FEED ADVICE – HEALTH
Optimal Cushing’s Management: Essential Tips
Cushing’s disease, also known as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is the most common hormonal disorder in horses. While all horse breeds can be affected, native breeds may be more prone, as well as older horses.
The condition involves an overgrowth in the pituitary gland’s pars intermedia at the base of the brain. This region of the pituitary gland produces hormones that play a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions. This growth leads to an overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which in turn stimulates the adrenal gland to produce excessive amounts of cortisol. Symptoms include abnormal hair growth, chronic infections, laminitis, excessive sweating, increased drinking and urination, weight loss, lethargy, and muscle loss. Other signs may include abnormal fat deposits, reproductive issues in mares, abnormal mammary gland development, and ligament degeneration.
Key Highlights
Cushing’s disease, also known as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), is a common endocrine disorder.
It primarily effects older horses over the age of 15, and is most commonly seen in native breeds such as Welsh and Dartmoor ponies.
Clinical signs include delayed sheeding, abnormal fat deposits and muscle loss.
Treatment options include medications and dietaty management.
Understanding Cushing’s
Cushing’s disease, or PPID (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction), occurs when part of the brain’s pituitary gland – the pars intermedia – stops working properly. This gland normally helps regulate hormones that control many of the body’s vital functions.
In horses with Cushing’s, the pars intermedia becomes overactive, usually due to a benign tumour or age-related degeneration. This causes the gland to release too much of a hormone called ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). ACTH then overstimulates the adrenal glands, leading them to produce excessive cortisol – the hormone often referred to as the body’s natural “stress hormone”.
Chronically high cortisol levels can affect nearly every system in the horse’s body. Common signs include a long, curly coat that doesn’t shed properly, weight and muscle loss, increased drinking and urination, laminitis, lowered immunity, and recurring infections. Left unmanaged, these clinical signs can have a serious impact on the horse’s well-being.
Clinical Signs
Identifying the early warning signs and symptoms of Cushing’s disease is crucial for early detection and management of the condition. While the clinical signs can vary, there are several key indicators that horse owners should be aware of.
Physical Changes Seen with Cushing’s
Horses affected by PPID exhibit several distinct clinical features. Abnormal hair growth, known as hirsutism, is commonly seen along the crest of the neck, shoulders, and tail head. In advanced stages, Cushing’s can cause progressive muscle wastage and a loss of musculature along the topline, resulting in a pot-bellied appearance and reduced exercise tolerance. Laminitis, characterised by foot tenderness, lameness, and a characteristic stance, is a recurring issue in horses with PPID, complicating their management. Additionally, PPID compromises the immune system, making affected horses more susceptible to infections, delayed wound healing, and heightened vulnerability to parasitic infestations.
Behavioural Changes seen with Cushing’s
In addition to physical changes, horses with Cushing’s disease often show behavioural alterations that can significantly affect their quality of life and performance. These changes can be subtle but are important to recognise:
Horses may exhibit changes in temperament, becoming more irritable, lethargic, or showing mood swings. This can impact their interaction with handlers and overall behaviour.
Additionally, Cushing’s disease can lead to a decline in energy levels and athletic performance, affecting the horse’s ability to perform tasks or participate in activities as they normally would.
Polyuria (excessive urination) and polydipsia (excessive drinking) are frequent signs, indicating disruptions in fluid and electrolyte balance due to hormonal imbalances.
Diagnosis of Cushing’s
Accurate diagnosis of Cushing’s disease in horses involves a combination of diagnostic approaches. These approaches help assess the horse’s hormone levels and detect any abnormalities associated with the condition.
Diagnostic testing for Cushing’s disease typically includes:
These diagnostic approaches provide valuable information for accurately diagnosing Cushing’s disease in horses and determining the most appropriate treatment strategies.
In addition to blood tests, imaging techniques can be used to confirm the diagnosis of Cushing’s disease in horses. These techniques help visualise the pituitary gland and detect any abnormalities associated with the condition.
