Caring for horses is not as easy as many horseowners think. Especially for animals under heavy work, there are many factors that can contribute to problems. Equine athletes, such as racehorses or eventing stars, can develop debilitating and even life-threatening ulcers, for example. Equine inflammation management supplements can be of great benefit in both prevention and treatment.
Horses under stress - which includes things like heavy work, stall confinement, and travel to strange places - often develop ulcers in a relatively short time. As many as eighty percent of these athletes may have these sores in their stomach lining. This potential problem must not be dismissed lightly; as in most cases of physical response to stress, a strong program of nutrition can help prevent something that can be hard to cure.
A major factor is that valuable athletes are often confined to stalls and fed large amounts of grain. They need the calories and energy grains provide, and horses often injure themselves during turn-out when they are 'high' from grain. However, this is a departure from what is natural for a horse. They are made to graze twenty-four hours a day and move around freely - and, for the most part, quietly.
The animal needs a constant supply of roughage for two reasons. One, the act of chomping on grass or hay causes saliva to be excreted, and a horse's saliva is alkaline. This naturally balances the stomach acid which is produced around the clock. Roughage in the stomach also acts as a protection for the stomach lining, the mucosa, which can be damaged or even perforated by the acid, or in other words injured by an ulcer.
This damage causes inflammation of the stomach wall, and eventually open sores - ulcers - form. Many experts think, as well, that all inflammation stems from the digestive tract. This means that improper feeding can be the original cause of muscle, leg, and foot problems. Just as humans address their arthritis with dietary changes and supplements, horseowners can take this approach, too.
Horses love the legume alfalfa, and feeding alfalfa hay is recommended for ulcers. The owner should be careful to find very soft hay, free of sharp sticks which can perforate a damaged intestinal wall. It might be wise to shake out the hay, so you're feeding mostly leaves, or to substitute soaked alfalfa cubes. These are good sources of roughage.
Keeping stall confinement to a minimum, or making it as stress-free as possible, can help. Horses are herd animals, so just being able to see other horses can reduce stress. Keeping a sick animal in familiar surroundings helps. Allowing a horse access to hay or grass at all times is important; if hay consumption must be limited, try one of the slow-feeder nets that make it impossible for the horse to grab a large mouthful.
There are many anti-inflammatory herbs that have been shown to be gentle on the stomach. Tumeric and boswellia help with swelling and soreness; they reduce inflammation in the digestive tract as well. Normalizing the horse's lifestyle as much as possible and supplementing with nutritive herbs and minerals can help keep an athlete going strong.
Horses under stress - which includes things like heavy work, stall confinement, and travel to strange places - often develop ulcers in a relatively short time. As many as eighty percent of these athletes may have these sores in their stomach lining. This potential problem must not be dismissed lightly; as in most cases of physical response to stress, a strong program of nutrition can help prevent something that can be hard to cure.
A major factor is that valuable athletes are often confined to stalls and fed large amounts of grain. They need the calories and energy grains provide, and horses often injure themselves during turn-out when they are 'high' from grain. However, this is a departure from what is natural for a horse. They are made to graze twenty-four hours a day and move around freely - and, for the most part, quietly.
The animal needs a constant supply of roughage for two reasons. One, the act of chomping on grass or hay causes saliva to be excreted, and a horse's saliva is alkaline. This naturally balances the stomach acid which is produced around the clock. Roughage in the stomach also acts as a protection for the stomach lining, the mucosa, which can be damaged or even perforated by the acid, or in other words injured by an ulcer.
This damage causes inflammation of the stomach wall, and eventually open sores - ulcers - form. Many experts think, as well, that all inflammation stems from the digestive tract. This means that improper feeding can be the original cause of muscle, leg, and foot problems. Just as humans address their arthritis with dietary changes and supplements, horseowners can take this approach, too.
Horses love the legume alfalfa, and feeding alfalfa hay is recommended for ulcers. The owner should be careful to find very soft hay, free of sharp sticks which can perforate a damaged intestinal wall. It might be wise to shake out the hay, so you're feeding mostly leaves, or to substitute soaked alfalfa cubes. These are good sources of roughage.
Keeping stall confinement to a minimum, or making it as stress-free as possible, can help. Horses are herd animals, so just being able to see other horses can reduce stress. Keeping a sick animal in familiar surroundings helps. Allowing a horse access to hay or grass at all times is important; if hay consumption must be limited, try one of the slow-feeder nets that make it impossible for the horse to grab a large mouthful.
There are many anti-inflammatory herbs that have been shown to be gentle on the stomach. Tumeric and boswellia help with swelling and soreness; they reduce inflammation in the digestive tract as well. Normalizing the horse's lifestyle as much as possible and supplementing with nutritive herbs and minerals can help keep an athlete going strong.
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You can get a summary of important factors to keep in mind when choosing a supplier of equine inflammation management supplements at http://www.naviculardisease.com right now.
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