Are we inadvertently causing some of 'today's' problems?

Personally, I feel that in our pursuit of progress, some things we do around animals are causing unnecessary damage to them. ‘Back in my day’ (in the 1980s!), we never had so many skin and behavioural issues as seems common today…which started me thinking about possible connections to what we expect our animals to ingest, wear etc,. Therefore, whilst none of these should be taken as a ‘recommendation’, for my purposes, all these companies or thoughts have stood up to my research and tests. My criteria is merely to find ‘the best’ and for it to still offer ‘value for money’ without compromising the quality of the ingredients!

Simple Systems Feeds
Molasses free (vital!), no cereal/rice/straw sidings/rice++  This is feeding as close to how nature intended even for competition horses; ensuring food remains in the gut so bile is mopped up and not causing indigestion (the current feeding methods of long periods of no food will cause horses unnecessary suffering as their guts are designed to constantly have something to digest to ensure acidity levels remain healthy). www.simplesystem.co.uk - 01371 870753. Click here to read a fascinating article written by the company’s MD. [Please be patient whilst it downloads!]

Protexin probiotics
A highly important ingredient for good health and a fully functioning immune system. Designed to reinforce the natural defence mechanism (immune system) of your horse/pet/self - rejuvenating the digestive system’s ‘friendly bacteria’ which may have been stripped after ingestion of chemical-based drugs and/or periods of pain, stress or trauma (which can be as little as just being transported to an event!). If horses are fed a forage-based diet (such as Simple System), the requirement for probiotics should be negligible. See Probiotics

Joint stiffness
See Other Products

Skin irritations
Horse/animal rugs, bedding, numnahs, etc. washed in ‘human’ washing powders/products can cause nasty reactions;  same for Jod's if you ride bareback.  Next time try our shampoo in your washing machine or for hand-washing...just add 1 of our capfuls to a bowl or 2 capfuls to your machine.  It'll also help deter fleas, mites, moths at the same time!

Garlic - Skin issues
Sadly we've now seen too many horses struggle to process this safely. Click here to read an article by Dr Karen Hayes (DVM, MS).

Haylage
Whilst the feeding of it has mushroomed in recent years, scientific evidence points to digestive problems where its content is too high a percentage of a diet.  If not feeding hay, it is suggested that the ‘hay/haylage' ratios are NO MORE than 50% haylage (preferably less); good quality hay will be more easily digested by horses and with less potential side-effects.

Molasses
From my experience, I see a definite connection between horses/animals with skin issues and bad behaviour, and a common denominator of too much molasses.  If something is appetising, why does it need a sweetener?  Molasses is not good to have in a horse's diet....  As cynics, sadly we now question, if it's in a feed/treats/licks, what's it trying to cover up?

Obvious horsemanship (cutting bills!)
Have we perhaps underestimated the value of such skills? Whether you follow a system or if it’s what you’re Granny told you, I think we need to remain open to the fact we might have gone a little wrong in recent years in our quest for ‘instant results’. It seems quite a few of 'today's animal problems' are sadly connected to the following: "One thing I know for sure, that most horses will go out of their way to try to be dependable for you. The problem is, before that can happen, they first have to be able to depend on you. All it really takes to develop that kind of trust is three little things; time, patience, and understanding. It's the people who don't take the time to do things right, don't have the patience to help the animal instead of force him, or don't try to understand his point of view, who run into trouble. It's also those same people who usually end up stampeding through the Idaho potato patches on out-of-control horses wondering why they can't get their dang horse to stop!" Mark Rashid, "Considering the Horse", ISBN 1-55566-118-1
 

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