2. Movement, Movement and More Movement!! - Horses weren't meant to live in a stall!!
**Read the label on a bag of Strategy and the first 3 ingredients are: grain by-products, grains and molasses
products. The label on Sweet Feed is: grain by-products, grains, roughage and molasses.
STRATEGY IS BASICALLY SWEET FEED IN A PELLET FORM!!! Many of the foundered horses I trim -including
my own- was on a diet of Strategy. If you are feeding Strategy to pleasure horses...I highly recommend
stopping immediately and learn more about a better diet for the equine. I will help you in every way I can!!!
One of the most important aspects of horsekeeping is the DIET. Most horse owners associate feeding their
equine the way we, ourselves, relate to food ~ 3 meals a day, food is love, food is happiness, food is a
reward, etc. Feeding a horse with this kind of "emotional thinking" is down-right dangerous!!! An extra scoop
of grain can not make up for not spending time exercising your horse! There is an epidemic of obese horses
today due to these kinds of feeding practices, in addition to, lack of exercise. Obesity in horses leads to
insulin resistance, laminitis, founder, and many other health problems. If you REALLY want your horse to
"love you"....give it some exercise, work on training, groom it -but most of all....learn about a natural diet for the
equine.
Horses are herbivores, which are constant foragers. In their natural habitat, they eat/nibble small amounts
18-20 hours a day. The terrain they live on is not the same as what they are confined to in domestication, yet
it is mostly rocks with sparse, mixed native-type grasses that are lower in sugar than our pasture grasses.
Unbelievably, they find everything they need to survive in that type of an environment. Their digestive systems
are designed to take in that even-keel of constant, small amounts of forage. They have a very small stomach
designed to digest through fermentation in the hind gut. In domestication, we feed them like humans or
"meal feeding" ...3 large meals a day, treats, sweet-feed, molasses-based products, processed horse feeds,
supplements, etc.; turn them out on large, green, mis-managed pastures that are a potential health risk for
horses, or we keep them in stalls most of the day to be fed at our convenience. All of this meal-type feeding
messes up that even-flow their digestive systems require. This is where problems begin, but may not show
up until later in life.
When horses aren't allowed to forage naturally, the gastric juices and fermentation bacteria in their gut
become out of balance. If they are in a stall, given a flake of hay and a scoop of sweet-feed twice a day...what
do you think that does to their digestive system? They gobble down their feed because they haven't had
anything to eat since the last feeding, and all of a sudden their digestive system has to handle this large meal
all at once. Grain meals have to be digested by lactic acid, which can kill off the healthy, fiber-fermenting
bacteria used to digest forage, their most natural feed. The lactic acid can damage the lining of the intestines
and cause "leaky gut syndrome". This can lead to toxins getting into the blood stream, colic, founder, ulcers
or even just discomfort and poor performance. It also means the horse is literally hungry until he gets the
next feeding. The ideal way to feed horses is small meals more frequently consisting of mostly, if not
completely, forage in the form of grass hay and limited pasture. Horses with certain health issues may not be
able to have green grass at all.
The other major problem in the way we feed horses today is too much SUGAR and high carbohydrate diets!!
Sugar causes similar problems in horses as what it does in a diabetic. Some of the hay we feed can have
almost as much sugar as sweet-feed!! (For more information on finding out about sugars in your hay, go to
( www.safergrass.org ) As horse owners, we try to get our horses the best hay we can. We look for the
greener, good-smelling types of hay but don't consider what the sugar/starch content is or the vitamin and
mineral levels. Serious mineral imbalances can happen when we don't know what our hay contains.
