By Heather Smith Thomas
LOW-STRESS WEANING AND WEANLING NUTRITION
Category: nutrition
Winter 2023 Horse Health
Mineral Content Of Pasture Affects Hoof Composition In Foals
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Sampling of soil, pasture, and hoof capsules occurred in two periods. The first happened in summer and fall when all foals, between one and six months of age, were still nursing their dams; the second occurred after weaning when foals were nine to 12 months old. Forty-one foals were used in the preweaning period, 28 in the postweaning period.
All foals used in the study were Criollo, a South American breed revered for its tractability, soundness, and stamina under saddle. Mature height tends to be between 14 and 15 hands, and most are considered easy keepers. Foals were born and raised on five farms in Brazil. Mares and foals grazed native pastures consisting primarily of bahiagrass, kaimi clover, blanket grass, dallisgrass, and bermudagrass, though hundreds of other pasture species were likely part of the grazing landscape. They received no concentrate or mineral supplementation.
Feed For Better Feet: Excellent Nutrition Improves Hoof Quality
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A horse with poor-quality hooves can be a concern for its owner. Particularly in parts of the world with a hot, dry climate, horses may have hoof horn that is dull, brittle, and easily chipped or split. If hoof problems become severe, the horse is at increased risk for lameness that can impact its comfort and usefulness.
Rethinking a complete hoof management program for these horses often leads to hooves that look better and help the horse stay sound. However, just as owners can’t change the climate where their horses live, they also can’t expect quick results. Building strong hooves takes at least six to twelve months, and nothing can speed this process. Hoof growth is influenced by several factors. These include age, breed, genetics, metabolic rate, exercise, external temperature, environmental moisture, illness, trimming, and shoeing. Important nutritional influences include energy intake, protein and amino acid intake and metabolism, minerals such as zinc and calcium, and vitamins such as biotin and vitamin A.
When faced with poor-quality hooves, the first thing to consider when evaluating a feed program is total energy intake. Meeting energy requirements may be the first and most important step in ensuring hoof growth and integrity for horses kept in any climate. A horse in negative energy balance will utilize protein in the diet or body to make up energy needs for maintenance or growth. This may create a secondary protein or amino acid deficiency.
Research has shown that hoof wall growth was 50 percent greater in growing ponies that were in positive energy balance than in ponies on restricted diets with reduced body growth rate. It is a common observation that when horses gain weight on lush spring grass, they also grow hoof faster. Recent research has shown that increasing the dietary intake of fat has little effect on hoof growth rate or strength, but fat can be a valuable addition to the diet in the role of maintaining positive energy balance.
Aside from energy, a well-balanced diet will provide nutrients the horse requires for overall health and well-being, and these in turn will help fuel sound hoof growth. The hoof wall is about 93 percent protein on a dry matter basis, and high-quality dietary protein will supply the horse with the amino acids researchers have theorized are essential for hoof growth. Because of the composition of the hoof wall, most of the commercially available hoof supplements contain methionine.
However, methionine is just one of the amino acids contained in the protein of the hoof, and deficiencies of any essential amino acid can be as detrimental as a deficiency of methionine. Hoof contains high levels of cystine, arginine, leucine, lysine, proline, serine, glycine, and valine, and lower levels of methionine, phenylalanine, and histidine. When researchers compared the amino acid content of normal hoof and horn of poor quality, they found a linear correlation between cystine content and hardness in normal horn but not in poor-quality horn. The protein of normal horn contained higher levels of threonine, phenylalanine, and proline and lower levels of arginine than poor-quality horn.
Other research showed there was a clear difference between the distribution of two sulfur-bearing amino acids in the keratinizing epidermis of the hoof. Cystine was located mainly in keratinocytes of the keratogenous zone in the matrix and in the nucleated keratinocytes that formed the incompletely keratinized basal part of the primary epidermal laminae and covered the lateral surface of the outer, fully keratinized part of those laminae. Methionine was located primarily in the stratum basale and in the stratum spinosum of the matrix and in the secondary epidermal laminae of the laminar layer. The pathway that converts methionine to cysteine is thought to be imperative in the production of quality hoof.
