~ WINTER EQUINE NUTRITIONAL SUGGESTIONS ~

Winter months are difficult on our equine friends so we really need to provide them with the proper nourishment.

Winter usually means “colic” for many horses.  This is mainly due to dehydration and non digestible foods.   Horses do not crave ice cold water when it is very cold outside.   I can not say that I blame them, I myself,  prefer a hot cup of tea; so we need to provide hydration through proper nutrition.

Please note: Alfalfa and pears  are diuretics.

Diuretics are fine as long as the body is also consuming enough potassium.  Potassium allows the body to regulate a normal level of electrolytes  which prevents dehydration.

Many of the squashes  and winter produce contains high levels of potassium.  I believe that it is so important to feed seasonally. Nature  knows what is needed to obtain health during harsh conditions ….so let’s take advantage of what she has to offer and be grateful that nature provides us with seasonal produce.  Warming foods in the winter and cooling foods in the summer with the nutrients to support the body in every season.

Below you will find a list of winter foods I recommend along with a list of medicinal purposes and what each food contains.

These are wonderful foods you can add to your regime.. but please maintain the base diet of yams, avocado, apple, carrots, greens, banana, herbs, flaxseed and so on….which I have prescribed special for each one of your horses.  You can remove all the summer fruits..

Those horses who are recovering from laminitis please continue feeding the strawberries which contain biotin for the hooves.

The winter  foods are to be added in whatever proportions you feel appropriate.  You can also cut back and feed one apple instead of two and so on..

Please do not cut back on yams or carrots…

You do not need to add all these recommended  winter foods at once.. I like to switch around so there is always a variety.. I believe this to be most important in order to ensure a well rounded diet. Also find out what your horses like –  for example  3 of my horses LOVE  butternut squash but my arab very politely removes it from his bowl.

HAVE  FUN WITH THE FOODS… THERE IS NOTHING MORE SATISFYING THAN PROVIDING YOUR HORSE WITH THE BEST  AND WATCHING TEHM BECOME HEALTHIER EVERY DAY—–  ENJOY!!!!

Squash/Zucchini

green and yellow zucchini and squashes  contain potassium to keep your horses hydrated.  They also contain  Vit C, B1, B6, A and K,  protein, copper, zinc, iron, calcium and niacin.

Zucchini and yellow squash also  improves the metabolism.  Zucchini is also considered a summer squash as well and is healthy all year round..

Butternut Squash

You can feed your horses the butternut squash as well.  I chop it up into cubes for my horses..they love it!!    note:  This sqaush is technically a fruit because it contains seeds..

Butternut Squash contains potassium which is great for hydration and for bone health, Vit B6 , Vit A which supports the immune system and nervous system.  Butternut Squash also contains a very important nutrient called carotenoids which support healthy heart function and prevents against heart disease and disorders.  It also contains large amounts of beta-carotene.  It also fights against harmful cancer cells.

Pomegranate -

Pomegranate’s have many health benefits for horses as well as for people..They have numerous disease fighting antioxidants.  Pom’s fight against the free radicals which harm the cell membrane which is linked to diseases such as cancer.  They contain, Vit C, A, E, niacin, Potassium.  Researchers have also found that this fruit helps minimize the  levels of an inflammatory chemical called interleukin which is associated with  osteoarthritis in our horses.

Pears –

Pears are high in Vit. C,K and Copper.  These vitamins and nutrients are a great combination of anti -oxidants. note :  Copper is very important and protects the body form free radicals.  They are a fighting force against viruses and bacteria.  They feed and generate the white blood cells.

Pears are also very important for the digestion and intestinal health.   They prevent constipation.  Pears are able to binds to  bile  and carries them out of the body.

Dates -

Are very warming!!  Dates  generate heat in the body..    They contain B complex vitamins, Thiamin, Niacin and iron.  They also produce hemoglobin in the red and white blood cells.  Dates also contain Magnesium for healthy bones.

Blackstrap Molasses – contains high levels of iron, magnesium, calcium and copper.

Iron aids in boosting the immune system preventing anemia.

Magnesium repairs tissues, regulates healthy blood flow which will carry out toxins while providing oxygen flow to heal through healthy circulation, as well as maintaining a healthy sugar balance in the blood.

Calcium strengthens bones and teeth, and also aids in rebuildong healthy cells to the heart, nerves, and muscles.  Calcium also has the ability to bind the toxins together and remove them from the colon..  MOST IMPORTANT…

Copper helps the body utilize iron in the body and plays a significant role in eliminating free radicles/toxins from the system.

Cooked Barely- Cooked Barley makes it possible for your horse to actually digest the grain allowing the body to absorb and distribute the nutrients properly.   It is a very warming food for the winter and helps to bulk up your horse during the cold months.  I like my horses to have some warm food to eat when it is cold outside.  Barely contains proteins, vitamins and minerals, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, zinc, beta carotene, B1, B2, B6,C, folic acid, and pantothenic acid making it one of the most nourishing foods.  Barley also contains high levels of chlorophyll which purifies the blood and fights against degenerative disease such as cancer, heart disease, and premature aging and the breaking down of cells; as well as containing high levels of fiber and selenium to aid in digestion and high levels of beta-glucan which stabilizes blood glucose levels.

A SPECIAL WINTER TREAT FOR YOUR HORSES!!!!

I love to make my horses a yummy warm meal on a really cold evening or early in the morning.

Cinnamon is a very healthy and warming herb.  One of my clients in Chicago who has some race horses uses cinnamon daily to keep the horses warmed up.

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices.  There is also many varieties.. Cinnamon fights bacteria and fungus and provides a healthy immune system..

The ingredients will vary depending upon the amounts you wish to make.

In a medium pot I place

3 cups of Apple sauce or 3- 5  large apples I placed in the Cuisinart.

a few dates

1/4 cup cinnamon

2 TBS Nutmeg

2 cups yarrow tea

Once it is all warmed up I mix it in with their herbal blend and add the veggies and barley, this provides  them with something warm to eat on a cold day..

I have also gone out at night after the sun goes down with just the warm applesauce blend with some molasses  to warm them up before they go to sleep for the evening..

Stay warm this winter… and please give all your horses a huge hug for me!!!

Smiles…..