The Health Doctors Daily Blog

Equine nutrition is a very important aspect of horse ownership, and possessing an understanding of the proper use of horse supplements is valuable. Horse Rugs Horses typically only need forage, water and a mineral block for balanced nutrition. When horses are very athletic, hard working, reproducing or entering old age, they may need equine supplements to help their diet.

Protein, fat, vitamin and mineral supplements, depending on the situation, are things commonly added to a horse’s diet. Protein supplements consist largely of soybean meal, but linseed meal, cottonseed meal and peanut meal are used on occasion as well. Corn oil or other types of vegetable oil can be added to a horse’s diet as a good source of fat. Two other sources of fat are ground flax seed and rice bran.

Horse supplements include all-in-one vitamins, digestive aids, energy supplements, hoof and joint supplements, colic prevention and weight control. Horses that have constant access to forage, water and a mineral source and that aren’t overworked typically don’t need any supplements. stirrup leathers Supplementing must be a part of equine nutrition for horses that are involved in intense athletics, heavy work, reproduction or that have reached old age. Supplements are no substitute for the proper nutrition that a horse, when available to it, can survive healthily on.

If, for whatever reason, it is recommended that you give your horse supplements, be sure you understand the proper feeding practices of equine animals. Horses prefer to feed in small amounts over the course of the day. The use of equine supplements must be closely monitored so that the animal is not overfed. Rather than one large feeding a day, if the horse has no access to a feeding bin, several smaller feedings a day is better.

If your horse is not able to get a balanced diet because of regimented feeding times, hard work or lack of access, or if their health is in such a state as to require something extra, then horse supplements are a good alternative. dressage bridles Providing extra fat, protein, vitamins or minerals, supplements can help keep your horse healthy.

A horse bridle is the piece of horse tack that is used to direct a horse. The headstall, bit and reins are the three basic components of a bridle. Stirrups Allowing the rider to steer the horse, the reins are attached to the bit which sits in the horse's mouth. Another kind of bridle uses a noseband to control the horse and is called a hackamore or bitless bridle. Depending on the style of horseback riding, different bridles will be used, some more complicated than others.

The various straps of leather on a headstall are known as the crownpiece, cheekpiece, throatlatch, browband and noseband. Using two bits and two sets of reins the double bridle is a more involved type. The bits of the double bridle are known variously as the curb and snaffle or Weymouth and bradoon. turnout rug Being more complicated, a double bridle requires a smaller, second headstall called the bradoon hanger. Additionally, there are several other optional components to bridles including blinders, cavesson, bit hobble and curb strap.

Three types of bridles used in the English riding style are known as English-type bridles. Known as English-type bridles, they are the snaffle bridle, Pelham bridle and double bridle. The snaffle is most common, employing one bit and one set of reins. Featuring a single bit – the Pelham bit and two sets of reins is the Pelham bridle. Using two bits and two sets of reins, the double bridle requires a snaffle and curb, also called the bradoon and Weymouth bit. Horse Rugs Highly competitive competitions like dressage and saddle seat riding are usually the only places one sees the double bridle in use.

Less complicated than those of the English type are bridles used in the western riding style. Most have no noseband nor do they have a browband. A halter bridle is an alternative that is more comfortable for the horse. Halters are used to lead or tie the horse. Other bridle styles include the hackamore or bitless bridle. Rather than a bit in the horse's mouth, a noseband is used to steer it with either end attached to the reins.