⚠️ HEALTH ALERT - Impaction Colic - Dehydration and Hay Digestibility ⚠️
There has been a surge in cases of impaction colic recently, and the constant changes in weather and recent hay results may be contributing. Here is what to look out for ⬇️⬇️

🌡️❄️🌡️❄️Quick changes between hot and cold temperatures can lead to dehydration, because while the heat increases the water and electrolyte requirement, the cold can decrease thirst, so they may not be drinking enough.

🫗Once dehydration starts, it can be a tricky cycle to get out of.
Why?? When a horse`s body gets low in sodium, it starts to conserve more water, and it actually LOWERS their thirst stimulus. So even though the horse needs to consume more water, their body isn`t telling it them to drink more which only increases their dehydration.

🔬Hay digestibility
Recent analysis on this season`s hay is showing some issues with high lignin and NDF levels, which means digestibility and energy availability go down. It also reduces gut motility, because it sits in the gut for longer and needs even more water to move it through.

⚠️Dehydration + high indigestible fibre = high impaction risk!
This is because impaction colic occurs when the water content in the large intestine decreases, and the feed content is dry and difficult to pass through, sometimes even leading to a blockage.

Prevention is key - here are some things you can do:
1️⃣ Make sure your horse has constant access to clean, cool and fresh water. They might not drink if the water gets too warm, or their troughs are dirty.

2️⃣ Supplement hay and add fibre diversity in the form of a mash, like Lupin Fibre Cubes. They are high in digestible fibre, and the extra water will support healthy gut function.

3️⃣Offer a rehydrating mash like Equi-Restore with plenty of water to provide electrolytes and support. This can be offered in smaller feeds throughout the day and may help encourage them to increase their water intake.

4️⃣ Provide a pink salt block in their stable or paddock.

If your horse is showing any signs of impaction colic, early recognition and treatment can improve outcome so call your vet immediately.

DID YOU KNOW that the energy and physical demand of 1 hour of travel, is equivalent to 20 minutes of trot on the lunge?

Think of this - have you ever tried balancing on something? Now imagine that something was moving all the time....

When your horse is in a float, trailer or truck, they`re not just standing there, they are working hard to balance themselves with core engagement and stability, and constantly readjusting as the trailer moves.

Travel can also increase their stress levels, increase dehydration and put strain on the gut - all things that we want to reduce and avoid if we`re wanting them to perform when they get to their destination!

❓what can you do?
🅰️Create a recovery plan around their travel, just like you would with a training session. You can offer a serving of Equi-Restore before travel and on arrival to help with this - it is one of the things we`ve designed it for because it:
✅ Can encourage them to take in water and give them electrolytes before and after
✅ Supports a faster recovery
✅ Provides support for muscles to reduce muscle fatigue with BCAAs
✅ Gives them carefully balanced energy to replenish what they`re using while they`re on the float or truck
✅ Super fibres help to keep the gut functioning and healthy
✅ Probiotics support gut health during times of stress
✅ Antioxidants and anti-inflammatories support recovery and health

If you`re travelling over long distances (something many of us are familiar with) you can even offer Equi-Restore when you stop for breaks.

Equi-Restore is now available in 5kg tubs too - perfect for travelling 🩷

#factfriday #equirestore #travel #horsetravel #horserecovery

FREE FEED? Yes please!
Leave us a review on any of our products (from any of our equine or animal ranges) and go into our monthly draw for a free bag of feed!

How:

Comment on this post and tell us about your horse, their favourite feed and add a photo 📷

Drop us a review on our website:
https://thompsonandredwood.com.au/testimonials

Or leave us a review on Google:
https://g.page/r/CVYtyMfHrwFYEAE/review

🍀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 !