Taunton, Somerset (PRWEB UK) 1 May 2013
With milder weather and typical British rain showers, the month of April has seen a fast growth of grass. The abundance of fresh grass, which is high in fructans and sugars, is irresistible to horses and ponies but can pose a risk to those prone to laminitis and obesity.
Horsefinder, the website where horse owners can buy and sell horses, has teamed up with expert horse nutritionist, Brinicombe Equine, to produce a how-to of top tips to guide horse owners throughout the summer months. Brinicombe's equine development manager says: Equine obesity has fatal consequences and causes severe, debilitating and painful symptoms including the onset of laminitis. It is one of the most common causes of fatalities out of any equine disease in the UK yet it is 100 per cent preventable.
To help a horse reach, and stay, a healthy weight, Horsefinder and Brinicombe Equine advise the following prevention methods:
Exercise a horse regularly - this will help weight come off and stay off.
Monitor grass intake and gradually reduce grazing.
Double bag hay with two hay nets this will reduce the speed and amount of food a horse consumes.
Soak hay this reduces the calorie content through a reduction of water-soluble carbohydrates.
Spilt any meals into smaller meals throughout the day.
Tie hay nets in various locations around the yard this will encourage a horse to move around and burn calories.
Place some large, smooth pebbles into a horses feed this will slow down the eating time as they navigate the pebbles.
Keep a horse occupied by hanging up vegetables in the stable; putting chopped vegetables into a foraging ball; or placing apples in a bucket of water for apple
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