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.
Minerals
Feeding
The role of trace elements in the equine body
A horse needs daily vitamins, minerals as well as trace elements in its ration. Trace elements are also known as microminerals; they are important in small quantities. This is in contrast to macrominerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, of which a horse needs quite a lot every day. What do trace elements do?. The most important trace elements for horses are: iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium, cobalt, molybdenum, and sulfur. These minerals are needed in small amounts for the proper functioning of a horse. Long-term Considerations Trace elements are not always sufficiently present in roughage or grass. This usually doesn’t lead to an immediate problem, but in the long term, deficiencies can arise that affect your horse’s health. Trace elements must also be present in your horse's diet. Fo...
Minerals
Feeding
What happens in the horse's body when there are deficiencies?
If your horse is fed a ration that does not meet all its needs, various problems can arise. Sometimes you can see this quite quickly, but in other cases, the body masks deficiencies of certain nutrients until it really can't. And then you can ‘suddenly’ have a bigger problem.. A horse needs energy, building blocks, vitamins, and minerals for its daily functioning. If an animal does not get enough energy, this is usually quite easy to see: the horse will lose weight. You can easily solve this by providing more roughage or adding some oil to the diet. Of course, weight loss can also be caused by certain diseases, dental problems, or a worm infestation. If adding energy to the diet does not help, consult your veterinarian. Self-produced or from feed? Your horse produces...
Minerals
Feeding
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...
Minerals
Feeding
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...
Minerals
Feeding
Joints
Minerals
Feeding
Senior
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...
Magnesium
Minerals
Stress
The effect of magnesium on the nervous system of horses
Many horse owners give their horse magnesium. But why do so? Isn't there enough magnesium in the regular feed? And what function does this mineral actually have in the nervous system of horses?. Horses with Increased Magnesium Needs Horses that perform heavy work, sweat frequently, are pregnant, or nursing a foal often require more magnesium. Additionally, horses that are naturally nervous or excitable typically have higher magnesium needs. A Versatile Mineral Magnesium is essential for around 300 bodily processes. This mineral is crucial for the health of your horse’s bones, muscles, and nervous system. It also plays a role in energy production and metabolism. Magnesium positively affe...
Joints
Minerals
Silicon
Healthy joints in growing horses
When you have young horses, you want them to grow up healthy. So that as an adult horse they are strong enough to do fun things with you and have a long and healthy life. Healthy joints are essential for this, but not always obvious. How do you make sure your young horse develops healthy joints?. Whether your young horse is being raised in a rearing facility or at home, the most important things it needs for healthy joints are good roughage and plenty of free movement. A lot of free movement. In addition, minerals also play a crucial role. Preventing OC(D) Two major causes of joint problems in horses are OC (Osteochondrosis) and OCD (Osteochondrosis Dissecans). OC involves flattening or malformation of parts of the joints, while OCD also includes loose fragments of bone (chips) in a join...
Algae
Skin
Minerals
Silicon
Salmon oil
Why does a horse's immunity decrease during shedding?
When animals shed or are molting, it significantly affects their immune system. This also applies to horses. Good nutrition is especially important during this time because your horse needs a lot of energy, vitamins, and minerals to shed its coat properly. How can you prevent a dip in immunity during shedding?. The physical effort required to shed an old coat and grow a new one demands a lot of energy and nutrients. As a result, the horse's body can pay less attention to fighting off diseases. During this period, the skin may become more sensitive, and small cracks and irritations can allow bacteria and parasites to enter. Moreover, producing a new coat requires extra energy, leaving less energy available for the immune system. Good Nutrition is Essential Good nutrition is therefore crucial during the...
Minerals
Feeding
Additional minerals healthy for many horses
Minerals are of great importance for all horses. And when a horse sweats a lot, exercises, grows, or has a foal at its side, additional minerals are often needed. Dutch roughage has become increasingly poor in minerals over the last few decades. A horse that only gets hay or hay and a little concentrated feed can therefore develop a deficiency in essential minerals.. Minerals Are Important for Horses Minerals are crucial for the skeleton, nervous system, and digestion of horses. All mammals require various minerals, even if sometimes only in tiny amounts. Sport horses that use their bodies more intensively and sweat more have a higher mineral requirement than horses that only perform light work. They especially need more sodium, chloride, and often potassium. These minerals can be found in electrolyte products. Growing horses and lactating mares also have ab...
Minerals
Feeding
Pasture
Copper and zinc deficiencies in pasture and roughage
Today, it is often heard that some soils have insufficient levels of copper and zinc. This could have implications for the nutritional value of grass and hay. Does the shortage of minerals in Dutch soil have consequences for our horses? And what can you do about it?. According to Pavo's roughage monitor, grass and roughage in the Netherlands almost always have low concentrations of the trace elements zinc and copper. These minerals are involved in important bodily functions. They do not need to be present in large quantities in the diet, but it is important that your horse gets a little of both. Since Dutch soil is often rich in iron and manganese, horses rarely have a deficiency in those elements. Peat Soil and Sandy Soil On soils with high phosphorus, high...
Nettle
Minerals
Dandelion
Rosehip
Four tips to prevent a dip in immunity in your horse
In the cold, wet, and dark days of winter, many horses experience a dip in their immune system. The shedding of their winter coat, when the days start getting longer, can also have a negative impact on their immune system. Is there a way to prevent such a resistance dip? We provide you with four tips. Tip 1 - Ensure sufficient exercise even in winter Horses are animals that require movement. However, during winter, it can be less appealing - and sometimes even impossible - to go out with your horse. If you only have access to an outdoor arena, or have to work during the day, this may mean that your horse gets less exercise in winter. Make sure your horse has as much free movement as possible daily, even if you don't find it appealing to be outside. Generally, horses tolerate cold weather much...