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HEALTHY TREATS FOR YOUR EQUINE
advocating for your equine friend
After a hard day’s riding, if you’ve been at an event, or just simply when we visit them at the stable or in the paddock, we all like to treat our horses. Showing them love and affection can often be in the form of treats, but its essential as owners and riders that we understand the effect too many high sugar treats can have on horses’ health and we have their health at the forefront of our minds. Making sure you feed them something natural and low sugar is key and always feed in conjunction with their current diet. Here we take a look at how best to manage your horses health through treats and forage.
OBESITY
Obesity in horses is a growing problem with approximately 50–70% of the equine population overweight according to the Blue Cross.
Educating yourself is the number one way to care for your horses’ health effectively. Looking out for low sugar, low starch, high fibre forage-based treats is a great way to start. Silvermoor have a great range of treats for horses including their latest product launch Eco Treatsies and Grassabix.
Eco Treatsies tick all the boxes; low sugar, low starch, high fibre, and forage based, whilst also being economical to the pocket and eco-friendly. The eco-friendly credentials come from its 100% recyclable paper packaging as well as how they are made. Silvermoor grow all their own grass on their Northumberland based farm. The grass is harvested and dried using their on-site renewable, sustainable heat source. The dried grass is then pelleted and packaged on-site by the Silvermoor team reducing the carbon footprint of the product. Not only that, but each step of the process is managed by the team, so they have complete control of the quality of the product guaranteeing a consistently delicious product for your horse. Giving you the peace of mind that you are making a natural, healthy choice for your equine.
GUT HEALTH
Knowing about how to manage a stabled horse’s gut health is also essential in your horses’ health journey. Horses are naturally foraging animals and should be constantly grazing. When an equine is stabled for any length of time it is hard to give them the constant forage they need, and this can result in the increased risk of stomach ulcers. Some will bolt their feed and then have a prolonged period of time with no forage. The prolonged period of time with no forage can cause the acid in the gut to build up, saliva, which is produced when eating, acts as a buffer for these stomach acids. A great way to combat this is to use a hanging forage-based treat such as a Silvermoor Swinger a high fibre slow-release feed.
The innovative design of a swinger attaches to the rope and is hung from a height in your stable. There are no corners so your horse will not be able to grab at it and gobble it down. The unique swinging design means the horse has to work to be able to eat it. This means it cannot be eaten quickly and will take longer to eat than similarly sized traditional blocks of forage. As we have already heard eating regularly promotes saliva production which buffers stomach acids and helps prevent against gastric ulcers.
Silvermoor Swingers are low in sugar and low in starch. They provide a healthy addition to be used to compliment the horses’ diet and can help manage weight. Gorgeous Grass flavour is safe to use for laminitics and good doers as well as insulin resistant horses and those suffering from EMS.
PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES
One crucial aspect of horse care and health is preventing them from accidentally consuming prohibited substances that can have detrimental effects on their performance and overall health.
Prohibited substances in horse feed can include medications, drugs, and other substances that are not permitted in competitive equestrian events. These substances can have various effects on horses, ranging from altering their behaviour and performance to posing serious health risks. It is crucial to be aware of the potential sources of prohibited substances and take necessary precautions to prevent their accidental consumption.
One of the most effective ways to prevent accidental ingestion of prohibited substances is to source your horse’s feed from certified suppliers. Certifications such as FEMAS (Feed Materials Assurance Scheme) and NOPS (Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances) ensure that the feed you purchase meets strict quality and safety standards. These certifications guarantee that the feed has been produced in a controlled environment, minimising the risk of contamination with prohibited substances. At Silvermoor they have an outstanding reputation for quality products for the equestrian market. All feed is UFAS or FEMAS approved, and all carry the BETA NOPS accreditation demonstrating their commitment to the highest quality standards in the industry.
As the old adage goes; prevention is always better than the cure. Providing your horse with a safe and healthy diet, and allowing them to thrive in their equestrian pursuits is what as horse owners we should all strive for.
Annabel Frater