As you undoubtedly know, caring for a horse is no small undertaking. And having multiples horses in your Kansas, Nebraska, or South Dakota stables just increases the amount of work you need to perform in order to ensure your animals are healthy. Being in charge of multiple horses makes it even more important for trainers and owners to be aware of the most common equine illnesses, as well as how to keep such conditions at bay. Laminitis prevention, for instance, is an especially vital part of horse health care. Knowing that horse exercise programs and pony nutritional products play a large role in whether a horse develops this condition, Ohio-based Direct Action Company discusses the effects of each and how choosing the right equine feed can make a huge difference in regards to your horses’ wellbeing.
When it comes to this crippling disease, laminitis prevention is the best option. Without it, the horses in your Kansas, Nebraska, or South Dakota stables could develop the condition and suffer extreme pain. As laminitis results from disrupted blood flow to the laminae part of the foot, horses with this condition show signs of lameness, an awkward stance, bruised soles, and heat coming from the feet themselves. This is a major disease among equines as the resulting pain and debilitating nature make it a life-threatening issue. Fortunately, there are a few risk factors to note in order to determine if any of your horses may develop this disease. If you own any overweight horses, older horses with Cushing’s disease, ponies, Morgans, miniature horses or donkeys, you should be aware that these breeds are more susceptible to contracting the illness. Also, giving your animals large meals of carbohydrate-rich equine feed can contribute to the development of laminitis.
As it’s safer and much easier to follow steps in order to avoid this illness, Ohio-based Direct Action Company provides some tips on horse exercise programs and pony nutritional products. Incorporating the latest studies on laminitis, this horse health care company offers a look at how laminitis prevention should be approached.
According to research from the University of Liverpool, a long-term horse exercise program can have an effect on the inflammatory markers in laminitis prone and normal ponies. The researchers evaluated low intensity exercise over short and longer periods and reviewed several inflammatory markers before and after exercise in both laminitis prone and normal ponies. While short-term exercise had no effect on inflammatory markers in either group, inflammatory markers significantly decreased in the laminitis prone ponies after long-term exercise. The researchers concluded that regular, low intensity exercise was sufficient to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
As you can see, by following a strict horse exercise program, you can help make sure that blood flow to the laminae is not disrupted. However, DAC also encourages trainers and owners to keep an eye out on horses as they graze so they do not consume an excess of carbohydrate-rich grass. Incorporating equine feed and pony nutritional products that contain a healthy balance of carbohydrates is crucial for horse health care. With the right diet and exercise, you can give your horses the best possible chance at avoiding laminitis.
If you’re concerned that your current equine feed and pony nutritional products may not be suitable for laminitis prevention, it may be worth looking into Direct Action Company’s offerings. This Ohio-based company carries a number of products geared toward horse health care, so you can feel confident that combined with a regular horse exercise program, your animals will have the healthy habits needed to avoid laminitis development. To learn more about DAC and the products they offer, visit www.feeddac.com or call 800.921.9121 to find a dealer near your Kansas, Nebraska, or South Dakota stables.
Direct Action Company
Ph: 800.921.9121