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Furthermore, a University of California study confirms that too much alfalfa may lead to a higher risk of enteroliths. These rock-hard mineral deposits, also known as stones, build up in the stomach or intestine and can cause colic and death. The study revealed that horses suffering from stones had a higher pH concentrate in their colons, and more alfalfa in their diets.

Too much grain can also cause health disorders. In the wild, a horse finds grain in only small scattered amounts, often when winter is approaching and the horse needs more calories. It is neither natural nor healthy for a horse to consume large amounts of this highly concentrated foodstuff, which can cause vices, colic, ulcers and high insulin levels if overfed.

Detrimental sugar and starch

Traditionally in the past, horses have been fed high starch/sugar diets, but recent research shows this practice has detrimental effects. While a low starch/sugar diet is extremely important for easy-keeper breeds, a “better safe than sorry” approach may be appropriate for most horses.

Ingredients which contribute to high levels of starch and sugar in feeds include grains and molasses. These can wreck havoc on a horse’s glucose levels. The surge of glucose causes a quick release of insulin and a rush of adrenaline, which results in fatigue lasting several hours. With insulin resistance, the easy-keepers cannot tolerate these up and down levels and eventually their bodies stop processing the glucose properly. Instead of high sugar/starch feedstuffs, try alternatives such as rice bran, wheat bran and beet pulp.

You should also consider the types of hay and pasture your horse eats, as some are naturally higher in sugars than others. Cool season grasses such as Timothy, Brome, Orchard and Fescue are normally higher than warm season varities such as Bermuda and native prairie grasses. Grain hays fall into the dangerous category while alfalfa can have low to moderate sugar levels. Stressed plants (often affected by drought), nutrient imbalance and temperature changes cause higher sugar levels as well.

The importance of mineral balance

Left to their own devices, horses are incredibly intuitive about what their bodies need. I once witnessed an amazing gray use his powerful natural hooves to dig into a bank on the range. Inch by inch he worked until he uncovered what he was looking for -- a reddish rock that he began to lick. Although there were many other rocks around, that particular one contained the specific minerals his body craved.

Horses need a correct balance of minerals for energy production, fluid balance, normal growth, bone formation, healing, and the proper functioning of cells. Imbalances can cause a variety of disorders including skin and hoof conditions, allergies, poor stress tolerance, low immune reserves and intestinal problems. Stress, environmental toxins, unbalanced feeding programs and genetic patterns can all contribute to mineral imbalances.

A Hair Mineral Analysis, when done by a qualified practitioner, is a very effective tool for pinpointing mineral imbalances. From a sample of your horse’s mane, an HMA can reveal mineral excesses, deficiencies, key ratios, and levels of toxic substances such as aluminum, lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. These imbalances can the be corrected through proper supplementation.

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Published in the Spring 2006 issue of Equine Wellness Magazine