The Value Of Equine Inflammation Management Supplements
The unnatural lifestyle of many sport horses can cause intestinal problems like colic, poor absorption of nutrients, and ulcers. Racehorses and top show jumpers or eventing horses have ulcers more often than not. This affects total health as well as performance, so owners and trainers cannot afford to ignore this problem. Equine inflammation management supplements can really help in both prevention and alleviation.
Experts estimate that as many as 80% of horses under demanding workloads have ulcers. It's easy to see that this problem is not to be underestimated. As with every other health issue, prevention is much better than trying to effect a cure. Understanding how diet works to prevent ulcers is important.
Horses in the wild eat grass around the clock, with short times out for resting. Horses in stalls, however, often have regular feeding times with periods of fasting in between, when they have eaten their hay and have to wait for more. Show or racing horses also need the concentrated energy and calories of grain, which make their systems more acidic than roughage does.
Horses need a plentiful and continuous supply of roughage. Chewing up grass or hay stimulates the flow of alkaline saliva, which balances the stomach acid which horses secrete (also on a continuous basis). The mass of roughage in the stomach protects the stomach lining from these acids, which can be harmful during hours-long periods of emptiness. Grain makes the system more acid and requires less chewing, as well.
What does this have to do with inflammation? Well, ulcers are caused by inflammation in the digestive tract. In fact, most problems originate with inflammatory responses in this core system. This is why arthritis in humans is often addressed with dietary changes. Supplements are preferable to NSAIDS (anti-inflammatory drugs) because the drugs often used to treat body soreness or lameness can aggravate ulcerous conditions.
Alfalfa is a healthy herb, sold as tea, tablets, or powder in health food stores. Horses love alfalfa hay and will eat it readily. Owners and trainers should make sure there are no sharp sticks in the hay, which can perforate weak spots in the stomach lining. An option is to rely on soaked alfalfa cubes to add this nutrition and bulk to the horse's diet.
Stress reduction is vital. Horses are herd animals and should be turned out with others or at least kept in a stall where they can see other horses. Research shows that horses do best without radios being left on and without lights on at night. Minerals are calming and should be supplemented if pasture or hay is deficient. Familiar surroundings are important, and horses that travel to shows are under additional stress. If hay consumption must be limited, 'slow-feeder' nets can minimize times when no roughage is available.
Many anti-inflammatory herbs, like tumeric and boswellia, are good for the stomach. It may be that a supplement can address stomach health and other conditions, like muscle soreness or leg and foot problems. Every horseowner should know how a horse's digestive system works and how to normalize its diet and lifestyle as much as possible. Supplements can then help when stressful situations are unavoidable.
Experts estimate that as many as 80% of horses under demanding workloads have ulcers. It's easy to see that this problem is not to be underestimated. As with every other health issue, prevention is much better than trying to effect a cure. Understanding how diet works to prevent ulcers is important.
Horses in the wild eat grass around the clock, with short times out for resting. Horses in stalls, however, often have regular feeding times with periods of fasting in between, when they have eaten their hay and have to wait for more. Show or racing horses also need the concentrated energy and calories of grain, which make their systems more acidic than roughage does.
Horses need a plentiful and continuous supply of roughage. Chewing up grass or hay stimulates the flow of alkaline saliva, which balances the stomach acid which horses secrete (also on a continuous basis). The mass of roughage in the stomach protects the stomach lining from these acids, which can be harmful during hours-long periods of emptiness. Grain makes the system more acid and requires less chewing, as well.
What does this have to do with inflammation? Well, ulcers are caused by inflammation in the digestive tract. In fact, most problems originate with inflammatory responses in this core system. This is why arthritis in humans is often addressed with dietary changes. Supplements are preferable to NSAIDS (anti-inflammatory drugs) because the drugs often used to treat body soreness or lameness can aggravate ulcerous conditions.
Alfalfa is a healthy herb, sold as tea, tablets, or powder in health food stores. Horses love alfalfa hay and will eat it readily. Owners and trainers should make sure there are no sharp sticks in the hay, which can perforate weak spots in the stomach lining. An option is to rely on soaked alfalfa cubes to add this nutrition and bulk to the horse's diet.
Stress reduction is vital. Horses are herd animals and should be turned out with others or at least kept in a stall where they can see other horses. Research shows that horses do best without radios being left on and without lights on at night. Minerals are calming and should be supplemented if pasture or hay is deficient. Familiar surroundings are important, and horses that travel to shows are under additional stress. If hay consumption must be limited, 'slow-feeder' nets can minimize times when no roughage is available.
Many anti-inflammatory herbs, like tumeric and boswellia, are good for the stomach. It may be that a supplement can address stomach health and other conditions, like muscle soreness or leg and foot problems. Every horseowner should know how a horse's digestive system works and how to normalize its diet and lifestyle as much as possible. Supplements can then help when stressful situations are unavoidable.
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You can get a summary of important factors to keep in mind when choosing a supplier of equine inflammation management supplements at http://www.naviculardisease.com right now.
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