Protein-deficient diets lead to reduced hoof growth and splitting and cracking of the hoof, but it has been shown that diets intended to support more rapid growth of young horses do not necessarily maximize hoof growth. This suggests that the amino acid needs for general body growth and faster hoof growth are different, and scientists have studied this difference in search of the most important nutrients for producing better hooves.
Most of the emphasis on research on hoof growth and hoof wall quality has involved biotin. It is thought that the normal horse has a biotin requirement of 1-2 mg per day, and this can be supplied in certain feedstuffs as a component of commercial vitamin and mineral premixes or by intestinal synthesis by microorganisms in the large intestine. Biotin is a cofactor in a number of enzyme systems.
In other animals, chronic biotin deficiencies lead to lesions of the skin and other keratinized structures, and supplementary biotin was first used in pigs to treat hoof problems. Studies have shown that supplemental biotin at levels of 15-20 mg per day had positive effects on hoof quality in some horses, but does not assist all horses.
A German study on the long-term influence of dietary biotin in horses with brittle hoof horn and chipped hooves was conducted over periods from one to six years. Ninety-seven horses received 5 mg of biotin per 220 to 330 pounds of body weight daily; 11 horses were not supplemented with biotin and served as controls. The hooves of all horses were evaluated macroscopically every three to four months and horn specimens of the proximal wall were examined histologically and physically in 25 horses. The hoof horn condition of the biotin-supplemented horses improved after eight to 15 months of supplementation, while the hoof horn condition of most control horses remained constant throughout the study. The hoof horn condition deteriorated in seven of 10 horses after biotin supplementation was reduced or terminated. The horn growth rate of treated horses and of control horses was the same.
Biotin only improves the growth of new hoof horn, not existing hoof, so its effectiveness depends on reliable administration at recommended levels. Because of this, several weeks may elapse before a noticeable difference exists in new hoof growth near the coronary band. It should be noted that some horses respond more positively to biotin supplementation than others. Just because biotin supplementation fails to improve one horse’s hooves, doesn’t mean it will not help the next horse’s hooves.
Obviously, nutrition is important in producing healthy, strong hooves. Almost as important is basic hoof care. A regular schedule of hoof trimming for barefoot horses and trimming/resetting for shod horses should be followed. Farrier care every four to six weeks is sufficient for most horses. Letting horses go more than about six weeks without a trim is asking for trouble, as longer hooves tend to chip and split. Even if the hooves are not greatly overgrown, a light trim and smoothing can sometimes keep small cracks from progressing. While many idle and lightly used horses can go barefoot, shoeing protects the hoof and will prevent excess wear on hooves that tend to chip and crack. The farrier should not file or rasp away the shiny outer hoof covering, as this tough layer of horn helps to hold necessary moisture in the hoof.
Hoof dressings are often touted as the cure for bad hoof condition, especially for horses that have dry, chipped hooves. Research has been conducted to find out whether the use of dressings has any impact, good or bad, on the hoof. A study at the University of Edinburgh examined the passage of moisture into and out of the hoof capsule. Researchers tested full-thickness samples from wall, sole, and frog tissues obtained from equine cadavers. The samples were taken from hooves in good condition (solid, no cracks) and in poor condition (visible cracks). In the samples from hooves in good condition, moisture penetrated less than a millimeter into any tissue. Samples from hooves in poor condition allowed much more penetration of moisture into and throughout the inner tissues of the hoof. These results indicate that there is a natural moisture barrier in healthy hoof tissue, and products claiming to moisturize the hoof can be expected to provide little benefit to hooves in good condition.
The ingredients in some hoof dressings can actually be harmful, excessively drying the outer hoof layers and leading to brittle tissue that can easily develop small cracks. Formalin, solvents, or tar-based products are ingredients with the potential to damage the outer layers of hoof horn. Such damage allows moisture to move in and out of the hoof more freely than in hooves with healthy outer horn. Lower strength has been measured in hoof tissue that is either too dry or too moist, so tampering with the natural moisture level is not thought to be advantageous. In addition, dirt and bacteria may enter the cracks, possibly causing infection.
