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"WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2001 - 15 ~ familiar with. Nutrition and Feed -- Ulcers Dan Irwin There are some words and phrases that as a feed representative you just hate to hear spill from the mouth of a horse owner. Certainly colic is at the top of anyone's list of "oh, please don't say that word " list. Another one is lamini- tis, and yet another one is OCD. Of course there are the 'standard cgmplaints, "my horse just}: 'won't eat that expensive feed", or how about, "he just sniffed it, he wouldn't eat it." There is another word that if you are a recreational horse owner you may 'not have even heard, but ifiyou have hung around the race- track you may be all to "Ulcers" Yes modern horses are quite susceptible to ulcers and they probably don't even have any mutual. funds or kids in college. In fact stud- ies done at California race tracks found that over 80% of racehorses in training had gastric ulcers. | To explain why this is such a problem, consider that horses maintained on continuous pasture rarely show signs of ulcers. We have to conclude therefore that the problem is not with the horse's design, but with us and with the way we feed and maintain them. The problem is that the horse's stomach is designed" for an animal who mean- ders around most of the day grazing, not waiting around = in a box stall for the evening feed crew. While the lower portion of the stomach is somewhat protected by glandular secretions and mucous, the upper portion (the non-glandular portion) only has the formation of saliva to protect its tissues. In nature, continuous graz- ing results in large amounts of saliva production. In fact a forage meal produces more than double the saliva compared to a grain meal. Grains and concentrates increase the production of gastrin, a hormone that stimulates gastric acid' pro- duction, however stomach acids are secreted continu- ously whether the horse is fed or not. This means that horses fed large grain meals and fasted for periods of time are most Susceptible to gastric lesions. Ummm, sound like a racéhorse? Racehorses enduring the regimen of the track are not the only type of horse where ulcers can be a prob- lem however. Foals some- times develop ulcers as a result of separation from mother or when their milk intake does not negate the acid produced by their stomach. In fact ulcers sometimes develop in horses that have access to continuous hay or pasture, suggesting that stress as a result of training, weaning, bullying or the Equine stock market (well not really) can be a major factor as well. So can we feed in ways that minimize the chances of ulcers? | think there are some common sense prac- tices that not only minimize the risk of ulcers, but also are probably good ideas anyway to avoid some of those other dastardly. con- ditions. 1) Feed small amounts. of grain over several feedings. I suggest no more than 5 pounds of grain at one time fed with some hay. 2) Allow access to hay or pasture as continuously as possible. A couple of flakes fed several times daily 'is preferable to a big heap all at once. 3) Where large amounts of grain are necessary for ener- gy, use a grain ration with some added super fibers (beet pulp, soy hulls) and some added fat. The fiber will stimulate more saliva and the fat will lessen the amount of grain required. 4) Feed a high fat, high calo- rie supplement from soy oil, or flaxseed. A good high fat supplement is calorie dense and reduces the amount of grain necessary. Ulcers are less likely to occur in horses that have a leisurely recreational life style. There are many horses however who are exposed - to as hectic and stressful a daily regimen as the humans who handle them. For these critters the bad words can be real occurrences. For them | present my horse owners pledge of good. feeding practices. Maximize continuous forage as pasture or hay, feed starchy grains (oats, corn, and .barley) in small portions, use feeds that supply energy from fibre and fat, and provide as stress free an environment as possible. "So do you know why it | was that the cow jumped over the moon?" "Sure, the horse was too busy being an ass." "No, it was because cow wanted to say Moooooon." For more of Dan Trwin's inform- ative Nutrition and Feed articles see Horse Talk magazine. Baldwin, ON 24339 Hwy. 48, P.O. Box 77 Tel: 905-722-8847 Fax: 905-722-4155 QUALITY EQUIPMENT {1} 1 CUSTOM LEATHER i WORK & REPAIRS English and Western Clothing Gifts and Novelties Janet: 905-263-4329 OR cell: 905-440-5809 (during business hours) (during business hours) WE TRY OUR BEST TO BEAT THE REST! