Due to unfavorable growing conditions this past year, you may find yourself without the quality horse feed your animals need. As a shortage in hay has left many horse caretakers without this important fiber source, some are turning to hay alternatives in order to make up the loss of fiber. While there’s nothing wrong with giving your horses other fiber-rich foods, it’s in your best interest to do some research beforehand. Otherwise, you could wind up doing more harm to the animals in your Kentucky, California, or Texas stables than good. As a well-known equine product supplier, Ohio-based Direct Action Company knows that you aren’t always in a position to give your animals the nutritious feed they require for good health. If you’re forced to purchase a fiber-rich food other than hay, incorporating an equine digestive supplement from your local horse supplement distributor is the best way to avoid stomach issues.
As good quality hay or pasture is meant to make up at least half of a horse’s diet, it’s vital to your animals’ health that you find a replacement if such materials are unavailable. Fortunately, there are several hay alternatives that you can give to the horses in your Kentucky, California, or Texas stables if need be. For instance, chopped and cubed hay are both great fiber sources that you can usually find quite easily at your local farm supply store. However, if you do have trouble finding such products, you can also turn to forage pellets, complete feeds, beet pulp, rice bran, or wheat bran. Just make sure that if you opt to go the bran route, you also provide your horses with enough calcium so the calcium to phosphorus ratio is at least 1:1.
Direct Action Company does not recommend using garden refuse or lawn grass clippings as hay alternatives. Such materials can lead to colic, laminitis, or in some extreme cases, death. Haylage and mileage are also poor choices as they’re kept in moist, airtight environments that encourage bacterial growth. If the forage isn’t baled or stored properly, it can even lead to the growth of botulism bacteria.
When you have no choice but to give low-quality horse feed to your animals, it’s important that you at least include an equine digestive supplement as well. Items such as the Digestive Feed Additive “DDA” from Ohio-based Direct Action Company can be purchased from your local horse supplement distributor. As the “DDA” product from this trusted equine product supplier contains probiotics, it can help bacteria in the gut break down course fiber. Plus, DAC’s equine digestive supplement will also allow your animals to get as much out of their hay as possible.
After you’ve chosen the hay alternative that will provide the greatest benefit to the horses in your Kentucky, California, or Texas stables, make sure you purchase an equine digestive supplement as well. While high-quality horse feed is the healthiest option for these animals, a digestive product with probiotics will give low-quality feed a boost. To learn more about the Digestive Feed Additive “DDA” product from Ohio-based DAC, visit this equine product supplier’s website at www.feeddac.com. You can also give them a call at 800.921.9121 to find a horse supplement distributor near you.
Direct Action Company
Ph: 800.921.9121
www.feeddac.com