The Scoop on Supplemental Feeding

An overview of supplement types and what they do for your horse
By Clint McKnight, DVM, photo courtesy Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital

Feeding the modern day equine isn’t as simple as providing hay, grain, and water. Today, horses are used in a variety of different disciplines, and depending on your horse's workload, nutritional requirements can vary greatly. Most horses require supplemental feeding to provide essential vitamins, minerals, and additional calories that forage alone may lack. Feed producers have addressed this issue by offering many different products for horse owners to choose from. With all of the products available, it can be difficult to determine which one is right for your horse.

Categorizing feed products into defined groups based on what they provide your horse and then determining the specific needs of your horse can help you decide. I generally break supplemental feed products down into grains (concentrates), beet pulp, fat supplements, and complete feeds (pelleted).

Grains
Grains are a common part of the equine diet, and the most frequently used include corn, oats, and barley. Although they do vary in composition from one type to the next, grains generally are high in energy (starch and sugar), low in fiber, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin A (except yellow corn), and variable in protein content (8-12%). The type of processing used in grain preparation plays an important role in how well the horse can extract and utilize the nutritional contents. Whole grains are poorly broken down by the horse, and thus provide very little nutritional value. In order for the horse to most efficiently utilize grains, they should be rolled to break the outer hull, allowing access to the nutritional components within.

Beet Pulp
Beet pulp is generally classified as a forage because it contains about 18% fiber, yet it provides more calories than most hays (forages) pound for pound. This will provide your horse with a good source of energy as well as non-absorbable fiber. Beet pulp is the by-product from the manufacturing of table sugar. Because current extraction processes are very efficient, beet pulp contains little to no sucrose (table sugar) and provides most of its energy from soluble and insoluble fiber. This energy is released relatively slowly during hindgut fermentation and does not lead to rapid spikes in blood glucose, which can occur with concentrates. Beet pulp can be found in compressed pellets or shredded forms. Typical recommendations are to soak beet pulp prior to feeding, with pellets requiring longer soak time than the shredded form. Soaking is essential to prevent choking caused by the rapid expansion of the dehydrated beet pulp once it is exposed to fluid within the esophagus.

Fat Supplements
Fat supplements are products that can provide a higher caloric density in a smaller volume. This can be especially helpful for horses in high performance disciplines or “difficult keepers,” when providing enough calories to maintain weight with hay and grain alone is not accomplishable. Fat can also be added to the diet to keep calories up but allow for the removal of carbohydrate calories. This is particularly important when treating diseases like polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM), in which high carbohydrate and starch levels can exacerbate the disease.

Common products high in fat include high fat wheat bran, rice bran, and vegetable oils. Bran products contain very low levels of calcium and high levels of phosphorus (which binds to calcium and can create a calcium deficiency) and should be fed in conjunction with other feed products such as beet pulp or a complete feed. Some manufacturers have developed pelleted feeds that are >20% fat but balance the calcium, phosphorus, and other vitamins and minerals needed by the horse.

Complete Feeds
Finally, there are pelleted feed formulations referred to as complete feeds. The feed manufacturer has done the hard work for you by starting with a hay base, then balancing protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals for a horse’s particular needs in a palatable, easily digestible pellet. Most companies will have specific feed products designed for the stage of development, age, or workload of your horse. Other complete feeds help address medical conditions. This is important because there are distinct variations in protein, trace mineral and vitamin concentrations between various grass hays and legumes.

Which Type is Right?
Although good quality forage (hay) should provide the base of good nutrition, supplemental feeding is often required to provide the additional nutritional components needed for growth, development, and to maintain your horse's health and performance. Knowing what various products provide can help determine which is most appropriate for your situation.

Grains can be of great benefit to athletic horses, as glycogen replacement and storage is dependant on dietary glucose. Increasing the fat component of a diet can provide needed calories when trying to increase weight, reduce carbohydrates, or provide additional energy. Beet pulp is a good choice to incorporate with other feed supplements, providing increased fiber and calories without added starches or sugars. Complete feeds generally are the most effective choice when a balanced diet is needed, particularly in growing, athletic, and older horses. Low non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) complete feeds are also of great value in the treatment of equine Cushing’s disease, metabolic disease, and in storage myopathy cases.

