Feeding knowledge

Kostens betydelse för att förebygga fång
En välbalanserad kost är grundläggande för att förebygga fång hos hästar. Det är viktigt att anpassa fodret efter hästens ålder, vikt, hälsostatus och aktivitetsnivå.

• Begränsa intaget av socker och stärkelse: Högt socker- och stärkelseinnehåll i foder kan öka risken för fång. Välj därför foder med låg socker- och stärkelsehalt och begränsa mängden kraftfoder. Vi rekommenderar helt spannmål och melassfritt foder. Höveler Pur serie är därför ett ba alternativ.
• Fiberrik kost: En diet rik på fibrer från hö och gräs är essentiell. Fibrer stimulerar tuggandet och salivproduktionen, vilket är viktigt för en sund matsmältning och för att förebygga ämnesomsättningsrelaterade sjukdomar. För känsliga hästar är det viktigt att hålla koll på gräsintaget, vänja in hästen och vara extra försiktig när gräset är som mest rikt på socker.
• När är gräset mest rikt på socker? Gräsets sockerinnehåll varierar under dygnet och påverkas av flera faktorer såsom solens intensitet, temperatur och växtens tillväxtfas. Generellt har gräset högst sockerhalt under de sena eftermiddagstimmar och tidig kväll, efter en dag med mycket solsken. Detta beror på att fotosyntesen är mer aktiv under soliga dagar, vilket gör att gräset producerar mer socker. Under natten använder gräset en del av detta socker för sin tillväxt, vilket resulterar i att sockerhalten är lägre på morgonen. Det är också viktigt att notera att sockerinnehållet kan vara högre i gräs under sen vår till tidig sommar när gräset växer snabbt. Under kallare perioder, särskilt efter en frostnatt följt av soliga dagar, kan gräset också ackumulera höga nivåer av socker. Detta beror på att kylan inhiberar gräsets tillväxt och använder av socker, vilket leder till att sockret ackumuleras i växten. För hästägare som är oroliga för fång och andra metabola problem är det därför klokt att vara försiktig med bete under dessa tider på dygnet och under dessa specifika väderförhållanden, för att undvika ett högt intag av socker.

Rätt skötsel och miljö
En korrekt skötselrutin och en anpassad miljö är också avgörande faktorer för att hålla din häst frisk och för att förebygga fång.

• Regelbunden hovvård: Se till att din häst får regelbunden och professionell hovvård. Korrekt trimning och eventuellt beslag kan förebygga biomekaniska problem som kan leda till fång.
• Stresshantering: Stress kan vara en utlösande faktor för fång. Försök att skapa en lugn och stabil miljö för din häst, med regelbundna rutiner och minimalt med störningar.

Motion och aktivitetsnivå
Regelbunden motion är vitalt för hästens övergripande hälsa och för att förebygga fång. Motion hjälper till att upprätthålla en hälsosam vikt, främjar blodcirkulationen till hovarna och bidrar till en sund metabolism.

• Anpassad träningsplan: Utforma en träningsplan som är anpassad efter hästens ålder, kondition och eventuella hälsoproblem. Gradvis öka intensiteten för att undvika överansträngning.
• Varierad träning: Inkludera en blandning av olika typer av övningar i träningsprogrammet, såsom promenader, tömkörning, och ridning på varierande underlag för att förbättra hovhälsan och förebygga skador.

• Activ Mineral - Alla hästar behöver tillskott av mineraler. Activ Mineral är fritt från socker och spannmål.
• Inflaboost DHA - Omega-3-fettsyror erbjuder flera hälsofördelar för sockerkänsliga hästar, inklusive minskad inflammation och förbättrad insulinresistens, vilket är viktigt för att hantera tillstånd som fång och metabolt syndrom. De kan även hjälpa till att upprätthålla en sund vikt och främja hovhälsan, vilket bidrar till en övergripande bättre hälsa för hästen. 
• Mg Control - Magnesiumtillskott kan hjälpa till att lindra muskelspänningar och obehag, samtidigt som de förbättrar insulinresistensen. Det spelar också en viktig roll i energimetabolismen, vilket stödjer en sund vikt och kan minska belastningen på hovarna. Dessutom är magnesium nödvändigt för en stark ben- och hovstruktur genom att stödja upptaget av kalcium. 
• Pur.Mash - Spannmål och melassfri mash med prebiotika flr stöd till mage och tarm. Om hästen inte behöver kraftfoder för energi är denna toppen att ge i en låg dos för stöd till mage och tarm samt smaklig att blanda fodertillskott i.

