In addition to providing honest advice, we at AskHELTIE believe it's important to have a wealth of information available for horse owners. This way, you can expand your knowledge and help your horse to the best of your ability. Together, we ensure that horses come a little closer to nature.
Digestion
What you need to know about equine digestion
Horses have a unique digestive system, which has a huge impact on their health. A horse with a healthy digestive system is healthy, happy, and balanced. It is therefore important to understand what makes the digestive system of horses so special.. A horse is not a human, and a horse is also not a cow. That's obvious, but it's sometimes forgotten when we talk about digestion and the gastrointestinal system. However, it's an important fact because horses need to be fed differently than cows or humans. 'Hind gut fermenter' A horse is a so-called 'hind gut fermenter.' With this English term, scientists indicate that the main part of the food digestion process in horses occurs in the hind part of the digestive tract. That is to say: in the lar...
Digestion
Feeding
How do you keep the pH value of the horse's stomach balanced?
Horses have much more stomach problems than people. Stress, heavy work, and a less adequate feed policy can contribute to this. But also, for example, after a move or illness, stomach problems can occur. What can you do about this and how do you keep the pH of the horse's stomach under control?. In the lower part of the horse's stomach, gastric juice is released, which contains a lot of hydrochloric acid. This acid kills harmful bacteria, fungi, and yeasts that may be present in the feed. If the stomach is too empty or if there are other disruptions, the acid can 'splash' up to the upper half of the stomach and damage the gastric mucosa there. Many stomach problems A 2000 American study showed that about 60% of the horses in the study had stomach problems. This increased to as much as 9...
Others
Digestion
Feeding
# The ideal feeding schedule for horses with limited hay
Giving limited or unlimited roughage to your horse is still a topic of much debate. Some horses do fine on unlimited roughage, but there are also horses that become way too fat. Often, this is not due to the amount of roughage, but to the nutritional value of the roughage. As a horse owner, you cannot always change this and have to deal with the feed that is available (at the boarding stable).. Hay high in sugars In recent years, we are seeing more and more issues with feeding unlimited roughage. The hay in the Netherlands is very high in sugar due to the dry/warm summers, with percentages around 15% becoming almost normal, whereas it is preferred to have them under 8% and even under 5% for horses sensitive to sugars. Due to the high sugar percentages, horses easily gain weight, develop health issues, and unlimited feeding becomes a risk. Of course, roughage is more than just hay! Roug...
Digestion
Feeding
Why you should always give roughage before concentrate
Traditionally, it has always been said: first give roughage and then concentrate to a horse. But why is this actually the case? What is the effect if you give your horse concentrate first? We are happy to tell you in this blog!. Ideal horse never without roughage In the ideal scenario, this issue would not even be a concern, because we prefer to see horses have roughage available 24/7 and never have an empty stomach. However, this is not possible for all horses and on all farms. In many boarding stables, there are still separate times for roughage and concentrate feeding. In this case, it is important to give the roughage first. Roughage stimulates saliva production While we humans produce saliva continuously, it works...
Organs
Digestion
Function and anatomy of the horse's stomach
Horses have a unique and sensitive digestive system. The whole process 'from mouth to butt' is quite complicated. The stomach of a horse is an essential and sensitive part of this digestive process. What does that stomach actually look like and how does a healthy horse stomach function?. A horse has a very long digestive system, but the horse's stomach is relatively small. However... due to this small stomach, huge amounts of food and water must be ingested daily. An adult horse needs about 1 percent of its body weight in dry matter every day. This is a whopping 30 to 45 kilograms of fresh grass or 7.5 to 12 kilograms of hay. In addition, a horse drinks about 25 liters of water per day. If the horse has to work or if it's hot, even more water is needed! No stretch A horse's stom...
Digestion
Feeding
Why a horse's health starts with the intestinal flora
Horses are very sensitive to digestive problems. The gastrointestinal tract of an adult horse can be as long as 40 meters, with a capacity of up to 200 liters! Along this entire tract, various problems can arise. The health of a horse is therefore largely dependent on the health of its digestive system. Especially in winter.. One of the most important ways to maintain your horse's immunity is to ensure a well-functioning gastrointestinal tract. This is literally the foundation of your horse's health. Of course, this primarily means that there should be sufficient high-fiber roughage of good quality available for your horse. This is essential for the health of the intestinal flora. Your horse's intestinal flora The intestinal flora (or microbiome) is a complete ecosystem of bacteria and fungi that assist in digesting...
