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          The end of winter: specific care for your horse

          Monday, April 08, 2019

          The arrival of spring after winter is a period of transition which may seem trivial, but which demands a lot of energy from your horse. Here's our advice to help you make the most of this change of season:

          Your horse will be delighted to eat green grass after winter

          1. Shearing your horse

          Every year, in spring and autumn alike, the horses put on their new new coat and replace almost all their coats, which is quite a feat. That's why your horse may look tired as the warm weather approaches. 

          If you have the opportunity, it is best to mowing your horse entirely or partially before spring to make it moulting period is less of a hassle. You will also be less bothered with sweating and drying of your horse. However, you should take care of your horse cover your horse according to the temperature. Daytime temperatures gradually rise, but nights remain cool, which may require you to change your blanket several times a day.

          Note that the dress is the barometer of your good health of your horse. If your horse's coat is a little dull and roughIf your horse has a slightly thick coat, consider giving him somecod liver oil which is very rich in vitamin A and D. Vitamin A helps tomoisturise the skin and will help your horse to regain a healthy shiny coat.

          2. Complementing your sport horse

          For some horses the pace of competition slows down during winter and for others, it even comes to a halt. The work schedule is lightened and the ration ration reducedThe end of winter is also synonymous with a reduction in the amount of minerals and vitamins in the diet. The end of winter is also synonymous with moulting for your horse, and this period can sometimes be accompanied by a weakened immune system. For more information, visit complementary feeds can help your companions cope with this transition period, and we'll see why.

          • To get it in shape 

          A few weeks before returning to the show grounds, the horses gradually resume a more pace of work more sustained. For some horses, returning to work at this time can be a complicated phase. It can therefore be beneficial to support them in terms ofdiet to help them cope with this new rhythm and to develop their muscle mass.

          In this phase, it is mainly a question ofbalance the energy ration with the energy expenditure related to the horse's activity. Do not forget that the main source of energy in the horse are the plant walls (also commonly referred to as " fibre") of fodder and the second source, starchwhich are found in the cereals. In a second step, we will try to rebalance the inputs by minerals and vitamins.

          A well-adapted ration is the secret of a healthy horse

          If your horse lacks muscle massa protein supplementation may be recommended. It will then be necessary to maintain a sufficient activity level at the same time as supplementation. There are many options for supplementing your horse, but remember that each athlete is specific. Do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian Do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian in order to choose the most suitable formula according to your horse and the objectives set for the season.

          • To boost your immune system

          For some horses, the moult can be accompanied by a little sluggishness. To form a new coat, your horse's body needs a lot ofenergyand numerous elements such as amino acids, minerals, vitamins and trace elements. The immune system is weakened of these elements. A course ofmultivitamin supplements over a period of time will do you a world of good, and provide the trace elements and nutrients necessary to maintain good general condition and boost your horse's immune system.

          Again, there are many supplementary feeds available and we recommend that you seek advice from your veterinarian on the most suitable solution for your horse. veterinarian We recommend that you seek advice from your veterinarian on the most appropriate feed for your horse.

          3. Pay particular attention to hooves

          The hooves deserve special attention at this time of year. If your horse has spent the winter outside, it is likely to have soft feet because of dampness.

          Take advantage of the shower sessions for clean them soles. After cleaning the feet, use a hard foot brush to scrub the skin. gaps. Once they are dry, usefortifying ointment which contains a little pine tar. If your horse's forks are very soft or even smelly, pine tar will help to harden them.

          Foot care is essential at this time of year!

          Spring is also the time to think about change ointment. If you were using a black ointment during the winter, switch to a blond or green ointment for spring and summer. They containlaurel oil or lanolin which provide a strong moisturizing effect on the hooves.

          A course of biotin will also be ideal as it has the advantage of being excellent for the hair and for the feet. Biotin is a natural antioxidant and is full of vitamins. vitamin E.

          4. Do not neglect the return to grass

          The majority of horses have been confined indoors and fed a hay/grain ration for several months during the winter. As with any dietary change, the switch to grass fresh, lush spring pastures must be introduced to avoid gradually in order to avoid digestive problems

          Spring grass is a very nutritious and rich in nutrients and very easy to digest. Horses tend to overeat because of the palatability of this lush greenery, which can lead to major problems such as gaseous colicand diarrhoea and furring. Here are a few tips to help your horse make the most of his spring outings and minimise any adverse effects:

          • Feed your horse with hay just before you take him out. Alternatively, leave hay available in the pasture until the grass matures. When horses have a full belly, they are less likely to overeat once put out to pasture.
          • Only let it graze for the first 30 minutes the first few days. You can then gradually increase the number of hours spent in the pasture in the following weeks. Use a fasting basket if you can't make a gradual transition. Do not hesitate to cover Do not hesitate to use it at the beginning in case of low temperatures.

          The basket, a good solution for limiting grass consumption

          Pay particular attention to poisonous plants. In spring, young shoots are sometimes very different from adult plants, making them difficult to identify. So be vigilant, keep your eyes open in your pastures and ask around.

          5. Our final tips

          In addition to the development of muscle mass, it is also important to pay attention to thegeneral condition of your horse and the small deficiencies that can occur at the end of winter, particularly in thelocomotor system. Small aches and pains can appear with the resumption of a more sustained training. It is therefore important not to neglect the warm-ups.

          With the arrival of fine weather and the return to pasture, it is also time to think about deworming your horse to protect it from spring parasitic infestations. After deworming, make sure you also remove them dung of the meadow or box in which your horse lives, or change the meadow. Also make sure that all the horses around your horse are also wormed. If they are not, their droppings will have larvaeand your horse will be at risk of being wormed again. infested.

          Please note if you have a pony or a marespring is the time when ovarian activity of ovarian activity. Watch out for changes in behavior. Some become a little rebellious, and it's sometimes a good idea to give them a few days' peace and quiet. Others can't stand contact with other horses, which can cause problems both at work and in the pasture.

          A Very soon for a new article,

          The Seaver team 🙂

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