As mentioned before, horses do amazingly well on forage alone ~ Mixed grasses, salt, balanced mineral
intake, and water suit most horses just fine. They seem to get most of the vitamins and minerals they need
from this simple diet. The more we complicate their diet by adding grains and supplements, the higher the
risk of colic, founder, lameness, mineral imbalances, and poor hooves, etc. we create. Most importantly,
make sure they have a low NSC (non-structural carbohydrate) hay and water available at all times. A word of
caution on feeding alfalfa. Alfalfa is okay to feed to some horses, but very sparingly. Feed alfalfa more as a
type of treat or to supplement lower protein hays when needed- but never feed free-choice alfalfa or only
alfalfa several times per day. A study done by the University of California at Davis shows horses fed a diet
rich in alfalfa run a higher risk of developing enteroliths (hard mineral deposits which can get as large as a
softball!!) which build up in the stomach and intestine and can cause colic or even death. Alfalfa is not
appropriate at all for equines that have insulin intolerance, Cushings, or have ever foundered.
As foragers, horses were designed to eat and drink in a head-down position. It is best to feed their hay from
the ground instead of hay racks where dust and hay particles can fall in to their nostrils and enter their
respiratory system. In small lots, you can put hay out in different locations on the ground to encourage more
movement. You'll be surprised at how little waste there is. They nibble on the small pieces left once the pile
is gone. Don't feed from the ground on sandy surfaces, however.
When horses are on pasture, the sugars in the grass fluctuate with daylight and darkness, droughts and
abundant rainfall periods, cold temperatures or overgrazing. Grass produces sugar, or fructan, to sustain the
plant during the night, whenever weather conditions put stress on the plant, and to give it nutrients to produce
the seed. The best time to let horses on pasture is at the crack of dawn after the plant has used most of it's
sugars during the night . They should be taken off at early afternoon because the plant has been producing
sugar all day to prepare for darkness. Grazing muzzles can be used if you only have pasture available. This
helps minimize the amounts of grass consumed. Make sure you get the break-away type in case the horse
would get it caught on something!
I encourage you do more research on feeding your horse a more natural diet. I have just touched on some
important precautions in the equine diet. There is so much more to it because not every horse can be fed the
exact same way. Many factors need to be considered such as age, exercise level, pregnant or lactating,
health conditions, etc. The main thing to remember is a horse should be allowed to eat FORAGE all day....but
only if a low-sugar, low non-structural carb hay or pasture is available. If you have a high NSC hay or at-risk
pasture, you need to find an alternative, especially for a horse with laminitis. It has been seen time and
again, that when the cause is removed, they can return to soundness. Supplements, chemicals and even
vaccinations all in one dose can sometimes trigger a laminitic episode. Just remember how simple the
natural equine diet is and not to complicate it with too much grain, treats, etc.
products. The label on Sweet Feed is: grain by-products, grains, roughage and molasses.
STRATEGY IS BASICALLY SWEET FEED IN A PELLET FORM!!! Many of the foundered horses I trim -including
my own- was on a diet of Strategy. If you are feeding Strategy to pleasure horses...I highly recommend
stopping immediately and learn more about a better diet for the equine. I will help you in every way I can!!!
One of the most important aspects of horsekeeping is the DIET. Most horse owners associate feeding their
equine the way we, ourselves, relate to food ~ 3 meals a day, food is love, food is happiness, food is a
reward, etc. Feeding a horse with this kind of "emotional thinking" is down-right dangerous!!! An extra scoop
of grain can not make up for not spending time exercising your horse! There is an epidemic of obese horses
today due to these kinds of feeding practices, in addition to, lack of exercise. Obesity in horses leads to
insulin resistance, laminitis, founder, and many other health problems. If you REALLY want your horse to
"love you"....give it some exercise, work on training, groom it -but most of all....learn about a natural diet for the
equine.
Horses are herbivores, which are constant foragers. In their natural habitat, they eat/nibble small amounts
18-20 hours a day. The terrain they live on is not the same as what they are confined to in domestication, yet
it is mostly rocks with sparse, mixed native-type grasses that are lower in sugar than our pasture grasses.
Unbelievably, they find everything they need to survive in that type of an environment. Their digestive systems
are designed to take in that even-keel of constant, small amounts of forage. They have a very small stomach
designed to digest through fermentation in the hind gut. In domestication, we feed them like humans or
"meal feeding" ...3 large meals a day, treats, sweet-feed, molasses-based products, processed horse feeds,
supplements, etc.; turn them out on large, green, mis-managed pastures that are a potential health risk for
horses, or we keep them in stalls most of the day to be fed at our convenience. All of this meal-type feeding
messes up that even-flow their digestive systems require. This is where problems begin, but may not show
up until later in life.