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS FROM KIM & JANET @ THE TACK BOX | [ | wHOa wHOa wHOa Even Santa knows where to shop = for the best deals in town. E TACK BOX" has new shipments arriving weekly! BREYER AND PETER STONE MODEL HORSES + GOLDEN HORSESHU TRADING CARDS & COLLECTOR ALBUMS + SWEATSHIRTS & POLAR FLEECE PULL OVERS + BERBER FLEECE - VESTS, JACKETS & PULL OVERS + PENCILS, STICKERS, NOTEBOOKS & LIST PADS + FLOPPY PONIES - MANY STYLES TO CHOOSE FROM + SHOW JACKETS, SHIRTS AND BREECHES + RIDING BOOTS AND ASTM APPROVED HELMETS (ONLY $79.95) + HORSEY SOCKS AND RIDING BOOT SOCKS + ASSORTMENT OF GLOVES - WINTER & SHOW + ENGLISH AND WESTERN TACK + HORSES IN THE MIST CALENDARS (ONLY $17.95) & FRAMES Northeast corner of Taunton Road and #57 in Hampton (driveway on Taunton Road) Fridays 4-8 PM Saturdays 10-5 PM Sundays 10-2 PM Kim: 905-986-4248 OR cell: 905-440-1579 Herbal remedies for horses EERE suwnresknits continued from pagel 4 blends allow for the fact that the effect of an indi- vidual herb may vary from horse to horse. The blend makes the application more universally applicable and increases the effectiveness of the product. If a horse doesn't like the taste of one or two of the individual herbs and leaves these in the feed bucket, it will still be getting a good dose of the product. Mr. Jennings discussed the characteristics of a "number of his products. The one that created the most interest was the Calmer. He explained that this did not reduce the performance of a horse because it lets the horse to concentrate on its job. The horse will conserve energy because it is not worrying needlessly. In some cases a reduction in feed may be necessary. This product also illus- trates the need for knowl- edgeable use of herbs. The Calmer is based on Chamomile, a well-known relaxing herb. Valerian is another effective herb for 'this purpose, but is not put 1" into the North American - "| formulation because it will give a false positive result in a drug test for benzodi- azepines (e.g. Diazepam). (A version containing Valerian can be brought in on spe- cial request.) Another product, Easy Breather, should be fed from the ground. Doing what the name implies is helped by keeping the horse's head low, allowing fluid to drain from the lungs. Data from clinical trials is available on request for these products. Contact your local Wendals outlet or Wendals Herbs directly. Wendals has a web page at http://www.wendals.com/. A SUPPLEMENT rich flax seed THE BENEFITS OF FLAX - anti-inflammatory properties - enhances immune system - fast burning clean energy - quicker recovery from fatigue - lower blood pressure - great coat conditioner A GIFT FROM MOTHER NATURE FLAX APPEAL | FOR ALL HORSES Made with Omega 3 : and whole soybeans a FLAX APPEAL - an all Canadian product - palatable, stable, easy to feed - no boiling, soaking or grinding - economical and practical - great for conditioning and training or just to improve the health of any horse [S1eYo) [CH Rl=TeTe Ho) (611) [oT 8 2TH RY) 905-985-7992 Stouffville Co-operative Available from your Kentucky Equine Research Dealers Stouffville * Uxbridge 905-640-1550 ¢ 905-852-3321 INCORPORATED Ls the facility a member of the Association of oo Nig smn Membership in the Association of Riding Establishments of Ontario (ARE-Ont) will confirm that the facility is committed to safety, equine welfare and education. ARE member stables were to abide by minimum standards and pom to undergo Site Accreditation. ...................coovevereeiinians ook for this logo: ~~ "X 2. Do the facility's riding coaches, instructors or trail guides have certification and first-aid training? Professionals need to recognize their importance to society and accept the responsibility to pursue certification as well as ongoing training and education to ensure that they contin to meet the needs of their participants or athletes as effectively as possible 3. Does the facility ensure that riders under the age of 18 wear approved equestrian helmets and also recommend that all riders wear approved ARE member stables require that all riders under the age of 16 wear an approved equestrian helmet when riding; it's the law now! They also recommend that all riders wear an approved helmet Dos tive actly qin ty iba vg ropor dtiiar o poids salty ivi an alternative? helmets? ARE member stables require that all riders wear footwear apie hotbed riding (minimum half-inch heel, maximum - two-inch heel, no platform soles) or the facility will provide appropriate safety stirrups the ratio of riders to staff? ratio is 0 students to | instructor (maximum 8:1) in a riding lesson, and | guide for every 5 riders on trail rides 5. Does the faci The recom have a policy with a minimum of 2 quides for every tail ride with 6 or more riders 6. Does the facility have safety rules posted in a prominent area? Signage relative to important rules to abide by when around horses should be posted in a prominent area. The safety rules should be discussed with and understood by all participants 7. Are the horses healthy, friendly and a trained? ppropriately Riders should be permitted only on horses known to be safe, sound and schooled for the purpose intended, regardless of the rider's ability. No stallions, horses under the age of 5 years of age, sick, lame or completely blind horses should be used by anyone participating in lessons or trail rides Contact the Ontario Equestrian Federation: 416-426-7232 or www.horse @horse.on.ca