Does horse hay contain enough minerals and vitamins?

Hay is the basic ration for horses. Hay is dried grass and what it contains is determined by the type of soil, fertilisation and growing conditions of that grass. The length and conditions of storage also affect the substances contained in hay. The question is therefore: is your horse getting enough vitamins and minerals from its hay?. Fresh grass contains many important nutrients for horses, including a variety of vitamins. However, when grass is dried and stored, some of these vitamins gradually diminish. Vitamin E, which is essential for muscles, starts to break down fairly quickly after harvesting. If your horse does not eat fresh grass, you should supplement this vitamin. Vitamin A also disappears relatively fast. This is why many horse owners feed their horses carrots in winter, as they are rich in vitamin A. Additionall...

What is Brainwork? In broad terms, brainwork involves hiding food in, on, or between materials that are unfamiliar to horses. When it comes to food, you can choose fresh vegetables or fruit, but since you’ll need a lot of treats, healthy and not-too-large horse snacks are also very suitable. Especially for horses that are sensitive to sugar, it’s important to choose treats with a low sugar content. You can hide the treats in a sniffle mat, but you could also use a large feed bucket filled with d...

The difference between organic and inorganic mineral supplements for horses

When it comes to minerals for horses, you quite often hear the terms ‘organic compound’ and ‘inorganic compound’ come up. This sounds a bit complicated, but what exactly is it? And why is this important when choosing a supplement, balancer or feed for your horse?. The difference between organic and inorganic mineral compounds lies in the chemical structure of the molecules. The atoms of a mineral are always bound to one or more other atoms to form a stable compound, which can then be given to your horse in powder or liquid form. This bond with other atoms determines whether the mineral is in an organic or inorganic form. Organic Mineral Compounds In an organic compound, minerals are bound to carbon-containing molecules, such as amino acids or proteins. An...

Guest blog HOPE for Horses: communication is connection

For me, dealing with horses every day is a fat fat party! The way of connecting with horses is something that is easier for me than with people. Not because I don't like people, but horses are so honest. There is no hidden agenda in this communication. Because we (HOPE for Horses) also work with traumatised horses, it is sometimes a bit of a puzzle what works best for which horse. There are different approaches to communication, as I wrote in my earlier blogs, but for me, connecting is number one! Connecting with what is there. Horses have a very strong will to connect together. After all, as a herd animal, connection is security.. Communication and Connection 80% of total communication is non-verbal. This means that it happens without words, but instead through energy, body language, knowledge, and intuitive perception. A part of connection is communication: Being connected is communication Communication is being connected Communication is one of the non-verbal forms of communication that I use in my work. Think about that for a moment 😉. Having No Attachment to the Outcome To achieve good communication and connection, t...

Should my horse be retired?

If you have an older horse, there may come a point when your horse is no longer suitable for riding. But when exactly is that? How do you know? And what can you still do then?. The decision of when to retire a horse depends entirely on the individual animal. Many factors determine whether a horse is still suitable for sports, recreation, walks, groundwork, or other activities. In many cases, a horse that can no longer perform in competitive sports may still be fit for lighter work and thrive in that capacity. However, it is also possible that an older horse develops ailments that make it unsuitable for any kind of work, although it may still be able to enjoy a pain-fre...

Guest blog Tophooi: What is truly good hay?

If you ask horse owners about the biggest challenge when it comes to keeping horses, I think it is finding good quality hay. Not too dusty, not too rich, the right texture to suit your horse and palatable to horses. After all, what is really good hay?. Who is Tophooi? Tophooi was actually born by coincidence. We (Jurjen & Esther) run a paddock paradise in Drenthe, where we house our own horses as well as boarding horses. Various breeds, different sizes, and unique needs – yet we wanted to provide the option of unlimited feeding. This came with its challenges! We used to buy hay from different forage suppliers, but there was always an issue: analyses that didn’t match, extremely dusty hay, mold, sand, high sugar content, or hay that the hor...

Does your older horse still dare to lie down?

As your horse gets older, it also becomes stiffer and more rigid. Sometimes, behavioural changes are also noticeable, or your older horse gets a different, lower position in the herd's hierarchy. It is important to be alert to this. Do you know if your horse still dares to lie down? And is it actually bad if he no longer does?. Horses require about half an hour of deep REM sleep each day. This is very important for their health. REM sleep only occurs when they lie flat on the ground. Therefore, lying flat for half an hour a day is essential for every horse. Merely resting or dozing while standing is not enough. Feeling Unsafe As prey animals, horses in the wild are vulnerable to predators, making lying flat to sleep a risky moment. In a herd, standing horses keep watch over those that are lying down. Even so, the sleep...

What nutritional needs does my older horse have?

As your horse ages, its nutritional needs may change. But how do you know when to do something about the ration? At what age does it start? And what should you feed then? In this article, we give you tips for feeding your old(er) horse.. Some horses start showing signs of aging as early as 15 years old, while others remain very active and healthy well into their twenties. The individual differences are significant, so it’s essential to closely observe your own ‘senior’ horse before determining what they should eat. An older horse is still just a horse In principle, older horses don’t always need a different diet than younger horses, but if your horse has ailments or weight issues, it may be wise to make adjustments. Older horses...

Nine tips for keeping older horses at weight in winter

For older horses, winter is always a somewhat difficult period. They lose weight quickly and are sometimes a bit stiff. As an owner, you do not want your horse to become too thin. That is why it is wise to start taking measures in time. After all, it is much harder to fatten up an older horse once it has lost weight. We give you nine top tips to keep your older horse at weight this winter.. At what age a horse is considered a “golden oldie” depends on the individual animal. Generally, you can assume that from around 15 years of age, you should start paying more attention. However, some horses only show their first signs of aging after the age of 20, and for ponies, it often takes even longer before they can be considered elderly. Why Older Horses Lose Weight There are several reasons why older horses are often harder to keep at a healthy weight: Food absorption becomes less efficie...

Why an occasional bit of stress can't hurt

In fact, when we talk about stress in horses, it is almost always about the negative consequences of stress, such as startle reactions, stomach ulcers and behavioural problems. But did you know that stress is not always only bad?. Chronic stress is indeed a serious health issue. This prolonged form of stress arises when a horse's basic needs are not met and when the horse experiences constant stress or anxiety. Chronic stress can lead to various (biochemical) changes in the body over time, compromise the immune system, and cause illnesses. Positive Stress On the other hand, horses can also experience positive stress. This happens, for example, during training sessions. By making exercises slightly more challenging or dema...

What does triphala do for stress and tension?

Triphala is an Indian herbal mixture that has been used in Aryuvedic medicine for centuries. It is a natural medicine that has proven effects on animals and humans. Also for stress complaints.. Triphala is made from dried fruits originating in the Himalayan region. It is a well-known herbal powder in India. Triphala consists of three plants: Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). There has been considerable research on the efficacy of Triphala for various diseases and complaints. This mixture has positive effects on a wide range of conditions. For instance, Amalaki stimulates digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties, Bi...