During the grazing season, most horse owners don’t give too much thought to feeding their horse. With the horse out in the pasture, it might seem that all its needs are met, creating a sense of contentment. At the latest with the autumn coat change and the changeover from grazed down paddocks to stabling and hay, most people worry whether the horse is still receiving adequate nutrition.
Each change of coat places a significant demand on the detoxification systems, namely the liver and kidneys. Essentially, the entire protein metabolism undergoes a transformation. In this process, substantial quantities of the body’s own waste products are generated, necessitating elimination through the detoxification pathways.
Zinc
Furthermore, minerals essential for new hair growth are temporarily depleted from the organism. Notably, sulphur is crucial for the synthesis of keratin, providing hair with essential strength. Additionally, zinc is used more intensively during this phase. Alongside a well-balanced mineral feed, such as Pure Mineral G from OKAPI, it is advised to keep a close eye on these two minerals during the coat change. Zinc levels can be obtained through a blood count, forming part of the trace element profile. If it lies comfortably within the normal range, then the supply through mineral feed suffices even in more challenging periods. However, should it teeter on the lower threshold or dip below it, supplementary zinc should be provided alongside the mineral feed, particularly during this phase. Opting for zinc chelate, delivered in organic form (e.g. Zinc Chelate Plus from OKAPI), is recommended for swiftly and efficiently replenishing depleted stores in case of verified zinc deficiency. Organic minerals employ a clever mechanism to enhance intestinal absorption, resulting in quicker and more substantial assimilation compared to inorganic minerals, which are typically found in standard mineral feeds.
Sulfur
In contrast to zinc, detecting sulphur deficiency is not achievable through bloodwork. Instead, it is often identified symptomatically, as sulphur plays a pivotal role in the development of horn structures, encompassing skin, hair, and hooves. Horses with a latent sulphur deficiency often have poor hoof horn quality or a lack of hoof growth. They might encounter dermatological problems like sweet itch or mud fever. Additionally, long hair, such as manes and tails, might progressively thin. Consequently, they could struggle to grow a resilient winter coat or shed their dense winter fluff effectively during spring. Many horses struggling with chronic respiratory issues often classified as “hay allergies” may, in fact, exhibit latent sulphur deficiency among their array of symptoms. Horses naturally assimilate sulphur predominantly from the presence of sulphur-containing amino acids in their diet. However, an excessive intake of amino acids or protein can readily place strain on the kidneys. It is therefore advisable to avoid this problem by supplying sulphur in organic form through MSM (methylsulphonylmethane).
Frequently, when a confirmed zinc deficiency is identified, an unnoticed sulphur deficiency might coexist. This interconnectedness prompts the administration of both minerals concurrently as a regimen during the coat change phase, generally spanning 6-8 weeks. Since both minerals do not possess a particularly palatable taste, it’s recommended to mix them into a handful of soaked hay cobs to conceal the flavour, thereby ensuring their consumption. This regimen effectively replenishes the body’s mineral reserves, rendering them available to counteract added stresses, like the shedding the coat seasonally.
Even with the provision of zinc and sulphur, the horse’s mineral feed remains essential to maintain equilibrium among other minerals, a crucial consideration throughout this period. Moreover, the presence of a salt lick should always be ensured. Especially when horses are already developing a warm undercoat, but the daytime temperature still surges beyond 30°C, they excrete sodium chloride through perspiration. Licking the salt stone serves as a means to restore these essential electrolytes.
More on this topic: Moulting Season Is Closer Than You May Think
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