Diets By Design

24/08/2024

Things have been a bit hectic recently and I haven't created posts or shared information with you for a while.

On the Diets by Design front I am hoping to branch out a little to offer basic yard consults in the Western Cape in conjunction with my daughter Hayley Horne who is an ETT practitioner.

Living in rural KZN restricts my ability to visit yards and observe the horses and feeding practices. While I work on diets and consult remotely, I do find there are often times when someone is wanting more simplified feeding advice and help working out what feed and supplements would best suit their horse.

I find one of the biggest issues I have with my consults, is evaluating the horse and picking up on nutritional markers and then weighing feed and hay are a major stumbling block for many owners. Hayley will be my feet on the ground observing and collecting information and then we will give you a basic feed report with advice on what and how to feed.

As we develop a framework for the consults we would welcome your input on what you would want in terms of advice and what would be useful to you.

24/08/2024

Learn more about the importance of balancing minerals to hay here: https://bit.ly/2HV5Gqs

05/07/2024

🐴Supplier Spotlight 🐴 For those in Port Elizabeth looking for our Back2Basics Supplements, be sure to go and check out PE Saddlery

28/06/2024

🌾Supplier Spotlight 🌾For those in the George area looking for our Back2Basics Supplements, be sure to go and check out HorseEtc.

24/06/2024

Iron supplements abound in the horse world despite iron deficiency never having been shown to occur naturally in horses.

Having analysed liver iron levels a few years ago I can state with certainty that horses in South Africa do not need any form of supplemental iron, as liver levels are way above normal and into the toxic range.

If your horse is anemic it will not be due to iron deficiency but more likely due to parasites, disease, blood loss, or copper deficiency.

21/06/2024

🐴 Supplier Spotlight 🐴 For those in the Gauteng looking for our Back2Basics Supplements, be sure to go and check out Fair Trade Tack in Kyalami

19/06/2024

Walking into the supplement aisle of a tack or feed store nowadays is quite a mind boggling experience with so many options to choose from.

My advice is
1. Do some homework first before going to a store and make sure what your horse is telling/showing you can be helped with the correct supplement
2. Investigate what your horse actually needs thoroughly- don't just listen to stable yard chatter or be influenced by what your friend feeds or what your Facebook feed brought up.
3. Ask questions and observe horses on the product's you are looking at
4. Do a google scholar search or ask a trained person for their input to make sure you are on the right track
5. Look for supplements with the ingredients your horse needs in them
6. Check the doses and how much each dose will provide of the nutrients you are looking for
7. Choose the option giving the closest to what your horse needs, in the right doses and with least unnecessary extra's which end up costing more without always providing much benefit

For instance if you need lysine, methionine, copper and zinc for hoof strengthening lets compare 2 popular hoof supplements with B2B ImmunoHoof & B2B Muscle Up looking at the dose for a 500 kg horse.

Supp A - 25 g per day - 1.03 g lysine, 1.5 g methionine, 12.5 mg copper and 54 mg zinc
Supp B - 30g per day - 1.5 g lysine, 0.3 g methionine, 50 mg copper and 250 mg zinc
ImmunoHoof + Muscle Up - 20 g of each per day - 11g lysine, 5.7 g methionine, 250 mg copper and 700 mg zinc

Supp A & B do provide other nutrients as well as those listed above which does complicate the choice a bit more but if you have done your homework you will see which one suits your pocket as well as your horse's needs and be able to make an informed decision about what to buy.

17/06/2024

While biotin is most likely the best known hoof supplement, it is not the most important nutrient for healthy hooves.

Make sure all the essential nutrients are in place and in adequate doses and if more is needed after this add biotin. Pay special attention to lysine, methionine, calcium, zinc and copper as these are often very deficient or unbalanced in the diet and without them biotin will have less of an effect on hoof health.

14/06/2024

Big head disease

I have recently had a few questions regarding big head disease also known as Millers’ disease or more correctly termed secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Secondary hyperparathyroidism is caused by a calcium deficiency which occurs when horses do not receive and absorb sufficient calcium from their diet. This can occur when horses eat forages with high oxalate content such as kikuyu, buffalo grass, setaria and panicum grasses, or when diets are high in phytates from large amounts of brans & grains without adequate calcium supplementation or a combination of these factors.

Available calcium and phosphorous in the total diet needs to meet the horse’s daily requirements and they must also be in the correct ratio to one another to ensure adequate uptake. The ideal ratio of cal:phos is between 1.2 – 2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorous. While adult horses can do well with higher calcium intake it is not ideal for growing, hardworking and breeding horses where extra attention needs to be paid to this ratio.

An adult (>5yrs) 500 kg, horse needs between 38 & 70 g of calcium and 21 – 44 g phosphorous per day depending on their work level. While NRC levels are lower than these amounts, the higher intakes have been shown to improve bone density especially in younger horses and their diets need special attention to maximise bone strength when they start to work before growth is finalised.

