HEALTHY HORSE: Contents

PART 1 FEEDING

PART 2 SHOEING

PART 3 BITS

PART 4 HEALING OF INJURIES

PART 1 FEEDING

CHAPTER 1 RULES OF FEEDING

Feed plenty of forage. Feed little and often. Avoid making sudden changes to diet. Feed at regular intervals. Feed each horse as an individual. Choose good quality feed and forage. Feed horses according to body weight. Allow time after feeding before working. Provide a clean, fresh water supply. Keep feed buckets and scoops clean. Look after the system.

CHAPTER 2 FEEDING BY WEIGHT, NOT VOLUME

How much does my horse weigh?

CHAPTER 3 CHANGING YOUR HORSE’S DIET

Changing over from high molasses diets.

CHAPTER 4 MAINTAINING CONDITION IN WINTER

Points to remember

CHAPTER 5 FEEDING BRAN

Bran mash is great for my horse’s digestion! Fact or fiction?

Why we feed bran. The reasons they give for feeding mashes include:

Not a change for the better. Should bran mashes be avoided altogether?

CHAPTER 6 WHAT ARE ANTI-OXIDANTS AND HOW DO THEY WORK?

The major factors that can increase the rate of oxidation in a horse include:

How do anti-oxidants work? What problems can result from anti-oxidant deficiency? How do horses obtain anti-oxidants?

CHAPTER 7 WHEN TO FEED YOUR ATHLETE

What and when should I feed my horse before exercise or competitions. Concentrated feed (hard feed or grain). Feeding hay. The days leading up to the competition. Fasting before competition? Competition day.

CHAPTER 8 ENDURANCE RACING by Ray Geor, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM

Athletic demands. Key nutrients. Liquid and electrolyte losses. Before, during and after a ride.

CHAPTER 9 COLIC IN HORSES

What is colic? A tour of the gastro-intestinal tract.

Major types of colic: Impaction colic,  Gas colic, Spasmodic colic, Displacement /Volvulus/Torsion,                           Enteritis/Colitis, Gastric Distention/Rupture, Unknown

Signs of colic. What to do. Prevention of colic. References

CHAPTER 10 GASTRIC ULCERS

Reducing the risk of stomach ulcers.

CHAPTER 11 THE IMPORTANCE OF FIBRE ON DIGESTIVE HEALTH

Fibre digestion and micro flora in the hind gut. How does Equus approach this? Fibre and digestive disorders. How much fibre is required and how often? A word on forage quality.

CHAPTER 12 LAMINITIS AND RELATED METABOLIC DISORDERS (Cushing’s Syndrome, Insulin Resistance and Tying Up {Monday Morning Disease})

Diagnosis and Treatment. 10 ways to help avoid laminitis.

Other related metabolic disorders: Cushing’s Disease, Insulin Resistance, Tying Up (Monday Morning Disease).

CHAPTER 13 PROTIËN REQUIREMENTS IN THE EQUINE ATHLETE

Amino Acids. Protein quality. Protein requirements. Protein research. Why do athletes need more protein? Is it safe to feed more protein? Too little protein. Too much protein. Does protein cause fizziness? A typical protein requirement calculation. Additional factors to consider. Our approach at Equus. In summery.

CHAPTER 14 GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING HORSE FEED COST EFFECTIVELY

When it comes to horse food, cheap can be very expensive! Guidelines for choosing horse feed cost effectively!           