Keeping horses healthy and well-being is of utmost importance for all horse owners and breeders. To ensure that horses perform optimally and recover in the best way possible, it is crucial to provide them with proper nutrition and supplements. One of the important supplements that horses need is electrolytes. Electrolytes play a crucial role in maintaining the horse's fluid balance and supporting their bodily functions. In this article, we will explore why horses need electrolyte supplements and how it can impact their health and performance.

Why are electrolytes important for horses?

The role of electrolytes in the body

Horses are active animals that often undergo physical exertion and sweat during training or competition. Sweat contains various minerals and salts known as electrolytes. These electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, are important for maintaining a balanced fluid level and supporting nerve and muscle function.

Loss of electrolytes through sweating

When horses sweat, they not only lose water but also essential electrolytes. This loss of electrolytes can result in an imbalance in the body and negatively affect the horse's performance and health. A deficiency in electrolytes can lead to dehydration, muscle cramps, fatigue, and decreased performance. Therefore, it is important to replace the lost electrolytes to keep the horses in optimal condition.

Benefits of electrolyte supplements for horses

Restoring fluid balance

By providing horses with electrolyte supplements, you can quickly restore the fluid balance in their bodies. Electrolytes help in the absorption and retention of fluids, which is crucial in preventing dehydration and maintaining a healthy horse.

Promoting recovery

After intense training or competition, horses need time to recover. Electrolyte supplements can help expedite the recovery process by replacing the lost electrolytes and promoting faster restoration of fluid balance.

How to administer electrolyte supplements to horses

Choose the right electrolyte supplement

There are various electrolyte supplements available in the market. Make sure to choose a high-quality supplement specifically designed for horses and containing the necessary electrolytes in the right proportions.

Follow dosage instructions

It is important to follow the dosage instructions carefully when administering electrolyte supplements to your horse. Overdosing or underdosing can negatively impact the horse's health. It is a good idea to mix it inte the horses feed instead of water. Don´t forget that the horse needs plenty of fresh drinking water in addition to electrolytes.

Frequently Asked Questions about electrolyte supplements for horses

Can I give my horse too much electrolyte? Yes, overdosing on electrolyte supplements can be harmful to the horse. Follow the dosage instructions carefully and consult a veterinarian if needed.

What symptoms may indicate that my horse needs electrolyte supplements? Fatigue, decreased performance, muscle cramps, and decreased appetite may be signs that your horse needs electrolyte supplements.

Can I provide my horse with natural sources of electrolytes instead of supplements? Some natural foods like carrots and apples contain small amounts of electrolytes, but it may be difficult to meet the horse's needs through natural sources alone.

Can electrolyte supplements help with transport stress in horses? Yes, electrolyte supplements can help balance the horse's fluid levels and support their well-being during transportation.

Are electrolyte supplements only for competitive horses? No, electrolyte supplements can be beneficial for any horses exposed to physical exertion or regular sweating.

Electrolytes are crucial for the horse's fluid balance, muscle function, and performance. By providing horses with the right electrolyte supplements, you can help them stay healthy, maintain optimal fluid levels, and support their physical and mental well-being.

En annan viktig faktor är att hästen har tillgång till rent vatten och att hästens vattenintag övervakas regelbundet. En häst som inte får i sig tillräckligt med vatten kan drabbas av förstoppning eller andra mag- och tarmproblem.

Det finns även foder och tillskott som kan hjälpa till att upprätthålla hästens mag- och tarmhälsa. Pre- och probiotika är exempel på tillskott som kan stödja en hälsosam tarmflora och därmed förbättra matsmältningen. Vissa foder kan också vara särskilt anpassade för att främja en hälsosam mag- och tarmfunktion.

Activ Mineral, är inte bara en mineral produkt utan har positiv inverkar på mage och tarm. Till exempel så behövs Magnesiumet bland annat för att enzymer i både mage och muskler ska kunna fungera. Algmjölet i produkten är viktigt för immunförsvaret som sitter i magen och har i flera studier visat positiva effekter för mag och tarmhäsa. Läs mer om forskningen om algmjöl här. Dessutom är produkten rik på aminosyror som hjälper bland annat magen genom att stödja upptagningsförmågan.

