Horses grow a very effective winter coat which can be adjusted according to the temperature � little muscles can puff the coat up or smooth it down for more or less insulation. Horses also have an internal boiler to help keep them warm and this is the fermentation vat of the caecum and the large colon. Here, a vast army of microbes breaks down fibre from forage, producing fuel for the horse, B group vitamins, heat and a certain amount of gas. So-called �heating� feeds which are the starchy grains in many horse feeds such as nuts, cereals and mixes, may ca�hot� behaviour but do little to keep horses warm. The heat from these feeds is only generated when they are used for energy in the muscles. Exercise will release the heat, but then the calories from that food are all used up as well. Fermentation of fibre in the hind gut releases food and heat � which is why horses should be fed forage, the best source of fibre! In winter, the main source of forage is hay. If your horse cannot manage to eat enough hay, due to being old or having poor dentition, replace the hay weight for weight with HayCare which is Timothy grass, harvested at the hay stage and pelleted. Add water to make an easy to eat hay replacer that is just like hay and totally free from all cereals, their by-products, pulses such as soya, molasses, binders and preservatives. And it�s naturally very low in sugar and starch. Horses that stion.asp">online form
Rain fall can trigger growth akin to a spring flush, especially if temperatures are high. Even whilst true spring may be in the past, the risk for those prone to laminitis will rise.
For the second consecutive Sunday, presenter Adam Henson has discussed the use of sainfoin during Countryfile.
''Feed the mare to feed the foal'' - wise words from many an experienced breeder. With little grass due to the dry weather, grazing can be topped up in the feed bowl.