The digestive system of the horse is very sensitive and has been the foremost cause for the lose of our reliable mountain horses. We lost one of our good three year olds that we raised and was in excellent health, due to an obstruction in the bowel. I hope that this information will help you develop and maintain good sensible horse-keeping practices.
- The digestive system of the horse is designed to digest forage, so Eastern WA hay (year round) or pasture (spring/summer only) should be the foundation of your feeding program.
- COB, a mixture of dry corn, oats, barley & supplements should only be fed to provide essential nutrients not contained in the forage. Ideally oats and barley as it is difficult for horses to digest corn.
- Avoid needless or excessive diet supplements.
- The type of hay/pasture fed (alfalfa vs grass) will greatly influence the nutrient intake.
- Local Western WA hay is NOT an option.
Good horse-keeping is changing much like the practices we use in maintaining our own health. Complementary health care choices are rapidly becoming part of everyday horse care. Check the Dynamite website at http://www.dynamiteonline.com/ for available specialized supplements. There are links to the naturopathic approach to proactive complementary horse care.
The Dynamite line is what we use on the horses while they are in our care. We require that you use the Dynamite Plus vitamins during the lease period. You will find that the amount of any grain will be greatly reduced and more than cover the cost of using this supplement daily.
We suggest the following products from the Dynamite Line:
- DYNAMITE PLUS - Required - Feed 1.5 oz daily in a small amount of dry COB. You will notice a dappling of the coat which reflects a healthy horse.
- 2 to 1 FREE CHOICE – Required - A mineral supplement that is offered as a free choice. Horses will eat only if needed. Should stop any chewing of wood, etc.
- FREE & EASY – Great for older horses that show a little stiffness in the joints or ligaments.
- DYNA-PRO – Additive to maximize digestive efficiency. A must after working, vaccinations, extreme weather conditions or stressful conditions. Use immediately as a preventive if there are any signs of colic. A must have product to have on hand.
These products can be ordered and drop shipped directly to you by calling our office with your credit card number, toll free at 1-888-235-0111 or e-mail at debby@highcountry-outfitters.com The Dynamite products will take the guessing out or what is a proper diet for your horse and save you money in the long run. You will be rewarded with a healthy animal which will be reflected in the condition of the coat, mane, and tail along with a bright clear eye.
MAKE SURE THE SALT BLOCK HAS SELENIUM! Our growing soils are selenium deficient.
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