When horses aren't allowed to forage naturally, the gastric juices and fermentation bacteria in their gut
become out of balance. If they are in a stall, given a flake of hay and a scoop of sweet-feed twice a day...what
do you think that does to their digestive system? They gobble down their feed because they haven't had
anything to eat since the last feeding, and all of a sudden their digestive system has to handle this large meal
all at once. Grain meals have to be digested by lactic acid, which can kill off the healthy, fiber-fermenting
bacteria used to digest forage, their most natural feed. The lactic acid can damage the lining of the intestines
and cause "leaky gut syndrome". This can lead to toxins getting into the blood stream, colic, founder, ulcers
or even just discomfort and poor performance. It also means the horse is literally hungry until he gets the
next feeding. The ideal way to feed horses is small meals more frequently consisting of mostly, if not
completely, forage in the form of grass hay and limited pasture. Horses with certain health issues may not be
able to have green grass at all.
The other major problem in the way we feed horses today is too much SUGAR and high carbohydrate diets!!
Sugar causes similar problems in horses as what it does in a diabetic. Some of the hay we feed can have
almost as much sugar as sweet-feed!! (For more information on finding out about sugars in your hay, go to
( www.safergrass.org ) As horse owners, we try to get our horses the best hay we can. We look for the
greener, good-smelling types of hay but don't consider what the sugar/starch content is or the vitamin and
mineral levels. Serious mineral imbalances can happen when we don't know what our hay contains.
As mentioned before, horses do amazingly well on forage alone ~ Mixed grasses, salt, balanced mineral
intake, and water suit most horses just fine. They seem to get most of the vitamins and minerals they need
from this simple diet. The more we complicate their diet by adding grains and supplements, the higher the
risk of colic, founder, lameness, mineral imbalances, and poor hooves, etc. we create. Most importantly,
make sure they have a low NSC (non-structural carbohydrate) hay and water available at all times. A word of
caution on feeding alfalfa. Alfalfa is okay to feed to some horses, but very sparingly. Feed alfalfa more as a
type of treat or to supplement lower protein hays when needed- but never feed free-choice alfalfa or only
alfalfa several times per day. A study done by the University of California at Davis shows horses fed a diet
rich in alfalfa run a higher risk of developing enteroliths (hard mineral deposits which can get as large as a
softball!!) which build up in the stomach and intestine and can cause colic or even death. Alfalfa is not
appropriate at all for equines that have insulin intolerance, Cushings, or have ever foundered.
As foragers, horses were designed to eat and drink in a head-down position. It is best to feed their hay from
the ground instead of hay racks where dust and hay particles can fall in to their nostrils and enter their
respiratory system. In small lots, you can put hay out in different locations on the ground to encourage more
movement. You'll be surprised at how little waste there is. They nibble on the small pieces left once the pile
is gone. Don't feed from the ground on sandy surfaces, however.
When horses are on pasture, the sugars in the grass fluctuate with daylight and darkness, droughts and
abundant rainfall periods, cold temperatures or overgrazing. Grass produces sugar, or fructan, to sustain the
plant during the night, whenever weather conditions put stress on the plant, and to give it nutrients to produce
the seed. The best time to let horses on pasture is at the crack of dawn after the plant has used most of it's
sugars during the night . They should be taken off at early afternoon because the plant has been producing
sugar all day to prepare for darkness. Grazing muzzles can be used if you only have pasture available. This
helps minimize the amounts of grass consumed. Make sure you get the break-away type in case the horse
would get it caught on something!
