Food for thought

ENSURING our veterans are getting what they need from their diet is essential, as independent equine nutritionist Donna Case explains.

“When feeding the harder-working veteran, their diet should provide an appropriate level of energy – calories – to help maintain an ideal body condition score [BCS],” she says. “They also require quality protein to support muscle repair and development as well as a balanced level of vitamins and minerals.”

Many horses will drop weight during the colder months, but if you notice a sudden loss of condition, an increase in forage or higher calorie hard feed may be required.

“Speak to your vet in the first instance to rule out possible underlying health factors,” says Donna. “Consider your horse’s clinical history, too, as this will have a massive bearing on suitable diets. A history of EMS [equine metabolic syndrome], PPID [equine Cushing’s disease], laminitis or ulcers will all have an effect on feed that is suitable. Speak to your own vet or a nutritionist to discuss a suitable diet.”

When it comes to supplements for older horses, Donna recommends a high-quality joint supplement and a gut balancer.

“When looking at joint supplements the key ingredients include glucosamine, chondroitin, HA [hyaluronic acid] and MSM [methylsulfonylmethane],” says Donna. “The digestive tract tends to become less efficient with age, so finding a high-quality probiotic and prebiotic gut balancer can help to support a healthy hindgut microbiome.”