Summing up hoof management, remember that good basic nutrition is the bottom line for hoof quality. Use a feed that is designed for the class of horse you are feeding, and feed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and to desired body condition. Look for feeds that are balanced for macro- and microminerals. Commercial feeds should not be cut with oats, as this skews the nutrient balance.
If everything is being done from nutritional and farrier angles and hoof quality is still poor, it is worth experimenting with supplemental biotin, methionine, and zinc. Kentucky Equine Research recommends the use of Bio-Bloom PS, a dual-action supplement designed to promote and maintain healthy hooves and skin from the inside out.
Unfortunately, there is no quick fix and maintaining a good foot on a horse is a combined result of good farriery, good nutrition, good health care, and selecting for horses that genetically have healthy hooves.
Reprinted courtesy of Kentucky Equine Research. Visit ker.com for the latest in equine nutrition and management, and subscr
Acadiana Equine at Copper Crowne to Hold Stallion Show, Friday, January 24
Event to include Mare and Foal Development Presentations
Acadiana Equine at Copper Crowne will host a stallion showcase to present their stallions Friday, January 24 starting at 12:00 noon.
A catered lunch will be provided.
The 2020 stallion roster is composed of
- Gemologist: #1 2019 Louisiana Leading Sire; sire of 2019 G1 placed, G3SW Horologist
- Court Vision: #2 2019 Louisiana Leading Sire; sire of 2019 G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, Storm The Court.
- Astrology: #5 2019 Louisiana Leading Sire; A top twenty 2019 4th Crop Sire
Between stallion presentations, guest speakers will talk to a variety of topics including
- Reproductive Mare Care
- Nutrition
- Foot and Hoof Care
Acadiana Equine @ Copper Crowne
5124 Highway 182 South
Opelousas, LA 70570
Phone: 337-407-9555
David Tillson, Stallion Manager
Email: David@thestockexchange.biz
Phone: 337-315-2439
Horse Health: You Can Lead a Horse to Water…
By Jen Roytz
We’ve all heard the saying “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink.” Horses have to be thirsty in order to consume water, and the lynchpin in that scenario is salt. Dehydration in horses–or any animal–can quickly escalate from mild to catastrophic. Their internal environment is water-based, and salt is the driving force behind the regulation and distribution of water in and out of cells.
“Salt is 39% sodium and 61% chloride. When consumed, salt will split in the body into the separate minerals to be used independently (as electrolytes),” said Dr. Kathleen Crandell, PhD, a nutritionist with Kentucky Equine Research (KER). “Both these minerals have independent roles in the body, but mainly they work together balancing fluid movement in and out of the cells and acid-base balance, as well as electrical impulse conduction in nerves and muscles. Further, sodium is needed for transport of substances across cell membranes, like glucose.”
Hay! Are You Getting What You Pay For?
Today’s high forage prices are an extra incentive to understand hay quality.
July 31, 2018 – In most instances, I would argue that the idiom, “You get what you pay for,” is almost always true. Especially as U.S. hay prices have escalated significantly, it would be great if that were true. However, when it comes to buying hay, it’s not that simple.
Just because the hay is expensive, looks or feels good, or is a “heavy bale,” does not automatically mean it’s of high quality. Although hay is most typically sold by weight, much of that weight could be due to a high percentage of ash in the hay.
Ash is the total mineral content divided into two types: internal ash (from the plant) and external ash (dirt and dust from harvesting and storage). So, you could literally be paying more for a bale that essentially has more dirt than another one. A ranch manager in Central California recently paid $345 a ton for the “high quality” alfalfa she requires for a band of senior equine citizens, up from $190 a ton 10 years ago. Fuel prices involved in that hike make it an extreme example, but, at any price, you don’t want much of it going toward external ash.
Therefore, weight is not a good way to determine if the hay is of high quality. It’s important to know if the hay is actually of high quality as well as what factors can affect the quality and nutritional value.
The main factors affecting hay quality include: the type of hay, soil, weed contamination, rain (moisture), and how the hay is cut, dried, and baled. As the buyer for our horses, we cannot control any of these factors. Even if we have a great relationship with our hay supplier, they can only control so much themselves depending upon the weather and the type of equipment they use to bale the hay.
