A study published in 2020 suggests that horses may exhibit rapid microbial community responses to dietary changes within the first few days. Specifically, the findings indicate that significant differences in microbial community structure were observed during the first 3 days after the abrupt dietary change. This suggests that horses may begin to adapt to new forage selections within a relatively short time frame, particularly in terms of compositional adaptation (alterations in structure) of gut microbiota.
Category: Horse Keeping
Unlocking Your Horse’s Sensory World: The Importance of Novel Scents
When was the last time you stopped to consider your horse’s sense of smell?
In the bustling world of equine care, we often focus on the basics – food, shelter, exercise – without delving into the intricate sensory experiences our equine companions crave. Horses, with their remarkable olfactory abilities, are more sensitive to scents than we might imagine.
The Hardest Part of Having 3 Horses: Choosing
The hardest part of having 3 horses? Choosing.
Who do I spend time with first? Who do I choose if I only have time for one
Easy Equine Enrichment: Flavored Water
Keeping our horses happy is such a multi-faceted challenge. Depending on where they live and what their dietary needs are, options can be so limited. One thing that all horses benefit from, no matter what, is drinking more water. So why not make water more exciting?
Easy Slow Feeding for Any Horse
I’m thoroughly convinced: hay nets are the easiest, most simple, versatile and cost effective way to significantly improve your horse’s quality of life. If you’re crafty, you can utilize them to fulfil three crucial needs that your horse requires! There is a nice coupon at the end of this post if you’d like to skip ahead 😉
Metal Shoes on Horses: The Where, What, How & Why They Disappoint Us
People opt to remove the metal shoes either to improve the health of their horse, or to cut costs. I can quickly tell you that going barefoot will save you money. If your horse needs hoof protection – hoof boots are the obvious choice if you weigh the costs! If you’ve already decided you want to go barefoot, I will be adding a guide on how to do so. This post explains the need for hoof protection, the downfalls of the metal shoe, and touches on the alternative options available.