“A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” might be a cliché, but it certainly gets the point across when we are discussing equine rehabilitation. There are two situations that usually result in the need for extensive rehabilitation; when horses are not fed enough or when they are advanced in age and have dental and medical conditions that prevent normal eating behaviors.

As we know, forage should be the basis of all equine feeding programs. Then, we add feeds and supplements, which provide essential nutrients not provided in the forage. Horses in poor body condition either are not being fed enough calories or are consuming feeds they cannot process in their digestive tracts. In Case 1, this 5-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was not being fed enough by his previous owner. He was so emaciated that his life was in danger. In fact, about 50% of horses this thin will die during re-feeding of traditional grain-based feeds. In five months, he went from body condition score one to six with a program consisting of pasture, alfalfa hay, GROSTRONG Minerals and NATURAL GLO stabilized rice bran (photos 1 and 2).

Other equines are in poor condition due to advanced age, poor dental health and inappropriate feeds. In Case 2, this 40-year-old donkey suffered from ulcers and parasites on the skin, deformed hooves, poor hair coat and lack of conditioning. He had been fed hay and corn, which he could not digest (photos 3 and 4). His re-feeding program included pasture, MOORGLO, GROSTRONG Minerals and Patriot Senior.

 

FORAGE FIRST feeding programs work in the most extreme situations. Imagine what they can do for the average horse!

For More Information e-mail at AN_EquineHelp@admworld.com

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EQUINE NUTRITION HELPLINE
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ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc. 1000 North 30th Street P.O. Box C1 Quincy, IL USA 62305-3155