Everything depends on the right pH value

Acidity is expressed in pH. A high acidity level, so sour, is a low pH. A low acidity level, so basic, is a high pH. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. The lower the number, the more acidic it is, where 7 is neutral.

Every cell and organ in the body has a specific pH value at which the cell functions optimally. For example, the stomach has a lower pH value to kill pathogens, while other organs may require a higher pH. However, the pH of the blood is crucial, and for horses, it must be between 7.34 and 7.48. If the value goes outside of this range, the body will work to restore it.

What happens in an acidic body?

When the ideal pH value becomes too low, it is called acidification. The body can handle a temporary disruption caused by a horse taking an extra sprint, but prolonged disruption of the pH value will lead to problems in the body. The body becomes literally acidic, impacting organ function and various processes in the body. When the body becomes more acidic, it searches for sources to resolve the acidification. Minerals are alkaline and the best available source for the body to lower acidity and raise the pH. And where are the minerals in the horse's body? In bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and organs.

With prolonged acidification and inadequate replenishment of reserves, the quality of bone material, tendons, muscles, and organ function will deteriorate over time.

How do you recognize it?

Recognizing acidification in horses is not always straightforward. Does your horse easily get injured? Does your horse experience chronic stress? Is it always stiff in the muscles? Then there is a chance that your horse is experiencing acidification. When minerals are withdrawn from bones, it makes them more vulnerable and susceptible to injuries.

The tricky part is that there is often a domino effect at play. It starts with body acidification, leading to other parts of the body becoming more vulnerable. However, this is often not recognized, and the root cause remains unresolved. "Quick fixes" may be used to alleviate symptoms, but the real issue, acidification, persists.

An acidic horse will have less energy. To compensate, a sports feed (with grains) is given, but these grains actually exacerbate acidification, causing the horse to sink further into acidity.

How to prevent acidification?

Acidification cannot always be prevented. Every horse may experience stress at times, leading to temporary acidification, or they may overexert themselves in the paddock/field, causing muscle acidification. It is important to have a good foundation in place so that the horse has alkaline reserves in the body for recovery. Without these reserves, minerals will be extracted from parts of the body where you do not want them to be taken.

But what constitutes a good foundation? Here are some tips to prevent acidification:

• It starts with nutrition for horses. Unfortunately, pre-dried hay is always acidifying, horses fed this way always have a disrupted pH. Opt for unpackaged hay instead, as it is alkaline (neutral). Fresh grass is also alkaline.

• Avoid grains and sugars. Grains and sugars are also acidifying, so avoid products with grains (carefully read the feed ingredient list!), molasses, and other starch products. Unsure about the ingredients? We are happy to help!

• Provide an adequate amount of minerals and trace elements. Choose a high-quality vitamin feed/supplement, such as Agrobs Naturmineral, Equilin, Metazoa Superfit, or Vitalbix Daily Complete.

• Prevent stress through proper housing, sufficient social interaction, and appropriate training. Give your horse enough recovery time after training.

• Administer a liquid nettle treatment four times a year. Nettles have a neutral pH and are detoxifying. Horses also love them!

• Place a separate water trough with liquid minerals in the paddock and/or field. This allows horses to consume these neutral minerals as needed.

Is your horse acidic?

Start by supplementing with adequate minerals, such as liquid minerals from the sea. These are alkaline and in the right proportions for the horse, without disturbing the stomach's acidity. Fresh nettle (or tincture) can also help, as they are detoxifying, alkaline, and rich in minerals. Then critically assess the foundation.

• Is your horse receiving the right nutrition, or are they being acidified by grains or packaged hay?
• Does your horse spend enough time outside with companions to prevent stress?
• Is the training appropriate for your horse, or are they being pushed beyond their capabilities?

If these points are not addressed, acidification will persist, disrupting the entire body and making it more vulnerable. It is crucial that your horse's foundation is sound to maintain a good acid-base balance.