What role does diet play in managing respiratory allergies in horses?

The specific role of diet in managing respiratory allergies in horses is not well-documented in the search results. However, maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding certain feeds can help prevent respiratory complications.

How Does Diet Impact Respiratory Health in Horses?

While the search results don’t directly address managing respiratory allergies, they emphasize the importance of diet for overall equine health and preventing respiratory issues. Moldy or dusty feeds can lead to forage poisoning and respiratory complications in horses, so avoiding these is crucial. Good quality grass-legume pastures can provide adequate nutrients for adult horses at light work or pregnant mares.

What Dietary Measures Can Help Prevent Respiratory Issues?

To minimize the risk of respiratory problems, consider these dietary measures:

• Avoid Moldy or Dusty Feeds: Horses are susceptible to respiratory complications from contaminated feeds.
• Ensure High-Quality Forage: Opt for good quality grass-legume pastures or legume hays like alfalfa.
• Supplement as Needed: Adjust supplementation based on the horse’s workload and the quality of pasture.

What Are the Best Types of Feed for Horses?

Good quality grass-legume pastures, in addition to iodized or trace-mineralized salt, will supply adequate nutrients to maintain an adult horse at light work or mares during pregnancy. High-quality legume hays, such as early bloom alfalfa, are preferred for horses, especially those that are growing or lactating. Oats are the preferred grain for horses because of their bulk.

What Feeds Should Be Avoided?

Moldy or dusty feeds should be avoided because horses are extremely susceptible to forage poisoning and respiratory complications. Silages of all sorts should be avoided since horses and mules are extremely susceptible to botulism and digestive upsets.

How Does the Horse’s Activity Level Affect Dietary Needs?

Horses performing medium to heavy work may need a high-energy source, such as grain, to meet their needs. Weanling foals require three pounds of feed per hundred pounds of live weight per day; as they approach maturity, this requirement drops to one pound of feed per hundred pounds of live weight daily.

Want to discover more about equine nutrition and maintaining a healthy diet for your horse?