After unprecedented heavy rainfalls leading to flooding within Australia, it is important to take precautions to ensure your horse does not fall ill by feeding on forages that have been contaminated by soil, bacteria and flood debris contained in the flood water.
Before returning your horse to flooded pastures you should,
- Check to make sure the perimeter fences are intact
- Remove any dangerous debris, especially along fence lines and in paddock corners
- Ensure water troughs have been cleaned thoroughly and a fresh supply of water is provided
- Water may have potentially ruined the pasture causing a "green drought" (a drought we usually see in the wintertime where there is green cover however there is no actual pasture growth). In these circumstances horses will need supplementary feeding
- Examine your pasture to ensure it is not contaminated with soil and sewerage from the floodwater
- Provide adequate forage to ensure your horse does not resort to eating poisonous plants
Is it safe to feed hay that's been wet?
Importantly, the feeding of any hay or haylage impacted by flood water can be risky and dangerous to horses to consume. Do not feed dry hay that has been soaked by flood water as there are several anti-nutritional compounds, including moulds that can develop in supplementary feeds that have be exposed to flood water.
The importance of fibre within your horse’s diet
The provision of a consistent and safe fibre source is particularly important where the supply of fibre in the diet is reduced by availability – or loss due to a flood event. The horse has a daily requirement of fibre in its diet of at least 1.5% of bodyweight in dry matter fibre.
The Fiber Fresh range of products offer a source of quality fibre nutrition which will contribute to the daily fibre requirement when fibre sources (hay or pasture), are in limited supply. Fiber Protect, Fiber Ezy and Fiber Mix contain digestible nutrients which will improve feed efficiency and digestion, improve gastrointestinal health, and contribute favourably to body condition, topline, coat condition and general health after such unprecedented rainfall events.
We provide free personalised nutrition advice. If you have any questions about your horse's diet or how to meet your horse's fibre requirements, simply contact our team of experienced Equine Nutrition Advisors: [email protected]
