Question

I have purebred Highland Ponies and one Highland/Thoroughbred cross. All are grazed full-time on native pasture that contains flatweed. The Thoroughbred has shown signs of Australian stringhalt, so we moved him to the paddock with the least amount of flatweed until we are able to renovate his paddock. What are the best things to hand-feed to help him recover? I am giving him a magnesium/vitamin E supplement. Is there anything else I should feed?

Answer

Most horses usually recover from Australian stringhalt once ingestion of flatweed stops, although progress may be slow, taking up to 18 months before normal motion is restored. Whilst your horse is on the road to recovery, it is important to ensure all of his nutrient requirements are met.

First and foremost, providing your horse with adequate forage in the form of pasture, hay, or chaff is essential for optimal digestive function and health. He should receive at least 1-1.5% of his body weight in forage each day. When quality fibre in the form of pasture or hay is not available, or if the horse does not readily eat hay, alternative fibre sources can add fibre energy to the diet. In particular, beet pulp and soy hulls are two highly digestible super fibres that supply slow-release or “cool” energy.

Because your horse will not be in work for quite some time, feeding the recommended amount of a fully fortified feed or balancer pellet, such as KER All Phase, will meet all of his trace mineral and vitamin requirements while adding minimal calories to the diet.

Your horse will also benefit significantly from an antioxidant supplement, such as KERx Nano·E, which may improve nerve function in horses recovering from neuromuscular diseases like Australian stringhalt. Nano·E provides a natural source of vitamin E, found to have far superior bioavailability when compared to synthetic forms of vitamin E. Nano·E relies upon revolutionary nanodispersion technology to ensure rapid absorption.