There are always questions surrounding equine nutrition that should be addressed on an individual basis, so I recommend discussing your horse’s diet with your veterinarian. He or she can help determine if any adjustments need to be made.

About the Author
Dr. McKnight graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in January 2004. He completed a medical and surgical internship at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital, where he now works as an equine ambulatory practitioner.

Avoid Boarding Nightmares

Examine potential boarding facilities through a horse's eyes for a healthy, happier horse
by Karen Brown

There are a lot of factors involved in deciding where to board your horse. Generally, the first issues to narrow the search are location, cost, and type of riding most prevalent in the facility. But are these factors really the best criteria to use in choosing a healthy and safe environment for your horse?

Never forget that you are your horse’s advocate. He can’t speak up for himself, at least not in a way anyone will notice until his health is already compromised. As the owner of a living, sentient being, it is your responsibility to learn what a horse needs in terms of his species, not what we humans consider to be necessary. In fact, in the past 50 years horses have been taken so far away from their natural habitat that some people can’t believe they are quite capable of surviving without cozy stalls, winter blankets, and all sorts of fly repelling products.

The Equine Ideal
So let’s take a look at the kind of boarding facility species equus would choose for himself if given the chance. First, there would be plenty of room to roam and graze, along with places for shelter when the weather got cold and windy. An open-sided wind shelter is preferable, but in the chilly months those box stalls aren’t so bad. Most places don’t have much turnout, but at the least, every horse should have a chance to spend a few hours each day in a paddock big enough to run a bit and have a good roll. Even better if the horses get to pal around together out there. You’ll be amazed at how much better behaved your horse will be if given this kind of recreational recess every day.

Second, plenty of fresh water should be available everywhere, in a container that is regularly cleaned and checked for fullness. If grazing on grass isn’t possible, which in most facilities it is not, free choice grass hay is essential for supplying every horse’s need to graze throughout the day. With the exception of obese horses, grass hay should be available to each horse as needed, i.e., if he cleans up, give him some more. This does not apply to legumes such as alfalfa; these affect the horse’s digestive tract differently and must be fed with careful attention. Most horses will do better on a grass hay diet along with a good quality, balanced nutrition grain product to supplement the hay.

Another note on hay: it should be of excellent quality. If you don’t know how to assess the quality, grab a handful and go ask your vet for his opinion. The quality of grass hays varies widely from one pasture to the next and from one cutting to the next, yet it all seems to get labeled “horse quality”. Not so. If the facility doesn’t strive for the best hay at all times, their commitment to proper care is in question.

Grain meals should be fed from a clean, well-organized feed room. Horses should receive grain meals at fairly regular times and all at the same time. Horses that don’t get fed when others do may fret enough to cause ulcers. This is a common problem in self-care facilities. Grain should be fed based on each horse’s nutritional and workload needs. The feeding program should be monitored daily because horses’ nutritional needs can change at any time. An observant caretaker will notice weight or behavioral changes long before a horse becomes obese or skeletal.

The horse's ideal barn would have an open feeling so there’s lots of fresh air flowing through, even when it’s cold outside, and it would have skylights or windows to provide plenty of daylight. Gloomy interiors don’t make for enjoyable surroundings for humans or horses. Stalls would be roomy, meaning big enough that the horse isn’t bumping into walls to turn around. Bigger horses require bigger stalls. The bedding would be fresh and cleaned daily. The barn and stalls would not be dusty or smell moldy. The stall walls would be constructed of materials strong enough to withstand a kicking horse, which is greater than 15,000 psi of pressure.

Barn walls, doors, windows, and all other construction in and around the barn would be horse safe, which is much different from people safe. Fencing, corrals, gates, and any other objects horses could come into contact with should be examined for sturdiness and safety.

The barn, turn-out paddocks, and arenas would be peaceful. Horses are sensitive to their environments, and loud, unpleasant noises prevent them from resting well. This will affect their overall health and their performance under saddle. A quiet, low-stress atmosphere is the ideal for equus. This includes the attitudes of the barn workers; if employees are stressed or unhappy, the horses will be too.

The Human Factor
One of the greatest factors affecting the safety and health of horses in boarding facilities is also one of the most overlooked: the knowledge and experience of the facility manager and employees. People tend to assume that anyone running a facility has sufficient knowledge, but unfortunately that is not always the case. Anyone can board horses; there’s no licensing or certification required. All the more reason you must make time to do your homework when evaluating the facilities on your list.