Obvious signs of a calcium deficiency take a long time to become evident as the body tries to keep blood calcium levels stable by absorbing more calcium from the diet, changing excretion patterns and eventually removing calcium from the bones, with those in the in the face being affected most making them spongy and enlarged, hence the name big head disease. Earlier signs of calcium deficiencies can include – shifting lameness, splints, muscle pain and stiffness, saddle sourness and an unwillingness to move forward or jump happily.

What can you do about it?
1. Look at grasses and feeds to make sure there is nothing that will stop or reduce calcium absorption (oxalates & phytates)
2. Make sure calcium and phosphate intake meets your horses needs in the total diet (hay, feed, water and supplements)
3. Then supplement the diet to ensure your horses needs are met, ensuring to add sufficient calcium and phosphate to counter potential binding effects of other dietary ingredients.
4. Ensure a good cushion of safety using at least 200% NRC levels of available calcium and phosphorous – the NRC themselves acknowledge mineral levels are the bare minimum needed to stop deficiency symptoms occurring.
5. Supplemental calcium can come from lucerne, feedlime and DCP/MCP but the latter also have phosphate in so check overall ratios to make sure they are ideal.
6. Phosphate is found in reasonable amounts in most grains & brans and can be supplemented using MCP or DCP.

It is also very important to note that just because your bagged feed MAY have a balanced Cal: Phos ratio it will not mean your horses diet has an adequate or balanced Cal: Phos ratio, as forages have a large impact on the total intake and balance.

12/06/2024

06/06/2024

UPDATES GUIDELINES AVAILABLE 📢

The AAEP has issued revised Internal Parasite Control Guidelines to help minimize the risk of parasitic disease and maintain the effectiveness of current drugs for as long as possible by delaying further development of anthelmintic resistance.

The updated guidelines account for recent advances in knowledge concerning increased anthelmintic resistance and optimization of parasite control management practices. They also address common misconceptions and offer parasite control program recommendations for senior horses (over 15 years old), mature horses (between 5 and 15 years old), and young horses (under 5 years old).

Read more at: https://aaep.org/post/aaep-publishes-updated-internal-parasite-control-guidelines/

The guidelines were reviewed and updated by the AAEP Internal Parasite Control Guidelines Task Force, chaired by Dr. Nielsen and comprised of 10 AAEP members predominantly board certified in veterinary internal medicine, veterinary parasitology and/or veterinary microbiology. We thank them for their incredibly important work!

05/06/2024

As we head into the middle of winter grazing in most of the country is dry and very limited and with our horses are eating a lot more hay, we need to make sure to supply our horses vitamin E and omega 3. Hay and grazing that is not actively growing, are very short in both these nutrients while omega 6 levels will be high.

To provide an omega 3:6 ratio similar to what fresh green grass would give, we need to feed freshly ground flax seed or stabilised flax seed oil. Commonly used vegetable oils will provide a lot more omega 6 than omega 3 fatty acids and cannot adequately raise omega 3 levels to where they need to be. Chia seeds can be used but also need to be ground and will most likely be a lot more expensive than flax. Horses do utilise fish oils and these can also be used to boost omega 3 levels.

If you use a vitamin E supplement make sure it is providing a minimum of 500-2500 iu per day depending on your horses work level and size. Higher intakes can be beneficial with certain health conditions.

03/06/2024

I am often asked for advice on how to correct certain issues with a horse and have come to realise that not many people look at the feed as being a source of these problems. When I say the feed has to change this is frequently met with resistance and I am told “But it’s a good quality feed” and my answer “If it was a good quality feed, your horse would not be showing these issues”.

I see a lot of the same problems year in and year out, that can be directly linked to poor quality feed and chatting to fellow professionals in the horse industry this is not just my observations but theirs too. The bottom line is - The quality of the feed you use most often shows up in issues (or lack thereof) in your horse.

I find most people think if their horse is fat then the feed is great, but this is a very superficial and dangerous way to look at it. As with humans, horses can get fat and shiny on very unhealthy, starch filled diets, so we need to learn to look deeper and see what our horses actually tell us.

If you horse shows any of the following you need to seriously look at your feed to make sure it’s not the problem
• Under or overweight
• Sensitive hooves
• Soft walls and hoof cracks
• Thrush
• White line separation
• Faded coats and red ends in mane and tail
• Rough or dry coat
• Itching
• Hot or fizzy behaviour
• Poor muscling
• Fatigue
• Frequent muscle stiffness
• Grumpiness / saddle sour horses
• Poor exercise tolerance
• Frequent infections or general poor health
• Over exaggerated swelling to small bumps and cuts – especially in the lower legs
• Unexplained shifting lameness
• Can’t go longer than 5 – 6 weeks between trims

Learn to listen to what your horse is telling you – the horse is the most important judge of the feed you use!!! Be observant and see if there are common threads to the issues you see and see if there are common feeds involved.

Saving a few rands on your feed bill, can cost a lot more in the long run.