One imaging technique commonly used is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI provides detailed images of the pituitary gland, allowing veterinarians to identify any growth or abnormality in the region of the pituitary gland affected by Cushing’s disease.
Imaging techniques, combined with blood tests and other diagnostic approaches, provide a comprehensive evaluation of the horse’s condition. They help confirm the diagnosis of Cushing’s disease and guide veterinarians in developing an appropriate treatment plan.
Treating a Horse with Cushing’s
Treatment for Cushing’s disease in horses primarily involves medication aimed at regulating hormone levels.
One of the most prescribed medications is pergolide. Pergolide works by suppressing the production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol. Typically administered orally in tablet form of varying strengths, pergolide requires careful monitoring of hormone levels and clinical signs to gauge its effectiveness. Vets often recommend periodic retesting of ACTH levels after initiating treatment and at regular intervals thereafter to assess the horse’s response and adjust the treatment plan as needed. This monitoring ensures optimal management of the condition and supports the horse’s ongoing health.
Dietary Managment for Cushings Disease
Dietary management and environmental adjustments play a crucial role in managing Cushing’s disease in horses. These strategies help support the horse’s overall health and well-being and minimise the impact of the condition.
A low-starch, high-fibre diet is essential, as it helps prevent glucose spikes and reduces the likelihood of insulin dysregulation and laminitis. High-quality forage forms the cornerstone of their nutrition, providing vital nutrients while promoting gastrointestinal health and supporting optimal metabolic function. Supplementing with essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, selenium, and magnesium addresses common deficiencies in PPID-affected horses, supporting overall health and immune function. Hydration management is also vital, ensuring PPID horses, especially those prone to polyuria and dehydration, have continuous access to clean, fresh water. These dietary and management practices are integral to maintaining the well-being and quality of life of horses with PPID.
Did you know the majority of the Pure Feed range is suitable for horses with Cushings? We specialise in low sugar and starch, high fibre feeds, fortified with vitamins and minerals to help address the common deficiencies.
Consider limiting field access during periods of high sugar content. These sugars are naturally present in grasses and can vary depending on factors such as species, time of day, weather conditions, and growth stage.
During certain periods like spring, grass tends to accumulate higher levels of sugar due to factors such as cooler temperatures and increased sunlight. This rapid growth phase, often seen in lush, young grass shoots, can lead to higher concentrations of sugars. In some cases, particularly in certain grass species or under specific environmental conditions, the accumulation of sugars can exceed what is normal for horses to efficiently process. Ideally during this period, horses should have restricted grazing time, or wear a muzzle to limit grass intake.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cushing’s disease presents a significant challenge in health management. This hormonal disorder impacts horses of various breeds, particularly older individuals, and manifests through a range of clinical signs. Early detection, regular vet checkups, medication and correct diet can help horses with Cushing’s disease live a normal life. Due to the prevalence of Cushing’s, there is continual research and advancement in treatment options offer a more optimistic outlook for horses.
What we recommend for horses with Cushings
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Ever wondered how we can save you money? It’s all down to Pure Feed being a complete feed. That means every bag contains everything your horse needs: fibre, energy, vitamins, minerals, and oil. No need to buy multiple feeds or top up with extra supplements to balance their diet! #purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove #equinenutrition
Ever wondered how we can save you money? It’s all down to Pure Feed being a complete feed. That means every bag contains everything your horse needs: fibre, energy, vitamins, minerals, and oil. No need to buy multiple feeds or top up with extra supplements to balance their diet! #purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove #equinenutrition
Pure Veteran Mix is specifically formulated with older horses in mind - low in sugar and starch, medium calorie, and fully nutritionally balanced, it helps keep your horse feeling their best every day. As part of our complete feed range, nothing else is needed! Just one scoop delivers essential vitamins and minerals, fibre, and slow-release energy. Easy to feed, irresistibly tasty, and with soft, chewable chaff, Pure Veteran Mix ensures your horse won’t leave a bite behind 🩵
Pure Veteran Mix is specifically formulated with older horses in mind - low in sugar and starch, medium calorie, and fully nutritionally balanced, it helps keep your horse feeling their best every day. As part of our complete feed range, nothing else is needed! Just one scoop delivers essential vitamins and minerals, fibre, and slow-release energy. Easy to feed, irresistibly tasty, and with soft, chewable chaff, Pure Veteran Mix ensures your horse won’t leave a bite behind 🩵
Looking for Pure Feed in the Chester area? Look no further than Chester Equine Feeds! They stock a range of Pure Feed products from low to high calorie, plus our tasty, healthy treats 💙
Looking for Pure Feed in the Chester area? Look no further than Chester Equine Feeds! They stock a range of Pure Feed products from low to high calorie, plus our tasty, healthy treats 💙
You don’t have to take our word for it, just listen to the people who use it every day!
