Farrier Godmother 808-937-0843

Susanella Noble, CNBBT

Hoof Care Practitioner

Guidelines For Safely Feeding Horses In Hawaii

We need to know the rules in order to break them wisely.

#1 Only Feed Green -- Pure and Natural

"Green" is pasture forage, grass and alfalfa hay, alfalfa cubes (soaked in water 20 minutes)

Horses evolved to survive on maximum roughage with minimum nutrition such as the scrub grasses in rocky areas where mustangs flourish. The equine system is not designed to digest the Non Structural Carbohydrates, starches and sugars in processed feeds which we think they need for growth, maintenance and performance.

The feeds imported to Hawaii are compromised by their long journey where the mold and fermentation have already started on the barge. We simply have to learn to cope with our limited resources and supplement wisely.

How Non Structural Carbs (NSC) in starches and sugars affect hooves:

NSC's ferment too quickly in hind gut and can trigger erratic release of MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) enzymes
too many inconsistent MMP enzymes go to hooves and release the basement membranes that form the laminae
laminae starts to separate allowing bacteria and fungus to invade and painful abscesses form
coffin bone (P3) loses support and rotates downward due to pull of deep digital flexor tendon

#2 Apple Cider Vinegar

Feed 1/4 cup every day -- soak alfalfa cubes with water/vinegar or add to drinking water. This is our "Magic Bullet" -- you can NOT overdose!

Benefits of apple cider vinegar:

Prevents growth of bacteria, mold and fungus; contains potassium to flush toxins; balances pH and insulin levels; helps prevent colic and ulcers; neutralizes minerals, calcium and protein; oxygenates blood; aids digestion; promotes healthy hoof growth and glossy coat

#3 Free Choice Minerals

Natural Sea Salts: Offer loose salt in a bucket -- clean and refresh often (Salt and mineral blocks contain glue to hold them together plus the evil molasses and too much potassium and other minerals that cause imbalances in the horse's system)

#4 Clean Water

Would you drink your horse's water yourself? Make it that clean! A cup of apple cider vinegar added to standing water troughs keeps them clean and fresh longer.

Treat Horses Like They Are Diabetic -- Prevention Is The Safest Choice

NO fruits such as apples, bananas & mangos
NO root vegetables such as carrots, including beet pulp
NO sugar, honey, molasses, or candy
NO grains including sweet feeds, oats, cob, corn, bran
NO processed feeds including equine senior, high performance, safe choice, complete feeds
NO saturated oils or seeds or soybeans
NO supplements that conatin any of the above

Safe, Clean and Low!

Horses are designed to eat at ground level and their saliva is released best when their heads are low. Feed hay on a clean, rubber mat and position buckets lower than chest-level.

Suggested treats:

small pieces of alfalfa cubes
green vegetables such as broccoli, celery, tat soi, lettuce, arugula, parsley

We have evidence that horses occasionally founder in the wild from an overload of sugars when they might find berries or an apple tree. Because their feet are tough, enclosed capsules and worn to the proper angles, the insult doesn't affect the position of the coffin bone. Just one overload of NSC's or sugars can trigger a serious laminitic episode in a horse who is overweight and whose feet are distorted and compromised by iron shoes.

Safely Grazing

Horses are foragers, not grazers. We force them to live in confinement without the variety of grasses, herbs and shrubs they would get in the wilderness. Our grasses in Hawaii are high in sugars (especially the sugar cane grasses!) and can cause pasture founder year-round. A grazing muzzle slows down the most vioracious appetite. Mocha models how she can still eat a treat of alfalfa cube through her grazing muzzle. Mocha's mom says it was a clear choice, "muzzle her or she dies!"

Health begins with diet. The equine digestive system is way too efficient!

Remember, horses don't understand proportions! A handful of hay is as good a come-on as a bale!

Dynamite Supplements

I squirt a little Dynapro probiotic into my horse's meager meal daily (I also give it to my doggies). A couple of times a week I offer my horse some Dynamite Free-Choice Minerals.

Equine Nutritional Advice In Hawaii contact Pamela Au

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