Bahiagrass & Bahia Hay
Bahiagrass is a grass that tolerates hot temperatures and can often be found in the Southeast of the US. It provides grazing and hay for horses. Dr. Worth explains why it can be useful and the nutritional value.
Feeding Horses in Winter: The Importance of Free Choice Hay
Hay is the principle source of fiber in domestic animals, and provision should be made to obtain sufficient hay for them, as hay is a far better feed in very cold temps than any kind of concentrate feed, as well being far safer. This means that access to plenty of hay is very important to generate both the energy source and the warmth. Along with the hay, the horse needs a supply of liquid water. Cold icy water hurts their stomachs, so when the temps drop the horses drink less, this puts them at risk of dehydration and colic. Providing liquid water is probably the hardest part of caring for horses in the cold temps.
Winter Laminitis
Winter laminitis occurs in cold weather and occurs mostly in older horses. Dr. Worth describes why it occurs and how to prevent winter laminitis.
Preventing Colic in Winter
Prevent horse colic in the winter is a matter of maintaining your horse's access to warm water for your horse. Dr. Worth explains the relationship between water intake and colic.
Feeding Senior Horses in Winter
Feeding senior horses is much the same as feeding other horses: 24/7 access to hay is essential. However, you may need to add in a probiotic and feed a higher quality hay for your older horses.
Feeding Horses by Weight vs Volume
We are often asked if 'a scoop of oats' is appropriate for a particular horse. A scoop does not tell us how much you are feeding as volume varies by scoop size. Here Dr. Worth explains why feeding by weight is so important.
The Blanket Debate: An Equine Nutritionist Weighs In
The great blanket debate: an equine nutritionist weighs in. If your horse has a good hair coat, shelter from the wind, and constant access to forage, there is no need to blanket. However, for thin or older horses, a blanket may be a good idea.
How to Feed an Underweight Horse During the Winter
Horses that are underweight are a special challenge in the cold. They need hay and plenty of it, but they will need really good quality hay, probably second cut, or mixed with some legume hay. They will need the higher feed value of the better hay, as well as the benefits of the bacterial fermentation.
Winter Weather & Feeding in Very Cold Temperatures
In cold weather the best thing to feed horses is fiber as much as they will eat. Good quality hay is the best answer. Horses digest the fiber in the Hindgut (cecum and colons), where there is a huge population of bacteria which ferment the fiber. They give off short chain fatty acids as a by product of fermentation, the horse can absorb these through the gut walls and use them as an energy source.
Feeding Toothless Cushings Pony
Feeding Cushings ponies with no teeth can be difficult. Soaked hay cubes are your best bet but rice bran can also help.
Alfalfa Hay
Alfalfa, the legume, is a hay commonly fed to horses. Here we discuss how to identify alfalfa hay, when to feed it, and explain what the difference is between grass hay and legumes hay.