4. Flicka's Journey - On Food and Acidosis

I read on article about laminitis published by UK Blue Cross Organization that provides health insurance for horses.  They are an equine insurance company hoping to save clients and the company costs and save horses from suffering, by preventing laminitis. One of the causes described was the high sugar - high carbohydrate diet, which many of us know is bad for horses and ponies.  What I found interesting was the explanation of how the sugar and starch interacts with the horse to cause the problems.  According to UK Blue Cross article, sugars and starches from rich food, overload the horses digestive system and are pushed undigested into the hind gut.  In the hind gut, bacteria breaks down this material and causes a high acid situation; acidosis. The acids destroy the healthy fibre processing bacteria in the hind gut and as the bacteria die, toxins are released into the gut.  These toxins eventually make their way into the blood stream and there is thought these toxins also disrupt blood flow, and when that happens in the hoof, laminitis is the result. 

“Laminitis is a very painful and debilitating disease.  Prevention is always better than cure.” UK Blue Cross.

Tomorrow Flicka will join the herd.  She is sound enough thanks to Bob Laye's specialized trim.  She will be able to take the walking and needs the proper food the native grassland pasture will provide.

Everything Amanda of ARK Nutrition has taught me nutrition wise, over the years, suddenly came to my mind; as I am witness to a worse case scenario.  The diet or even treats many horse folks choose for their animals can result in acidosis; you can tell when horses flanks are tight and overly sensitive.  This can cause inconsistencies such as nervousness and/or crankiness in the horses behaviour, tough enough to deal with when we are riding our horses; this situation eventually can worsen to more devastating health issues.  We all know food should not be considered “comfort food” by humans, this causes problems with our health because we eat too much looking for the comfort we never really achieve.  By thinking more “tasty” food (like oats) makes horses feel good, humans contribute towards one of the most painful situations for horses - a chronic tummy ache, which when left unchecked, can develop very easily into a serious lameness.

I will be diligent in ensuring Flicka gets her supplements especially the probiotics, daily as per the instructions from ARK Nutrition!  On the other hand, Flicka is resilient . . .

Today I noticed Flicka eating horse manure.  When a new foal is born, first they nurse colostrom, soon after you will see them eating horse manure.  They are seeking those healthy gut bacteria to populate their own newly born gut.  Nahani is doing the same thing, now that she is on the mend and on a proper diet, she wants those healthy bacteria back!

copyright Windy Coulee Canadian Horses - Heidi Eijgel