How to Select the Best Horse Supplement

Keeping horses can be a real challenge. Depending on what type of performance you demand from your horse, its age, breed and health and its personal needs, finding a balance in its feed to meet its overall health requirements can be tricky at best. Education is the best answer for horse owners, and the more you know about feeds, supplements and their specific benefits, the better choices you can make when it comes to adding nutrition to your horse's diet.

Things You'll Need

  • Veterinarian
  • Feed store
  • Measuring cups
  • Feed
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Instructions

  1. How to Select the Best Horse Supplement

    • 1

      Have your horse examined by a professional veterinarian, who can determine the overall health of the animal and recommend what key areas to address.

    • 2

      Communicate with your veterinarian about your plans for your horse, including any breeding plans, racing or other performance plans, and any show plans. Ask for his recommendations on what supplements are available for your specific needs.

    • 3

      Share this information with your local feed store and review available supplements with the feed store manager or sales person. Determine which supplement best suits your needs and budget.

    • 4

      Introduce your supplement to the horse's feed gradually over a period of a week to 10 days. Measure the amount carefully with your measuring cups, and do not feed more than recommended on the label.

    • 5

      Monitor the success of your supplement. In the case of coat enhancers, a relatively quick reaction can be seen. In as little as 10 days, you should be able to see a glossier coat coming in at the skin. In the case of hoof improvement, it may take several months before you can measure any real results.