can become a very accurate method of assessing energy and calorie requirements. Using a weight tape helps you to calculate forage and feed intake, and to track weight gain or weight loss.
Get your condition score chart
Getting to know your horse as an individual and inside out will help you to quickly pick up on any signs that he may not be feeling himself. Quick corrective action is usually enough to put things right without the need for emergency treatment so using the health check sheet will help you keep an eye on those vital signs!
And don't underestimate the importance of chores such as keeping a check on your horses dropping consistency!
Get your horse health check sheet
First aid is the initial treatment applied if a horse has been injured or is developing a condition or disease. These are the steps that you can take to improve the situation, or at least prevent it from worsening, before a vet examines the horse. A vet should be called for serious conditions.
First Aid Techniques
• Assess the situation and then take steps to prevent it worsening
• Attend to any bleeding
• Assess the horse and call a vet if necessary
• Attend to any swellings and pain
• Make the horse comfortable
Get your horse health kit