Our brand ambassadors share what makes Pure Feed different: it’s simple, time-saving, and gives their horses everything they need in one complete feed. No endless supplements, no complicated routines, just proven results and happier horses.
If you’re ready to simplify your feeding routine, start with a free Pure Feed diet plan today and see the difference for yourself 🩵
You don’t have to take our word for it, just listen to the people who use it every day!
Our brand ambassadors share what makes Pure Feed different: it’s simple, time-saving, and gives their horses everything they need in one complete feed. No endless supplements, no complicated routines, just proven results and happier horses.
If you’re ready to simplify your feeding routine, start with a free Pure Feed diet plan today and see the difference for yourself 🩵
Looking for a cosy winter mash? ❄️
Here’s the difference between Meadow Mash and Refuel so you can pick the perfect warm-up for your horse:
🌱 Meadow Mash - Mint-flavoured, high-fibre hay replacer with pre- & probiotics to support normal gut function. Perfect for frosty fields, box-rest horses, or those needing extra fibre and hydration.
🍒 Refuel - Cherry-flavoured recovery mash with electrolytes, antioxidants & amino acids. Supports muscle recovery, hydration, and overall system balance after work or competition, or if your horse needs an immune system boost!
🐴 Tried either of these? Share on your story and tag us!
Looking for a cosy winter mash? ❄️
Here’s the difference between Meadow Mash and Refuel so you can pick the perfect warm-up for your horse:
🌱 Meadow Mash - Mint-flavoured, high-fibre hay replacer with pre- & probiotics to support normal gut function. Perfect for frosty fields, box-rest horses, or those needing extra fibre and hydration.
🍒 Refuel - Cherry-flavoured recovery mash with electrolytes, antioxidants & amino acids. Supports muscle recovery, hydration, and overall system balance after work or competition, or if your horse needs an immune system boost!
🐴 Tried either of these? Share on your story and tag us!
Seeing as it`s a bit chilly this week, you might reach for the kettle to make your horse a delicious warm mash. But avoid using boiling water!
All our complete feeds contain live yeast, a beneficial microbe that:
🩵 Supports a balanced gut microbiome, keeping helpful bacteria thriving
🩵 Aids the digestion of fibre and nutrients
🩵 Helps maintain overall gut stability
As yeast is a living organism, exposing them to high temperatures (around 100°C) denatures their proteins and disrupts their cell membranes, effectively killing them. Once the yeast is dead, it can no longer support digestion or gut health, so all the benefits in your feed are lost.
✅ Tip: always use warm or cool water to soak your feed. This keeps the live yeast alive, ensuring your horse gets the full digestive and gut-supporting benefits of their Pure Feed!
Seeing as it`s a bit chilly this week, you might reach for the kettle to make your horse a delicious warm mash. But avoid using boiling water!
