Tips form Hadlow College
Hadlow, Kent's premier college and one of the UK's leading specialist colleges, has a renowned
equine department. Starting this month, the college offers some tips, advice and suggestions.
• The nutrients available to horses from well-maintained grassland include carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Carbohydrates are required to provide the horse with energy and heat. Proteins, often referred to as 'building blocks', are particularly important for breeding stock. Fat produces energy and heat. As with humans, mineral and vitamin deficiencies can have serious consequences. The quality of the grass available must be taken into account in the overall dietary plan.
• Horses are notoriously fussy grazing animals with very individual palates! The herb relished by one horse may be completely ignored by another.
• Horses create latrine areas where they defecate and urinate. They will only graze these areas if grass becomes so sparse they have no choice. Droppings should be collected on a regular basis - at least once a week - to prevent the area becoming sour.
• Horses that are hungry will resort to browsing and may consequently damage trees. More importantly, hunger can force them to eat poisonous plants that, because they are unpalatable, they would otherwise ignore. In extreme circumstances, this can include Ragwort.
• Horses at grass spend their time playing; socialising; grooming one another; resting and sleeping; grazing; rolling.
• Common poisonous plants include: Yew, Box, Privet, Oak (leaves and acorns), Laburnum (leaves, bark and pods), Juniper, Alder, Common Ragwort;, Bracken, Ivy, Deadly Nightshade, Horsetails, Buttercups - and many others!
• Whenever possible, control poisonous plants and weeds by organic methods.
As well as a range of equine-related courses, Hadlow College also
offers a wide variety of one-day and short courses useful to anyone keeping or working with horses including: Tractor driving; Sites, Soils and cultivation; Chainsaw handling; Health and safety; Appointed person first aid - and a lot more. Freephone: 0500 551434.
