Over the course of my professional equestrian and writing careers I've had my fair share of exposure to the ubiquitous equine feed supplement market. I've learned much along the way and I figured it might be information worth sharing with you, my dear reader.
Willowview Hill Farm's Home Bred Gambol's Georgy Girl
There are so many myths that surround the 'magic' of adding one or another or a cocktail of supplement to the horses' feed rations so let's bust a few of them out and make sure money spent is not being poured down the drain and that our beloved equine partners are truly getting what they need to optimize their mental and physical health. Something we all care much about.
Myth 1
Horses need grain.
DO they though? Check out this conversation on point. Learn what might be causing EGUS (ulcers) and hind 'leaky gut' syndrome. Think about how horses lived when they could freely access what they needed grazing thousands of acres. Sure we need to add help now, because pastureland is a) not readily available in quantity b) if often contaminated with chemicals used in farm production c) lack of biodiversity exists.
Grain and feed products have come a long way. Perhaps too far. Read the labels. A fix all for everything? And are the labels accurately casting the components in terms of quantities claimed included? And what is the quality of those ingredients? Are they stabilized and if so how? Are the grains pelleted and hard to digest for the horse? Are they heated and thus diminished in nutrient value?
If you are feeding a comprehensive grain product, especially in large quantities, ask yourself if your horse's digestive processes and hence his overall health would be better served with a high quality and well-targeted equine feed supplement. But if so, which one?
Myth 2
Everything on the equine feed supplement label is in the product including in the quantities claimed.
Perhaps not. Did you look for the NASC? Do you know what that it and what it stands for? If you are buying equine feed supplements this is something '101' that you might want to learn about. And if you already know. Good going. Learn the two most important ways to read your equine feed supplement label here.
Myth 3
It's Best To Buy Equine Feed Supplements That Are Recommended By The Vet
Umm..not really. Vets are doctors and like all doctors the well-funded pharmaceutical giants have their own agenda when it comes to research data, brand and product marketing techniques and access levels and how they approach the medical community to distribute their line-up.
Also vets are for the most part extremely busy people that receive limited schooling in equine nutrition. A shame, but not too surprising when you consider the incredible amount of material they have to learn in vet school.
Every two years when they have to attend 'school' again for re-licensing or annually at the AAEP conference they will be beset by big pharma 'push' on certain equine feed supplements. Let's face it, even smaller companies listed on NASDAQ will have superior buying power for glossy magazine ads, symposium style conference access and the like. Freebies, kickbacks ( let's call them commissions), and all the rest are part of big business. So buying the most 'popular' brands does not always and most of the time does not translate into buying the best product.
Myth 4
One Pot Fixes It All
Not really. While a good comprehensive postbiotic can be useful as an all around starting point, each horse does need to be treated as an individual. The rest of the horse's diet, his environment and lifestyle, performance level and of course age, breed and gender, all factor into what a specific horse needs to optimize his microbiome.
Horses at Willowview Hill Farm During Winter
Even seasonal influences can require a change up in the supplement option. Take winter in the North-East for example. Here are a few tips on best care practices for that.
Myth 5
Mix and Match
It is a bad idea to mix and match a bunch of feed supplements because you will a) likely be duplicating ingredients which can be harmful tot eh horse b) be wasting money c) be wasting time.
Think of equine feed supplements like a mixed cocktail. The cocktail can include different liquors, syrups or fruits/vegetables etc. For example, thing about a 'loaded' Bloody Mary. But then again, think about a Long Island Tea. A cocktail needs to be balanced to have a good flavor. There may be nutritious ingredients like fruit juices or garnishes, but much of what is in there truly isn't very good for you. But it can make you feel good. Too much can however, make you both behave badly and feel very poorly later.
With equine feed supplements there are fillers added for flavor to improve palatability. How many times have you said to yourself, "I won't buy that product anymore because my horse won't eat it." Good point. Not much help if the horse won't ingest it. But perhaps he knows something you don't. A bit the same as hay. Organically grown and harvested hay does not include preservatives and chemicals, and horses ( and deer and wildlife that graze hayfields) know the difference and will always opt for the organic product if given the choice.
Formulations of equine feed supplements do need to be scientifically balanced not just thrown together. Contraindications are not known across many ingredients. It's a bit of trial and error sometimes. So don't go adding to the problem by becoming your own chemist in the feed room.
And more certainly isn't the answer either. Too much of a good thing is well - bad.
I sincerely hope busting these myths helps you figure out the best for your horses. Test your hay, test your grain, test your feed supplement. Sure. But above all, get involved in understanding the basic tenets of good horse nutrition and don't remember. if in doubt, leave it out.
Willowview Hill Farm's late Grand Prix Horse Tiberio Lafite and Young Homebred Filly
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