The only definitive way to know the quality of your hay is to have it tested. There are feed companies that will test your hay for you at a very reasonable cost. Additionally, some of the best hay providers will have the hay tested before they sell it to you. The more often you test your hay, you will be surprised by the differences in the nutritional profiles.
In a perfect world, your hay has been tested and shows an excellent nutritional profile with a low ash percentage and has a high leaf-to-stem ratio. If this is the profile of your hay, then why would the hay need to be steamed? There are two simple reasons: mold spores and external ash. Mold spore count can also be tested by a laboratory. They are measured in “colony forming units per gram” (cfu/g). If hay has over 1 million cfu/g, you have a high risk of causing respiratory problems with your horse. Even though the hay has a high nutritional profile, it could still have a high mold spore count.
Unfortunately, as the grass itself grows, there are a number of bacteria and fungi that will grow on the plant naturally. As the hay is cut and dried, certain types of bacteria and fungi will die off but others may thrive in a lower moisture environment. That is why the drying stage of making hay is so very important. However, even if the processing of the hay goes exactly to plan, a certain number of mold spores remain and will inevitably invade your horse’s airway. Second, is the issue of the external ash. Even with a low percent, there will still be an amount of dust and particulate matter that will remain on the hay and become airborne once the horse pulls on the hay to break it apart to eat.
Therefore, regardless of the quality of the hay, all hay will have mold spores, dust, and particulate matter that can insult the horse’s airway. The best way to combat those problems is to steam the hay from the inside-out using a high temperature hay steamer. This is scientifically proven to kill mold spores and reduce the dust and particulate matter.
Article provided by Haygain as part of our Horse Health Library, and photos are available on request. For more educational articles on a variety of conditions our products address, please contact Kim F Miller at kimfmiller1@mac.com.
Haygain is committed to improving equine health through scientific research, product innovation and consumer education in respiratory and digestive health issues. With offices in England and the USA, Haygain distributes products for healthier horses to 19 countries, including its Haygain® Hay Steamers, ComfortStall® Orthopedic Sealed Flooring System, ForagerTM Slow Feeder and Flexineb® Portable Equine Nebulizer. Visit www.haygain.us for more information.
Dr. Getty’s February Tip: Hay Before Grain, or Vice-versa?
Which should be fed first – hay or grain? If you’re feeding correctly, this issue is truly a moot point because the horse should have access to forage (hay and/or pasture) 24/7 with no gaps. Therefore, when fed concentrates, the horse’s digestive tract should already have hay flowing through it.
If fed starchy cereal grains (oats, corn, barley, etc.) on an empty stomach, the horse will produce even more acid (potentially leading to ulcers) and it will be leave the stomach quickly. When this happens, there is a risk that it will not be fully digested in the small intestine (especially if large amounts are fed), and end up in the hindgut where starch can be fermented by the bacterial population. This can lead to endotoxin-related laminitis.
If hay is present in the stomach first, it creates a physical barrier for the grain to move out of the stomach as quickly. Since starch does not get digested in the stomach, the grain is simply mixed and churned into a semi-liquid mass, which enters the small intestine where it can be digested down to glucose. If there is hay present, fiber mixes with the starch and the whole mass enters the small intestine. Fiber is not digested until it reaches the hind gut, but its presence slows down the digestion of starch, and obstructs the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, leading to a less dramatic rise in insulin.
One thing to note – there is more water involved when hay is present (from increased drinking and saliva production). This is a good thing since digestion within the small intestine cannot take place without water.
Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. is an independent equine nutritionist with a wide U.S. and international following. Her research-based approach optimizes equine health by aligning physiology and instincts with correct feeding and nutrition practices. Dr. Getty’s goal is to empower the horseperson with the confidence and knowledge to provide the best nutrition for his or her horse’s needs.
Dr. Getty’s fundamental resource book, Feed Your Horse Like a Horse, is available in paperback as well as in hardcover, searchable CD and Kindle versions. All except the Kindle version are available at www.GettyEquineNutrition.com — buy the book there and have it inscribed by the author. Print and Kindle versions are also available at Amazon (www.Amazon.com); find print versions at other online retail bookstores. The seven individual volumes in Dr. Getty’s topic-centered “Spotlight on Equine Nutrition” series are available with special package pricing at her website, and also at Amazon in print and Kindle versions. Dr. Getty’s books make ideal gifts for equestrians!
