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Horses have evolved to handle a wide variety of vegetation in their diet, but with a few key differences between the feral horse and the domesticated horse. A horse ranging freely in search of food consumes nutrients such as carbohydrates and fats in a very diluted form because grasses and other plants are at least 75% water. Wild horses also get a lot more exercise than domesticated horses, which is important to good gut function. We don't really know exactly why, but research bears this out.
The dilution factor is important because most gut upsets in the horse are related to the large intestine. The horse's large intestine is essentially a fermentation vat-like the four stomachs of a cow. Nutrients are first broken down by the bacteria and protozoa that live in the hind gut. The byproducts of that breakdown are actually what the horse then absorbs and turns into proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that the body can use.
Seasonal Diets
Be aware that cool or wet weather can change the nutritional balance of fall grasses.
When switching from pasture to a hay-based diet, do so gradually.
If you choose to supplement with grain, introduce small amounts slowly.
When making any dietary changes, watch for signs of digestive upset.
Use the same precautions when switching to different cuttings or varieties of hay as you would when changing or introducing grain.
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Each specific type of organism (and there are hundreds) will need a specific type of food to survive. Some are better at using complex fibers. Some like simple sugars. Others will thrive on high protein. Still others will be intermediate forms and will further break down the products produced by other types of organisms. When the organisms receive a constant flow of foods to ferment in a high volume of fluid, they can adapt to changes much easier.
When a large "load" of fermentable food hits the hind gut all at one time, if it is different from what the organisms are accustomed to handling, the result can be a rapid increase in the "bugs" that prefer that type of nutrient. This, in turn, can change the chemistry in the intestine and cause other forms of bugs to die off. Consequences for the horse range from poor utilization of feed (or some portions of it) to gas, mild distention, diarrhea, or full blown colic.
If the large intestine becomes too acidic, as it can if unusually high amounts of sugar, starch, or complex plant sugars enter it, the lining can actually be damaged and bacterial toxins absorbed into the body. This can make the horse very ill. It can even cause laminitis.
Most people know you shouldn't start, increase, or change grains rapidly. This is one of the most dangerous things you can do in terms of risking intestinal upset. However, what you may not realize is that changes in hay can be bad, too.
The dilution factor is important because most gut upsets in the horse are related to the large intestine. The horse's large intestine is essentially a fermentation vat-like the four stomachs of a cow. Nutrients are first broken down by the bacteria and protozoa that live in the hind gut. The byproducts of that breakdown are actually what the horse then absorbs and turns into proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that the body can use.
Seasonal Diets
Be aware that cool or wet weather can change the nutritional balance of fall grasses.
When switching from pasture to a hay-based diet, do so gradually.
If you choose to supplement with grain, introduce small amounts slowly.
When making any dietary changes, watch for signs of digestive upset.
Use the same precautions when switching to different cuttings or varieties of hay as you would when changing or introducing grain.
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Each specific type of organism (and there are hundreds) will need a specific type of food to survive. Some are better at using complex fibers. Some like simple sugars. Others will thrive on high protein. Still others will be intermediate forms and will further break down the products produced by other types of organisms. When the organisms receive a constant flow of foods to ferment in a high volume of fluid, they can adapt to changes much easier.
When a large "load" of fermentable food hits the hind gut all at one time, if it is different from what the organisms are accustomed to handling, the result can be a rapid increase in the "bugs" that prefer that type of nutrient. This, in turn, can change the chemistry in the intestine and cause other forms of bugs to die off. Consequences for the horse range from poor utilization of feed (or some portions of it) to gas, mild distention, diarrhea, or full blown colic.
If the large intestine becomes too acidic, as it can if unusually high amounts of sugar, starch, or complex plant sugars enter it, the lining can actually be damaged and bacterial toxins absorbed into the body. This can make the horse very ill. It can even cause laminitis.
Most people know you shouldn't start, increase, or change grains rapidly. This is one of the most dangerous things you can do in terms of risking intestinal upset. However, what you may not realize is that changes in hay can be bad, too.
Free Horse Pictures Images Wallpapers Photos 2013
Free Horse Pictures Images Wallpapers Photos 2013
Free Horse Pictures Images Wallpapers Photos 2013
Free Horse Pictures Images Wallpapers Photos 2013
Free Horse Pictures Images Wallpapers Photos 2013
Free Horse Pictures Images Wallpapers Photos 2013
Free Horse Pictures Images Wallpapers Photos 2013
Free Horse Pictures Images Wallpapers Photos 2013
Free Horse Pictures Images Wallpapers Photos 2013
Free Horse Pictures Images Wallpapers Photos 2013
Free Horse Pictures Images Wallpapers Photos 2013
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