Minerals by Nordic aims to offer supplements as pure as possible without unnecessary additives. We always strive to avoid grains and added sugar in our feed supplements as they do not benefit the horse's health. However, sugar and grains can both be considered 'tasty' for horses who are accustomed to them and these additives may increase appetite. The vast majority of our customers rarely have trouble getting their horses to eat our supplements, but sometimes a little extra patience and time may be required to introduce the horse to them. Here are our best tips:

1. Start with one supplement at a time
If you ordered several supplements it may be a good idea to start with just one at a time and make sure they are individually accepted by the horse before introducing the next supplement.

2. Start with a smaller dose
Start with a small dose, perhaps just 0.5 tablespoons for the first few days, and then gradually increase the dose slow enough for the horse not to notice. Some horses are very sensitive to changes in flavor and texture so be patient.

3. Mix with something tasty
Mixing with something nutritious, tasty, and supportive for the stomach and intestines is a good idea and has many benefits. Usually, 1-3 dl of, for example, Höveler's grain-free Pur.Mash or Puritan muesli is sufficient. If you want to try them for the first time, start by introducing the mash or muesli without the supplements first, and then apply tips 1 & 2.

Why positive reinforcement? And how do you prevent the horse from becoming nippy? Are there any important tips to consider? We asked positive reinforcement expert Paulina Tufvesson, who runs the popular Instagram account Playlovelearn.se, to help us answer our questions on how to best boost your horse's training enthusiasm with positive reinforcement.

Training with a clicker is not only kind and gentle to the horse, it's also incredibly fun! I've been clicker training for over 10 years now, working with everything from horses and birds to sheep and cats. Initially, I used clicker training more as a complement to other more "traditional" training, but over the years, clicker training has taken up more and more space in my life - and today, I base almost everything I do with my horses on positive reinforcement and the principles of clicker training.

What is positive reinforcement training?
Positive reinforcement is a training method that encourages good behavior by rewarding it instead of punishing or correcting bad behavior. It's an incredibly gentle training method that builds confidence in the horse and increases training enjoyment. When working with positive reinforcement, the horse is never forced to obey but chooses voluntarily to follow our commands because it's fun and rewarding for them. If you're used to working with pressure and release, I understand that it may feel unfamiliar to let go of control, but it works perfectly fine as long as you know what you're doing and build a solid foundation.

How do you work with a clicker?
When training with a clicker, it's used like a fake camera. When you see the horse do something that you like and want to see more of, you take a "picture" of that behavior by clicking the clicker. The horse hears the clicking sound and understands that "the thing I did when I heard the click was the right behavior." Just like with a real camera, you don't want to click too early or too late, or else you'll miss the moment. Timing is super important! The clicker is used as a marker that tells the horse it did the right thing and that a reward is on its way.

In what contexts can clicker training be used?
Clicker training can of course be used to train fun tricks, but it's also an incredibly effective way to solve more complicated behavioral problems such as loading, everyday handling, and even riding. You can completely decide when and how much to use the clicker in your interactions with the horse, but for me, the more I use it, the happier, more confident, and more motivated my horses become to train.

How do you start clicker training?
If you want to start clicker training, I recommend doing thorough research first. Just like with any other training you can make mistakes, and then you can end up with a horse that pushes, nips, and is frustrated. I've made many mistakes over the years, and of course, making mistakes sometimes is part of the process, but if you read up and prepare first (or preferably - seek help from a trainer), you'll save yourself and the horse a lot of frustration and time.

How can you reward the horse?
When training with positive reinforcement and clicker training, you reward the horse when it does something right. The reward is usually edible (hay, grass, grain, treats, carrots) because that's the reward most horses appreciate. But if you have a horse that appreciates and values being scratched, for example, you can certainly use that instead. Anything the horse values can be used as a reward! One of my three horses finds touch and scratching motivating, but the other two don't appreciate it as much.

How, where, and when should you clicker train?
When talking about rewards, clicker trainers often discuss "how," "where," and "when." How is the reward given? Where is the reward given? When is the reward given? When you manage to answer (and do) correctly on all three points, you get a calm and content horse that doesn't beg, nip, or get frustrated around food rewards. If you answer (do) wrong on one or more points, there's a risk the horse will become pushy, nippy and get frustrated instead of happy when the training starts. When that happens, it's absolutely not the fault of the treats or the clicker training, but rather the trainer who inadvertently created the problem through how, where, or when the rewards were given to the horse.

