How To Minimise Winter Season Weight Damage In Horses

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Timothy_Capper]Timothy Capper
Winter maybe hard on horses, especially stocks with a high metabolism who have a tendency to stay on the skinny side. Many equine owners notice that their horses lose flesh during the winter season, even though the amount of feed stays the same. There are a couple of things equine owners can do to keep their horses plump and happy during the frosty season.
Horses are happiest outside, and should be turned out as often as possible, weather permitting. In the winter, using a blanket is a good idea, even for a horse that grows a thick winter coat. One primary reason horses lose weight in the winter is because they burn more calories to keep warm. Wearing a blanket is an extra layer of protection against the cold and will lessen the amount of calories burned to keep the body temperature stable.
Supplements are also an excellent way to prevent horses from losing weight in the winter. There are a wide variety of weight gain supplements available, and they vary in cost and quality. One should not assume that a supplement is better because it is higher priced. Some weight gain supplements are actually appetite stimulants. They increase a horse's appetite instead of providing additional calories. With breeds such as the Thoroughbred, the problem isn't that the horse has a weak appetite, but that the horse's metabolism is high and burns through calories faster than a slower, stockier breed.
To increase caloric intake during the winter, one should look for a fat or protein supplement rather than an appetite stimulant. There is abundant information online directly from the supplement companies, but it's always advisable to ask a veterinarian as well. A veterinarian will be knowledgeable about the calorie requirements of different breeds as well as fat/protein/carbohydrate ratios.
Many horse owners assume that increasing a horse's grain in the winter will help keep weight on the animal. Increasing grain definitely increases calories, but feeding additional sweet feed also increases the amount of sugar intake. Horse owners who feed sweet feed should be aware of the extra sugar their horses are eating. In some cases, extra sugar can make a horse more excitable.
In general, when upping a horse's food intake, hay is a better option than grain. First, hay does not contain extra sugar. Second, grazing on hay throughout the day is closer to a horse's natural eating pattern. Horses' digestive systems are designed to process small amounts of food continuously throughout the day. Feeding large servings of grain overloads their digestive tract and, while common practice, it is actually quite un-natural for a horse. Grazing on hay gives a horse the extra calories he needs while preserving his natural habits as well.
Because horses' nutritional needs are so different from those of humans, many horse owners find it difficult to figure out how best to manage their feed. With a little research and help from a veterinarian, it is possible to keep a horse in good weight and top form in cold weather. Each horse is different, but most horses will benefit from a blanket during turn-out, a good quality equine supplement, and extra hay during the winter. [http://www.dodsonandhorrell.com]Equine care throughout wintertime is fundamental to maintain body weight and health and wellness. [http://www.dodsonandhorrellpetfood.co.uk/horse-feed/herbs-and-supplements]Equine supplements can be utilized to bulk up on supplements and minerals
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Minimise-Winter-Season-Weight-Damage-In-Horses&id=6611519] How To Minimise Winter Season Weight Damage In Horses