Q.
The sweet feed I give my horse has a high percentage of corn.
Can corn cause colic?
A.
Unless the corn is of poor quality it is not likely to cause
colic in most horses. Corn is one of the primary feed grains
included in many horse feeds because it is high in energy
and the most economical source of energy available. However
because of its high energy content, we usually limit the amount
of corn we feed. Overfeeding concentrates, whether corn or
another type of grain, may cause colic and other digestive
problems. Therefore, pasture or hay should provide as much
of your horse's nutrient needs as possible, and concentrates
should merely supplement the forage to provide adequate energy,
protein, vitamins and minerals to support your horse's activity
level.
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Recently
retired from the University of Florida, Dr. Ed Ott of Micanopy,
Florida serves as a consulting equine nutritionist for Seminole
Feed.
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Q.
How much water should my horse drink in the hot summer months?
A.
Water intake needs vary considerably between animals, but
generally horses will drink 5 to 10 gallons per day. However,
with heat and/or exercise this amount can increase up to 20
to 30 gallons of water per day. Horses that are either working
or living in the heat lose considerable water in their perspiration
and must increase their water intake to compensate for the
loss. In addition, perspiration depletes electrolytes, so
summertime heat warrants replacing sodium, potassium and chloride
as well as water. The best solution to meeting the water needs
of your horse is to provide all of the clean, fresh water
he will drink at all times. If you stall your horses and water
via buckets, clean and fill those buckets whenever they get
low. If they are on pasture or in paddocks, a stock tank with
an automatic valve will be the best choice. If your horse
won't drink enough water to maintain proper hydration and
you are providing adequate water, you may need to consider
supplementing electrolytes or making the water more palatable.
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