Find a world of useful information for the horseperson at www.GettyEquineNutrition.com: Sign up for Dr. Getty’s informative, free e-newsletter, Forage for Thought; browse her library of reference articles; search her nutrition forum archives; and purchase recordings of her educational teleseminars and interviews. Find top-quality supplements, feeders, and other equine-related items, at her online Free Shipping Supplement Store[i]. Reach Dr. Getty directly at gettyequinenutrition@gmail.com.
[i] http://horsesupplements.gettyequinenutrition.biz
What Is Restricted Feeding?
On one level, it’s exactly what it sounds like – restricting what you feed your horse. The devil is in the details though. Exactly what is being restricted, why, how much?
Some people use restricted feeding and slow feeding synonymously. In that case, the horse is restricted in how fast they can eat. This may or may not end up also reducing how much they eat. Some horses become very adept at eating from small hole nets or slow feeders. Others simply spend more time eating. Either way they can end up eating as much as they did before.
In most cases restricted feeding refers to limiting how much the horse is given to eat. That may mean just cutting back on grain or pasture time but usually means the horse’s daily calorie intake from all sources is controlled to maintain a healthy weight. Situations where this is necessary include overweight horses needing to trim down, insulin-resistant horses that will eat too much, and horses on forced stall rest for an injury.
Contrary to what you may have heard, restricting caloric intake is not the most stressful thing you can do to your horse. It is not cruel and will not cause health problems when done properly. While some advocate extreme calorie restriction, especially when trying to get weight off a horse, this really isn’t necessary.
A grass hay with under 10% sugar (ESC) and starch combined, protein 9+% can usually be fed at a rate of 1.5% of current body weight or 2% of ideal body weight, whichever is larger, to achieve the desired weight. Use a slow feeding set up and break this up into multiple feedings. If the horse is able to be regularly exercised they can eat even more.
It’s worth mentioning here that these guidelines also work for insulin-resistant horses most of the time. It’s not so much that they gain weight easily but rather that they eat too much. When a horse is not losing weight at the above level of feeding a calorie count using the actual digestible energy from the hay analysis usually reveals the hay has higher than average calorie density. There are some individuals that need more stringent restrictions but they are the exception rather than the rule.
Don’t worry about the gut being “empty” if the horse is not constantly eating. It takes the stomach a bare minimum of 2 hours to empty, usually much longer. Running out of hay for a couple hours also does not guarantee stomach pain, “stress” or ulcer formation.
As for feeding the organisms in the hind gut, food takes about 2 days to finish traversing the hind gut. It is not true the horse’s cecum won’t empty without a constant flow of food to push the contents along. Just like everywhere else in the intestinal tract, food is mixed and propelled along by muscular contractions, which occur at set intervals. The time food spends in the cecum depends on particle size and ranges from 2 to 48 hours (Argenzio 1974).
Whether it’s a human, a horse or the family dog or cat, weight control still boils down to calories in versus calories out. Horses that are overweight or have sharply curtailed activity need to have their calories counted. Horses that overeat for medical or temperament reasons also need to have calories restricted. Restricting calories to those needed to maintain a normal weight is not extreme. It’s really that simple.
The ECIR Group has hundreds of case histories to prove it. Join us this October in Tucson, AZ for the 2017 NO Laminitis! Conference to learn more. https://www.nolaminitis.org/
About ECIR Group Inc
Started in 1999, the ECIR Group is the largest field-trial database for PPID and IR in the world and provides the latest research, diagnosis, and treatment information, in addition to dietary recommendations for horses with these conditions. Even universities do not and cannot compile and follow long term as many in-depth case histories of PPID/IR horses as the ECIR Group.
In 2013 the Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance Group Inc., an Arizona nonprofit corporation, was approved as a 501(c)3 public charity. Tax-deductible contributions and grants support ongoing research, education, and awareness of Equine Cushing’s Disease/PPID and Insulin Resistance.
