The vast majority of animals, in addition to a balanced diet, need additional sources of vitamins and microelements. They are especially necessary during increased physical activity, for older animals, and during pregnancy. Each pet has its own combination of nutrients. Today we’ll talk about when and what supplements are needed for horses.
What minerals and vitamins are needed?
The need for supplements depends on the type of work the horse performs, its state of health, gender, age, housing conditions and individual characteristics.They are necessary when an animal is ill, in order to quickly restore strength and avoid complications, during the period of growth, when all body systems are intensively developing, in old age, if all processes are already slowed down.
Complexes have been developed that are used during increased physical activity, for example, at horse races. Supplements must be included in the diet when horses are kept in stalls and there is a lack of succulent feed in the diet.
Animals need vitamins: A, group B, C, D, K, E, H. The complex of elements required for a horse includes: calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, copper, iodine. Fertilizers should be given as prescribed by a doctor, without exceeding the recommended dose. An excess of vitamins is no less harmful than their deficiency.
When should you give?
Special complexes or ordinary food products (for example, unrefined vegetable oil) are used as supplements, which become an additional source of vitamins for the animal.
Their deficiency is indicated by various signs:
- loss of appetite;
- frequent illnesses, weakened immunity;
- hoof injuries, joint problems;
- coat condition;
- the birth of weak, sick foals, miscarriages;
- eye diseases;
- cramps, muscle weakness;
- bone deformity in foals.
Vitamin and mineral complexes are selected and prescribed by a veterinarian after examining the animal. There are supplements to strengthen the immune system, stabilize the nervous system, improve digestion and breathing. They are prescribed to animals with kidney or liver problems.
To prevent vitamin deficiency in healthy horses, the following is added to the feed: salt, feed yeast, bone meal, bran, cake. Include fruits and root vegetables in your pet's diet: carrots, beets, apples, apricots.For a balanced diet, premixes are added.
These feed additives are developed for specific groups of animals. They will be different for young and older horses, for horses and mares, healthy and weakened animals.
How to properly feed horses with supplements?
Fertilizers are added to the main feed, for example, mixed with succulent grass or mixed feed. If the horse refuses to take them, then you can mix the vitamin complex with apples or add a little sunflower oil.
Powders are usually mixed with water to prevent the animal from blowing the additive away. It is better to choose the drug in granules; pets are more willing to consume this option. You can take out the core of the apple, pour the drug into the hole and feed it to the horse.
As a last resort, medicine or a vitamin complex is poured into the animal’s mouth using a syringe with the needle removed, or drug injections are prescribed.
If a balanced diet is selected for the animal, the horse can go out to pasture, veterinary examinations are systematically carried out, and measures are taken at the first sign of problems, the pets will remain healthy, strong and beautiful for a long time.
