Caring for sport horses is complex. When animals are under heavy work, and their value lies in performance, many things change. Racehorses, show jumpers, and successful eventers are prone to disorders like lameness, back troubles, and life-threatening ulcers. Equine inflammation management supplements, which are beneficial for all these problems and others, can be especially valuable for gastric conditions.
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 horse is designed to consume roughage constantly. Horses in the field graze almost all the time, although they take some time out for sleeping. Horses under work, however, many eat more grain than hay. They require more calories and energy that is normal for a horse, and grain is the only way to satisfy this need. However, when hay or pasture is limited, this can cause problems.
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.
Minimize stall confinement if possible, and allow the animals access to mixed pasture. If this is not feasible, horses should at least be able to see other horses, since they are herd animals by nature. This will lower stress, as do familiar surroundings and companions. Research shows that silence and natural darkness are stress-relieving. Using a slow-feeder net can help even over-weight horses have hay in front of them most of the day and night.
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 horse is designed to consume roughage constantly. Horses in the field graze almost all the time, although they take some time out for sleeping. Horses under work, however, many eat more grain than hay. They require more calories and energy that is normal for a horse, and grain is the only way to satisfy this need. However, when hay or pasture is limited, this can cause problems.
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.
Minimize stall confinement if possible, and allow the animals access to mixed pasture. If this is not feasible, horses should at least be able to see other horses, since they are herd animals by nature. This will lower stress, as do familiar surroundings and companions. Research shows that silence and natural darkness are stress-relieving. Using a slow-feeder net can help even over-weight horses have hay in front of them most of the day and night.
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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