31/05/2024

🐎Supplier Spotlight 🐎 For those in the KZN looking for our Back2Basics Supplements, be sure to go and check out Equitack Animal Feeds in Assagay

29/05/2024

Keeping your horse well hydrated is important for gut motility, exercise recovery and overall health.

Cooler weather in winter often reduces water intake and when coupled with dryer grazing and higher hay intake it is vital to keep your horse drinking well.

Encourage your horse to drink by adding salt to the feed and provide unlimited fresh clean water throughout the day and night.

27/05/2024

Hay or grazing are more than just filler and provides significant nutrition for your horse. By understanding what your forage provides you can fill in the missing nutrients accurately to optimise your horse’s nutrition and your feed bill!!

The only way to know what is in your hay, grazing and feed is by submitting it for analysis which does not cost an arm and a leg and you can courier it direct to the lab or to me to drop off at the lab. For under R400 a sample you can get a full feed analysis and know what you need to do to provide an optimal diet for your horse.

Speak to me about analysing your hay or pasture as part of a balanced diet for your horse.

24/05/2024

🐴Supplier Spotlight 🐴 We love working with Lariska - do reach out to her for Back2Basics supplements if you are in the Witbank area.

22/05/2024

With winter approaching give your golden oldies some relief from stiff and achy joints with GCJoint and provide your working horses with joint support when working them on harder ground.

Low molecular weight chondroitin is shown to be well absorbed orally and is the only from of chondroitin I will use in GCJoint.

20/05/2024

Hay hay hay!!
No matter what horse you have, forage is the most important part of their diet. For optimal gut and mental health constant access to appropriate forage is vital for all horses.

Unfortunately, not all horses have free access to forage that is best suited to their situation. Hard working horses and brood mares raising foals should have free access to high quality cool season grasses either as pasture or hay while easy keepers may need more restricted access to lower nutrient value grasses more appropriate for their protein and energy needs.

Grain / hard feeds should then be used to fill the energy and protein gaps with appropriate minerals and vitamins etc to round out the diet.

17/05/2024

🐎Supplier Spotlight🐎 For those in the KZN looking for our Back2Basics Supplements, be sure to go and check out Assagay Feeds in Assagay

15/05/2024

I am often asked to give advice over the phone or via WhatsApp which I no longer do for the following reasons.
1. I live on a farm and signal is not great unless I am in the office.
2. Calls and messages often come through when I am busy or away from my desk so you may not get my full attention if I answer them on the run.
3. To provide accurate advice I need detailed, accurate information on your horse.
4. Experience has taught me that what I remember I said and what you hear or interpret as what I said, do not always correspond.
5. I need a written record of advice I give so that I can accurately follow up and adjust things if necessary.
6. I answer emails at my desk when I have time to focus and the resources I need on hand to answer questions fully.
7. The written record from emails allows for an accurate record of what we have discussed and decided to do.
8. I may not recall specific conversations I have had with you so need the written record to refer back to.

13/05/2024

As winter approaches and grazing quality and quantity drops, your horses protein intake and more importantly essential amino acid intake can drop quite dramatically.

Adding Back 2 Basics Muscle Up to your horses feed will help to improve overall protein use in the diet and help to reduce muscle loss over the winter period.

10/05/2024

Living on a farm in rural KZN means logistically, I am unable to travel to see clients’ horses so diet consultations are all done via email. This saves on travel costs and time but also gives me all the information I need at my fingertips when I work out your horse’s feeding plan.

Using my database of actual feed and forage analyses I can formulate the best ration possible for optimal nutrition for your horse.

Download and complete the assessment form on this link and submit it to get the process started.
https://www.cognitoforms.com/ShelhiHorne/dietsbydesignassessmentform

I charge R600 for a diet plan for a single adult horse. Rates for breeding, growing horses or herd situations do apply.

12/04/2024

🐴Supplier Spotlight 🐴 We love working with Allison's Saddlery - do reach out to her for Back2Basics supplements if you are in the Pietermaritzburg area.

08/04/2024

03/04/2024

Tomorrow I leave for Eswatini to attend the Holistic Horse Symposium. Very excited to be meeting up with friends, meeting new people and sharing knowledge over the next few days.

29/03/2024

🐎Supplier Spotlight 🐎 For those in the Gauteng and Western Cape looking for our Back2Basics Supplements, be sure to go and check out Horse Box Equestrian in Muldersdrift and Somerset West

29/03/2024

Team work is the answer to dealing with our horses hoof issues. Cannot recommend Christine and Giacommo highly enough. We have worked together for many years getting horses back on track to health and soundness

The power of Immunohoof in just one month. This horse has flying saucers for feet, the growth loves to go sideways. I'm looking forward to a tighter white line and less flare in roughly 8-10 months time if this is what we got in one month.

29/03/2024

The FlowTool can be used as a hoof pick, but is intended as a tool to trim the underside of the hoof (sole, bar, frog) and can even be used on the hoof wall.

29/03/2024

Nice look at hay net usage on dental health for this specific type of slow feeder net.