All our complete feeds contain live yeast, a beneficial microbe that:
🩵 Supports a balanced gut microbiome, keeping helpful bacteria thriving
🩵 Aids the digestion of fibre and nutrients
🩵 Helps maintain overall gut stability
As yeast is a living organism, exposing them to high temperatures (around 100°C) denatures their proteins and disrupts their cell membranes, effectively killing them. Once the yeast is dead, it can no longer support digestion or gut health, so all the benefits in your feed are lost.
✅ Tip: always use warm or cool water to soak your feed. This keeps the live yeast alive, ensuring your horse gets the full digestive and gut-supporting benefits of their Pure Feed!
Well, it finally feels like winter might be on its way! With the cold snap increasing calorie demands, now is the perfect time to make a change with your horse`s diet. Our winter favourites help keep weight on, support topline and shine, and provide balanced nutrition 🩵
Well, it finally feels like winter might be on its way! With the cold snap increasing calorie demands, now is the perfect time to make a change with your horse`s diet. Our winter favourites help keep weight on, support topline and shine, and provide balanced nutrition 🩵
Is your older horse:
🐴 Quidding hay
🐴 Losing muscle or condition
🐴 Struggling to maintain weight
…even though everything else hasn’t changed? These are classic signs it’s time for a veteran feed! Feel like you aren`t sure which of our feeds is the best choice for your horse? Simply fill out our diet plan quiz and we`ll send you free, personalised plan! Use the link in our bio to get started 💙
#equinenutrition #purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove
Is your older horse:
🐴 Quidding hay
🐴 Losing muscle or condition
🐴 Struggling to maintain weight
…even though everything else hasn’t changed? These are classic signs it’s time for a veteran feed! Feel like you aren`t sure which of our feeds is the best choice for your horse? Simply fill out our diet plan quiz and we`ll send you free, personalised plan! Use the link in our bio to get started 💙
#equinenutrition #purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove
Why does every Pure Feed contains salt?
Salt might sound simple, but it plays a vital role in keeping horses performing and feeling their best. Sodium and chloride, the two minerals that make up salt, are essential electrolytes. They help maintain hydration, muscle function, and nerve signals, and are lost every day through sweat, urine and even breathing.
Every Pure Feed includes salt to replace these daily losses and help support your horse’s natural electrolyte balance. It also helps stimulate thirst, encouraging horses to drink enough to stay hydrated which is especially important after work or during colder months when water intake can drop.
By including salt in every Pure Feed, we make sure your horse’s basic electrolyte needs are met without you needing to add table salt or a separate supplement to the bucket.
It’s one of those simple, clever details that keeps things easy for you and balanced for your horse
Why does every Pure Feed contains salt?
Salt might sound simple, but it plays a vital role in keeping horses performing and feeling their best. Sodium and chloride, the two minerals that make up salt, are essential electrolytes. They help maintain hydration, muscle function, and nerve signals, and are lost every day through sweat, urine and even breathing.
Every Pure Feed includes salt to replace these daily losses and help support your horse’s natural electrolyte balance. It also helps stimulate thirst, encouraging horses to drink enough to stay hydrated which is especially important after work or during colder months when water intake can drop.
By including salt in every Pure Feed, we make sure your horse’s basic electrolyte needs are met without you needing to add table salt or a separate supplement to the bucket.
It’s one of those simple, clever details that keeps things easy for you and balanced for your horse
Why Veteran feeds are different 👴
As horses age, their bodies change, and so do their nutritional needs. That’s why our Veteran range is formulated differently from our standard feeds:
🔬 Fibre: softer chaff in the Mix, and pellets that soak into a mash, making them easier to chew and digest.
🔬 Protein: higher levels to support muscle maintenance, as older horses can lose muscle tone more easily.
🔬 Balancer: extra vitamins and minerals to compensate for reduced digestive efficiency.
Why Veteran feeds are different 👴
As horses age, their bodies change, and so do their nutritional needs. That’s why our Veteran range is formulated differently from our standard feeds:
🔬 Fibre: softer chaff in the Mix, and pellets that soak into a mash, making them easier to chew and digest.