If you’re not sure what to look for, take a professional horse person with you to assess the potential homes you’ve picked out for your horse. I promise the price for getting a professional opinion will be far cheaper than any vet bill you could end up paying if your horse were to get ill, colic, or get injured. It’s not worth the risk to your horse’s health and life.

Often, when choosing the best facility, the person’s needs and wants don’t match up with the horse’s needs. You will then have to make the difficult decision regarding which criteria take priority—your horse’s health and safety or your convenience and pocketbook. If you’re really lucky, you’ll find a place that suits both of you.

Exploring Equine Acupuncture

A new look at an old approach to wellness
by Catherine Madera

I wonder if this is available for horses?

Inspired and curious after returning from my first acupuncture treatment, I couldn’t help thinking of my horses. I come from a holistically-minded family when it comes to health care. It was only a matter of time before I dabbled in alternative therapies for the management issues that cropped up in my three horses. If this therapy was beneficial to humans, why not them?

Ancient Alternative
It has been said that there is nothing new under the sun. As it turns out, acupuncture has been used for centuries to manage pain and cure disease in many animals, including horses. The only thing new is its growing use in modern western veterinary medicine.

Acupuncture is a combination of the Latin words acus (needle) and pungare (to pierce) and is believed to have originated in Tibet. It was first studied and administered by the Chinese, who developed theories about pulse, circulation and the heart 4,000 years before western medicine. The ancient Chinese did not limit the use of this therapy to humans, but treated their work and war horses as well. The earliest acupuncture veterinary book was written between 659 and 621 BC.

While there is more than one theory as to how the therapy works, the Chinese believe the placement of very thin needles along specific body meridians—located along the back, neck and limbs—stimulates qi (also called ch’i), or energy flow. The stimulation of this energy is thought to facilitate natural healing. Rather than seeking to control or manipulate a disease, traditional Chinese medicine recognizes illness as an imbalance and seeks to restore harmony in body systems. While dry needles are often used, there are many ways to stimulate an acupuncture point. These include lasers, heat, pressure and electricity, among others.

There is no known anatomical basis for the theory of body meridians, as understood by traditional medicine. Regardless of skepticism, people and horses continue to find relief through acupuncture therapy.

Mixing East and West
Dr. John Zaccardi, a veterinarian in the Northwest since 1983 and co-owner of Mount Vernon Veterinary Hospital, is one of a handful of veterinarians in the Pacific Northwest who is internationally accredited in acupuncture. Once a skeptic of alternative therapies, Zaccardi decided to study acupuncture at the request of a client.

“Once I enrolled and committed to it [International Veterinary Acupuncture Society], although still skeptical, I promised myself I would keep an open mind.”

The IVAS course covered acupuncture treatment for both large and small animals. Zaccardi honed his skills on the animals provided for the program—mostly greyhounds and old lesson horses—and he has found success using acupuncture at his practice in northwest Washington, combining the benefits of eastern and western veterinary treatment.

“Both are attempting to fight a diseased state. Ideally, alternative therapies should be applied in conjunction with western medicine.”

Common ailments treated by Zaccardi include various lameness issues with arthritis and concurrent back pain, as well as neurologic conditions like partial paralysis. An example of his integration of east and west is found in the treatment of horses with sore hock joints and back pain.

“I like to inject the hocks and apply acupuncture for the back pain to get the benefit of both modalities,” says Zaccardi.

Acupuncture can be administered to a horse on site at the hospital (haul-in) or during a farm call. It can accompany other routine treatments such as a dental float, be a one-time treatment for acute conditions, or require multiple treatments such as in the case of chronic arthritis. Acupuncture can be a powerful tool for pain relief, stimulating the nerves and releasing hormones such as endorphins and cortisol. It has been used to treat horses with respiratory, skin, and various musculoskeletal issues including traumatic injury. According to Zaccardi, horses generally tolerate the procedure well, but mild sedation may be used as the process can be uncomfortable.

Current Research
Available research regarding the benefit of acupuncture in horses is positive. Perhaps most notable is the work by University of Florida clinical faculty member and founder of the Chi Institute, Huisheng Xie, DVM. Dr. Xie received a Ph.D. for his study of neurophysiology and acupuncture as pain relief in horses. Xie found that in lameness due to acute injury, 96% of horses treated with acupuncture improved. Of these, 50% actually became sound.

