Italy:

Holding fast to traditions

tions “old Italy, modernize Adherence ways” the can reluctance be certainly has useful, to frustrated horsekeeping but aren’t of horse sometimes some better. owners tradi- equine In the to nutritionists, Valle, DVM, PhD, including ECVCN, Emanuela diplomate of the University of Turin. In 2009, Valle published a large-scale study of feeding practices of elite and mid-level show jumpers in Italy, writing in the conclusion: “The feeding plan management is based only to achieve a good body condition score, without taking into account other important factors for the welfare is even receive hay Italian think feeding really be paid Breaking more and if that feel tradition; they to a of is simple difficult, diet the grandfather’s the still the are with nutrition based horse.… impact good cereals top horse says tradition eventers. because only on Valle, of owners Little according way performance.” on sport in meadow because of they They attention Italy horse horses, often don’t to still may of feeds choice she companies but limited many says. and is not “There times availability the that so lack produce big they are of like some are information. of in more feed also America,” local producing for modern Italian horses, “The other We brands also products in have other a like few countries. feeds the feed from Senior for big rabbits. feed at even increasing.” the as moment the number She is adds not of a that aged big market, for horses some is owners spend lot tradition of effort is in still preparing strong. “cooked” They meals “We still even have for places a barn where with 60 they horses. do the cereal mashes in the winter once a week. They cook the cereals for one hour (1 kg for each 500 kg horse) and add cooked linseed and bran.” Even while holding to tradition, Italian horsekeepers have adopted a few modern feeding practices. Overall management of nutrition of horses is improving, says Valle, especially in the market of supplements. Valle says products for joint support and to prevent gastric ulcers are common, as are calming supplements.

Horses receive a diet based on only meadow hay and simple cereals according to Italian tradition.