Eating before activity for good-doers
QWhat can I feed my horse before a ride? I’m worried about ulcers but he’s a good-doer and I’m concerned about weight gain. Maria Green, Barnsley
AFeeding a small amount of chaff-like forage prior to exercise or any potentially stressful situation is a good habit to get into with any horse. Leisure horses and those in light to medium work are at far less risk of gastric ulcers compared with those in harder work and competing regularly, but it’s still a good habit to have. Stomach acid production is naturally increased around periods of exercise, excitement or stress, added to which, horses in harder work are often on a higher concentrate and haylage ration with the associated higher levels of starch and sugars than those managed at pasture. Feeding a double handful of chaff 15 to 20 minutes before riding helps prevent ulcers in a number of ways: it forms a ‘matt’ on top of the stomach contents that reduces the splash of acidic fluids to more sensitive areas of the stomach and provides a buffering effect on stomach acidity. A good option is a chaff containing an alfalfa because it’s naturally high in calcium. You can get low calorie types that would suit your horse. Alternatively, for horses in higher work level or requiring more condition, feeding a chaff with added oil has increased benefits for ulcers, particularly if they contain digestive supportive supplements.