FEEDING HORSES IN HOT WEATHER
Posted by Ranvet NZ , 10 Apr, 2009
Horse Health, Race Horses, Performance Horses
Feeding to Minimize Heat Waste
Specific feeding adjustments are useful in hot climates, whereby horses are subject to performance
stress, dehydration, excessive electrolyte loss, heat stress and premature fatigue.
In particular, certain individuals such as hyper-energetic horses or those with a disposition to be
nervous or excitable have a propensity to be more severely affected by hot and in particular, humid
environmental conditions.
In a hard working horse or those horses working over long distance such as endurance types, additional
digestive heat increases the ‘heat load' which needs to be lost for effective cooling. Particularly during
hot weather and immediately following exercise, if this heat load is not lost, severe repercussions such
as elevated heart rate, increased respiratory rate and poor post-exercise recovery may be experienced,
more significantly when confounded by the need for the horse to then ‘pant' to lose body heat, which in
turn leads to an increase in sweat loss coupled with an increased risk of dehydration and general body
salt depletion.
As a guide, energy loss as heat produced during fermentation wastes approximately 20% energy from
barley, 23% energy from corn, 30% energy from oats and 70% from fibrous roughage such as chaffs
and hays as the feed ferments in the large bowel. Conversely, fat and oil supplements have no heat
waste during the digestion process as they are digested by enzymes in the small bowel.
General Feeding Principles in Hot & Humid Climates
Minimize Heat Waste
Contact the seller
Contact: ThatHorse
Phone: +4 499 9094
Email: shop@thathorse.com
Since 1960 Ranvet has continued to research the science of horse training and has designed, tested, refined and then marketed products to satisfy the most specific needs of the performance horse. After more than 40 years producing product for the equine athlete, Ranvet has now formulated a range of products for the greyhound racing industry. More Info
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Contact the seller
Contact: ThatHorse
Phone: +4 499 9094
Email: shop@thathorse.com
Since 1960 Ranvet has continued to research the science of horse training and has designed, tested, refined and then marketed products to satisfy the most specific needs of the performance horse. After more than 40 years producing product for the equine athlete, Ranvet has now formulated a range of products for the greyhound racing industry. More Info
More products by this brand
Articles
ALL TIED UP?
About Tying Up
Azoturia, exertional rhabdomyolysis and exertional myopathy are the interchangeable clinical terminology commonly used... More »
WORM CONTROL - ROTATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS
The importance of regular worming cannot be understated and as importantly, neither can the need... More »
FEEDING HORSES IN HOT WEATHER
Feeding to Minimize Heat Waste
Specific feeding adjustments are useful in hot climates, whereby horses are... More »
Equine Respiratory Medicine and the Aerohippus Equine Aerosol Chamber
Respiratory conditions are common in many domestic species however, are particularly detrimental to performance animals... More »
EXERCISE INDUCED PULMONARY HAEMORRHAGE…
Does your horse suffer from 'Bleeding'?
Published and unpublished data suggests that up to 60% of... More »
HUMATES…THE EQUINE X-FACTOR!
(The Benefits of Feeding Humic & Fulvic Acids)
In simple terms, minerals maintain life. They function... More »
CHEWING THE FAT OVER OIL…
Omega 6 and Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega-6 (linoleic) and Omega-3 (linolenic) are essential fatty acids... More »
BRANCH CHAIN AMINO ACIDS…
Its All In the Timing!
Amino acids are the building blocks of all protein and are... More »
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Nutrient Engineering Affects Performance!
Post-exertional rhabdomyolysis otherwise known as ‘tying-up' imposes not only significant welfare implications... More »
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Why is the process of sweating important?
The purpose of sweat is to maintain body temperature... More »
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Exercise, energy and protein are intimately associated. The level of exercise, provision of high quality... More »
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As a guide, energy loss as heat produced during fermentation wastes... More »
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What is protein?
Proteins, along with carbohydrates are the two primary energy sources the horse will... More »
How to Avoid Abscesses - Ranvet's Hoof Food the best answer!
We recently received a query from one of our Thathorse readers
"Hi I was reading... More »
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