Hard Ground and Burnt Grass

How can we support our horses nutritionally?

With the ongoing heatwave, the grass is crisp and the ground is hard, both of which can test our horses. Let’s explore what this means and how we can support them nutritionally.

1. Balanced Diet and Adequate Forage

As the grass growth has slowed (and in some places almost halted), there will be reduced forage available to eat, so supplementation with hay may be required to ensure sufficient roughage is eaten to maintain gut motility.

As the grass is burnt off, the micronutrient provision may be lacking, so now is a good time to review their diet to ensure that it is balanced and meeting daily requirements. Even your good doers should be supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals daily to keep them healthy, whether this is from a vitamin and mineral supplement or balancer. Fresh green grass is an important source of Vitamin E, a key antioxidant, but this will naturally reduce as the grass goes brown and dries out. A 500kg horse in light work requires 1000 iu per day, more as work increases, so it’s worth checking their diet is providing sufficient every day.

2. Joint Support

Hard ground means increased stress and concussion on the joints, tendons and ligaments. Careful consideration should be given into their workload in unfavourable conditions, but adding a joint supplement to their diet can provide proactive support, with key ingredients such as Boswellia and MSM, playing an important role in supporting the natural anti-inflammatory processes and recovery after exercise.

3. Hoof Support

As the ground is dry, feet lack moisture and you may notice more cracks and poorer quality horn this summer. Adding a hoof supplement can support this. Key ingredients to look out for include Biotin, Methionine, Zinc and Calcium.

4. Electrolytes

Hot weather, can mean that horses sweat even just in the field or stable. Exercise and travel during extreme conditions should be carefully planned and adapted accordingly to ensure your horses wellbeing. Sweaty horses will need electrolytes replacing to keep their thirst mechanism switched on, to encourage drinking and maintain hydration.

5. Respiratory Support

With the dry ground, dust levels rise and this can challenge our horses’ respiratory systems, so nutritional support with peppermint, menthol and eucalyptus can help keep the airways clear and open.

Need advice for your horse? Contact our knowledgeable team of Vets and Nutritionists for tailored advice: info@equine-america.co.uk