Acupuncture can be used preventatively and to enhance performance in healthy animals. It has even been administered for behavioral issues. This treatment should not be considered a “last resort” after all other forms of therapy have been exhausted. According to Dr. Zaccardi, this is a common misconception.

“Many animal owners don’t consider alternative therapies until all else fails. This is unfortunate, as often the only cases the therapist is allowed to help are those with a poor prognosis.”

It is possible that horse health and longevity can be enhanced as new understanding of the benefits of alternative therapies such as acupuncture are integrated into traditional western veterinary medicine.

For more information about Dr. Zaccardi and Mount Vernon Veterinary Hospital, visit them online at www.mountvernonvethospital.com.

Sequential photos of a horse receiving acupuncture treatment for arthritis can be seen at: http://www.tomjudddvm.com/acupuncture-session.htm.

A Holistic Approach to Horse Rescue, Part 3

Emotional rehabilitation, re-homing and long term care

by Hannah Evergreen, DVM

In the first two parts of this series, we discussed both the immediate needs of rescue horses and the physical rehabilitation needs for the first few months after rescue. Here, we will explore the emotional needs of rescue horses and what comes after rehabilitation: long term care and re-homing.

All rescue horses have unique emotional needs, some simple and some severe. Common emotional issues I see with rescue horses include post-starvation food aggression, insecurity and trust issues (e.g., difficult to catch, sensitive to being touched), and lack of basic boundaries/training. It can be difficult to tell early on what the horse’s true personality will be as evidence of emotional problems tends to surface later, as the horse gains weight and strength. These issues must be thoroughly addressed as they come up for complete rehabilitation of the horse and to give the horse the best chance of finding a new home and staying in that home long-term.

Training Decisions

At this stage in rehabilitation, the horse is at a normal weight, the physical needs have been addressed, and long-term conditions have been diagnosed and are being treated. Rescue horses at this stage range from completely sound and healthy to sound for light riding to non-ridable. It is important at this stage to have made this determination so the emotional rehabilitation and training can help the horse reach its potential, whatever that may be. For example, if a horse has a saddling issue but is not ridable, it would be silly to spend a month working on desensitizing the horse to the saddle. On the other hand, if the horse is in its early twenties and sound for light riding but has never had any formal training, it may be a more difficult decision whether or not to pursue saddle training. In these situations I recommend an evaluation by a professional trainer to find out more about the horse’s personality and the probability for the horse being suitable for a beginner or intermediate rider with training. Most rescue horses require 2-3 months training by a professional or advanced rider to help them on their way.

This may be a good opportunity for you to brush up on your natural horsemanship skills or other gentle, appropriate training methods. The most important thing in this stage is to go slowly, be consistent, and take the time the horse needs to work out these issues from the start. If a horse is rushed through a program without complete emotional rehabilitation, the issues will surely crop up later.

Adoption Prospects

Once the horse has been rehabilitated as much as possible, it is time to find a permanent home. Most horse rescue organizations advertise on Petfinder.com, on their rescue websites, etc. It is very helpful to the rescue group if you assist them in getting the word out about the horse you are fostering, as well as other horses that are available for adoption. It is ideal to have a home lined up by the time the horse has been rehabilitated, but the reality is that it can take months to find a “forever home.” Keep in mind that some emotional damage from neglect is permanent. Once this has been determined, it should be discussed openly with prospective adopters and these horses should be placed into qualified homes only.

The act of rescuing a horse commits you to caring for that horse or making sure it is being cared for, for the rest of its life. Rescue organizations repeatedly follow up on each horse that has been adopted to ensure it doesn’t end up in a neglect situation again. Because of this, it is easy for rescue organizations to fill up quickly and then be unable to help other horses in need. We are in a time of crisis with too many horses and not enough homes or recourses to properly care for them all.

How You Can Help

Promoting the adoption of rescue horses rather than breeding more is essential. While some breeding may be done responsibly, it quickly becomes a slippery slope for me to decide what is or isn’t responsible breeding. Because of this, I have made the ethical decision as a veterinarian to eliminate breeding and reproduction from my equine practice, and instead help horse rescue organizations. I urge you to be part of the solution and consider fostering or adopting a rescue horse if you are looking for a rewarding rehabilitation project, new companion, or riding partner.