Nutritionist Dr Tom Shurlock and British Horse Feeds give some valuable tips on successful winter feeding.
Feeding for the Winter Ahead
The first and most obvious task is to make sure the horse does not get too cold. If the environment does not drop to 7oC, then the chance of the horse’s core temperature dropping is removed, and supplemental feeding will be less necessary.
By stabling, or using a good quality rug the horse is buffered, on the outside, from drops in temperature, wind chill and wet – all cumulative factors in affecting the critical temperature.
However it is just as easy to heat the horse from the inside! Microbial fermentation in the hindgut generates heat, and warms the deep body areas. Increase the amount of fibre normally given, if possible. If the horse is on ad lib hay then he may need a boost from another source.
Sugar beet feeds contain rapidly fermentable fibre. Though a slower release than concentrates, their “slow-release” energy is more complete than that from forage, and the sugar beet component actually improves the fermentability of other fibres through manipulation of the microbial populations. By
Veteran Horse - Winter
increasing the proportion of the fibre faction, there will be an increase in heat generated in the hindgut.
There will be days when the temperatures are very low and stabling, rugs and extra fermentable fibre will not keep the body temperature much above the Effective Critical Temperature, and this feeding regime will need a little help.
This is where concentrates come in. As deep body temperature is maintained by the breakdown of metabolites in biochemical systems, increasing the metabolites will generate more heat within the body combating the heat loss to the cold environment. When an animal shivers the muscular activity generates heat, but the loss of metabolites increases. Extra feeding of concentrates will replace these, maintaining the overall metabolism. If your horse is shivering it’s a sign to increase his hard feed.
The choice of hard feed is important. Using mixes with micronized cereals for faster and more effective absorption, balanced amino acids (maintaining musculature and replacing protein lost to catabolism), a beneficial fibre profile, and essential vitamins and trace elements will ensure that catabolic activity is compensated.
As fasting metabolism (that which generates temperature) uses about 80% of the digestible energy supplied to a horse at maintenance, and as 1oC below critical temperature requires 2% extra DE it can be seen that, if a horse’s intake is not increased over winter, there is not much left of the diet for it to play with. In the wild a horse in good condition (a nice layer of fat and a thick coat as insulation), faced with a decreasing food supply will still have a struggle to get through a harsh winter. Domestically we must help. In summary:
• Protect your horse as much as possible, physically, through stabling or with a rug, against the additive effects of cold, wind and wet.
• Provide more easily fermentable fibre, such as sugar beet to generate heat in the gut (remember this also the outside).
• Soak them in hot water, and if possible provide warm water to drink. Not only will it warm the gut it will also encourage further intake and avoid impaction colic.
• Provide extra hard feed during the cold snaps. Products such as Natural Country Range feeds provide rapidly absorbable energy to maintain metabolism, as well as the correct proportions of essential nutrients to keep the body “built up”.
• Watch for signs of shivering.Equally look out for signs of heat stress. An unexpected mild spell, in conjunction with winter husbandry could push your horse towards the upper levels of the Zone of Thermoneutrality.
• Try to ensure your horse enters winter in the best condition possible. A little extra fat
not only acts as insulation it also mobilises energy and heat quickly giving you time to adjust your feeding regime.
The British Horse Feeds range offers high quality feeds that meet the nutrient requirements of horses in all levels of work, and includes Speedi-Beet, Fibre-Beet, Cool ‘n’ Calm Mix & Cubes, Horse & Pony Mix & Cubes, Veteran Care Mix and New Ultimate Performance Mix. The feeds are produced under the BETA UFAS NOPS Code and both Speedi-Beet and Fibre-Beet are approved by the Laminitis Trust.
For more information contact British Horse Feeds on 01765 680300 or visit
www.britishhorsefeeds.com
Dr
T.Shurlock
24
www.equestrianlifemagazine.co.uk
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