Get Set For Spring

As we emerge from winter, the longer, warmer days can seem like manna from heaven, but there are environmental factors that may try to scupper your horse’s health. Luckily, Aviform has plenty of answers to help keep him in tip-top condition and get set for spring.

When the season changes, so does your horse’s care routine. As freezing winter mornings and dark evenings become a distant memory, preparation can commence for the best months on the horsey calendar. But how best to support your equine friend through dietary, routine, and exercise changes ahead?

It’s important to consider how much grass your horse eats during spring. Especially if he’s been on hard feeds and forage through winter. Some research suggests that horses and ponies can eat up to 4% of their body weight in grass a day, which is far above the recommend 1.5-2% maintenance diet. In winter it is easy to control how much your horse eats through feeds and forage. But when in his field, it’s important to monitor how much he might be eating and adjust supplementary feeds accordingly.

Spring grass can be nutrient-rich and full of carbohydrates and sugars that may lead to weight changes, health, and energy. It may be worth considering how you can assist your horse’s diet to combat increased energy, or how you can tackle excess spring grass, loose droppings, or even feacal water syndrome by using natural supplements. Remember to always check the label and research to ensure you’re 100% happy you are giving the right product.

For best results, your supplement needs to bring your horse’s gut to peak health and stop the excess water that is causing the slushy droppings and/or feacal water. Gut health can be supported by feeding equine-approved pre, pro, and postbiotics. These promote friendly bacteria to the gut while to reduce water, a natural absorbent/binder such as bentonite is required. All of this can be found in Aviform’s Pro-choice FWS.

Spring is exciting for most animals. As temperatures rise the days get longer and everything starts to look more awake and alive. Many owners turn their horses out for longer during the day (or all the time), exposing them to the elements. They’re also able to interact more naturally with their surroundings and their neighbours than they would in a stable.

Being back out in the field after a long winter of stabling may help to improve your horse’s mental well-being, but it is important to consider how longer turnouts can affect his health. Spring can be wet and cold, so it may be worth considering if your horse needs a rug (especially if he’s clipped, or is vulnerable due to his age or health). It could also be worth taking a look at the quality of his paddock and getting it set for spring. Check for uneven surfaces, rabbit holes, how thick or wet the mud is and if there are any seedlings beginning to sprout that might do more harm than good, such as sycamore.

Although diet and environment can impact your horse’s health, spring, too, can bring its own issues. As in humans, pollen can cause a build-up of mucus in horses. This leads to snotty noses and eyes, and an increase in coughing and other respiratory discomforts. Get set for spring with a natural supplement to help your horse through this period, such as Aviform’s Breatheasy. Breatheasy contains ingredients known to benefit the respiratory system by opening airways to ease breathing. When shopping for a respiratory supplement look for ingredients such as eucalyptus, peppermint, pine, and oregano. The smell is amazing and you can immediately tell why they are used for clearing the airways.

As spring grazing and competitions start, your horse will also be exposed to parasites and illnesses transmitted via other equines (and what they leave behind). Always be sure to practice good biosecurity and cleanliness wherever your horse spends his time. Whether that is in the field, in the stables, or in the arena.

Lastly and most importantly, as the winter months are finally gone it’s time to enjoy your horse and have fun!