The autumn season has started again, which means that the cold, wet, and dark days are upon us. This can also take some getting used to for horses. Consider the shedding period, reduced resistance, and spending more time in the stable. With the 5 tips in this article, you can support your horse during autumn.
1. Help your horse with shedding
As the autumn and winter days approach, the summer coat makes way for a thick and insulating winter coat. This means the shedding period begins. The shedding period is determined by the amount of light, temperature, and breed. On average, the shedding period lasts two weeks. Although shedding costs a lot of energy, this is often not a problem for healthy horses. For weak and old horses, shedding costs more energy, causing this period to often last longer. To support your horse during this period, you can, for example, use Excellent Horse linseed oil. Linseed oil contains a high content of omega-3 fatty acids. This contributes to maintaining a healthy and shiny coat and is ideal for use during the shedding period. In addition, you can help your horse with the Grooming Brush to remove loose hairs. Brushing promotes good blood circulation in the skin, causing the coat to shed faster.
2. Support overall resistance
Even in horses, resistance can be reduced at this time of year, for example, due to the shedding period, temperature fluctuations, and possible vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin deficiencies can arise from the transition from grass to hay. During the drying process from grass to hay, minerals and vitamins are lost, which results in reduced nutritional value. To support overall resistance, you can use Total Balance, Vitasporal, or Apple Cider Vinegar. These three supplements support your horse's resistance and condition.
3. Be careful with sand
Acorns and leaves are falling from the trees again, the grass in the pastures is shorter, and many horses are spending (more) time in sand paddocks. This can cause horses to ingest more sand. A horse's intestines cannot process sand. Initially, sand can be expelled, but if more sand is ingested than the intestines can expel, it can accumulate. To remove sand from the intestines, you can use psyllium husks or psyllium seeds. Psyllium husks (the outer layers of psyllium seeds) should only be given over dry feed, while psyllium seeds can also be given through wet mash. Psyllium husks have a stronger water-absorbing capacity. Both psyllium husks and psyllium seeds form a gel-like mass in the intestines and bind accumulated sand to the faeces, so that it can then be excreted.
4. Water and salt
The cold days can cause horses to drink less. Therefore, it is important to monitor whether your horse is drinking enough. Always ensure clean and fresh drinking water. A slightly heated drinking trough can also help. In addition, it is important that horses get enough salt and minerals. For example, you can offer the Excellent Horse Himalayan lick stone. This lick stone contains pure Himalayan salt, which is a source of various minerals and trace elements. Meeting your horse's salt needs can also stimulate water consumption. Ingesting enough minerals can also limit licking or eating sand.
5. Preventing boredom in the stable
Due to wet autumn days, slippery paddocks and pastures, many horses are spending (longer) periods in the stable again. As a result, they often get less exercise and can become bored more quickly. To counteract boredom, you can, for example, hang the Excellent Horse Fun Play Ball or Fun & Flex in the stable. The elastic bands of the Fun Play Ball make it possible to attach carrots, hay, or other snacks to the ball. The Fun & Flex can also be filled with all kinds of treats such as hay and herbs. In addition, you can hang a Foodie Friend for your horse to play with.
