🍀Happy St Patrick`s Day! Have you got an Irish horse or pony?? 🍀
Ireland is not just famous for St Patrick, it`s a great horsing nation too, and here are 6 reasons why...

1. Ireland has one of the highest horse populations per capita in Europe
Ireland consistently ranks among the top European countries in horse numbers relative to population according to the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority).

2. The Irish Sport Horse is one of the world’s most successful eventing breeds
The Irish Sport Horse studbook has ranked #1 in international eventing multiple times over the last two decades. The breed is known for its athleticism, bravery and exceptional jumping technique.

3. The Connemara Pony is Ireland’s only native pony breed
Originating in County Galway, the Connemara Pony is known worldwide for its soundness, versatility and exceptional jumping ability. The breed is also known for its hardiness, having evolved in a harsh coastal environment.

4. Irish Draught Horses are famous for strength and temperament
The Irish Draught is Ireland’s national horse and is the foundation of the Irish Sport Horse. Their calm temperament and powerful build make them popular across a range of disciplines.

5. Irish trainers and jockeys dominate global racing
Ireland exports Thoroughbreds globally and is home to some of the world’s top racing stables. Irish‑bred horses are regularly first past the post in major international races, and 6 have won the Melbourne Cup since 1990.

6. Irish folklore is full of equine references
Horses appear throughout Irish mythology, such as the warrior Cú Chulainn’s grey stallion Liath Macha or the mystical water horse known as the kelpie in Celtic tradition.

❓If you`ve got an Irish horse or pony (or an Irish horse story) share it in the comments below ⬇️⬇️⬇️

“My horse is getting older, does their diet need to change?”
The answer is...not always! There isn`t a magic number that suddenly classifies your horse as old. What matters is their condition, dental health, workload and health status.

Here are some important questions to ask:

1️⃣How’s their body condition (BCS)?
If an older horse maintains a healthy BCS on their current forage and concentrate, you may not need to change much. Research from the NRC shows that nutrient requirements don’t increase just because of age — they change when the horse’s condition and health changes.

2️⃣How are their teeth?
Dental health is a big one. As horses age, their teeth naturally wear down, can loosen or need to be removed making it harder to chew long‑stem hay, and if they are not chewing well, it can decrease digestive efficiency and lead to other issues. That’s when we need to start looking at softer fibres, a specialised senior feed and mash fibre supplements.

3️⃣ Are they digesting fibre as well as they used to?
Like their teeth, the digestive system can also age and decline in efficiency. Some senior horses become less efficient at breaking down the fibre in their diet. If you notice weight loss, they may benefit from more easily fermentable fibre sources like lupin hulls, and a more nutrient or calorie dense feed.

4️⃣Are they losing topline or muscle?
This can happen as horses age because they become less efficient at digesting and using protein, so we sometimes need to adjust the quality or amount of protein in their diet to support healthy muscle maintenance.

5️⃣Any signs of metabolic changes?
As horses get older, conditions like PPID (Cushing’s) and insulin dysregulation become more common. If that’s the case, they need a treatment plan with a vet, and we usually manage them with a low sugar and starch diet.

6️⃣Not a question, keep re‑evaluating!
Older horses can change quickly, so checking in on their BCS, teeth, and energy levels regularly is vital.

The bottom line:
You don’t need to change your horse’s diet just because they’re getting older. Change it when their health and condition tell you it`s time.

Need a senior feed? Try Senior Horse Cubes...

Tell us your horse loves their mash...without telling us! Kelly`s lovely golden boy licks his bowl clean with his mix of Lupin Fibre Boost and Calm Care Plus.

Thanks for sharing @kelly_whitelock90 !

Your horse is eating lots… so why are they still losing condition?
It’s frustrating when your horse seems to be eating plenty, but their condition continues to drop or just won`t improve. The truth is: healthy condition isn’t only about how much a horse eats; it’s about how well their body can use what they eat. Here are some common (and often overlooked) reasons this might be happening:

1️⃣ Poor fibre quality = poor nutrition (even in large quantities)
Horses rely on the hindgut to ferment fibre into energy. If the hay or pasture is stemmy, over‑mature, low‑digestibility, or weather‑damaged, they simply can’t extract enough calories, no matter the volume.
Tip: Choose good‑quality, test hay with higher digestibility.

2️⃣ An unhealthy gut = inefficient digestion
A balanced microbial population is essential for breaking down fibre. Hindgut disruption from stress, rapid feed changes, ulcers, inconsistent feeding, or low‑quality forage can reduce nutrient absorption.
Tip: Ensure constant access to forage, minimise long gaps between feeds, and incorporate super‑fibres to support a healthy microbiome. If you suspect ulcers or gut pain, speak to your vet.

3️⃣ They may need a more energy‑dense diet
Horses only maintain or gain weight when the calories they absorb exceed the calories they burn (positive energy balance). High workloads, age or breed can influence their calorie demands. If the diet is low in digestible energy or the horse’s energy demand is higher than expected, they can remain in a calorie deficit despite eating large volumes.
Increase digestible energy per kilo by adding a more calorie‑dense feed, quality oils, or highly digestible super‑fibres such as lupin hulls or beet pulp.

4️⃣ Dental issues reduce chewing efficiency
Dental pain, uneven wear, loose teeth, and sharp points limit a horse’s ability to chew properly. They may “eat a lot” but don’t break down fibre adequately, so large particles pass through the gut undigested.

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Did you know that when a horse whinnies, it is not just making one noise, but two! They sing, and they whistle at the same time🎵🎶

New research has revealed that when horses whinny, they actually produce two separate sounds at the same time which are made in very different ways. The first is a deep or low tone created by vibrating their vocal folds (like singing or speaking) and the second is a high-pitched tone generated by a whistle inside the larynx.

This rare ability, called biphonation, is unusual in large mammals and may help horses communicate multiple emotional messages in a single call, from excitement and greeting to stress or separation.

You can read more about this research here:
https://www.science.org/content/article/whoa-when-horses-whinny-they-whistle-and-sing-same-time

#factfriday #horsefact