7 Tips for Managing a Horse with Summer Eczema

Tip 2: Feed Grain-Free

Just like silage, grains disrupt the acidity of the stomach. Research has shown that an imbalance in the body is often caused by a diet too rich in grains. Grains contain the substance phytic acid, which has been shown to inhibit the absorption of magnesium. Other minerals are also absorbed less effectively. Additionally, the carbohydrates and starches from grains are converted into sugars in the horse's body. These sugars disrupt the gut flora, lead to increased inflammatory responses in the body, and lower immunity. Therefore, choose feed that is grain-free; this is usually not clearly indicated on the front of the feed bag. Check the ingredient list carefully to see if any grains are mentioned or hidden. Take a look at your feed bag's label for the following ingredients: corn, wheat products (semolina and whole), barley, oat hulls, molasses, corn gluten meal, oat products (hulls and whole), spelt, popped corn, oats, or cane molasses. Can you cross off more than two?

Tip 3: Preferably use a balancer instead of concentrated feed

Concentrated feed often requires a higher amount to be given daily before it meets the recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals. Most horses do not need these large quantities of feed. Did you know that a horse's stomach can only process a maximum of 0.5 kg per feeding? Therefore, it is better to choose a grain-free balancer (vitamin pellet). This way, your horse receives a high concentration of vitamins and minerals in a small amount of feed. Horses with summer eczema particularly benefit from getting plenty of vitamins and minerals. This helps maintain their immune system and reduces the likelihood of inflammatory reactions. Healthy balancers include Vitalbix Daily Complete (also available alfalfa-free), Agrobs Naturmineral, Metazoa SuperFit, Marstal force, and Equifyt Green Balance.

Tip 4: Feed Low Sugar

Feeding sugar-free is impossible. Hay and grass contain sugars, and that's not a problem; horses can handle a certain amount of sugars. But opt for low-sugar feeding, so choose hay that is low in sugars, concentrate feed that is low in sugars, and let your horse graze when the fructan level is low. Did you know that grass after a cold night and a sunny day contains extra sugars? Keep a close eye on the fructan index. Sugars have a negative effect on the overall immunity of the horse, and especially for horses with summer eczema, you want to keep their immunity high. Sugars disrupt the gut flora, increasing the likelihood of inflammatory reactions. High sugar levels in the blood also make the blood sweeter, which makes horses more attractive to mosquitoes. Therefore, always use a sugar-free electrolyte, such as a liquid mineral product made from Bering Sea water. These are minerals from the sea, without added sugars.

Tip 5: Prevent overweight in your horse

The basis of a horse's diet is always roughage, preferably available 24/7, but that is not possible for all horses. If you cannot feed unlimited amounts, never let your horse or pony go without food for more than 4 hours to prevent stomach ulcers. Roughage is a very broad term and can vary. Depending on your horse's condition, you can primarily feed hay and grass, but if your horse is overweight, you can replace part of the hay with grass seed hay or barley straw. Choose the untreated version of both types! However, these two roughage types are rich in structure but low in nutrients. Horses often find them less palatable since they contain virtually no nutrients (and sugars), but they are ideal to ensure that your horse does not go too long without roughage. Grass seed hay and barley straw should never make up the entire ration, as they contain too few nutrients.

Tip 6: Offer herbs and plants

Horses often know very well which herbs, plants, and trees are healthy for them. They will almost never eat a toxic plant if they can recognize the fresh form and there is enough healthy food available. Dried, of course, is a different story; then horses can no longer recognize the toxic plants. But go for a pleasant snack walk with your horse and see which plants it likes to eat. Some horses will take a bite of a willow or a few bites of sticky weed. Every horse is different and has different needs, and with herbs, you can beautifully supplement this, which is also very tasty and healthy for your horse! Variety is the key to health. Give your horse some vegetables from your own kitchen. And not too much with stems and leaves attached, for example:

Broccoli Celery Cauliflower Fennel Beetroot Different types of carrots Pumpkin Beans

You can also give liquid herbs like nettle and clove. With nettle, you can even make a separate water bowl. You will see that the horses then drink according to their needs.

Tip 7: DHA from Omega-3

Don't forget the omega-3 in the diet. Horses with summer eczema have a high need for the DHA in omega-3. DHA is only readily absorbable from salmon oil or algae. When you feed a vegetable oil to a horse, the horse's body still needs to convert it to DHA. A horse with summer eczema often struggles to do this. Therefore, we recommend adding salmon oil or algae to the diet of your horse with summer eczema daily. Read more about EPA and DHA in horses with Insulin Resistance/Summer Eczema here.