Cath Shannon NaturalHoofBalance
Tuesday, 28 June 2022
0 Comments
What makes a healthy hoof (horse) Part 4
Covering your horse.
Yes - this affects your horse holistically as well.
How?
Well – it stops movement, increases overall body heat which in turns drives down the immune system.
It also radically reduces the amount of sunshine your animal receives on a daily basis.
Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin that the body cannot produce without sun!
Vitamin D ensures the body uptakes calcium to support the skeletal structure of the whole horse.
ACC New Zealand found from a study they held in NZ that giving vitamin D tablets to people in old folk homes dramatically decreased the incidence in bone fractures. What they found was as the elderly age, they get less active and subsequently they are outside less, which means less exposure for the body to make the natural Vitamin D that the sunshine gives you.
Sun exposure for Vitamin D creation applies to horses as well. Horses make their own but need UV light to convert it.
Yes - you can cover - but think about when and why you are doing it. Do you really need that neck cover too????
Mine get covered after long treks for the night - to assist in their recovery. Or to protect from bites from other paddocked horses when out on a multi day trek. Or if they are penned up for a period and are unable to move to keep warm . But thats it.
Companionship
Horses are herd animals. They live in families. Does your horse have a family?
Consider this emotional need. If you are unable to have another horse, consider a goat, sheep, donkey or other animal to provide company for your horse.
Yes - this affects your horse holistically as well.
How?
Well – it stops movement, increases overall body heat which in turns drives down the immune system.
It also radically reduces the amount of sunshine your animal receives on a daily basis.
Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin that the body cannot produce without sun!
Vitamin D ensures the body uptakes calcium to support the skeletal structure of the whole horse.
ACC New Zealand found from a study they held in NZ that giving vitamin D tablets to people in old folk homes dramatically decreased the incidence in bone fractures. What they found was as the elderly age, they get less active and subsequently they are outside less, which means less exposure for the body to make the natural Vitamin D that the sunshine gives you.
Sun exposure for Vitamin D creation applies to horses as well. Horses make their own but need UV light to convert it.
Yes - you can cover - but think about when and why you are doing it. Do you really need that neck cover too????
Mine get covered after long treks for the night - to assist in their recovery. Or to protect from bites from other paddocked horses when out on a multi day trek. Or if they are penned up for a period and are unable to move to keep warm . But thats it.
Companionship
Horses are herd animals. They live in families. Does your horse have a family?
Consider this emotional need. If you are unable to have another horse, consider a goat, sheep, donkey or other animal to provide company for your horse.
Optional, for replies
No comments posted yet, check back soon.
Blogs
Popular Products
$115.00
Hoof Armor Starter Kit
NOTE: The pricing for the starter kit applicator is heavily discounted. This product is seriously good and the applicator is a one off cost compared to the other products needed. The Hoof Armor Starter Kit contains a 4:1 dispenser ,a 50 ml cartridge of Hoof Armor, eight (8) turbo mix nozzles, two rubber gloves and detailed written instructions. The starter kit provides enough product to coat approximately eight (8) saddle horse hooves. POSTAGE IS NOT INCLUDED Hoof Armor was invented to be used in...
$165.00
Hoof Armor Refill Kit THREE 3
$64.00
Hoof Armor Refill Kit
$120.00
Hoof Armor Refill Kit TWO 2
$12.00
HoofArmor EXTRA NOZZLES
$52.00
Hoof Armor CARTRIDGE ONLY
$37.99
Copper/Zinc Trough Tablets