Essential Horse Supplements

and Horse Minerals for Barefoot Horses

Contents

Introduction - Horse Supplements Feeding Minerals Mineral Blocks & Suppliers of Mineral Blocks Seaweeds & a Supplier of Seaweed Suppliers of Horse Feed Minerals & Horse Herbs Apple Cider Vinegar and Supplier Linseed & Flax & Supplier Unprocessed Oil Garlic & Supplier Conclusion

Horse Supplements - An Introduction

Before moving onto different supplements one needs to remember that what you feed your horses can reflect very clearly in their hooves and that not all of the many supplements that are on the market are as suitable as one is lead to believe.

So be sure to check and avoid any supplements that contain large amounts of:-

• sugar,
• molasses,
• alfalfa
• and fruit juices

Another point to remember is the big difference and benefit of a barefoot horse over the shod horse with regard to horse supplements and inappropriate feeding is, that as you learn to recognize signs of carbohydrate overload in your horses hooves see hoof signs. If you see any of these signs appearing you can quickly alter their feeding before it becomes a possible long term health issue.

Whereas in a shod horse, even if fed inappropriate horse supplements, which can cause structural hoof problems, this may well not be picked up as the horse may continue to appear sound and so be ridden as the metal shoes can chamoflage and hide early undetected hoof pathologies.

Feeding Minerals

The macro minerals Calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulphur and then the trace minerals, cobalt, copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Vanadium, Boron and Zinc are all obviously essential for horses health.

The challenge is to know if your horse has an imbalance/deficiency with any of these and if so, what are they lacking or over loaded with and what horse supplements should we as owners be providing. It is easy just to randomly give horse supplements without really knowing what one is doing.

Feeding Cereals and Minerals

Cereals which are high in phosphorus and likely to block the absorption of calcium, which is why when feeding cereals it may well be necessary to include with the horses feed a mineral balancing feed.

Magnesium

A brief note here on magnesium. Magnesium deficiency is becoming widespread and is more readily inhibited than calcium by artificial fertilisers as well as being made inert in the body by sodium fluoride as used in our water supplies. Excessive nervous behaviour, herd bound, head strong, over-reactive and spooky are all symptom attributed to magnesium deficiency.

To be sure, apart from having your hay and or soil analyzed, if you have any of these problems by supplementing with a magnesium supplement you will be able to see if there is any improvement.

We have outlined a step by step approach to minerals below.

If you get confused and need further help and advice either contact us or contact a specialist in this area or your vet.

First Solution - Mineral Blocks

If we provide different types of mineral blocks for them, the non sugared ones, then they are in a position to choose and eat/lick whatever they feel they require. A simple horse supplements solution, not very scientific but it has it's place.

Second Solution - Feeding a Mineral Supplement

Secondly you can feed then a general all round mineral with which to supplement their diet with, e.g. kelp/seaweed. See below for suggestions as to how to feed this mineral.

By doing the above if your horse is going well you may need to do nothing else.

Third Solution - Free Choice of Minerals

A third solution is to provide kelp and dolomite in containers for your horse to eat from. Ideally these containers need to be available throughout the day.

The challenge is to set up containers which can't be spilt or "rained on" as they are too expensive to get wasted. So a bit more tricky but if you are able to do this it can be an interesting experiment.

Fourth Solution - Hay Testing and Supplementing

If however, your horse is not doing well and his hooves are not growing and transitioning as well as you would like, you can then start investigating further and get your hay/grass anlayzed to see if there are any major deficiences in their forage or if the sugar is very high.

Then from your results you are then in a position to feed and the appropriate missing minerals.

Fifth Solution - Soil Testing & Pasture Improvement

You can get your soil analyzed and then feed/re-mineralise your paddocks and pastures with whatever is found missing. Good quality grasses only grow in healthy well-balanced soil. A proper soil analysis will show what needs to be done.

Once you have had your soil analysis done you are then in a postition to know whether or not your paddocks need feeding with naturally occuring minerals.

What better way of providing appropriate horse supplements to horses than through their grazing and forage.

To improve your pasture if you:-

• feed it with organic compost such as manure,
• plus remineralisation with what is missing,
• and aerating (harrowing) which gets oxygen into the soil,

this will greatly improve your paddocks and is money and time well invested.

Mineral Blocks & Suppliers of Mineral Blocks

There is a vast range on the market to choose from.

Outlined below are mineral suppliers we know, have researched. It is from my research of many barefoot trimmers and barefoot horse owners that we have come up with the following list.

So although it may appear 'simple' it has taken time to arrive with the suggestions outlined below.

Himalayan Mineral Block

This is probably one of the best horse supplements, mineral blocks that is available and on the market today. It comes from the Himalayan Mountains in Pakistan. It can be tied to the fence line or any gate posts in a field.

Many of the mineral blocks on the market contain high levels of molasses which are to be avoided at all costs.

Above two pictures of the himalayan salt lick.

The picture on the right shows one that has been used by a mare and foal, over a period of two months. (As you can see it has been well used.)

The himalayan lick is said to contain the entire spectrum of frequency patterns, of all the elements found in a living body.

• It contains 84 ionic trace minerals.
• It replaces lost electrolytes
• It helps to balance the body's ph.
• It remains hard and is easy to attach to fence posts in the field.

Peter Ferreira who has written and researched this salt describes it as, "salt in its original form, holistic, unaltered and as it was crystallized in the Earth over millions of years ago."

When I think of minerals I think of them as the basic building blocks for growth, repair, renewal and maintaining health.

The advantage of this horse supplement mineral block is that it appears to be the the most complete one on the market today, as well as being easy to use. it lasts, is weather-proof and horses like it.

If you want to learn more about himalayan minerals, read the water and salt book. Everything you may want to know is in there. In addition you can start including some of his recommendations for your own health.

How to Buy Himalayan Salt Licks

You can buy these salt licks from;-

Willkommen - A site worth visiting.

From eBay.

Or from Hilton Herbs.

So "in a nutshell" an inexpensive and very easy supplement - try it and see for yourself and any Feedback would be really appreciated....

Other Mineral Blocks

One good supplier of horse mineral blocks is Rockies. They manufacture a:-

• Rockies Natural - (salt, minerals, seaweed,)
• 5 star Rockies - (minerals, herbs,)
• Lamishield - (which has higher levels of Mg suitable for laminitic prone horses/ponies)
• Then there are several more specific ones for areas where there is a known deficiency.
• To find out what deficiencies there are in your areas contact a soil analyst. If you are not sure how, just Google it and you will most likely find someone who can help you.

These mineral blocks come in large blocks and can be either attached to fences in a field or put inside a tyre on the ground. (If your ground is very wet put some scalpings/stones down first (to create adequate drainage) and then sit the tyre on top of these and put the mineral block inside.

In this way the horse supplements mineral block is protected from any mud and being trodden upon but the horses can still access it easily.

We have a variety of these on our Paddock Paradise track. By providing different ones the horses are then able to choose which ones 'to lick.'

Personally I like these blocks and find it interesting seeing which ones the horses prefer.

This is a fairly non-scientific way of working with horse supplements but is cetainly a practical and inexpensive way if you are unsure if there are any deficiencies present in your land and hay and have not had either analyzed.

Seaweeds and Supplier of Seaweed

Seaweeds are very beneficial horse supplements and by feeding them this is another way to address the feeding of minerals to horses.

Seaweed provides a huge spectrum of minerals in their most natural and assimilable form. It is extracted from its plant origin and contains a wide range of natural minerals, trace elements, amino acids and vitamins.

Seaweeds benefit the whole heath of the horse including:-

• the hooves, their coat and their immune system.

There are many different varieties of seaweeds grown and harvested and are apparently excellent ones grown around:-

• Canada,
• Scandinavia
• and Southern Ireland

where the water is much cleaner.

If you are using a seaweed, check that it contains only seaweed and not a whole host of other things added by a manufacturer. You will need to read the labels to be sure.

Pat Colby in her well known book Natural Horse Care says that

seaweeds are still the safest and best horse supplements that we have and that feeding just seaweed is often enough to correct many problems. She recommends that horses have seaweed meal available ad lib and suggests that you have containers with seaweed in one half and rock salt (e.g. himalayan salt lick) in the other half and to have these containers available for your horse whether it be in their stable/shelter or field.

She explains that it is cheaper and safer to feed it this way so the horse can decide for itself how much to consume and they will not touch it if they have too much in their system. She goes on to say owners will be amazed as to how much or how little will disappear.

She says ideally never put it in their feed as they are then not in a position to decide to eat it or not.

If you have your minerals set up so they can have them "free choice" ie in containers, then this is easy - if not then we have added it to their feeds and it has been fine.

Our Favourite Supplier of Seaweed

If you wish to buy a high quality 20kg bag of Seaweed Supplement for horses from Crossgates who sell it on Ebay.

They are a first class Homeopathic Supplier and have a first class track record with Ebay.

They also sell Apple Cider Vinegar see below.

Suppliers of Horse Feed Minerals & Horse Herbs

There is a vast range of companies to choose from.

Outlined below are mineral suppliers we know and have researched. It is from my research of many barefoot trimmers and barefoot horse owners that we have come up with the following list.

So although it may appear 'simple' it has taken time to arrive with the suggestions outlined below.

Hilton Herbs

Hilton Herbs have a vast range of herbs and herbal formulas which if you are struggling may well be of help to your horses.

Global Herbs

Global Herbs like Hilton Herbs they again offer a really good comprehensive range of mineral and herbal formulas for horses.

Trinity Consultants

Trinity Consultants are different from the above in that they offer bespoke mineral and herbal formulas. They are a smaller company and give outstanding help and advice.

Apple Cider Vinegar & Supplier

This is an excellent liquid remedy to include on your horse supplements list. You can add it to water troughs or to their feeds.

• It is excellent for a horseís immune system.
• It cleans their blood and helps their body organs work properly
• It benefits joints as well as helping any arthritic problems and stiffness
• It supports the digestive system
• It is a preventative for colds and flu
• It improves a horses metabolism
• It maintains the organism's biochemical balance and is an all round tonic
• It can also be use externally for any skin disorder internally aswell as externally.
• The possible dosage is 100ml per day

Our Favourite Supplier of Apple Cider Vinegar

Click here to buy a 5 litre container of organic apple cider vinegar from Crossgates who sell int on Ebay.

They are a first class Homeopathic Supplier and have a first class track record with Ebay.

I have worked and known them for a number of years and can highly recommend them.

Linseed/Flax & Supplier

Linseed and linseed oil are very beneficial horse supplements.(Linseed and Flax just to save any confusion are the same thing.)

Benefits of Linseed and Linseed Oil

Linseed is high in the essential fatty acid omega 3. Omega 3 along with protein is essential for the building of muscle tissue. Cereal diets are high in omega 6 and can upset the ratio between omega 3 and omega 6. (Western diets are now predominately very low in omega 3 and we would all benefit from taking linseed to help counter act this imbalance.)

Linseed creates:-

• a healthier shinier coat,
• it builds muscle tissue and so improves horses condition,
• promotes stronger faster growing feet,
• boosts the immune system
• the respiratory system.
• and is benefical to the gut and digestive sytem as promotes healthy gut flora.

It contains very high levels of fresh unoxidized fatty acids, especially the omega 3 essential fatty acid and some omega 6 and 9 plus vitamins and minerals.(It is 6 times richer in omega 3 than fish oils).

It is approx 28% protein.

(Protein is essential for the building of muscle and repair of tissue and does not have any of the negative side effects that too much carbohydrate can have on a horse e.g.Laminitis etc).

The oil however does not contain protein.

Omega 3 interestingly is very high in a mare's milk.

Linseed has a very hard hull and in order for it to be fully digested it is either:-

• processed,
• ground
• the oil extracted
• or cooked

(The best and most nutritious way to feed it is to grind it just before feeding. However not many of us will have the time to do this.)

So instead, you can either buy fresh ground linseed (it has a six week shelf life if kept in a fridge) or buy the linseed oil or cook it. (I personally am not so happy with the cooking of linseed as I question what happens to the oil.) If you buy the oil only buy pure cold pressed, unrefined linseed oil.

(The commerical forms of linseed in all it's many forms will have been treated with preservatives to prolong it's shelf life).

Linseed Daily Ration

The recommended daily amount to feed a horse is a maximum of 4-6oz per day of ground linseed or 3 to 4 tablespoons of linseed oil with your regular feed.

Suppliers of Linseed

An excellent supplier of linseed is Flax Farm. They sell the:-

• fresh whole golden and bronze linseeds, which will then need to be ground or cooked,
• or the golden and bronze milled linseed
• or the cold pressed unrefined linseed oil.

So all types are available here. It is then just up to your personal preference which will work best for you and your horses as horse supplements.

Another supplier of cold pressed linseed oil is NAF Linseed Oil. They supply it in 1, 2 or 5 litre containers.

Unprocessed Oil

Oils are a common fat source and traditionally have often been added as an additional horse supplements to a horses ration when a horse is doing intensive athletic work.

Recommended Oils

Cold pressed oils, which are oils, which have not been extracted via a heating process have a high nutrional value are the best oils to use if you are going to be feeding oils as horse supplements.

Cold pressed oils are labelled, "cold pressed."

Easily available cold pressed oils are:-

• cold pressed linseed/flax oil
• and cold pressed olive oil

Suppliers of Cold Pressed Oils

You can buy cold pressed linseed and cold pressed olive oil from:-

• supermarkets
• and from some feed merchants.

In addition you can buy excellent cold pressed linseed oil from Flax Farm. and Amazon sell the NAF Linseed Oil.

Disadvantages of Cold Pressed Oils

These oils will go rancid if kept for a long time and are more expensive. If flax seed oil goes rancid it will have an unpleasant smell and must then be thrown out. It has a shelf life of only a few weeks.

So the important thing to note here is if you are buying and using cold pressed oils as horse supplements do not keep them for too long and check by smelling and tasting that they have not gone rancid, if they have, throw them out.

Ideally they need to be kept in a fridge but certainly need to be kept in the dark away from light in order to prevent it oxidizing.

Oils to Avoid

Do not feed and use the common hydrogenated oils e.g. corn oils which are all widely available.

This is because they will be hydrogenated, which stop the oil from going rancid.

However, since the 1970's (and no doubt well before then) it has been well known that the use and consumption of hydrogentated oils can have many side effects. (There is a vast amount of literature available on this subject on the net if you wish to learn more this.)

So our take on this is to avoid them where ever possible.

(It is worth mentioning here that, whole oats 1 kilo a day, will contain 70ml of oil 7%)

Garlic & Garlic Supplier

This is a very old remedy.

• It is good for the circulation.
• Strengthens the immune system i.e. fighting colds and infection
• It helps repel flies.
• It is a natural wormer.

You can give cloves 1 to 2 a day cut up or crushed, or buy prepared garlic flakes.

However, there are strong views for and against giving garlic to horses. Ideally we still need more research on this but from the study of the wild horse, not the domesticated horse, which has so many others health issues going on.

I do not have strong views or first hand experience either way, but if you were to give the cloves that is a more "natural remedy" than the prepared flakes.

Supplier of Garlic Flakes for Horses

Click here to buy top quality Garlic Flakes for horses.

Conclusion

With the above you now have a list of horse supplements that you can safely give your horse(s). You will now need to decide which ones to give.

The himalayan mineral block I believe is "essential," with the rest, experiment and see what results you get.

Have in mind a 3 month trial period. i.e. to reap the benefits you may well need to wait up to 3 months for changes and some results. This is a good rule of thumb to keep in mind when using horse supplements.

By checking and reading their hooves you will be able to monitor and see how the hooves are growing and hopefully in many respects be able to see if the horse supplements you are feeding your horse are suitable or not.

There is as Jaime Jackson says, still much more research needed to be done in wild horse country regarding the diet of wild horses. But for the time being, keep things simple and follow the guidelines above on horse supplements, I hope this helps you and your horses.