I encourage you do more research on feeding your horse a more natural diet. I have just touched on some
important precautions in the equine diet. There is so much more to it because not every horse can be fed the
exact same way. Many factors need to be considered such as age, exercise level, pregnant or lactating,
health conditions, etc. The main thing to remember is a horse should be allowed to eat FORAGE all day....but
only if a low-sugar, low non-structural carb hay or pasture is available. If you have a high NSC hay or at-risk
pasture, you need to find an alternative, especially for a horse with laminitis. It has been seen time and
again, that when the cause is removed, they can return to soundness. Supplements, chemicals and even
vaccinations all in one dose can sometimes trigger a laminitic episode. Just remember how simple the
natural equine diet is and not to complicate it with too much grain, treats, etc.
1. The Natural Diet - Don't feed your horse for the wrong reasons!!!
3. Companionship - it's nice to have at least one friend!!
In a horse's natural habitat, they move 15-30 miles per day foraging, finding a water hole, and escaping
predators. This movement is imperative to the health of their hooves and their livelihood. This movement
strengthens their hooves from the day they are born, to become rock-hard, shields of armor!! They live on
rocks and can cross them without a problem...even at a full gallop. Movement also strengthens and
develops their bones, joints, muscles, circulatory system, etc. It is very important to every function of their
body. Lack of this movement results in poor health, hoof problems and an injury-prone horse. We could
accurately say that movement is probably the most important factor in the health of the horse and hooves;
although, in domestic horses the diet is just as important due to lack of adequate movement.
In domestication, some horses are lucky to get 15-20 miles of movement a week. The results are
deteriorating hooves, not to mention the many other health and emotional problems lack of movement can
cause. The back 2/3 of the hoof plays a major role in the soundness of the horse. Underneath the frog lies
the digital cushion. It helps support the coffin bone and bony structures within the hoof, as well as provide
shock absorbtion. When a foal is born, it is just fatty tissue that contains nerves which help the horse "feel"
where it places it's foot. As the foal gets up for the first time, it is constantly on the go with mom. In the wild,
that foal crosses the rocks and the same rough terrain its mom does. This movement, from day one, is
turning that fatty tissue into tough, fibrous cartilage. As the foal grows, the digital cushion has grown along
with it and toughened enough to provide shock absorption for a full-grown 900-1000 pound horse. If the foal
didn't get that kind of movement, the digital cushion would still be weak, fatty tissue when it was full-grown
and not able to support the weight of an adult horse. This is what causes problems in our domestic horses.
Movement also helps the sole of the hoof callous and wear the hoof wall down or "self-trim" (without shoes,
of course). In natural trimming, the more movement your horses get, the less they will need trimmed. You
will find when a horse is allowed to go barefoot and gets adequate movement, all you will need is to rasp
the wall down a little to "help" it do what it naturally does.
It is so important to get foals started on natural hoofcare because their little hooves grow a lot faster
expecting this kind of movement. It is really easy to get a domesticated foal off to a bad start without good
natural hoofcare practices in place. On older horses, natural hoofcare is doing unbelieveable things,
however, the longer they are improperly trimmed or shod, some damage is hard to reverse.
Although natural hoofcare and natural horsekeeping sounds somewhat IMPRACTICAL , our goal is to find a
better BALANCE between what is as close to their natural habitat, but yet still practical for us. An example
being...not everyone has hundreds of acres their horses can forage and move naturally on. But you can
simulate things, say, in a dry lot, by putting the water at one end and the hay on the opposite end. Anything
you can do to create more movement is the goal, no matter how much space you have.
predators. This movement is imperative to the health of their hooves and their livelihood. This movement
strengthens their hooves from the day they are born, to become rock-hard, shields of armor!! They live on
rocks and can cross them without a problem...even at a full gallop. Movement also strengthens and
develops their bones, joints, muscles, circulatory system, etc. It is very important to every function of their
body. Lack of this movement results in poor health, hoof problems and an injury-prone horse. We could
accurately say that movement is probably the most important factor in the health of the horse and hooves;
although, in domestic horses the diet is just as important due to lack of adequate movement.