Digestion
Feeding
What is the difference between pro- and prebiotics? And does it have an effect on the gut health of horses?
Probably you have not previously considered the difference between pro- and prebiotics. Often pro- and prebiotics are mentioned together, but the difference between the two is significant. It is good to know exactly what this difference is and how both work on the gut flora of horses (but also humans).. What is the difference between pre- and probiotics A probiotic is officially defined as a living microbiological food supplement that can influence the microbial balance in the gut. Probiotics can be used when the gut flora is disturbed. With a disturbed gut flora, harmful microorganisms get a chance to expand in the intestines and this can cause various diseases. Probiotics are also used preventively to avoid a possible disturbance of the gut flora, for example, due to antibiotic use. Prebiotic...
Behaviour
Organs
Digestion
Feeding
How to prevent stomach ulcers in sport horses?
Unfortunately, many horses suffer from stomach ulcers. This problem occurs in recreational horses, but many sport horses also experience it. It is often thought that sport horses are "different" and should be kept and fed differently. But is that really the case? And how can you prevent stomach ulcers in sport horses?. What are stomach ulcers? A stomach ulcer is an irritation or wound in the stomach caused by damage to the stomach lining. This results in inflammatory reactions to the stomach wall. The stomach of a horse has a capacity of about 10 liters and can be seen as a bag. The lower part continuously produces stomach acid, and the lining in the lower part is more resistant to this acid. The upper part of the stomach has a different lining and is less tolerant to stomach acid. Due to various circumstances...
Behaviour
Minerals
Silicon
Digestion
Feeding
Help, my horse is eating sand! What should I do now?
Two times a year we see a peak in questions about horses eating sand. Typically around February/March and usually around September/October. This is quite logical, as these are periods when the molting process is in full swing and the nutritional needs of horses are changing due to a seasonal shift. But what should you do if your horse starts eating sand? Should you just let it happen or should you intervene?. Sand-eating is a natural phenomenon All horses eat sand, this is a natural phenomenon and wild horses do this as well. Sand, or rather soil, is a rich source of minerals. From white sand, horses cannot extract much, as it mainly consists of silicon in a form that is not absorbable. Black soil, on the other hand, is richer in minerals, contains more types of minerals, and in forms that the horse can make better use of. If you see your horse eating black soil, don't panic immediately. It is a sign...
Nettle
Detox
Digestion
Feeding
How do you support a horse with sensitive intestines?
Horses have a unique digestive system, which is sensitive to changes in feed, poor quality forage, too much sugar, weather changes, and stress. What can you do as a horse owner if your horse has sensitive intestines and regularly suffers from cramps, mild colic, or diarrhea?. Actually, all horses have a sensitive digestive system, but it is more pronounced in some animals than in others. Horses need a lot of fiber to optimize their digestion. Fiber is the basis of a horse's diet. Sufficient forage, with plenty of fiber and of good quality, is therefore the first requirement for horses with sensitive intestines. Check for mold in the forage and supplement any shortage of good forage with high-quality forage substitutes. For example, alfalfa, (soaked) grass pellets, or...
Digestion
Feeding
# The difference between hay, pre-cut, and silage
Roughage for horses comes in different forms. From small bales of dry herbal hay to large packages of plastic-wrapped silage or pre-cut silage. What are actually the differences in nutritional value between these various types of 'packaged grass'? And: what is the best for your horse?. Roughage is vital for horses. The fibers from roughage are the main source of energy for the digestive system. In the large intestine of your horse, a wide range of microorganisms convert the fibers into volatile fatty acids. These are then absorbed by the intestines and used for energy supply, heat production, building materials, and vitamins. Fiber-rich roughage is therefore super important for the health of a horse. From ryegrass to natural hay Most of the roughage we give to horses in the Ne...
Guest blog
Digestion
Guest blog Janneke from Worm & Co: To deworm preventively in winter or not?
Janneke van der Wal from Worm&Co advocates for customized worm management for each horse. Many people give a heavier deworming treatment with Moxidectine at the beginning of winter each year – against redworms, tapeworms, and bots among others. We asked Janneke if this is actually necessary and how you can know.. "Routine deworming every few months throughout the year is really unnecessary," Janneke explains. "About 74% of horses in the Netherlands are dewormed unnecessarily. And every unnecessary deworming treatment leads to resistance in worms." That's why Worm&Co uses fecal egg counts and a detailed questionnaire, so that each individual horse can be dewormed accordingly. Only deworm when it is truly necessary. Janneke says, "Every horse carries gastrointestinal worms. Tha...