CHAPTER 15 FEEDING OF MARES DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION             

by dr. Francois van Niekerk (PhD) (Agric) (PrSciNat)

Feeding requirements of the mare

                    Protein intake

                    Minerals

Breeding season

                     Feeding of non-pregnant mares

                     Feeding of the pregnant mare 

                     Feeding of the mare during lactation

Summery of important phases in lactation and pregnancy

                     Nutritional requirements during various periods in the pregnant and lactating mare

                                    Early pregnancy

                     Feeding during lactation

                                    First 3 days after foaling

                                    First 120 days after foaling

                                    First 3 months of lactation

                                    35 to 45 days after fertilization

                                    Foal 3 to 4 months old

                                    90 to 120 days after fertilization

                                    Wean foals at 4 to 5 months

                                    Months 7 to 9 of pregnancy

                                    Last 3 months of pregnancy        

CHAPTER 16 FEEDING AND LEG PROBLEMS IN GROWING HORSES                      

by dr. Francois van Niekerk (PhD) (Agric) (PrSciNat)

Developmental Orthopaedic Disease consists of various types:

    Epiphysitis and metaficial enlargements

    Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

    Subchondrial bone cysts

    Osteochondrose (OCD)

    Contraction of the tendons

    Bent limbs deviations

    Bio-mechanics: a new perspective

    The role of feeding and the origin of DOD

    Mineral imbalances

    Over feeding

    Environmental influence  

    Summery

CHAPTER 17 FEEDING OF UNWEANED FOALS                                                       

by dr. Francois van Niekerk (PhD) (Agric) (PrSciNat)

Nursing foals

Mares and foals on grazing

     Feeding behavior

     Feeding requirements

          Protein

          Energy

          Minerals and vitamins

Weanlings

       Mass increase and growth               

CHAPTER 18 FEEDING OF YEARLING FOALS                                                         

by dr. Francois van Niekerk (PhD) (Agric) (PrSciNat)

Feeding of foals after weaning

     Nutritional requirements

          Protein intake

          Energy

               Carbohydrates

               Oils and fats

               Fiber

          Minerals

          Micro minerals

               Copper (Cu)

               Zinc (Zn)

               Manganese (Mn)

               The role of Silicon (Si) in bone growth           

CHAPTER 19 FEEDING OF HORSES IN TRAINING                                                  

by dr. Francois van Niekerk (PhD) (Agric) (PrSciNat)

Muscle types. Skeletal muscle.

Type of horse:

     Type 1 Slow firing

     Type 2 Fast firing

Muscle injuries and abnormal metabolism

Feeding of the working horse

     Protein

     Energy

     Fats

     Vitamins

     Minerals

Recommendations for feeding horses in training

CHAPTER 20 FEEDING OF THE BREEDING STALLION                                            

by dr. Francois van Niekerk (PhD) (Agric) (PrSciNat)

The examination for breeding fitness, which should preferably be done by a vet, comprises the following:

  1. General physical examination
  2. Examination of the external genital organs
  3. Examination of internal additional sex glands
  4. Semen collection and evaluation

Feeding requirements. Hoof care and joint problems. Fitness of stallions. Process of spermatogenesis. The effect of feeding on sperm quality.

PART 2 SHOEING

CHAPTER 1 QUARTER CRACKS

Solving the problem with quarter cracks (instantly). Hoof dressing.

CHAPTER 2 GUIDELINES FOR GENERAL HOOF CARE

By Maurice Pope.  SAFA Registered Farrier NO: 06/015

Environment. Feeding. Handling. Trimming. The time lapse between trimmings is being influenced by various factors:

Shoeing

General Diseases:

Thrush. Navicular Disease. Laminitis. Abcesses.

General hoof care.

CHAPTER 3 GREASY HEAL

Ttreatment.

PART 3 BITS

CHAPTER 1 SADDLEBRED BITS

By Hein Nieuwoudt, owner Springriverbits www.springriverbits.com

The ideal bit will have:. Factors which influence the severity of a bit.

PART 4 HEALING OF INJURIES

CHAPTER 1 HEALING OF SKELETAL INJURIES AND ACCIDENTS

Step 1 The chiropractor

Step 2 Thermography

Step 3 Quantum Physics

Step 4 Healing of inflammation and relieving of pain

Step 5 Exercises

            Phase 1 Transitional Exercises

            Phase 2 Pilates Exercises

            Phase 3 Trotting Poles