There is no shortage of urban legends and misconceptions circulating in feed rooms of feeding horses. Numerous of these feeding myths are the result of customs that have been passed down through generations of horse owners. While some of these customs are still relevant, many others are out-of-date or even harmful to the horse’s general well-being. Most myths that persist today derive from ignorance about the specialised anatomy of a horse’s digestive system and basic equine nutrition. Change can be challenging because “it’s always been done that way.” but there is now scientific data that contradicts some of the most widely accepted myths about feeding horses. Buying the proper best joint supplement for horses for your horses is important.
Here are some of the myths about horse feeding:
Myth: Protein makes a horse hot
According to horse nutrition and health experts, this myth is the most heard one. There is simply no evidence to support a link between diet protein intake and equine temperament. Today, people are aware that starch and sugar, not protein, have the biggest impact on equine behaviour. It is well known that diets rich in non-structural carbohydrates, including sugar and starch, are directly linked to irritability and lack of focus in horses. Horses who consume diets high in NSC have a sharp increase in blood glucose levels, which effectively puts them on a sugar high. Many horses may become hyperactive or jittery as a result of these blood glucose spikes.
Myth: only soaked beet pulp should be fed to horses
There is a longstanding belief that feeding beet pulp without first soaking it will cause it to absorb saliva, swell, and either obstruct the oesophagus or rupture the horse’s stomach. However, beet pulp is unable to rapidly absorb enough saliva or stomach fluid to stream to a level that would be problematic. Beet pulp’s particle size is also reduced by chewing it first before swallowing.
In reality, studies have shown that consuming significant volumes of beet pulp without first soaking poses no risk. In studies, dry beet pulp has been fed at levels ranging from 30 to 55 per cent of the whole diet with no evidence of choking or stomach rupture. Beet pulp choke is linked to hurried eating and poor chewing, not whether the beet pulp was fed dry or moist.
Myth: Pellets cause choke
Choke is a behaviour issue rather than an issue with the actual feed itself. Horses that eat their food too quickly choke rather than choke on hay or feed. Horses have a tendency to grow hostile when eating and bolt their feed if they experience prolonged periods without food or feel threatened in a group feeding environment. Any food source, including grass, hay, grain, and even treats, can cause choking in horses. A horse will choke if it does not take the time to chew its grain thoroughly. There are affordable and easy-to chew best joint supplement for horses with high nutritional value you can buy.
Changes in how you handle the horse are essential for both managing and preventing choking. It is possible to achieve this by providing the horse with free choice hay and grass and serving smaller amounts of food at once. You can also try soaking the feed to make it softer and removing the horse from a group feeding situation. Another way to stop the aggressive horse from bolting its feed is to put its food in a shallow tub filled with big boulders.
Myth: A hot horse should not be allowed water
It is usually believed that horses shouldn’t be given water while exercising or right after. Allowing a heated horse to drink was thought to cause colic or founder. However, as of right now, people are aware that this is untrue and harmful to their performing horses. A horse can sweat between 5 and 10% of his body weight while exercising, and this quantity needs to be supplied by water. Horses who are working out may need up to 300% more water than they typically do. Numerous studies have demonstrated that giving horses water often when they engage in vigorous activity prevents founder or colic.
Final thoughts
Finally, high-protein diets have no adverse effects on horse growth. A variety of factors bring on developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD) in horses. Horses’ bone formation problems have been connected nutritionally to mineral, energy, sugar, and starch imbalances rather than protein. High protein intake has no adverse effects on bone development or growth rate.
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