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Feeding the Hoof

Feeding the Hoof. Certain minerals have had more focus: Zinc- low levels are found in horses with hoof problems If feeding whole grains or forage only can be deficient Low risk for toxicity so easy to supplement

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Feeding the Hoof

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  1. Feeding the Hoof • Certain minerals have had more focus: • Zinc- low levels are found in horses with hoof problems • If feeding whole grains or forage only can be deficient • Low risk for toxicity so easy to supplement • Watch your copper levels because it is linked to absorption of zinc so too much of one can interfere with absorption of the other.

  2. Feeding the Hoof • Biotin-a B-vitamin that improves hoof condition with ~20 mg/day • Biotin only improves hoof horn growth, not existing hoof • It takes a year for an entirely new hoof to grow • Should see improvement after 6 months of supplementation

  3. Recommendations for Good Hoof Growth • Use nutritionally balanced premium horse feed and feed at recommended rates • Only use supplement for horses with poor hoof quality • Feed supplement containing multiple nutrients (biotin, iodine, zinc, amino acids)

  4. What The Coat is Saying… • Coat quality relies on appropriate balances of protein, vitamins, minerals and fats. • Normal growth of hair and skin use 25-30% of horse’s daily protein requirements • Gastric ulcers, sand irritation, internal parasites can compromise absorption of nutrients

  5. Feeding the Coat • Protein must be added to hay or pasture only diet for horses with skin issues • Poor hair growth and dull appearance reflect deficiencies in protein (amino acids)

  6. Feeding the Coat • Minerals- Zinc most important mineral for coat • Zinc deficiencies can result in hair loss, cracked and thickened skin • Vitamins- Vitamin A is most important for skin health- too much or too little leads to scruffy coat • Vitamin E also important for coat • Both must be obtained from dietary sources

  7. Feeding the Coat • Fats & Fatty Acids- Omega 3s and Omega 6s • Grass great source of Omega 3s • Dietary fat supplementation is proven to help absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A & E) which contribute to healthy haircoat • Fatty acids coat hair-protective oily barrier gives coat shiny appearance

  8. Behavior Issues • Today’s equine stable management practices have contributed to many of the horse’s behavior problems • Certain behaviors do not exist in wild, free roaming, grass fed horses • Anxiety can induce behaviors such as cribbing, and weaving

  9. Feeding for Better Behavior • Behaviors that can be affected by nutrition include: • Excitability • Behaviors related to ulcers • Anorexia • Agression • Sterotypic (continuous, repetitive, serves no purpose)

  10. EXCITABILITY • Research shows Higher Starch and Sugar content = Higher Excitability • Higher fat in diet for energy will help • Dietary fat has a calming effect • Source of energy is usually the culprit • High Fat includes feeds >6-10% fat

  11. Southern States Feeds with High Fat & Low NSC Legends Maturity 6% Fat 19 % NSC Solution 6% Fat 20% NSC Legends Performance Pellet 10% Fat 12.9% NSC

  12. Triple Crown Feeds High in Fat & Low In NSC Low Starch Pellet 6% Fat 13.5 % NSC Safe Starch Forage 6% Fat 8.7 % NSC Senior Textured 10% Fat 11.7 % NSC Complete Textured 10% Fat 20 % NSC

  13. Behavioral Signs of Ulcers • Altered eating behavior, not finishing meals • Grinding of teeth (bruxism) • Intermittent or recurrent colic signs • Change in attitude or behavior • Decreased performance and reduction in stride length • Cribbing? Possible with grain feeding

  14. Feeding Management to Reduce Ulcers • Fat and fiber don’t ferment to lactic acid like starch and sugar • Acid destroys lining of stomach and causes ulcer formation • Select feed with digestive aids (yeast culture and probiotics) to maintain intestinal pH and digestive efficiency

  15. Feeding to Reduce Ulcers • Chewing increases amount of saliva to stomach, contains sodium bicarbonate (buffer that increases stomach pH) - feed adequate hay for saliva production, at least 1% of body weight daily • Eliminate “grain-based” feeds and use “fiber-based” feeds that contain less starch and sugar and more added fat • Feed as often as possible, smaller more frequent meals, to maintain higher stomach pH

  16. Feeding Management to Reduce Ulcers • Feed free choice hay- alfalfa if you can as it has calcium for buffer • High fiber feeds with beet pulp also help, easier to digest • As much turn out as possible

  17. High Fiber Feeds >15% Fiber 18% Fiber 18% Fiber 15 % Fiber 17% Fiber

  18. ANOREXIA • Some research to support theory that acidosis (too high acidity) in hind gut can cause anorexia in horses • Usually a result of too much rich concentrate and not enough hay or pasture • Hind gut designed to ferment fiber. When grain gets back there causes increase in acid • Loss in weight difficult to regain • If you need high energy- feed high fiber feed

  19. AGRESSION • Related to establishing dominance • Must consider feeding management practices • Adequate space for feeders • Separate horses and give them time to eat in peace • Provide enough hay (and piles) for every one

  20. Abnormal-Sterotypic (continuous, repetitive, serves no purpose) • Tail or Mane Chewing • Weaving • Wood Chewing • Eating of Dirt or Feces • Cribbing

  21. Fiber Related Issues • High fiber (lots of hay and/or pasture) reduces behaviors such as wood chewing, weaving, tail or mane eating • Need to mimic nature as much as possible • Reduce confinement or provide stall bound horses with GOOD hay

  22. Mineral Deficiencies? • Eating of Dirt or Feces has been shown to be related to a lack of certain minerals • Lower copper and iron were found in horses with these behaviors • Can be caused by boredom so rule that out first • Blood levels by vet can check for these

  23. Good sources for Vitamin and Mineral supplementation: Comes in bucket or block. No added protein Vitamin, Mineral andPROTEIN

  24. CRIBBING • Cribbing is an oral-stereotypy • Can have genetic or environmental relationship • Not seen in the wild • Increases with low-fiber, high concentrate diet • Irregular feeding schedule can increase frequency

  25. Cribbing can sometimes be a way for horses to increase saliva production to buffer stomach acid so may be related to gastric ulcers

  26. High Fiber Feeds >15% Fiber 18% Fiber 18% Fiber 15 % Fiber 17% Fiber

  27. Southern States Forage Products Bagged Forages Forage Cubes Hay Stretcher

  28. Ingredients for Behavioral Problems in Horses

  29. Calming Ingredients and Uses in Horses

  30. TAKE AWAYS • Feed Good Forage • Don’t be afraid of protein • Feed well balanced, fortified feed in correct amount for weight & activity or supplement • Too much energy (kcal) causes health and behavior problems • Use you feed company nutritionist!! We are FREE help for your horse!

  31. THE END! THANK YOU ! Laura Stopper, PAS (804) 814-1620 laura.stopper@sscoop.com

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