Autum is here -- Boosting Your Horse’s Immune System as Temperatures Drop.

As we know for any animal, Nutrition plays a big role in keeping horses healthy. With the rich summer grass gone, the horse’s diet has radically changed and as a result may need a boost to help maintain warmth and a strong immune system.

Worming is essential coming into the change of season and Autumn is an important time for assessing for tapeworm and redworm. Instead of routine worming, start with testing and treat accordingly and consult your veterinary surgeon for advice. Regardless of the work an animal is doing, good quality hay that provides enough fibre is key since it generates heat during digestion. Along with this many people add few extra nutrients during the colder months.

Adding omega-3 fatty acids is key to a horse’s diet in the colder months. Omega-3s help reduce inflammation, which is important since cold weather puts more strain on a horse's body. Horse First Omega D Oil is a cold-pressed flax seed oil with added Vitamin D, 'the sunshine vitamin'. It contains the correct balance of Omegas 3, 6 and 9, which are known as Essential Fatty Acids. These Omega Fatty Acids CANNOT be naturally produced by your horse. The two more important Essential Fatty Acids are Omega 3 and Omega 6. Omega-3 Fatty Acids promote general well-being and are associated with glossy coats. They also encourage a strong metabolism.

Warm or bran mashes are a nice treat in cold weather and an excellent way to mix herbs or supplements. They help keep horses hydrated and make digestion easier. Adding a garlic supplement to mashes can improve circulation and has natural properties to fight germs. Horse First Garlic & More is nature's goodness packed into one special supplement. It is a complete, powerful unique blend of garlic, seaweed, herbs, oil, salt and vitamins that benefits all horses and ponies. It provides your horse with a range of herbs and vitamins to help utilise nutrition, aid digestion and boost the immune system in one tasty 25g serving.

Hydration is just as important in winter as it is in summer. Cold weather can reduce a horse’s willingness to drink, increasing the risk of dehydration and weakening the immune system. Offering slightly warmed water or adding a splash of apple juice or electrolyte powder can encourage drinking. Proper hydration supports a strong immune system and helps the body flush out toxins. Horse First Heavy Sweat is a balanced electrolyte supplement is the easy way to ensure horses are not lacking in these vital salts and to effectively replenish and hydrate your horse. 

In older horses, the winter months can mean stiffer joints and as a result the animal may need some extra help. Horse First My Joints is a unique formulation of high levels of glucosamine, Vitamin C and sepiolite. These ingredients have a proven effectiveness; we have not included other ingredients which under placebo tests have no proven value. The best nutrients delivered through the most efficient pathways for the most effective results.

Once you have addressed Nutrition you then must decide if it’s necessary to rug your horse. Each horse will cope differently in hot and cold temperatures. Some horses may need different types of rugs for various reasons, while others are perfectly comfortable in just their natural coat. When deciding whether your horse needs a rug, avoid basing the choice on your own sense of temperature. Horses experience cold differently from humans, and their thick winter coat provides excellent natural insulation during the colder months. Try not to overgroom un-rugged horses as this may strip the coat of the natural oils and reduce its waterproofing abilities.

•    Breeds with naturally thinner winter coats, such as Thoroughbreds.
•    Underweight horses, to help conserve energy and prevent further weight loss.
•    Fully clipped horses.
•    Older In older horses, cold and damp conditions can also trigger arthritic flare-ups, reducing movement and, in turn, body heat production.