Picky eating in horses is a common concern for horse owners. 

Horses, like people, can be very selective about what they like to eat- particularly after being introduced to a new feeding program containing foods they have never eaten before. Fortunately, most horses can be encouraged to enjoy their meals after some experimentation.

Sometimes, however, there are genuine reasons why a horse may be reluctant to eat, and that is what we will explore today.

Understanding Your Horse’s Preferences 

You need to understand your horse’s food preferences because prevailing opinions often stem from human perspectives rather than understanding what horses genuinely like to eat.

Addressing Health-Related Picky Eating

The main reason horses tend to be picky is not feeling well after eating something that causes indigestion. In those situations- especially for horses with compromised digestive systems, I find it helpful to simplify their diet by incorporating whole foods and then observing how the horse responds to those changes.

Medication Side Effects: 

Another factor contributing to pickiness is the side effects of medications. All medications impact the digestive system, so I advise horse owners to research potential side effects and understand that individual horses may react differently toA medications.

Taste Preferences and Flavors 

Horses’ taste preferences play a significant role in their picky eating, as they can be particular about flavors like salt, sour, sweet, and spicy. I like experimenting with those flavors to learn about the specific preferences of each horse.

Gradual Transition to New Feeding Programs 

I recommend a gradual transition when introducing horses to a new feeding program, especially for horses already addicted to certain foods, as abrupt dietary changes may be counterproductive. Making a slow transition allows the horse's taste buds to adjust over time.

Building a Positive Relationship 

I always emphasize the importance of building a positive relationship between a horse and its food to enhance its health. Encouraging trust in a new feeding program and observing how the horse responds over time is essential for ensuring optimum physical and mental well-being.

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Today, we follow on from our last episode, where we spoke about feeding horses alfalfa. In this episode, we focus on protein deficiencies. 

To assess how effective a horse's diet is, owners need to identify and recognize any nutritional imbalances. In today's discussion, we explore the signs, symptoms, and underlying causes of those imbalances.

Horses Need Protein

Even though horses are herbivores, they still require protein because it is the building block for their muscle development and repair. 

Signs of Protein Deficiencies in Horses

Protein deficiencies can lead to visible symptoms like poor appetite, slow growth, weight loss, hair loss, and increased incidence of physical injuries.

How Protein Deficiency Impacts Vital Organs

Horses with protein deficiencies show subtle yet critical signs that need careful consideration. Horse bodies prioritize providing amino acids to vital organs like the heart and liver, making their connective tissues susceptible. So, owners must recognize those symptoms early and correct the imbalances before they impact the vital organs.

A Comprehensive Profile of Protein Deficiency Symptoms

Beyond common signs like poor appetite and weight loss, the symptoms of protein deficiency include slow growth rates, lackluster hair coats, increased susceptibility to injury, mental focus issues, depression, and hoof problems. Protein deficiencies can also compromise immune function, leading to frequent infections and allergies.

Case Study of Protein Deficiency 

In a case study, a 20-year-old horse experienced declined health, with symptoms like bumps on the body, deteriorating body condition, laminitis, and goopy eyes. Despite a seemingly ideal lifestyle and care, its health was deteriorating. The owner suspected Cushing's disease. However, a closer look revealed symptoms consistent with protein deficiency, like weakened connective tissues, depression, fatigue, and poor immune function. The owner fed it a gradually increasing quantity of alfalfa to address the protein deficiency and saw positive changes, including improved energy levels, enhanced muscle tone, disappearance of skin bumps, and reduced eye discharge, and the horse regained vitality. 

The Causes of Protein Deficiency

Various factors may contribute to protein deficiencies in horses. They include poor pasture quality, limited access to forage, and heightened protein requirements for specific groups. It is also essential to consider whether digestive problems or medications affect how well the horse's body utilizes amino acids.

Keeping Horses Healthy

It is essential to understand each horse's unique nutritional needs. Owners can play a vital role in enhancing their horse's overall health by including protein-rich feeds like alfalfa and customizing their diets to meet the horse's specific nutritional requirements. Early recognition and correction of protein deficiencies are the key to ensuring that horses maintain their vitality, as that lays the foundation for their overall well-being. 

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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One of the most widely discussed topics around horse health is food.

Today, we focus on alfalfa, a nutritional source that often leaves horse owners with questions because there are so many conflicting opinions on when and how to use it and the right amount to feed. 

Join me as we tackle common misconceptions surrounding alfalfa and shed light on the ins and outs of incorporating it into your horse's diet.

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 

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

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

Riva’s Remedies: Kidney Care