FAQs
Can a very thin pregnant mare lose weight during lactation? How should I feed her?
Lactating mares are the physiological group of horses with the highest nutritional needs. EPOLDRIN is a feed specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of this physiological group. Its increased protein, mineral and vitamin energy density maximizes the quality and quantity of milk produced, as well as maintaining the mare's body condition in the last third of gestation and during the lactation phase.
EPOLDRIN
My horse drinks a lot of water after working hard, does he need electrolytes?
When horses sweat, they naturally lose water and electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium. The loss of electrolytes causes fatigue, muscle weakness and a decrease in the natural response to dehydration – thirst. Therefore, it is essential to remember that both water and electrolytes must be replaced in the horse's body, the latter in the form of supplements.
REHIDRAMAX
Can a foal with large, wide limbs develop developmental orthopedic disorders (DODs)? Should I feed him only hay so he doesn't grow too fast?
The problem with feeding foals only hay or natural pasture is that both are deficient in nutrients essential for their proper growth and development. Crucial minerals such as zinc, copper, calcium and phosphorus are usually deficient or unbalanced in these forage feeds. Quality sources of protein are also necessary for the foal to grow healthily, so if the foal's diet is based only on pasture/hay, the protein levels will also be compromised and lysine, the limiting amino acid, will be deficient.
Providing a specific concentrated feed for the foals' growth phase, together with good pasture and/or hay, is therefore essential to ensure their correct development.
YOUNG
What is the ideal period of time to feed my horse before a competition?
Providing small amounts of hay before exercise and providing water at a constant rate is always recommended. As for concentrated feed, it is recommended that it not be provided 2 to 3 hours before the event. On the other hand, providing concentrated feed immediately after exercise can hinder the horse's recovery. Therefore, the ideal would be to provide hay and water first and then a meal of concentrated feed can be provided, which ideally will occur 1.5 hours after exercise.
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What to do when the horse has a big belly, but looks thin in the flanks and sides?
If a horse has a very large belly, it may be a sign that it is eating poor quality forage. The large intestine naturally retains poor quality forage for longer in an attempt to break down the fibre in order to obtain the maximum amount of nutrients possible. This process will cause greater fibre retention in the large intestine, causing the horse's abdomen to distend.
The solution to this situation is to improve the quality of the forage, using a more digestible forage. If it is not possible to significantly improve the forage you provide, we recommend that you replace part of the forage provided with a good fibrous product, for example a product based on alfalfa.
WAFER
ALFALFA
ALFABEET
What to do when the horse eats little but is still very fat?
Horses that are highly predisposed to gaining weight may not need extra energy from a concentrated feed, although they do need to receive nutrients for their physiological needs. Its use involves providing a food that balances the forage component of the diet. BALANCE is the ideal product for these cases, being supplied in small quantities and having a low caloric density, it acts as a protein, vitamin and mineral supplement, ensuring the correct nutrition of the horse without it gaining weight.
BALANCE
How to feed a horse that is really thin?
During the starvation process, the body initially uses its fat and carbohydrate reserves to meet its energy needs. The body then tends to use the protein present in the muscles and vital organs such as the heart, tending to “destroy” the body to meet its energy needs. If a horse in this weakened condition ingests a high-energy food or a large amount of food, it may suffer gastrointestinal disorders, showing signs of “colic”, among other problems that may arise.
The ideal, in these cases, is to provide small and frequent meals of hay, supplemented with lucerne forage, preferably wet, as the horses may become dehydrated.
WAFER
ALFALFA
ALFABEET
Regarding concentrated food, choose a high-calorie, highly digestible food such as NATURE MASH.
NATURE MASH
What are the best foods for very nervous or excitable horses?
The ideal diet for more nervous horses is to use foods that provide energy based on highly bioavailable fibers and lipids. Intacol offers products suitable for these situations, formulated without oats, such as EASYMIX and PALATIN. For highly excitable refractory cases, we recommend NATURE MASH or GASTRO PRO. Consult your Intacol technician to find out which product is best suited to your horse.
EASYMIX
PALATIN
NATURE MASH
GASTRO PRO
Do oats excite horses?
Oats are an excellent cereal for horses because they are highly digestible, but in certain cases they can contribute to a certain degree of excitability. The energy in oats can end up contributing to more expansive behavior. For this reason, the ideal for more nervous horses is to use oat-free feeds (EASYMIX, PALATIN) that have an energy supply based on fiber and highly bioavailable lipids.
EASYMIX
PALATIN
Are muesli foods better than granulated foods?
No, they are simply different ways of presenting the food. The decision to choose is purely a matter of practicality, as some horses react better to one type of food and others to another. However, muesli food may be more appealing in most cases, although if in doubt it is best to seek advice from one of our qualified technicians.
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Is it necessary to supplement my horse's diet with supplements?
Intacol concentrated feeds, when properly selected, ensure the optimal daily intake of nutrients known to be essential in the diet of horses, during the most diverse physiological and growth phases, and even depending on the type and intensity of the work required. However, in competition horses or in certain specific cases, it may be necessary to supplement the diet with supplements. Consult your Intacol technician.
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What is the minimum amount of hay I should give per day?
The horse's daily diet should consist of at least 60 to 70% of forage feed. A horse weighing around 500 kg in moderate work should eat around 10 kg of dry matter per day, which means it should eat approximately 3 to 4 kg of concentrate feed and 6 to 7 kg of quality forage feed.
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How many times a day should I feed my horse concentrate?
Horses have very small stomachs, which means they have a limited digestive capacity, especially when compared to other monogastric species. Intacol recommends distributing the concentrated feed in as many daily meals as possible, preferably at least three. It is important to remember that no more than 2 kg of concentrated feed should be fed per meal.
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What is the best way to make changes to my horse's diet?
The horse is a monogastric herbivore. The large intestine (cecum and colon) contains an important microbial flora that is responsible for the balance of the entire digestive tract. Therefore, any changes to the horse's feeding regimen should be made gradually, mixing the old food with the new food over a period of approximately 7 to 10 days. Any change to the diet may only produce “visible effects” after 3 to 4 weeks.
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How to choose a good food for my horse?
An in-depth look at our website can help you choose the best food for your horse. However, Intacol has a team of equine nutrition professionals who can provide personalized and specialized advice. Do not hesitate to contact us.
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How to choose good hay?
Intacol provides a free and comprehensive advisory service that ensures you are sure of the ideal product for each horse. It carries out nutritional quality analyses of hay in order to provide accurate advice on the best diet for your horse. Do not hesitate to contact us.
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Is hay better or worse than straw, and why?
Straw is just the stem of the cereal, while hay is the entire plant. This difference makes hay more nutritious than straw. Straw is less digestible, so it can hinder the horse's normal digestive flow, leading to a loss of well-being and performance. It is therefore necessary to provide quality hay in sufficient quantity, which should form the basis of the horse's diet.
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Should hay be given before or after concentrate feed?
Long fibre – hay or silage – should preferably be fed before the concentrate feed for several reasons. By eating the hay first, the horse will eat the concentrate feed more slowly and will be able to digest it better, thus making better use of its nutrients. Fibre stimulates gastric motility, so when fed after the concentrate feed, it ends up accelerating its speed in the small intestine, with the contents reaching the large intestine more quickly; this is not desirable as it can cause acidity and intestinal dysbiosis, which may culminate in the development of colic or laminitis.