| Horses evolved on a different diet from the one | | | | hard exercise while unfit or after eating, travelling, |
| they're expected to eat today. The manner in which | | | | sudden change of routine or environmento Poor and |
| horses eat and the time they spend eating has | | | | over-grazed pasture, especially if the soil is sandy |
| changed considerably - even a horse living on grass | | | | Preventiono A constant supply of fresh watero Small |
| eats a different diet from his ancestors. Unfortunately | | | | and frequent feeds of concentrates if necessary. Only |
| for the domesticated horse, his intestines have not | | | | use hard feed as a supplement to the grazing and high |
| evolved to meet these changes and, as a | | | | fibre food available to the horse.o Plan a diet consisting |
| consequence, he is susceptible to digestive upset. | | | | of high fibre content, using hay or other high fibre |
| A horse's digestion involves fermentation of which a | | | | equivalent feeds. A ratio of at least 60 per cent hay or |
| by-product is gas, which can easily distend the gut | | | | equivalent.o Ensure the feed is of good quality and is |
| causing problems. Horses cannot vomit to get rid of | | | | not moldy, and has no hidden hazards such as baling |
| toxins, orindigestible food. The gut has a large | | | | twine/plastico Set a regular exercise programme, |
| absorptive area (needed because the animal is a | | | | ensuring that the horse is fit for the work needed. Do |
| herbivore) which leaves the horse susceptible to toxins | | | | not suddenly over exert your horse.o Have a |
| being absorbed quickly. | | | | post-exercise cooling off periodo Make any changes |
| Also, natural feeding habits mean that nature designed | | | | to exercise or feed slowlyo Allow as much turn out in |
| the horse to be on the move, grazing on the way. This | | | | a paddock as possibleo Have regular dental checks |
| is known as "trickle feeding" whereby the horse eats | | | | as poorly chewed food increases the risk of a |
| large quantities of low-energy food throughout the day, | | | | blockage in the intestineo Do not overgraze pastureo |
| typically spending 16 hours a day feeding. | | | | Ration lush spring grass, treating it as a change of diet |
| Today's management of horses often indicates two | | | | to the horseo Wherever possible, avoid your horse |
| feeds a day of hard feed, rationed hay and stabling | | | | grazing heavily sanded pastureo Ensure the worm |
| for eight hours without exercise or food. This is | | | | control program is kept up to date as recommended |
| obviously very different to the life the horse was | | | | by your veto Have a regular daily routine and make |
| designed to lead. This change from the natural and | | | | changes gradually |
| ideal situation means that horses can react to any | | | | Helpful hints |
| added stress on their lifestyle, which is often the cause | | | | Early detection of colic will improve the chances of a |
| of colic. | | | | successful outcome so know your horse's signs of |
| Risk factorso Digestive disorder such as tooth | | | | good health. Be aware of temperature, pulse rate and |
| problems, worm burdens and gut damage | | | | respiratory rate. |
| (includingprevious colic surgery)o Poor feeding regime: | | | | Be especially vigilant with any horse that has a history |
| soiled food, inappropriate quantities, lack of fibre and/or | | | | of colic. |
| water, or a sudden change in dieto Stress such as | | | | |