Symptoms of ulcers in horses guides? According to the Merck Vet Manual, horses most often become deficient in these 12 essential minerals and vitamins. Also listed are the symptoms horses may exhibit when deficient in each. Salt: Deficiency may cause pica, weight loss, tiring easily, dehydration, and muscle spasms. Phosphorous: Deficiency may cause pica, muscle weakness, and trembling. Potassium: Deficiency may cause muscle weakness, fatigue, and exercise intolerance. Magnesium: Deficiency may cause nervousness, excitability, or muscle tremors. Zinc: Deficiency may cause low insulin, insulin resistance, dull coat, poor hoof, or bone diseases. Iron: Deficiency may cause anemia.
What are Equine Electrolytes? According to this article in Scientific American, electrolytes are chemicals that, when dissolved in water, produce ions with an electrical charge. “These ions have either a positive or negative electrical charge, which is why we refer to these compounds as electro-lytes. In the world of nutrition, we use the word “electrolyte” more specifically to refer to minerals dissolved in the body’s fluids, creating electrically charged ions.” Find additional details at garlic for horses.
Being mired in cold temperatures or snow and ice doesn’t have to put a stop to quality time spent with your horse. It’s important to keep your horse moving during winter months, and time together will help you stay connected. So how do you safely navigate winter riding conditions? It requires a little more preparation, planning, and perhaps a shorter ride, but winter can still be a productive time for you and your horse. Here are some suggestions to help you weather the elements more comfortably and ensure your wintry ride is safe and enjoyable.
Salt and mineral blocks are heat-pressed, manmade licks. Most contain around 90% salt, with 6 to 8 trace minerals added in. So why is a manmade block an inferior choice as a horse salt and mineral supplement? Pressed blocks only contain a fraction (6 to 8) of the full spectrum of trace minerals horses need for optimum health. Horses often resort to chewing blocks to get more mineral quantity. Some contain unnecessary fillers or dyes (like those blue horse blocks). Many contain sweeteners to improve palatability and entice licking. Pressed blocks dissolve quickly in humidity or wet weather.
Temperature: Some like it hot, and some not. Horses like their water tepid–not too hot or cold. This article in The Horse noted research indicates horses prefer lukewarm (68°F) water, especially during cold weather. Acidity. Water acidity affects palatability. According to Kentucky Equine Research, a University of Guelph study found horses are more likely to drink water with a pH of 7.5 (slightly alkaline) than water with acidic levels. Dirty. Unclean or stagnant water can be a floating Petri dish of bacteria and algae. Horses sense when a potential intestinal problem is lurking in murky water and will avoid it. Find more details at mineral block for horses.