The Horse:Your Guide To Equine Health Care provides monthly equine health care information to horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, barn/farm managers, trainer/riding instructors, and others involved in the hands-on care of the horse.
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40 TheHorse.com THE HORSE October 2015 professor and equine Extension specialist at the University of Minnesota, suggests using a slow-feed haynet to extend forag- ing time. "Our research shows that horses consuming a hay meal from the stall floor take 3.4 hours compared to 6.5 hours when the same hay meal is fed from a slow-feed haynet," she says. If a haynet is not available, feed hay in small meals at least three times per day. Weight management For horses need- ing to gain or lose weight, stall rest pres- ents an opportunity to pack on or shed a few pounds. You can achieve this by mak- ing simple, gradual changes to the horse's diet and monitoring his body condition score (TheHorse.com/30154). Methods used to reduce weight include decreasing the nonstructural carbohydrate and fat portion of the diet while increasing forage intake. At the same time, ensure the diet is still meeting the horse's other nutrient re- quirements (protein, vitamins, and miner- als); simply reducing the amount of grain fed might not be ideal. Consider adding a ration balancer to reduce calories without compromising these nutrients. Choosing the right calorie source is key to increasing weight without creating behavior vices. There is evidence that fat and fiber are more suitable calorie sources than nonstructural carbs, lower- ing spontaneous activity, cortisol, and subsequent stress levels. Look for feeds with highly digestible fiber sources (e.g., beet pulp, soy hulls), added fat, and low sugar and starch. Weight gain takes time and patience, so it's important to create a plan based on the duration of stall rest. The following table shows the additional calories neces- sary to raise a body condition score from four to five (on a nine-point scale) in a 1,100-pound horse. Pain, which reduces appetite, can delay this, so build in some extra time to achieve results. TABLE 2 Time Period Additional Mcals per Day 60 days 5.3 - 6.7 90 days 3.6 - 4.4 120 days 2.7 - 3.3 150 days 2.1 - 2.7 180 days 1.8 - 2.2 Adapted from NRC Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 2007 Other Management Considerations One of your most important goals when caring for any stalled horse is to man- age his brain while his body heals. This is different for every horse and situation. Baskett recommends adding the following to your horse's routine if on stall rest: ■ If the horse is able to walk, frequent hand or tack walks with plenty of graz- ing will help both the brain and the gut; ■ Changing the turnout routine of some of the other horses in the barn so the resting horse always has company goes a long way toward reducing his anxiety. Keep in mind that some horses toler- ate stall rest better in a quiet, home environment, whereas others do best in busy barns with more stimulation; ■ The judicious use of sedatives, such as acepromazine, can also reduce anxiety in horses that are not tolerating stall rest. Avoid sedatives that decrease gastrointestinal motility, since we know stall-rested horses are already at an increased risk for impaction colic; and ■ If your horse is simply not tolerating his lockup, don't go it alone! There is a growing number of rehab facilities NUTRITION Feeding your stalled horse using a slow-feed haynet can extend his time spent foraging. DUSTY PERIN