Feeding Horses in Drought Conditions, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products
It’s shaping up to be a dry summer in certain parts of the U.S. Here are some tips on feeding horses during a drought.
During drought conditions, pastures may not provide enough fiber and energy to meet your horse’s nutrition requirements. Feeding additional hay may be necessary.
If additional calories are still needed, consider a high-fat supplement.
Horses should consume at least 1.5% to 2% of body weight per day in forage.
Supplemental forage in the form of hay or hay cubes may be needed.
Vitamin and Mineral Support
- Drought-stricken pastures and supplemental forage are likely to be deficient in vitamins and minerals,
- especially vitamin E.
- The vitamin content of hay declines dramatically in the first few weeks of storage.
- Add a complete vitamin and trace mineral supplement with natural vitamin E to support optimal health.
Hoof and Joint Support
- Exercising on hard ground or stomping flies in the field can stress hooves and joints.
- If your horse is prone to poor-quality hooves, add a well formulated hoof supplement with at least 20 mg of biotin.
- Support performance horses, senior horses, and recreational horses with a joint supplement that contains glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.
Digestive Tract Support
- Make diet changes slowly when introducing a new forage, supplement, or concentrate.
- The addition of supplemental prebiotics and probiotics will support a healthy digestive tract during feed changes.
Electrolyte Support
- Use electrolytes daily to replace the minerals and fluids lost in sweat and to support drinking and maintain hydration.
- As always, be sure that your horses have access to plenty of fresh water, especially during a hot, dry spell.
Support Options
Equi-Jewel® – Adds calories to your horse’s diet without the risk of grain overload.
Micro-Phase™ – Micro-Phase offers the perfect solution by providing the vitamins and trace minerals necessary to support good health in a tasty, low-calorie pellet.
Elevate® Natural Vitamin E – Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, limits the damage caused by everyday oxidative stress. It maintains healthy muscle and nerve function and supports a strong immune system in horses of all ages.
Ker-A-Form™- Say No to cracks, crumbling walls and lost shoes.
Joint Armor™ – Supports soundness and maintains healthy joints.
Neigh-Lox® Advanced – Horses with a healthy GI tract absorb optimal levels of nutrients and maintain a normal weight. They have a healthy immune system and are less prone to digestive health issues.
Summer Games® Electrolyte – Replenishes critical electrolytes in the proper ratios. Supports drinking and maintains hydration.
Download a printable version of the infographic here.
About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:
Performance horses are susceptible to exercise-induced muscle damage. Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, limits the damage caused by everyday oxidative stress. It maintains healthy muscle and nerve functions, and supports a strong immune system in horses of all ages. Elevate was developed to provide a highly bioavailable source of natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) to horses.
Check out this KPP article: Vitamin E and the Performance Horse – A Winning Combination.
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