🔬 Protein: higher levels to support muscle maintenance, as older horses can lose muscle tone more easily.
🔬 Balancer: extra vitamins and minerals to compensate for reduced digestive efficiency.
Did you know we make a pelleted feed specifically for older horses? Pure Veteran Pellets make it easy:
🌾 Soft & soakable so easy on worn teeth
⚡ Slow-release energy from fibre & oil
🧪 Built-in vitamin & mineral balancer specifically for older horses
💚 Gut-friendly for maximum nutrient absorption
✅ Complete feed, so no extra supplements needed
Did you know we make a pelleted feed specifically for older horses? Pure Veteran Pellets make it easy:
🌾 Soft & soakable so easy on worn teeth
⚡ Slow-release energy from fibre & oil
🧪 Built-in vitamin & mineral balancer specifically for older horses
💚 Gut-friendly for maximum nutrient absorption
✅ Complete feed, so no extra supplements needed
Ever wondered what the Pure Feed team use with their own horses? Meet Tara, Elise (Head of Nutrition ) Irish Sport Horse.
Since arriving three years ago, Tara has been fed on Pure Balance. She’s a classic good doer with plenty of natural energy, so Pure Balance provides everything she needs without unnecessary calories or any fizz. Elise always jokes that the only part of Tara that’s ID is her ability to gain weight … and the mountain of hair she grows each winter!
Despite being in full work and competing up to BE Novice and BS Foxhunter, Pure Balance supplies all the vitamins and minerals Tara needs. It’s a great reminder that the label on a feed bag is a guide, not a rulebook - the right choice depends on the horse in front of you!
Wondering which Pure Feed is the right choice for your horse? Our free diet plan tool can help! Click the link in our bio to start 🌱
#purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #equinenutrition #allyoufeedislove #dietplan
Ever wondered what the Pure Feed team use with their own horses? Meet Tara, Elise (Head of Nutrition ) Irish Sport Horse.
Since arriving three years ago, Tara has been fed on Pure Balance. She’s a classic good doer with plenty of natural energy, so Pure Balance provides everything she needs without unnecessary calories or any fizz. Elise always jokes that the only part of Tara that’s ID is her ability to gain weight … and the mountain of hair she grows each winter!
Despite being in full work and competing up to BE Novice and BS Foxhunter, Pure Balance supplies all the vitamins and minerals Tara needs. It’s a great reminder that the label on a feed bag is a guide, not a rulebook - the right choice depends on the horse in front of you!
Wondering which Pure Feed is the right choice for your horse? Our free diet plan tool can help! Click the link in our bio to start 🌱
#purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #equinenutrition #allyoufeedislove #dietplan
Do you know how much your horse actually weighs?
There are a few different ways to find out:
• Weighbridge – the most accurate method.
• Weigh tape – handy and affordable, but results can vary.
• Measurements & calculations – a useful estimate if no other tools are available.
👉 Knowing your horse’s weight can help you:
• Feed the correct daily ration
• Dose wormers accurately
• Track changes in condition over time, for example, spotting weight loss before it’s obvious.
However, weight isn’t the whole picture. A horse’s health and performance are better reflected by a combination of weight, body condition scoring, and muscle tone. A fit eventer and a good doer native might weigh the same but look very different!
📏 Do you regularly weigh your horse or use a weigh tape?
#purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove #equinenutrition
Do you know how much your horse actually weighs?
There are a few different ways to find out:
• Weighbridge – the most accurate method.
• Weigh tape – handy and affordable, but results can vary.
• Measurements & calculations – a useful estimate if no other tools are available.
👉 Knowing your horse’s weight can help you:
• Feed the correct daily ration
• Dose wormers accurately
• Track changes in condition over time, for example, spotting weight loss before it’s obvious.
However, weight isn’t the whole picture. A horse’s health and performance are better reflected by a combination of weight, body condition scoring, and muscle tone. A fit eventer and a good doer native might weigh the same but look very different!