In domestication, some horses are lucky to get 15-20 miles of movement a week. The results are
deteriorating hooves, not to mention the many other health and emotional problems lack of movement can
cause. The back 2/3 of the hoof plays a major role in the soundness of the horse. Underneath the frog lies
the digital cushion. It helps support the coffin bone and bony structures within the hoof, as well as provide
shock absorbtion. When a foal is born, it is just fatty tissue that contains nerves which help the horse "feel"
where it places it's foot. As the foal gets up for the first time, it is constantly on the go with mom. In the wild,
that foal crosses the rocks and the same rough terrain its mom does. This movement, from day one, is
turning that fatty tissue into tough, fibrous cartilage. As the foal grows, the digital cushion has grown along
with it and toughened enough to provide shock absorption for a full-grown 900-1000 pound horse. If the foal
didn't get that kind of movement, the digital cushion would still be weak, fatty tissue when it was full-grown
and not able to support the weight of an adult horse. This is what causes problems in our domestic horses.
Movement also helps the sole of the hoof callous and wear the hoof wall down or "self-trim" (without shoes,
of course). In natural trimming, the more movement your horses get, the less they will need trimmed. You
will find when a horse is allowed to go barefoot and gets adequate movement, all you will need is to rasp
the wall down a little to "help" it do what it naturally does.
It is so important to get foals started on natural hoofcare because their little hooves grow a lot faster
expecting this kind of movement. It is really easy to get a domesticated foal off to a bad start without good
natural hoofcare practices in place. On older horses, natural hoofcare is doing unbelieveable things,
however, the longer they are improperly trimmed or shod, some damage is hard to reverse.
Although natural hoofcare and natural horsekeeping sounds somewhat IMPRACTICAL , our goal is to find a
better BALANCE between what is as close to their natural habitat, but yet still practical for us. An example
being...not everyone has hundreds of acres their horses can forage and move naturally on. But you can
simulate things, say, in a dry lot, by putting the water at one end and the hay on the opposite end. Anything
you can do to create more movement is the goal, no matter how much space you have.
Obviously, in the wild horses aren't saddled. So what does this tell us? It's not natural. However, graciously
enough, horses do allow us to ride them and get recreational and professional pleasure from equine sports
and activities. We need to be respectful of this and the fact that it is not natural. We need to be aware of the
equine muscles and skeletal structure that is affected by the saddle (as well as some of the manuvers we
ask them to perform!) and be aware of the damage poor saddle fitting can do to our horses.
When fitting Western saddles, the rule of thumb is to find the widest saddle you can and use creative padding
to fit it properly. You should be off the spine and not too far back on the lumbar spine, nor restricting shoulder
movement. Poor fitting saddles can be cause for a lame horse!!
enough, horses do allow us to ride them and get recreational and professional pleasure from equine sports
and activities. We need to be respectful of this and the fact that it is not natural. We need to be aware of the
equine muscles and skeletal structure that is affected by the saddle (as well as some of the manuvers we
ask them to perform!) and be aware of the damage poor saddle fitting can do to our horses.
When fitting Western saddles, the rule of thumb is to find the widest saddle you can and use creative padding
to fit it properly. You should be off the spine and not too far back on the lumbar spine, nor restricting shoulder
movement. Poor fitting saddles can be cause for a lame horse!!
| What we have learned from Wild Horse Country |
Have a water source available that
the horses can walk into to soak
their hooves naturally and drink
with heads down.
the horses can walk into to soak
their hooves naturally and drink
with heads down.
Vary their terrain. Sparse, rocky,
pastures are better for horses than
lush, green, soft grass or
overgrazed, mismanaged
pastures!!!
pastures are better for horses than
lush, green, soft grass or
overgrazed, mismanaged
pastures!!!
In smaller areas or dry lots, feed hay
on the ground spread around in
small piles to mimick grazing. Put
water source at opposite end to
create more movement.
on the ground spread around in
small piles to mimick grazing. Put
water source at opposite end to
create more movement.
Welcome to HoofSense ... because natural hooves just make sense!!
| Natural Horsekeeping - Where HEALTHY HOOVES begin! |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Mixed grass hay should make
up the majority, if not all, of
the equine diet!!
(seewww.safergrass.org for best
types of grasses for horses and
how to have your hay tested for
sugar levels.)
up the majority, if not all, of
the equine diet!!
