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.
Nettle
Weight
Insulin resistance
Triphala
Feeding
Supporting Your Horse in Losing or Gaining Weight
Naturally, a horse's weight fluctuates with the seasons. At the end of summer, they tend to be a bit thicker, and at the end of winter, when the reserves have been used to keep their body warm, a bit thinner. Our domesticated horses usually have enough food all year round and ideally should not fluctuate too much in weight. They should not be too thin or too fat. How do you regulate your horse's weight?. A horse that receives enough high-quality roughage and is provided with its daily vitamin and mineral needs should not lose weight in principle. In very cold weather, horses use a lot of fiber from roughage to keep warm. Therefore, make sure there is plenty of hay available during the winter months. Horses that are in high training or pregnant may also have an extra need for nutrients such as amino acids and proteins. Salmon Oil: Essential Fats Salmon oil can contribute to weight regulation. It...
Minerals
Silicon
Feeding
Does your horse eat sand? And do you know why?
In winter, horses can sometimes have problems with sand in their intestines. This can lead to diarrhea or even painful sand colic. Of course, it is important to treat a horse that has sand in its belly, but it is even better to address the cause. Do you know why your horse eats sand?. Eating sand and sand colic seem to occur particularly in autumn and winter. One reason for this is that horses sometimes graze on short or bare pastures, bringing a lot of sand with the grass roots. The transition from pasture to stable and (boring) paddock can also lead to increased sand intake. Six reasons for sand licking If your horse is consciously licking sand, there can be six possible reasons: Silicon deficiency Deficiencies in other minerals Boredom Worms Insufficient roughage throughou...
First Aid
Others
Feeding
What are the basic values of your horse?
How well do you know your horse? Every horse has its own 'normal' values. For example, how much he eats and how much he defecates, but also what his body temperature, resting heart rate, and respiration rate are. As an owner, it is useful to know these basic values. This way, you can more easily determine if something is wrong. Because horses cannot speak, as owners, we sometimes have to guess if something is wrong with them, if they are sick or experiencing discomfort. It is important not to dismiss abnormal behavior as 'trying it out', 'not in the mood', 'rebellious' or 'messing around'. A horse does not make plans to annoy you. If it exhibits abnormal behavior, there is probably something wrong somewhere. In its body, its head, or its environment. Measuring and writing down basic values To get to know the basic valu...
Others
Feeding
Am I giving my horse too many supplements?
Am I not giving my horse too many supplements? If I add this or that, is that okay, or will it be too much? These are questions that we regularly receive from horse owners, and understandably so! We have customers who give only 1 product, but sometimes we also hear that a large number of products are being given. Sometimes the question is indeed; are you perhaps giving your horse too many supplements? In this blog, we will explain what you need to consider.. If it's not beneficial? Then it can be harmful! You will never hear us say "if it's not beneficial, then it doesn't harm". Because even natural products can have a negative influence on the body if they are used incorrectly. Therefore, never just give a supplement to your horse, but always use it for a reason. And of course, there are also products that you can give without any problems, but why give something if it's not necessary? Our advice is always: use a supplement for the period...
Skin
Feeding
Vitamin D production in horses: sun appears to have little influence!
We learn something new every day too! It is always thought that horses are comparable to humans in many ways, including the production of vitamin D. We also thought this and also that horses that stand in a fly sheet/eczema sheet all summer, for example, can develop a vitamin D deficiency. There was very little scientific study done on this, so the assumption was quickly made that this is similar to humans. But now there has been some research done!. What is the importance of vitamin D? Vitamin D comes in 2 forms: D2 and D3. Horses get vitamin D2 from their diet (grass, hay, and herbs, for example), while horses produce vitamin D3 themselves. Vitamin D plays an important role in many processes. It is involved in: The absorption of calcium and phosphorus Supporting the immune system Preventing unintended cell division and cell mutations Regulating the production of keratin in the skin Various neurological functions The sun may have little inf...
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...
Rosehip
Feeding
Rosehip, beautiful addition to the mineral buffet!
More and more horse owners are creating a mineral buffet for their horse and this can be as extensive as you want. Green clay, nettle tincture, minerals from the Bering Sea, Celtic sea salt, and so on! Nowadays, there are a lot of products that you can add to your horse's water. And from now on, you can also add rosehip tincture!. Healthy extra for horses Many horses love rosehips and they are also extremely healthy for horses. You can give them fresh, in dried form, but nowadays rosehips are also available in tincture form. The advantage of a tincture is that you can extract a greater medicinal effect from the rosehips, it is a more concentrated form. Suitable for all horses and a tasty, healthy addition. Rosehip to mix with feed A tincture of rosehip can be given to horses in various ways. The easiest way is through the...
Nettle
Detox
Digestion
Feeding
Transition from grass to hay: take it easy!
The days are getting shorter and although the grass still grows a little, the nutritional value decreases in the autumn. It's time to supplement feed, and in many cases horses also move to the stable and paddock. This transition can be difficult for horses because they have a very sensitive digestive system. What can you do to make this transition easier?. In the spring, when horses go from hay to grass, many horse owners are cautious. Most people know that you need to gradually increase grass consumption to prevent problems like diarrhea or laminitis. In the autumn, the transition in the diet is also significant, although not everyone realizes that. It is wise to also switch slowly in the autumn. Autumn grass and hay Grass can still contain quite a bit of sugar in the autumn, especially if the nights are cold and the days are sunny. But grass con...
Others
Stress
Feeding
# A happy horse: what do we, as owners, need to take care of?
Horse welfare is very important to many horse owners and fortunately also to more and more institutions. We at HELTIE horse believe that a happy horse is extremely important! It is therefore our goal to bring horses closer to nature, with optimal health and well-being for all horses. But as a horse owner, what should we actually pay attention to and take care of?. Good and proper nutrition Many horse owners depend on their boarding stables when it comes to feeding their horse. But as horse owners, we have the responsibility for our horse's health and therefore also their nutrition. Horses should have access to sufficient high-quality forage. Our preference always goes to unpackaged hay as packaged hay has several health disadvantages. Additionally, we prefer to see horses have unlimited access to forage, but no more than 3 hours without. Nowadays, forage/...
Weight
Hormones
Feeding
Salmon oil
How to prevent muscle breakdown in the aging horse?
As horses age, they may suffer from muscle breakdown. This is a natural process. In humans, as well, more muscle tissue is broken down as the years go by. This is due to changes in hormone levels, decreased nerve stimulation to the muscles, and a decline in protein metabolism in an older horse or human.. Maintaining muscles requires a lot of energy. However, a horse also needs them. It is important that an older horse, even in winter, receives enough energy to maintain its muscles. Unlimited roughage is always the best foundation. Additionally, it is wise to add healthy fats to the diet, such as salmon oil. This provides a lot of energy and the appropriate omega-3 fatty acids for horses, namely EPA and DHA. This way, a horse has the necessary fatty acids readily available through the oil without...
Weight
Digestion
Feeding
# Nutrition for the older horse: choose a customized ration!
Older horses often need customized nutrition. Most horse owners are aware of that. However, it is not as simple as buying a bag of senior feed on your four-legged friend's 18th birthday and then calling it a day. One senior horse is not the same as the other, so always pay close attention to your horse. When dealing with aging horses, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the teeth wear down, causing chewing problems. Therefore, a good equine dentist who regularly checks the teeth is crucial for an older horse. In addition, the digestion of an older horse changes. From around the age of 20, the processing of food becomes less efficient. Also, organs such as the liver and kidneys start to function less effectively. Older horses may struggle to extract energy, protein, vitamins, and minera...