THE MISSION of the ECIR Group Inc. is to improve the welfare of equines with metabolic disorders via a unique interface between basic research and real-life clinical experience. Prevention of laminitis is the ultimate goal. The ECIR Group serves the scientific community, practicing clinicians, and owners by focusing on investigations most likely to quickly, immediately, and significantly benefit the welfare of the horse.
Feeding Foals After Weaning
Weanling horses require additional support and feeding adjustments as they grow.
Shoreview, Minn. [August 11, 2017] – As summer ends and your foal continues to grow and gain independence, it’s time to think about the nutrition requirements of your weanling horse. This can be a stressful time, both emotionally and nutritionally. Keep these tips in mind to ensure a smooth transition and continued healthy growth through weaning.
When to Wean a Foal
“If the weanling horse is one you’ve raised since birth, you have a lot of control over how well-prepared your baby is for weaning,” says Anna Pesta, Ph.D., equine nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition. “Foals will show interest in feeds early on and, by about two months of age, their mother’s milk will no longer supply all the nutrients needed for optimum growth.”
To support smooth, steady growth, suckling foals should be offered one pound of a properly-formulated foal feed per month of age per day, advises Pesta. For example, a 3-month-old would ideally be eating about three pounds of feed per day, in addition to milk and free-choice hay or pasture.
A weanling horse already accustomed to eating an adequate amount of dry feed will transition to life without mom much easier and maintain nutrient intake at a level to sustain optimum growth. Knowing how to eat and having a safe friend or buddy to keep them company after weaning helps foals adjust to their new independence.
Best Feed for Weanling Horses
When weaning horses, it’s important to offer weanlings a high-quality feedspecifically formulated for foals.
“Young, growing horses have different requirements for protein, vitamins and minerals than adult horses,” says Pesta.
To ensure correct muscle, bone and tendon development, look for feeds with a proper balance of high-quality proteins, amino acids, calories, calcium and phosphorus.
Feeds formulated for adults will not provide the necessary nutrients for your baby to fulfill their genetic potential and may cause deficiencies and increase the risk of growth abnormalities. Additionally, an economy-type feed with a seemingly adequate amount of crude protein (14-16 percent) will likely not supply sources of protein that are easily digestible or provide the correct ratios of amino acids. Now is not the time to skimp on nutrients!
Is Your Foal Feed Working? Track Your Weanling’s Progress!
Steady, consistent growth through weaning and to maturity can influence lifelong soundness. Periodically weigh your foal on a scale or properly use a weight tape to get an approximate weight, as well as a height stick to measure wither and hip height, advises Pesta.
“Generally, foals should reach approximately 50 percent of their mature weight and 80 percent of their mature height by six months old,” says Pesta.
Plotting your weanling horse’s height and weight over time should show a smooth, steady growth curve with no obvious peaks or valleys.
Monitor and Adjust
“Prior to weaning, the foal is growing at a rapid rate of about 2-2.5 pounds per day,” says Pesta.
This growth gradually slows after the foal becomes a weanling—to about one pound per day as they approach 12 months of age.
“The ability of the weanling’s digestive system to digest forages also increases post-weaning, as does their daily forage intake,” adds Pesta. “Therefore, the proportion of the diet as feed may not continue to increase, and may actually decrease if forage quality is excellent.”
After choosing a foal feed, feed at least the minimum recommended amount to provide adequate amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Routine evaluation of body fat cover, especially the amount of fat covering the rib area, will help determine when adjustments in feeding rates should be considered.
Weanling horses are growing to their genetic potential when they are being fed a well-balanced
diet in amounts to maintain slight cover so ribs aren’t seen but are easily felt.
For more tips on feeding your foal, visit purinamills.com/horse-feed.
Purina Animal Nutrition LLC (www.purinamills.com) is a national organization serving producers, animal owners and their families through more than 4,700 local cooperatives, independent dealers and other large retailers throughout the United States. Driven to unlock the greatest potential in every animal, the company is an industry-leading innovator offering a valued portfolio of complete feeds, supplements, premixes, ingredients and specialty technologies for the livestock and lifestyle animal markets. Purina Animal Nutrition LLC is headquartered in Shoreview, Minn. and a wholly owned subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, Inc.
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