Tips on the type of reward?
The choice of reward has a big impact on the horse, and it's important to find a treat that's just right. If the treat is extremely tasty, the horse can become frustrated and always want more, but if the treat isn't tasty enough, the horse won't think it's worth working for at all. It's a delicate balance! I personally use Minerals By Nordics treats for all my horses (and dogs!) and choose the type depending on the individual I'm working with and what we're going to do. My Ardennes horse easily becomes frustrated around food, so it's very important that the treat isn't too tasty for him, so I was pleasantly surprised at how well he responded to the taste of 100% Apple. The pieces are a bit bigger, so he gets longer chewing time, and he finds the treat tasty enough to work for without getting frustrated. For my Shetlands, smaller pieces like in Beetroot Hearts or Mini Apple & Carrot work better. To avoid frustration and problematic behaviors around food, I always try to give the right reward in the right way, in the right place, at the right time. Easier said than done sometimes! However, there's no universally right answer to the questions that fit everyone, so you have to adapt each training session to the horse you're working with.

Good tips when you start using food rewards
Although there are no correct or right answers that fit all horses, there are a few tips to keep in mind:
• Always give rewards away from your body at an arm's length distance. This is to avoid the horse seeking treats in your pockets.
• If your horse is nippy, you can drop the rewards in a bucket on the ground instead of giving them directly from your hand.
• Reward often to maintain the horse's focus and reduce frustration.
• Use hay or chopped lucerne as a reward if your horse is overweight or cannot eat treats for other reasons.

When starting with clicker training, it can feel difficult and unfamiliar, but once you get past that, a whole new world will open up! Don't hesitate to seek help from a trainer to ensure you and your horse get off to a good start. Good luck!



Writer: Paulina Tufvesson
Instagram: Playlovelearn.se

Studies on positive reinforcement and clicker training
A group of French researchers tested training ponies to back up on command using either negative or positive reinforcement. 21 ponies were divided into two groups and then trained daily for 1-3 minutes over five days. For the ponies trained with negative reinforcement, the trainer used a whip and waved it in front of the pony while saying "back up," without ever touching the pony with the whip. If the pony took a step back, the waving stopped immediately. Ponies trained with positive reinforcement were given a carrot pellet if they backed up on command.

Initially, none of the ponies understood what was expected of them the first time the trainer said "back up." However, by the last day, practically all of them succeeded, but there were differences between the two groups. Ponies trained with carrot pellets responded faster to the command. All ponies trained with the riding whip at some point pinned their ears back during training, which none of the ponies receiving positive reinforcement in the form of carrot pellets did. Ponies given carrot pellets also never stepped sideways instead of backward, as the other group did.

Negative reinforcement also seemed to result in a higher head position, more exaggerated head movements, and a higher heart rate during training sessions. By day three, the ponies trained with negative reinforcement had a higher heart rate even before the trainer said anything to them, while ponies trained with positive reinforcement were more likely to spontaneously seek contact with the trainer. Five months after the training ended, there was a significant difference in how the two groups of ponies approached an unfamiliar person. Ten out of eleven ponies trained with positive reinforcement sought contact with the person, while only two from the group trained with negative reinforcement did.

"This study shows that just a few short interactions (total time: 5 to 15 minutes) between an animal and a human can affect the animal's perception of humans and long-term influence a future relationship," the researchers wrote in their conclusion.

References:
Andrew N. McLean, Janne Winther Christensen, The application of learning theory in horse training, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 190, 2017, Pages 18-27, ISSN 0168-1591, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2017.02.020. 
Lesley Innes, Sebastian McBride, Negative versus positive reinforcement: An evaluation of training strategies for rehabilitated horses, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 112, Issues 3–4, 2008, Pages 357-368, ISSN 0168-1591, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2007.08.011. 
Sankey, C., Richard-Yris, MA., Henry, S. et al. Reinforcement as a mediator of the perception of humans by horses (Equus caballus). Anim Cogn 13, 753–764 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-010-0326-9 
Valenchon M, Lévy F, Moussu C, Lansade L (2017) Stress affects instrumental learning based on positive or negative reinforcement in interaction with personality in domestic horses. PLoS ONE 12(5): e0170783. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170783 

A question we get asked a lot is whether extra B-vitamins are needed during shedding or not. The short answer is: No, not if the horse has a functioning large intestine. In the horse's large intestine, which consists of the cecum and colon, microorganisms produce water-soluble vitamins such as B-vitamins. If the microorganisms thrive, the horse is thus self-sufficient in vitamins. However, if the large intestine is imbalanced due to illness, stress, or incorrect feeding, vitamin production does not function as it should and extra support might be needed.

