Did you know that the horse’s coat change actually begins with the winter solstice in December?
December 21st is the winter solstice. From this day onwards, the days will get longer and the nights shorter, even if we don't notice it straight away. As the days get longer, the horse's metabolism slowly, step by step, adjusts to summer time. During this time, the horse's immune system is put to the test. The coat change can be tricky and cause problems, especially for older horses, horses with illnesses or metabolic problems. This makes it all the more important to give horses special support during this time.
Oil feeding to support
Feeding linseed oil can help with the coat change. Linseed oil is characterized by its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect.
But be careful: oil contains a lot of energy! 1 g of fat contains twice as much energy as 1 g of starch (eg found in grains). 50 g of oil therefore contains about as much energy as 250 g of oats.
This can be particularly beneficial for horses with sensitive stomachs, as oil can be used as a substitute for concentrated feed and is also particularly easy to digest. Oil is also a popular source of energy for those with grain intolerances or metabolic disorders. However, if there is too little exercise, excessive feeding of oil can also lead to obesity due to the high energy content.[1]
ensure nutrient supply
It is also important to keep an eye on the nutrient supply, because especially when the horses renew their entire coat, the used reserves must be replenished. The supply of trace elements and vitamins from the hay is usually far from sufficient, so supplementation is necessary. Hestevard VMZ-25 is suitable as a classic mineral feed to cover the daily nutrient requirements. Vitamins and trace elements support a healthy metabolism. The trace element zinc has a particularly positive effect on the coat and hooves. In horses with zinc deficiency, the OrZin 40 The chelate form improves bioavailability and the zinc can be better metabolized. In horses with selenium deficiency, the OrSel 50 Selenium yeast makes the selenium particularly bioavailable. However, caution is advised with selenium in particular. An overdose of trace elements (especially selenium) can even have the opposite effect. An excess of selenium can cause symptoms of poisoning and, in the worst case, laminitis, so we recommend that you always coordinate selenium feeding with your veterinarian to avoid oversupply. When choosing mineral and supplementary feed, you should also always take concentrated feed into account, as this is often already mineralized.
To specifically boost your metabolism, we recommend the Vitalprotz . In addition to the important vitamins, Vitalprotz also contains trace elements such as iron, selenium, manganese, copper and zinc. Iron, for example, ensures the supply of red blood cells, which in turn are responsible for transporting oxygen in the body. Better oxygen transport can improve performance. Vitalprotz is therefore particularly suitable for use after illness, during coat change or when under increased stress.
Don't forget the special needs of seniors
Older horses especially benefit from our VM-Senium . In addition to the vitamins, VM-Senium contains L-carnitine, which improves the energy supply in the cells. Herbal extracts such as hawthorn and ginkgo ensure better blood circulation and support the circulatory system. Milk thistle and artichoke support the liver and kidneys in detoxification. Devil's claw has an anti-inflammatory effect and can therefore promote the joy of movement.
The products VMZ-25 , VM-Senium , OrZin 40 and OrSel 50 available from your veterinarian. The product Vitalprotz is also available directly to end customers.
[1] Meyer and Coenen (2014) Horse Feeding, 6th edition, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart
