Sugar beet pulp – everything worth knowing…

Beet pulp is increasingly used in horse nutrition. Especially when we want to safely increase the horse's body weight or provide it with energy without increasing the amount of starch in the ration. As we know, excessive amounts of it, coming mainly from cereals, have a negative impact on the digestive system of horses, because they promote the development of ulcers and disturb the intestinal microflora. Beet pulp is not only a tasty addition, but above all an excellent source of healthy fiber. What is worth knowing when introducing this component to a horse's diet?

Does nutrition affect a horse’s immunity?

The autumn-winter season, intensive training and frequent trips to competitions are a time when our horses' immune systems are put to a severe test. We usually consider supporting immunity only when the horse starts coughing, shows weakness or suffers from skin problems. Meanwhile, the key to a strong body is most often found in... a manger. The connection between nutrition and immunity is direct and extremely strong. How does daily diet affect a horse's ability to fight infections?

Why do some horses gain weight despite little feed?

Maintaining a horse's correct body weight is one of the key elements of its health and performance. However, many owners encounter a situation in which the horse begins to gain weight, even though it receives small amounts of feed. This situation can be frustrating and difficult to understand, but in practice there are specific reasons that are worth taking a closer look at...

Anemia in horses – can diet help?

Anemia is a condition in which there are too few red blood cells in the blood or too little hemoglobin responsible for transporting oxygen. As a result, the horse's body is less oxygenated, which may lead to decreased performance, weakness and slower regeneration. However, it is worth remembering that anemia is not a disease in itself, but a symptom accompanying other diseases or abnormalities. Can a properly balanced diet help? Yes, but only if it supports the treatment of the cause of the problem.

How to reduce the risk of muscle acidosis

Hard physical work is part of training for many sport horses. At a competition, or in a demanding session, the body has to supply the muscles with energy quickly, and under a very heavy load that can lead to lactic acidosis. It shows as a drop in performance, faster fatigue and slower recovery afterwards. The right training and a properly balanced diet can do a great deal to limit the risk.

Sand in the gut – how to reduce the risk

Sand in the gut can affect horses kept at grass and horses kept in. It most often happens when the horse eats straight off sandy ground, or grazes very short grass. Small amounts of sand usually leave the gut naturally, but if sand builds up over time it can irritate the gut wall, disturb digestion and even cause painful colic that needs a vet.

When does a horse really need a supplement?

Supplementation has become almost standard in horse feeding, and tack shops offer a huge choice, from additives “for the joints”, “for the muscles” and “for the hooves” to products for immunity or for helping a horse settle. It is easy to feel that every horse should have several additives a day. The question is: does every horse really need them? And if not, when is supplementation genuinely justified, and when is it only an unnecessary cost, or even a risk to health?

5 signs your horse is short of energy

Energy is one of the most important parts of a horse's diet. It is what maintains condition, supports performance at work and keeps every life process running. A shortage of energy is not always easy to see, though. It often builds gradually, and the first signs are easily mistaken for tiredness, age or character. How do you recognise that the diet may not be covering the horse's energy need?

Why does my horse leave feed?

How a horse eats is one of the clearest signs of health and welfare. Any change in appetite, especially if the horse stops clearing the feed or only picks at it, should catch your attention. The causes can be many, from something trivial to a serious health problem, so they should never be brushed aside.

Knowledge zone

Hello, my name is Anna Porożyńska and I am Grassland's equine nutrition specialist.