📏 Do you regularly weigh your horse or use a weigh tape?
#purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove #equinenutrition
Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean your horse isn’t sweating!
Recovery mashes aren`t just a summer gimmick; winter training pushes muscles, burns energy, and makes your horse lose vital nutrients, just like in summer. Your horse still loses essential electrolytes in sweat, muscles still burn, and the whole body is working hard.
Pure Refuel is formulated to give your horse the support they need after training hard:
Electrolytes to replace what sweat takes out and keep hydration balanced.
Antioxidants to combat exercise-induced stress and speed recovery.
Key amino acids to maintain muscle, support strength, and keep your horse in peak condition.
Plus Refuel tastes irresitble, soaks in 5 minutes, and is suitable for horses with EMS, ulcers and Cushings! 🍒
#allyoufeedislove #purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #equinenutrition
Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean your horse isn’t sweating!
Recovery mashes aren`t just a summer gimmick; winter training pushes muscles, burns energy, and makes your horse lose vital nutrients, just like in summer. Your horse still loses essential electrolytes in sweat, muscles still burn, and the whole body is working hard.
Pure Refuel is formulated to give your horse the support they need after training hard:
Electrolytes to replace what sweat takes out and keep hydration balanced.
Antioxidants to combat exercise-induced stress and speed recovery.
Key amino acids to maintain muscle, support strength, and keep your horse in peak condition.
Plus Refuel tastes irresitble, soaks in 5 minutes, and is suitable for horses with EMS, ulcers and Cushings! 🍒
#allyoufeedislove #purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #equinenutrition
As horses get older, their digestion slows down. This can mean:
⚠️ Harder to get nutrients from forage
⚠️ Weight loss & reduced topline
⚠️ Deficiencies in key vitamins & minerals
Teeth wear and reduced gut efficiency make it even trickier.
👉 That’s where Pure Veteran Mix comes in:
✅ Highly digestible fibre & oil for slow-release energy
✅ Built-in balancer with essential vitamins & minerals
✅ Gut balancer to optimise digestion
✅ Soft, easy-to-chew pellets for worn teeth
💡 It’s a complete feed, no extra supplements needed. Just feed alongside forage and help your older horse stay strong, shiny, and comfortable into their senior years.
As horses get older, their digestion slows down. This can mean:
⚠️ Harder to get nutrients from forage
⚠️ Weight loss & reduced topline
⚠️ Deficiencies in key vitamins & minerals
Teeth wear and reduced gut efficiency make it even trickier.
👉 That’s where Pure Veteran Mix comes in:
✅ Highly digestible fibre & oil for slow-release energy
✅ Built-in balancer with essential vitamins & minerals
✅ Gut balancer to optimise digestion
✅ Soft, easy-to-chew pellets for worn teeth
💡 It’s a complete feed, no extra supplements needed. Just feed alongside forage and help your older horse stay strong, shiny, and comfortable into their senior years.
Worried about fireworks this autumn? Here are our top tips:
1. Plan Ahead
Check local fireworks schedules and speak with neighbours or your council to know when displays are expected. Planning turnout, stabling, and feeding around these dates can reduce stress.
2. Create a Safe Environment
If possible, move your horse away from fireworks. Check fencing and your fields for hazards. For stabled horses, ensure the stable is secure, ventilated, and free from sharp objects. Leaving boots on overnight can help protect legs.
3. Distraction is Key
Keep horses occupied with ample forage, toys, or treat balls. Pure Meadow Mash or Pure Treats in a treat ball can be fed in larger portions to distract and comfort horses. Soft background sounds, like classical music or nature tracks, can help mask fireworks.
4. Use Calming Products Wisely
Discuss with your vet about calming supplements such as magnesium or herbal remedies. Pheromone sprays can also reduce stress by mimicking natural calming signals.
5. Maintain Consistent Routines
Stick to normal feeding, turnout, and exercise schedules. Familiarity is reassuring. Leaving a light on in the stable can help reduce the impact of flashing fireworks.