(seewww.safergrass.org for best
types of grasses for horses and
how to have your hay tested for
sugar levels.)
5. Saddling
I would love to see a horse show that judged the horse by which one had the most natural features...whiskers
in tact, natural hooves, no shiny polish or chemicals applied to coats or hooves, etc. I would also love to see
the racing industry stop forcing things upon the horse at such young ages!! Not only would this be the right
thing to do, it would be better for the horse. But, once again, humans intervene and make the horse suit our
needs instead of the other way around.
We interfere with the horse's natural ability to develop a winter coat at the proper time by blanketing them.
When we do this...we interrupt their means of regulating their own body temperature. When we shave their
whiskers from their muzzles and eyes, the horse loses it's ability to protect those tender facial areas from
bumping into things. Everything about the horse is there for a reason!!! The more we take it upon ourselves
to make the horse appeal to us...the higher the risk of the horse developing health problems or injuries and
we shorten it's life span.
in tact, natural hooves, no shiny polish or chemicals applied to coats or hooves, etc. I would also love to see
the racing industry stop forcing things upon the horse at such young ages!! Not only would this be the right
thing to do, it would be better for the horse. But, once again, humans intervene and make the horse suit our
needs instead of the other way around.
We interfere with the horse's natural ability to develop a winter coat at the proper time by blanketing them.
When we do this...we interrupt their means of regulating their own body temperature. When we shave their
whiskers from their muzzles and eyes, the horse loses it's ability to protect those tender facial areas from
bumping into things. Everything about the horse is there for a reason!!! The more we take it upon ourselves
to make the horse appeal to us...the higher the risk of the horse developing health problems or injuries and
we shorten it's life span.
Most horse owners know that horses are herd animals because they are also animals of prey. Being in the
herd is an instinct born unto them. Herd dynamics keeps them safe, one of their most important needs.
When you take a domesticated horse and put it alone in a stall or don't have another horse for a companion, it
is upsetting to most herd animals. Behavior problems can develop as seen in a lot of stallions. Keeping a
horse alone with a cow, goat or some other animal doesn't cut it. A horse needs to be with other horses.
When horses are in a herd, this also helps create more movement and social skills. Although horses are
sometimes kept alone because it is "practical", it is not the most healthy way of life for them. Horse owners
try to "protect" horses from injury by stalling them or keeping them separate, yet most injuries are a result of
being kept locked up or "protected" in some form or another.
herd is an instinct born unto them. Herd dynamics keeps them safe, one of their most important needs.
When you take a domesticated horse and put it alone in a stall or don't have another horse for a companion, it
is upsetting to most herd animals. Behavior problems can develop as seen in a lot of stallions. Keeping a
horse alone with a cow, goat or some other animal doesn't cut it. A horse needs to be with other horses.
When horses are in a herd, this also helps create more movement and social skills. Although horses are
sometimes kept alone because it is "practical", it is not the most healthy way of life for them. Horse owners
try to "protect" horses from injury by stalling them or keeping them separate, yet most injuries are a result of
being kept locked up or "protected" in some form or another.
4. Blanketing and Clipping and all those other things we do to humanize our horse!!
6. Dental Care
Schedule, at least, a yearly exam with a Certified Equine Dentist. They are specially trained in
equine dental care. Just floating the back molars can do more harm than good. The incisors
must be addressed as well, and only a Certified Equine Dentist is really qualified to alter a
horse's teeth in any way.
equine dental care. Just floating the back molars can do more harm than good. The incisors
must be addressed as well, and only a Certified Equine Dentist is really qualified to alter a
horse's teeth in any way.
| The hoof is a mirror image of the horse's living environment and diet !! |
7. Vaccinations
Joyce Harman DVM gives a thoughtful overview on whether to use vaccines with horses, and if
you do, which ones are most effective and carry the least risk to the horse. Please visit:
http://www.harmanyequine.com/vaccines.stm
Vaccinations have been a controversial subject for a long time. Dr. Harman's article is the
best piece of information I have found in helping me decide and understand how to do what's
best for my equine.
