One of the most common mistakes horse owners tend to make is opting for supplements before evaluating their horse’s diet.

Today, we are taking a closer look at supplements and whether or not they are necessary for horse health.

Diet First, Supplements Second

No supplement will fully correct the underlying issue if a horse is fed an unbalanced diet. Nutritional deficiencies, toxicities, and stress often occur due to poor feeding practices. So, horse owners should consider the diet before adding supplements for their horses, and get a hay analysis to uncover any nutritional gaps, as metabolic issues or insulin resistance often improve after simply adjusting the diet.

A Holistic Approach to Supplementing

Horses do not have the same diverse foraging options of the wild in domestic settings. So, supplements may be necessary in many cases. Nutritional therapy, using targeted nutrients to support healing and prevent diseases, can be a powerful tool for overcoming many equine health issues.

Choose High-Quality, Bioavailable Supplements

Many supplements contain cheap fillers, poorly absorbed forms of minerals, or ingredients that may even exacerbate any existing health issues. It is essential to select supplements with bioavailable ingredients that the horses can effectively utilize. Source only high-quality products with minimal additives for maximum effectiveness. Hair tissue mineral analysis can also offer valuable insights into deficiencies and imbalances that standard blood work may not detect.

Avoid Over-Supplementation

Many horse owners fall into the trap of adding multiple supplements without a clear strategy. Over-supplementation can create imbalances, cause nutrient competition, and lead to unnecessary expenses. A well-planned supplement regimen should be based on the needs of each horse to ensure that every ingredient complements rather than conflicts with their overall nutritional plan.

Conclusion

Supplements can be beneficial but are not always the solution for horse health issues. A well-balanced diet should always come first. Supplements should be targeted tools for correcting deficiencies and supporting recovery. By selecting high-quality, bioavailable ingredients and avoiding unnecessary additives, horse owners can maximize the benefits of supplementation and ensure their horses receive optimal nutrition.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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Today, we are bringing you a rerun of Episode 16. This episode explores alfalfa, a highly nutritious feed that often leaves horse owners uncertain due to the many conflicting opinions on its proper use and ideal feeding amounts.

Join us as we tackle the ins and outs of incorporating alfalfa into your horse's diet and debunk some of the common misconceptions surrounding it.

Diverse Uses of Alfalfa

Horse owners can use alfalfa for many different purposes. Some use it to provide extra calories during the winter, while others use it to help their horses gain weight. Some owners like to use alfalfa as a source of energy to enhance a horse’s performance and contribute to muscle building. Others claim that using alfalfa prevents issues like chronic diarrhea and fecal water syndrome in their horses.

The Equine Microbiome

Horses get their energy from fermenting fiber. Alfalfa may help with issues like chronic diarrhea or fecal water syndrome because it impacts the tiny organisms in the microbial populations of the hindgut. I spoke about the equine microbiome in Episode 10, so you can go back and listen to that episode to refresh your memory if you need to.

Toxicity Issues

Diets high in alfalfa can lead to potential feed toxicity issues, like leaky gut, due to the shift in microbial populations and increased body acidity caused by those diets. You need to know the horse's history and monitor the amount and duration of alfalfa feeding to avoid complications. 

Understanding Alfalfa as a Forage

Contrary to common belief, alfalfa is a legume and is not part of the grass family, a difference that impacts its macronutrient composition. With a protein content ranging from 14 percent to 25 percent, alfalfa can be a valuable supplement for horses. It does contain a high lignin content, making it less digestible and less efficient than grass as an energy source.

Alfalfa as a Protein Supplement

Despite its limitations as an energy source, alfalfa shines as a protein supplement for horses. Horses with protein deficiencies or higher protein requirements, such as young horses, rescue horses, or seniors, can benefit from alfalfa supplementation. For older horses with slower metabolic rates, alfalfa can be particularly helpful in meeting their nutritional needs.

In Conclusion

While alfalfa may have some limitations and not necessarily work as a replacement for grass, it can still be a valuable supplement for horses as it contains essential nutrients, like protein in particular. 

By learning about the role of alfalfa and understanding its benefits, horse owners can make informed decisions on incorporating alfalfa effectively into the diets of their equine companions.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

Register for Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally, now.

The adrenal glands play a crucial role in keeping horses healthy and resilient.

My recent hands-on experience with horse dissections highlighted the importance of the adrenal glands for metabolism, hormone regulation, and stress response in horses.

When horse owners learn how the adrenal glands work and how chronic stress affects them, they can become far more effective in supporting the health and well-being of their horses.

The Role of the Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands produce cortisol, ACTH, and DHEA, which regulate energy, influence immune function, and affect the overall hormone balance in horses. Horses are prey animals, so they tend to be on high alert. That means their adrenal glands are often working overtime. When a horse is under constant stress from its environment, emotions, or physical strain, it can lead to adrenal fatigue, affecting everything from metabolism to immune function.

Hormonal Imbalances and Their Effects

Horses with metabolic issues like PPID or insulin resistance often have adrenal dysfunction. High cortisol levels can lead to tissue breakdown, slow healing, and weaken the immune system. The adrenals also play a role in sex hormone production, as DHEA influences testosterone and estrogen levels. So adrenal health can affect everything, including the reproductive cycle of mares and the hormone balance of geldings. Understanding those connections helps horse owners make better health decisions.

The Impact of Chronic Inflammation and Stress

Many horses deal with low-grade inflammation from environmental toxins, poor diet, or chronic illness. With those issues, the adrenal glands keep pumping out cortisol, which, over time, can wear them out. When adrenal function drops, the pituitary gland produces more ACTH, which can contribute to metabolic disorders. To manage that, owners must reduce external stressors, like inadequate stable conditions and poor handling techniques, and internal stressors, such as diet and gut health.

Nutritional and Holistic Support

Supporting adrenal health in horses requires a combination of proper nutrition, stress reduction, and careful hormone management. Horses naturally produce vitamin C, but in times of stress, they may require supplementation. Other vital nutrients include minerals that help regulate adrenal function. Maintaining a balanced diet that promotes gut health can also reduce overall stress on the body, and providing horses with an environment that meets their instinctual needs for freedom, forage, and friendship is vital for reducing chronic stress.

Recognizing the Signs and Taking Action

As research into equine adrenal health progresses, more vets and equine professionals recognize the signs of adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms like persistent fatigue, poor coat quality, muscle wasting, and metabolic imbalances can indicate underlying adrenal stress. By taking a proactive approach to adrenal support through dietary improvements, environmental enrichment, and holistic care, owners can help prevent long-term health complications in their horses.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

Register for Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally, now.