6. Stay Calm and Reassuring
Horses pick up on handler emotions. Stay relaxed, use gentle strokes, and avoid loud voices or sudden movements. Remember that frightened horses can act unpredictably.
7. Observe and Adapt
Each horse reacts differently. Some may benefit from early feeding, others from larger soaked fibre portions before fireworks start. Adjust based on behaviour and stress levels.
8. Consult a Professional if Needed
If your horse shows severe anxiety, speak to your vet as they can offer alternative solutions to help keep your horse calm.
Worried about fireworks this autumn? Here are our top tips:
1. Plan Ahead
Check local fireworks schedules and speak with neighbours or your council to know when displays are expected. Planning turnout, stabling, and feeding around these dates can reduce stress.
2. Create a Safe Environment
If possible, move your horse away from fireworks. Check fencing and your fields for hazards. For stabled horses, ensure the stable is secure, ventilated, and free from sharp objects. Leaving boots on overnight can help protect legs.
3. Distraction is Key
Keep horses occupied with ample forage, toys, or treat balls. Pure Meadow Mash or Pure Treats in a treat ball can be fed in larger portions to distract and comfort horses. Soft background sounds, like classical music or nature tracks, can help mask fireworks.
4. Use Calming Products Wisely
Discuss with your vet about calming supplements such as magnesium or herbal remedies. Pheromone sprays can also reduce stress by mimicking natural calming signals.
5. Maintain Consistent Routines
Stick to normal feeding, turnout, and exercise schedules. Familiarity is reassuring. Leaving a light on in the stable can help reduce the impact of flashing fireworks.
6. Stay Calm and Reassuring
Horses pick up on handler emotions. Stay relaxed, use gentle strokes, and avoid loud voices or sudden movements. Remember that frightened horses can act unpredictably.
7. Observe and Adapt
Each horse reacts differently. Some may benefit from early feeding, others from larger soaked fibre portions before fireworks start. Adjust based on behaviour and stress levels.
8. Consult a Professional if Needed
If your horse shows severe anxiety, speak to your vet as they can offer alternative solutions to help keep your horse calm.
Wishing you and your horses a spook-tacular Halloween from all of us here at The Pure Feed Company!
Let us know what you`re doing to celebrate in the comments below ⬇️
#thepurefeedcompany #purefeed #happyhalloween
Wishing you and your horses a spook-tacular Halloween from all of us here at The Pure Feed Company!
Let us know what you`re doing to celebrate in the comments below ⬇️
#thepurefeedcompany #purefeed #happyhalloween
With Halloween coming up, may horse owners want to know "Can Horses Eat Pumpkins?" 🎃
Want your horse to join in the Halloween fun? Or perhaps you have a few pumpkins going spare after carving. But yes, your horse can eat pumpkin! Pumpkins are mostly water and fibre, low in starch, and packed with beta-carotene (a pro-vitamin A). ✅ That makes them a crunchy, gut-friendly snack!
But seeds in huge quantities can be difficult for your horse to digest! We recommend cutting up a few chunks of the Pumpkin and feeding it seed free.
Got a question regarding equine nutrition? Leave it in the comments, we would be more than happy to help 😊
#thepurefeedcompany #purefeed #halloween #faq
With Halloween coming up, may horse owners want to know "Can Horses Eat Pumpkins?" 🎃
Want your horse to join in the Halloween fun? Or perhaps you have a few pumpkins going spare after carving. But yes, your horse can eat pumpkin! Pumpkins are mostly water and fibre, low in starch, and packed with beta-carotene (a pro-vitamin A). ✅ That makes them a crunchy, gut-friendly snack!
But seeds in huge quantities can be difficult for your horse to digest! We recommend cutting up a few chunks of the Pumpkin and feeding it seed free.
Got a question regarding equine nutrition? Leave it in the comments, we would be more than happy to help 😊
#thepurefeedcompany #purefeed #halloween #faq
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