22/12/2022
Horses and sweet potatoes?
Ulcers, 60-90% of show/performance horses have ulcers. Humans created stall confinement, grain and commercialized feeding. Horses are meant to spend all day, outside free grazing. “In a natural grazing situation, a steady flow of acid is required for digestion, so a horse's stomach produces acid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – up to 9 gallons of acidic fluid per day, even when not eating.”
So what happens to that acid when there’s no roughage to break down, ulcers. How do we treat and prevent ulcers in our barn? We preventatively treat each horse with omeprazole paste the week before and during each showing. It’s cheap, easy and effective!! Want further benefits? It’s in the common grocery store sweet potato! Why?
“On top of protein and dietary fiber sweet potatoes also have a very good selection of vitamins and minerals:
* Vitamin A – As well as boosting your horse’s immune system and strengthening his bones, Vitamin A can also help to reduce the risk of cataracts.
* Vitamin C – Like Vitamin A, Vitamin C can help to improve your horse’s immune system but it can also help to heal wounds and keep your horse’s teeth, bones, and cartilage healthy.
* Vitamin B5 – Part of the B complex vitamin group, Vitamin B5 can help to keep your horse’s coat in good condition. It also works to aid digestion, especially in the digestive tract.
* Vitamin B6 – Another B complex vitamin, it’s known for its ability to reduce the symptoms of some forms of arthritis as well as keeping the eyes healthy. If your horse suffers from depression then Vitamin B6 can help with this.
* Vitamin E – Known for its ability to fight infection, Vitamin E also works to maintain healthy skin, eyes, and even a healthy coat.
* Potassium – You might not realize it but potassium is actually one of the most important minerals in the body, it works to keep a horse’s muscles working properly and will also help to reduce tiredness after exercise.
* Manganese – Not only does manganese help to keep your horse’s bones strong and healthy but it can also reduce inflammation. In my opinion, though the biggest role that manganese plays is in the regulation of blood sugar, this means that it may be good for horses that suffer from conditions such as Equine Cushings Disease.”
Maybe you will consider adding sweet potatoes to your show horses regimen, we have, and we have seen outstanding results! Our biggest sweet tater eater in the barn is 17+ hand gentle giant He’s Forrest Gump! They helped him gain over 300lbs and help to curb his proneness to colic. Thank you to Dr Mendenhall at Equine Services for your recommendation!
Source horsefactbook.com
