PrintCheck back every Wednesday through Aug. 18 for more articles in the Mobile Horses: Care On The Road series, sponsored by UlcerGard.You can find all the articles on our Mobile Horses page.
For such a large animal, horses are incredibly sensitive to any slight disruption of routine. A late feeding here and there or a simple change in grain can lead to a whole host of gastrointestinal issues. When horses spend weeks on the road showing in new environments and potentially eating different hay and grain, they’re primed to develop health issues or exacerbate existing ones such as ulcers, colic and tying up.
“We all are aware of the potential perils associated with rapid alterations in the horse's diet or pattern of feeding. Such changes can precipitate digestive upsets and colic,” said veterinarian Duncan Peters, DVM, of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Ky.
The Importance Of Routine
The most important thing you can do for your horse’s well-being while he’s away from home is to stick as closely as possible to his regular feeding schedule.
“It’s important to keep the same regimen going, whether you’re on the road or at home,” said Peters. “Similar feed, similar bedding—keeping it the home away from home is very important.
“Even the treats are important! If you feed more carrots at home, feed them at shows too,” Peters continued.
Lynn Taylor, Ph.D, owner of Equine Nutritional Consulting, and associate professor of equine science at Centenary College in Hackettstown, N.J., also stressed that it’s important to remember that changing feed abruptly increases the risk of colic.
Kate Considine, who owns hunter/jumper show barn Willow Brook Stables and travels throughout the country from her home base of Lake View Terrace, Calif., makes it a point to find comparable feed and hay wherever she takes her stable in order to minimize stress on her horses.
“Normally, feed stores carry the same products,” she said. “If you give them a heads up, they can get what you need.”
For example, when traveling on the East Coast, Considine often finds the hay to be much richer than what is available in California. Because of this, she seeks out a dry timothy hay, which is more similar to what her horses eat at home.
She also emphasized the importance of doing research prior to leaving for the show and starting the search for similar products early.
“The key is getting in touch with the resources in the area you’re going to and doing your homework early. If you wait until you get there you’re too late,” she said.
Even after finding similar products, it’s still necessary to maintain a feeding program that closely resembles your home program. However, the added stress of competition may require increased calories to maintain your horse’s weight.
“Shows or events that occur on successive days are particularly challenging,” said Taylor. “Recovery at the end of each of day is critical, so that the next day's energy output can be maximized.
