In their natural environment, horses tend to lead relatively uncomplicated lives. They roam freely in a herd, graze most of the day, and may not undergo the same consistent physical exertion as a performance horse in training.
Barn life and horse health hazards
Even on farms with the most conscientious level of care, there are several common practices that are at odds with what nature intended, and may be putting horses at risk.
In todayâs world, many modern horses are dealing with a more challenging lifestyle, and if not managed well, this may increase their risk for numerous health problems.
âAs much as we love our horses, itâs important to realize that domestic horse-keeping can be inherently âunnaturalâ and stressful for them,â said Jessica Normand, SmartPakâs Senior Director of Equine Health. âSmartPak is committed to educating horse owners and professionals about the management practices that put horsesâ health at risk, and how we can be smarter about their care.â
Even on farms with the most conscientious level of care, there are several common practices that are at odds with what nature intended, and may be putting horses at risk.
What nature intended for horses:
Horses evolved to spend most of their day (10-17 hours) grazing on a variety of pastures, so their gastrointestinal systems are built to digest small amounts of forage frequently throughout the day. Left to their own devices, horses spend most of their time slowly walking as they graze, only occasionally running from a competitor or for play.
The hidden dangers of modern horse-keeping:
Acres and acres of fresh pasture can be hard to come by, so many horse owners must resort to feeding hay and grain two or three times a day. However, hay often lacks key vitamins and fatty acids that are naturally found in pasture, potentially leaving the diet coming up short.
Even worse, large, infrequent grain meals and limited foraging can contribute to both gastric ulcers and colic, two painful conditions that can impact a horseâs performance, and in the case of colic, may even be fatal. And the dietary problems donât end there. Changes in the type or amount of grain and hay provided can increase a horseâs risk of colic five to tenfold!
More hidden dangers of modern horse-keeping:
Exercise, including riding, can contribute to unnatural wear and tear on a horseâs joints and soft tissues, leading to long-term soundness and performance problems.
Additionally, if a horse is working on an empty stomach, excess acid can slosh around, splashing the sensitive upper lining and leading to gastric ulcers.
What nature intended: As prey animals, horses naturally find safety in numbers. Herds are consistent, with few new adult horses joining, and a steady hierarchy of dominance.
More hidden dangers of modern horse-keeping:
As horses are bought and sold, and horse owners move, modern horses are exposed to frequent and dramatic shifts in their herd dynamics, which can be stressful. Even traveling for short time periods, such as competitions, can put stress on a horseâs immune system as heâs exposed to new horses and environments.