Gastric ulcer and metabolism
The optimal feeding interval is 3–4 hours.
Anne Sjöholm, a specialist in equine diseases, acquired Heinätin® hay dispensers for her own horses because she has seen so many horses suffering from ulcers and barns where evening hay is distributed at around 5 p.m. and the next portion is not given until 7 a.m. the following morning.
“With the optimal feeding interval for horses being 3–4 hours, a fourteen-hour gap is detrimental to a horse’s digestion. Without continuous protection from saliva and food, stomach acids can damage the stomach lining, eventually causing ulcers and bleeding,” says Anne.
Sufficiently short feeding intervals—also during the night
Up to nine out of ten competitive horses have some degree of stomach ulcers, and their symptoms are not always visible. Regular forage feeding can ensure the well-being of a horse’s stomach and improve the performance of riding or harness horses.
Even minor discomfort, acid reflux, or an uneasy feeling can hinder a competitive horse’s performance. For example, a horse suffering from stomach issues may not be able to carry itself properly, and a harness horse’s performance can suffer if stomach pain affects its breathing and muscles.
“With Heinätin hay dispensers, it is easy to schedule feeding times to be sufficiently frequent, even during the night,” says Anne. “Frequent feeding intervals are the most effective way to prevent and treat stomach issues in horses and ensure overall well-being,” she adds.
Eating their way to fitness
“Loose hay or excessively large hay portions are not suitable for a good forage user; horses that easily gain weight should be provided with small amounts of hay several times a day. “Repeatedly large portions lead to weight gain and fat accumulation,” says equine disease specialist Anne Sjöholm.
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a condition where the sugars in food cause a constant rise in insulin levels, eventually leading to insulin resistance. “This often results in serious health problems, such as laminitis,” warns Anne Sjöholm.
The Heinätin® hay dispenser is an easy way to establish a natural and health-promoting feeding rhythm for horses. It eliminates the need to give large amounts of hay at once in the evening; instead, hay can be provided in small amounts throughout the night. This allows for a reduction in the total amount of hay given at night without increasing the risk of ulcers due to reduced hay portions.
“In my own barn, I have a PPID horse, a Shetland pony, and a Finnish horse with good forage utilization, all of which cannot be fed loose hay or large portions of hay. If given all at once, the night hay would be consumed quickly. Thanks to the Heinätin devices, they receive several small portions of hay during the night, so they are not waiting hungry and irritable in the morning,” concludes Anne.
Anne Sjöholm, equine disease specialist
Ypäjä