Caring for horses is not as easy as many horseowners think. Especially for animals under heavy work, there are many factors that can contribute to problems. Equine athletes, such as racehorses or eventing stars, can develop debilitating and even life-threatening ulcers, for example. Equine inflammation management supplements can be of great benefit in both prevention and treatment.
Horses under stress - which includes things like heavy work, stall confinement, and travel to strange places - often develop ulcers in a relatively short time. As many as eighty percent of these athletes may have these sores in their stomach lining. This potential problem must not be dismissed lightly; as in most cases of physical response to stress, a strong program of nutrition can help prevent something that can be hard to cure.
A horse is designed to consume roughage constantly. Horses in the field graze almost all the time, although they take some time out for sleeping. Horses under work, however, many eat more grain than hay. They require more calories and energy that is normal for a horse, and grain is the only way to satisfy this need. However, when hay or pasture is limited, this can cause problems.
The animal needs a constant supply of roughage for two reasons. One, the act of chomping on grass or hay causes saliva to be excreted, and a horse's saliva is alkaline. This naturally balances the stomach acid which is produced around the clock. Roughage in the stomach also acts as a protection for the stomach lining, the mucosa, which can be damaged or even perforated by the acid, or in other words injured by an ulcer.
Many health authorities believe that all inflammation begins in the digestive tract. Ulcers are caused by inflammation stemming from damage to the intestinal wall. Anti-inflammatory drugs, which are often prescribed for equine athletes, can worsen ulcers. Supplements that prevent or alleviate digestive problems, arthritis, muscle and joint soreness, and lameness are much safer.
Alfalfa is a healthy herb, sold as tea, tablets, or powder in health food stores. Horses love alfalfa hay and will eat it readily. Owners and trainers should make sure there are no sharp sticks in the hay, which can perforate weak spots in the stomach lining. An option is to rely on soaked alfalfa cubes to add this nutrition and bulk to the horse's diet.
Keeping stall confinement to a minimum, or making it as stress-free as possible, can help. Horses are herd animals, so just being able to see other horses can reduce stress. Keeping a sick animal in familiar surroundings helps. Allowing a horse access to hay or grass at all times is important; if hay consumption must be limited, try one of the slow-feeder nets that make it impossible for the horse to grab a large mouthful.
There are many anti-inflammatory herbs that have been shown to be gentle on the stomach. Tumeric and boswellia help with swelling and soreness; they reduce inflammation in the digestive tract as well. Normalizing the horse's lifestyle as much as possible and supplementing with nutritive herbs and minerals can help keep an athlete going strong.
Horses under stress - which includes things like heavy work, stall confinement, and travel to strange places - often develop ulcers in a relatively short time. As many as eighty percent of these athletes may have these sores in their stomach lining. This potential problem must not be dismissed lightly; as in most cases of physical response to stress, a strong program of nutrition can help prevent something that can be hard to cure.
A horse is designed to consume roughage constantly. Horses in the field graze almost all the time, although they take some time out for sleeping. Horses under work, however, many eat more grain than hay. They require more calories and energy that is normal for a horse, and grain is the only way to satisfy this need. However, when hay or pasture is limited, this can cause problems.
The animal needs a constant supply of roughage for two reasons. One, the act of chomping on grass or hay causes saliva to be excreted, and a horse's saliva is alkaline. This naturally balances the stomach acid which is produced around the clock. Roughage in the stomach also acts as a protection for the stomach lining, the mucosa, which can be damaged or even perforated by the acid, or in other words injured by an ulcer.
Many health authorities believe that all inflammation begins in the digestive tract. Ulcers are caused by inflammation stemming from damage to the intestinal wall. Anti-inflammatory drugs, which are often prescribed for equine athletes, can worsen ulcers. Supplements that prevent or alleviate digestive problems, arthritis, muscle and joint soreness, and lameness are much safer.
Alfalfa is a healthy herb, sold as tea, tablets, or powder in health food stores. Horses love alfalfa hay and will eat it readily. Owners and trainers should make sure there are no sharp sticks in the hay, which can perforate weak spots in the stomach lining. An option is to rely on soaked alfalfa cubes to add this nutrition and bulk to the horse's diet.
Keeping stall confinement to a minimum, or making it as stress-free as possible, can help. Horses are herd animals, so just being able to see other horses can reduce stress. Keeping a sick animal in familiar surroundings helps. Allowing a horse access to hay or grass at all times is important; if hay consumption must be limited, try one of the slow-feeder nets that make it impossible for the horse to grab a large mouthful.
There are many anti-inflammatory herbs that have been shown to be gentle on the stomach. Tumeric and boswellia help with swelling and soreness; they reduce inflammation in the digestive tract as well. Normalizing the horse's lifestyle as much as possible and supplementing with nutritive herbs and minerals can help keep an athlete going strong.
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You can get a summary of important factors to keep in mind when choosing a supplier of equine inflammation management supplements at http://www.naviculardisease.com right now.
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