Studies have shown that horses in the wild roam about 30 kms per day where they are exposed to and thrive on different scrub, grass, herbs (weeds) fruits and tubers. The stabled horses today are mainly fed concentrates and processed and baled food.
In the first part of this century, there was little advancement in horse nutrition and little research was undertaken. However, in the last few years, there has been a great increase in interest in this whole area. The conventional feeds today are mostly made up of processed synthetic, chemically adulterated 'nutrition'. It may be argued that this diet has produced healthy successful horses for many years. However many sources agree that with conventional diets we have seen an increase in ailments.
This means that we have now added a new stress to our horses – NUTRITIONAL STRESS!
Nutritional stress may consist of:
Pelleted food and concentrates may have been heated and may contain preservatives, flavourings, and waste grain products. They may have added vitamins and minerals but this does not necessarily mean that these nutrients can by utilized by the horse as these nutrients may have been exposed to heat rendering them ineffective.
The grains in the concentrates tend to create an overly acid system, which may be a problem for some horses. The wild horse seldom encounters grains.
Eregrostis, teff and hay crops contain pesticides, fungicides and herbicides used on and around pastures. Studies have shown have detrimental effects on the brain, liver, kidneys and immune system, as well as the environment, over the long term. The use of synthetic fertilizers and the resulting depleted soils that much of our baled grass is produced on eliminates much of the nutritious qualities of these otherwise natural foods.
THE NATURAL DIET
A natural diet for the horse is fresh grass, hay and herbs (weeds). If a horse eats only a diet of prepared, 'dead' feed it will not receive nor develop the intestinal flora that promote good digestion.
Tall, wild grass and beneficial weeds should be encouraged, and rotating pastures often to limit worm ingestion will help maintain their natural state.
Teff, eregrostis, lucerne, and smuts finger are the more popular grasses that are fed in South Africa. They should however be grown on fertile soil and should not be treated with chemicals, in other words they should be organic. The chemical residues present on most hay, even in minute amounts, counteract the many benefits that the feed has. Any baled food will also have less nutrition than fresh, so it is important to have it as freshly picked and baled as possible.
Herbs are another component of the natural horse's diet. They provide the horse with vitamins, minerals and trace elements and have healing properties that are not found in grass. Certain herbs grow best in particular areas but there is an endless variety that horses enjoy. Herbs such as dandelion, burdock, plantain, clover, Lucerne (alfalfa) and chamomile grow almost anywhere and are very beneficial. They should be grown in the horses paddock to provide benefit to the horse at will. If fresh herbs are not available, dried herbs can be fed. They should however be organically grown.
If extra food were necessary for a competition horse it would be best to feed grains that would be eaten by horses in the wild. Organically grown whole grain wheat, oats, barley, rye and flax are the best choices. They should be fed as a supplement to the diet and not as the base ingredient. Feed enough grains to help the horse maintain energy.
Tree bark is an essential yet seldom considered part of the equine diet. It is eaten in very small quantities but provides numerous minerals and certain nutrients beneficial to digestive tract health, and helps maintain natural wear of the teeth. The horse would be less likely to chew fences and stall doors. All chemically treated and preserved wood is toxic.
Fruit and vegetables can be helpful to promote proper digestion. Organically grown carrots, apples, and turnips, are helpful and can be feed at every meal.
Probiotics may also be needed to promote better digestion especially for horses that are on concentrates and have little fresh food available.
A diet of whole, raw, living foods can only mean immense benefits for our horses.
References -
THE PRACTICAL HORSE HERBAL – VICTORIA FERGUSON
HERBS FOR HORSES – JENNY MORGAN
HEALTH TECH LABORATORIES BROCHURE
ALL NATURAL -THE PERFECT EQUINE DIET ARTICLE BY ERICA STOTON
ELIMINATE ULCERS ARTICLE BY ERICA STOTON
HEALING YOUR HORSE: ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES BY SNADER, WILLOUGHBY, KHALSA, DENEGA, AND BASKO
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES FOR HORSES BY VANESSA BRITTON
A MODERN HORSE HERBAL BY HILARY PAGE SELF
BOTANICAL SAFETY HANDBOOK BY MCGUFFIN/HOBBS
A MODERN HERBAL BY M. GRIEVE