you do, which ones are most effective and carry the least risk to the horse. Please visit:
http://www.harmanyequine.com/vaccines.stm
Vaccinations have been a controversial subject for a long time. Dr. Harman's article is the
best piece of information I have found in helping me decide and understand how to do what's
best for my equine.
| Ask not what your horse can do for you....Ask what you can do for your horse!! ~Chris Irwin |
Add Pea Gravel to stalls or runs for
ideal footing for the barefoot
transitioning horse. Pea Gravel is
form-fitting, supports the whole
hoof, exfoliates the sole and turns
it into hard callous. Several of my
customers have added this and
have the best results!! The above
barn is in McClouth, KS
ideal footing for the barefoot
transitioning horse. Pea Gravel is
form-fitting, supports the whole
hoof, exfoliates the sole and turns
it into hard callous. Several of my
customers have added this and
have the best results!! The above
barn is in McClouth, KS
Another barn that has added pea
gravel to the runs off of the stall.
They love it and comment that it is
more sanitary, less dusty, no mud,
easier to pick the manure, and will
allow their horses to transition out
of the boots more quickly!!
gravel to the runs off of the stall.
They love it and comment that it is
more sanitary, less dusty, no mud,
easier to pick the manure, and will
allow their horses to transition out
of the boots more quickly!!
ABOVE
Here's a photo of a hoof that's only
been on pea gravel 2 days. The
sole is thin and the frog very
atrophied. The pea gravel will help
build sole and turn it into hard
callous. Any exfoliating sole can be
removed on it's own from the
abrasive action of the pea gravel.
We should see improvement in the
frog and gain more concavity soon!!!
BELOW
The photo below is the same hoof
approx. 6 months later! The ridge of
toe callous is filled in and the frog
looks much nicer!!
Here's a photo of a hoof that's only
been on pea gravel 2 days. The
sole is thin and the frog very
atrophied. The pea gravel will help
build sole and turn it into hard
callous. Any exfoliating sole can be
removed on it's own from the
abrasive action of the pea gravel.
We should see improvement in the
frog and gain more concavity soon!!!
BELOW
The photo below is the same hoof
approx. 6 months later! The ridge of
toe callous is filled in and the frog
looks much nicer!!
| OBESITY IN HORSES It's becoming an epidemic! Obesity causes Insulin Resistance, hoof & other health problems!! |
Signs of obesity and most likely,
Insulin Resistance, are fat
deposits in certain parts of the
equine's body. They can vary in
every horse and some are more
obvious than others.
Most common is the "cresty neck"
as in the picture above. Also, fat
pads in the shoulder, on each
side of the tail, swollen udder or
sheath, fat pads above the eyes,
and unusual lumps along the
neck are some of the different
ways fat can be stored in an
obese horse.
These are WARNING SIGNS for
future laminitis, founder,
Cushings Disease and other
health risks. You MUST change
the diet (eliminate grains, treats,
commercial feed, anything high in
sugar/carbohydrates) now and
increase exercise!!!
Changing the diet doesn't
necessarily mean feed them
less...it means feed them more
naturally and better balanced.
Grains and commercial feeds are
a time bomb for most pleasure
horses.
Insulin Resistance, are fat
deposits in certain parts of the
equine's body. They can vary in
every horse and some are more
obvious than others.
Most common is the "cresty neck"
as in the picture above. Also, fat
pads in the shoulder, on each
side of the tail, swollen udder or
sheath, fat pads above the eyes,
and unusual lumps along the
neck are some of the different
ways fat can be stored in an
obese horse.
These are WARNING SIGNS for
future laminitis, founder,
Cushings Disease and other
health risks. You MUST change
the diet (eliminate grains, treats,
commercial feed, anything high in
sugar/carbohydrates) now and
increase exercise!!!
Changing the diet doesn't
necessarily mean feed them
less...it means feed them more
naturally and better balanced.
Grains and commercial feeds are
a time bomb for most pleasure
horses.
| Natural Boarding with Pea Gravel and Runs off the stalls |
| Half-way measures...Get Half-way Results!! ~Dr. Eleanor Kellon, VMD |