Tips if there is suspicion of imbalance in the large intestine:
- Review the diet, quality of roughage, and the type of hard feed used. Good protein all year-round is crucial.
- Always feed Activ Mineral to ensure the horse has access to all minerals and all 20 amino acids essential for intestinal function.
- Support the intestines with new microorganisms by feeding Hövelers Pur.mash.
- Extra support for B-vitamin production with feeding of Organic Seaweed during shedding, which has a beneficial effect on the entire horse's digestive system. If necessary, a DHA fatty acid source such as Inflaboost DHA can also provide support.

If your horse is energetic, happy and has good coat quality despite shedding, it is most likely in a good balance of nutrition and intestinal health.

More about the large intestine:
- The large intestine consists of the cecum and colon and works like a large fermentation chamber where millions of bacteria and other microorganisms break down plant fibers.
- The plant fibers are converted into energy and digestible proteins.
- Water-soluble vitamins are formed by the horse in the large intestine, and minerals become available and are absorbed.
- The function of the large intestine is very important to be able to utilize the energy and nutrients we give them to keep them healthy and resistant in their immune system.
- Problems with the large intestine's function can lead to health problems such as colic, diarrhea, constipation, fermentation disorders, and infections.
- The most important supply to the large intestine is of soluble plant fibers in the form of cellulose - roughage and grass. If the horse receives too little of this, the microorganisms in the intestine have poor function.
- The intestine benefits most from as few changes as possible in the feeding routine.

Do you have to give the horse B-vitamin supplements?
Under normal conditions, the microbes in the horse's intestinal tract produce enough B-vitamins to meet the horse's needs. However, the horse may suffer from a B-vitamin deficiency if there is a disturbance in the horse's stomach and intestinal tract.

What vitamins are in Seaweed?
Seaweed contains B1, B2, B3, B7, B9, B12, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

Does the horse need B-vitamin supplements during shedding?
There is no scientific documentation that B-vitamin supplements are needed during shedding. B-vitamins are important for metabolism, but if the horse has a functioning diet with enough hay or haylage, the need is met through the mechanism of the large intestine on its own.

What do B-vitamins help the horse with?
B-vitamins work for different things in the body. Both B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), and B3 (niacin), for example, participate in the body's breakdown of carbohydrates and fats into energy. Specifically for vitamin B1, it is needed to form one of the building blocks in the cells' DNA. B6 is needed for the nervous system to function normally and for the body to form and break down amino acids. Vitamin B6 is also needed when some amino acids are converted into amines, including serotonin and dopamine, which act as neurotransmitters in the brain. Folic acid (B9) is, like B12, necessary for cells, the nervous system, and the production of DNA to function normally. B12 is needed for the body to produce red blood cells, for cell metabolism, and for the muscles to obtain quick energy. Algae meal contains B1, B2, B3, B7, B9, B12, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

Roughage forms the foundation of a horse's diet and is one of the most important factors for the horse's well-being.
Because of that it is very important to inspect the quality of the roughage every day using your eyes and nose to determine its quality. If you use plastic-wrapped roughage, you should always remove the plastic to inspect the feed before giving it to the horse. If you feed roughage with plastic on it in the pasture, for example, it is easy for the horses to eat a large portion before you notice that it contains mold.

If you examine the roughage carefully every day, you will quickly learn to detect abnormal smells, different colors, or other abnormal appearances of the feed and can avoid it causing health problems for the horse.

Silage should smell fresh and good.
It smells more or less acidic depending on the dry matter content. Low dry matter content means that the silage smells more acidic because more lactic acid has formed. Haylage is not ensiled to the same extent and therefore does not smell as acidic. Silage should have a green to green-brown color. If silage or haylage smells like rancid butter or ammonia, is slimy or "burnt" and dark, it should not be fed. Hay should also smell fresh and preferably a little "spicy", it should not smell musty, earthy, or moldy, and it should have a good structure and not be matted or clumped together.

Mold fungi in feed can also produce mycotoxins (mold toxins) that negatively affect horses in various ways. Some mold fungi infect growing crops, so-called field fungi, and can be found in grain already at threshing. This includes species of Fusarium, among others. These can produce several mycotoxins, including the group of trichothecenes.

If the crop is stored with too high moisture content after harvesting, storage fungi can grow. Among these, species of Penicillium and Aspergillus are notable, where especially A. fumigatus has been associated with, among other things, respiratory disorders. These mold species can grow in both straw feed and grain. So always check your horse's hay daily!