Feeding Supplements
In today's equine world there is no shortage of supplements. From joint supplements to gut supplements and everything in between. Feed supplements are additions to your horses’ diet with the intention of providing the desired result. Whether it’s boosting vitamin/mineral or protein needs, providing joint relief or assisting with immune function and digestion, these supplements are meant to be added to an already balanced fibre/forage-based diet.
Equine Choice Prebiotic + Probiotic supplements come in both granular and paste form and are a daily supplement added to a horse’s diet to help restore and maintain healthy fibre fermentation, hindgut function, nutrient absorption, and ultimately overall performance.
Equine Choice AFX is a palatable liquid designed to buffer the digestive acid remaining in the horse’s stomach during prolonged activity or stress.
So how do we go about feeding supplements to horses? Supplements can come in many forms, from granular, pellets, liquid and pastes. Following the manufacturers recommended dosage and directions along with understanding the needs of your horse will go a long way in getting the desired results and product performance.
Remember all horses are individuals with unique personalities and needs. Once you have identified the need for a supplement you must get it into your horse. Some horses are happy to take anything you add to their feed, while others are the pickiest of eaters and know you’ve added something before they even taste it. For some horses, it’s the smell, and for others, it’s the taste that turns them off. Supplement manufacturers want your horse to take the supplements so most have some added flavouring that horses will like. But there are always those few that we all know that don't want to take anything new.
Some horses with digestive or immune issues or even pain tend to be the pickiest of eaters and it is recommended that paste supplements work the best at the beginning for them to get the product. As not all supplements come in paste, how do you get your horse to take it?
Start gradually with a supplement. ¼ of the dose for the first few days
Hide the dose at the bottom of the feed or thoroughly mix it in so they don’t initially smell it
Hide the supplement in apple sauce or other flavours
Hiding the supplement in warm hay cubes
Dampen the feed and supplement down to minimize dust from turning the horse off
Pelleted supplement can trick a horse into thinking it's getting their regular feed
Remember to monitor your horse when initially giving a supplement and provide clean drinking water at all times.