Horseytalk.net Special Interview
Dr Meriel Moore-Colyer
Feeding the competition horse during summer
Says Dr Meriel Moore-Colyer Senior Lecturer at RAC and Scientific Consultant to HAYGAIN.
Late spring is always one of the most difficult times of the year with horses. For those lucky enough to have free-draining soil and horses are out at pasture already, just be aware that the increasing light intensity coupled with cold conditions slows grass growth and favours Fructan (non-structural carbohydrate) accumulation making the grass very 'rich' which can pre-dispose your horse to laminitis.
Although competition horses are rarely fat, they can succumb to laminitis if the microbiome is disturbed by dumping rapidly degradable carbohydrates into the hindgut. Microbiome disturbances are the main cause of acidosis and laminitis in horses.
Recent research has shown that the negative aspects of high soluble carbohydrate intake can be ameliorated by increasing fibre intake. So although you may feel that your horse has eaten enough when out at grass still feed it some steamed hay as the high fibre content will balance the sugar intake and help maintain a healthy gut.
To maintain the 'energy intake = energy output' balance, reduce the starch-based concentrates when your horses is grazing. While some of the excitable behaviour can be attributed to 'first time out' competition nerves, much of it is due to too much energy being fed. Grass is highly nutritious and if utilised correctly it is a valuable source of fresh easily digested nutrients, and cheaper to feed than bagged or conserved feed.
If ensuring energy intake is a worry then add oil to the diet. Oil is energy dense, well accepted and digested by the horse and is slow release-energy so will not make your horse excitable. Oil can be added at about 8% of the daily dry matter intake.
As the season progresses Summer Pasture Associated Airway Disorder (SPAAD) can be a problem for some horses. SPAAD is caused by an allergic reaction to organic dust when out at grass. Little can be done to reduce these organisms in the air, so you might have to consider bringing the horse into the stable. Many horses show allergic reactions to dust and will react to both indoor and outdoor dust, so preventing sensitization (reaction to the allergen) by maintaining a low dust regime (bedding on shavings and feeding Haygain steamed hay) is key.
When it comes to respiratory disorders avoidance is the best strategy as once a horse becomes sensitized to dust it will always be so. This is debilitating for the horse and difficult for the owner, particularly when travelling away to competitions. Warm summer conditions make ideal growing conditions for microbes, so steam all hay thoroughly in a spiked Haygain steamer to achieve hygienically clean forage.
Steaming in a home-made container will get rid of some of the dust, but bacteria levels have been shown to increase 2- 5 fold because the ineffectual distribution of the steam coupled with the fact that all of the hay does not reach the required >90oC for 10 minutes means that microbial death cannot be achieved – Haygain steamers with their unique steaming method achieve 95%+ reduction in respirable particles, moulds and bacteria (Moore-Colyer and Taylor, 2014).
Electrolytes are a must for most hard-working competition horses during the warmer months. Feeding high-quality fibre such as sugar beet pulp and alfalfa will supply a high proportion of the daily requirements but many horses will need additional support. Feeding some electrolytes in the evening feed is best and always ensure that fresh water is available ad libitum.
For further information please contact HAYGAIN on (0333) 200 5233 or visit www.haygain.com