Minerals
We generally think of minerals in any diet as a good thing. But it is possible for horses to get too much of a certain mineral. The most common culprits include fluoride, lead, and iron. If caught in time, most symptoms of poisoning from excess minerals are reversible. However, if the problem is not diagnosed, it can be deadly. Often, treating the problem of too much of a certain mineral isn’t cutting back on that mineral in the horse’s diet, it’s balancing it with other minerals. And, it’s wise to know what’s in the feed you’re already giving your horse, before adding mineral supplements, so you don’t throw things out of balance.
Grains
When we’re not sure our horses are getting enough energy and nutrition from hay or grass, we often supplement their diet with grain. But, it is possible to feed too much grain. Obesity is an obvious problem that comes with eating too much grain. Other problems can occur too. Horses that eat a diet high in grains but relatively low in hay or grass may be more prone to colic and ulcers. Their teeth may need extra attention because not chewing on grass or hay means they don’t get worn down by the silica in those feeds. And, horses who don’t get a lot of grazing, but get fed grain instead may become bored and more prone to bad habits like fence chewing, stall walking and weaving.
Vitamins
Like minerals, it’s possible for a horse to get too much of a specific vitamin. It’s almost impossible for a horse to get too many vitamins from a normal diet. It is possible to over supplement them, however. Excessive Vitamin B might happen because a horse is being given energy building injections. Or an owner might not give the right amount of supplements. So that’s why you should have your hay tested, and know what vitamins your horse is already getting so you don’t give the more than they need.
Grass
Can a horse eat too much grass? Yes, even though grass is the most natural diet for a horse, it’s possible for them to eat too much. This can lead to obesity, laminitis, and colic. Some horses will eat far more than they need. A sudden change from dry hay to grass, can cause laminitis.
Water
Horses need lots of clean water. The average horse drinks about ten gallons a day. They’ll drink less in cool temperatures and when they have good pasture. They may drink more when the temperatures are hot, or they are eating only hay. Usually, too little water is a problem with horses and they can become dehydrated. Dehydration can be dangerous in high temperature, during hard work or if they simply aren’t being given enough.
But, very occasionally, a horse may drink too much water. This is less common than drinking too little, but it does happen. One cause is similar to the habits of cribbing and weaving. It’s called psychogenic polydipsia. It’s most common in horses confined in their stall although it could be triggered by eating too much salt. Once started, it’s a hard habit to break. The best option is lots of turn out so the horse can get exercise and graze.
There are a few health problems that can cause excessive water drinking. Cushing's disease, glandular disorders, and renal failure may cause the horse to drink, and subsequently urinate large amounts.
Treats
It’s possible to feed too many treats to a horse. This can lead to obesity. And, always expecting to get a treat every time it sees you can make a horse pushy, and that can get dangerous for you. Feed treats sparingly, if at all.
You might remember the story about the horses that died of monensin poisoning back in December. Monensin is an additive to livestock feed, most commonly in cattle feeds, that is deadly poisonous to horses. It’s never intentionally ...
One of the most puzzling aspects of horse care is how much hay to feed. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture states that on average a full-grown riding horse should eat about 12-15 pounds of hay a day. There’s also a simple formula ...
1My hands are sore, my muscles are tired and my legs and forearms are scratched and bruised. That means we must be haying. It’s been a rough year again for those trying to get hay off of the fields. Constant rain has been a proble ...
When you check out Pinterest or scroll through your Facebook feed, you’ll likely see posts of miracle cures achieved using certain trendy foods or supplements. These trends tend to spill over to the stable, leaving our feed rooms ...
We generally think of minerals in any diet as a good thing. But it is possible for horses to get too much of a certain mineral. The most common culprits include fluoride, lead, and iron. If caught in time, most symptoms of poisoni ...
When you buy a bag of textured or pelleted horse feed, none of the ingredients are easily recognizable. A bag of oats contains oats - and that’s easy to see. But often even the label on a bag of feed doesn’t list the exact ingredi ...
25 years ago, Dr. Don Hoglund led a roundup that saved the lives of about 1800 wild horses. Hoglund is best known for his wild horse training methods and prison inmate programs. But, he claims, the highlight of his career is the r ...
A U.S. Olympic dressage rider has been charged with attempted murder. Michael Barisone, who rode with the the U.S. team in the 2012 Beijing Olympics shot, 38 year old equestrian Lauren Kanarek. Kanarek and her fiance were tenants ...
With Equilab tracking it’s possible to watch the progress of a horse and rider in real time, and see at what speed they are traveling. The maps can be viewed much like Google maps, either in satellite or map view. At the end of a ...
Created in 2018, the documentary series Listening to the Horse is designed to help you develop a better understanding of your horse and improve your relationship whether in the saddle or on the ground. Featured are over 70 well kn ...
Members of the Tennessee Walking Horse community are concerned that a passing of a bill before the U.S. congress would be detrimental to their industry. PAST or Prevent All Soring Tactics would amend previous legislation and chang ...
Equestrian Jessica Springsteen currently ranks 6th according to the USED and this puts her in place to vie for a 2020 Olympic spot. Jessica Rae Springsteen is 27 and has ridden since she was four. Her family has owned several eque ...
When we admire a horse we might not consider what lies beneath the stunning exterior. Mobile Apps, creators of the Real Bodywork apps have created an easy way to look inside a horse with a simple, but informative mobile and Window ...
After six horses died during chuckwagon racing at this year’s Calgary Stampede the sport is under scrutiny. July 14, three horses on the same team were euthanized after sustaining irreparable injuries. After one horse broke a hind ...
By 
