Horse Hormones and Trainability

Monthly live chat with Lynn Acton! This time we discuss some of the deeply held stereotypes related to horse genders, which can impact our training approaches and welfare.
#horses #horsetraining #horsemanship #equestrian
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[@vickiwise2425]

I’m so pleased you have bought up food intolerances! I want to share my beautiful mare’s story from last year. My then 9 year old Knabstrupper x Warmblood mare. We are based in the UK. Angel is a generally sensitive girl, and has a high flight mechanism. However, 18 months ago, she just seemed much more sensitive to everything, despite her basic needs being met. She has always been living out at night in a herd since her birth, so friends and freedom covered, and adhoc forage. Long story short, after full lameness work up, X-rays, gynaecological checks, scopes for ulcers, etc. Not much found apart from mild injury related Arthritis in her hind fetlock joints which were successfully rehabbed. Still she remained on high alert, with lots of signs of intestinal discomfort, mild colic and then uncharacteristic aggressive behaviour. This was so upsetting to see as she is such a sweet mare who I thank that she lets me know when something isn’t right. I was determined that it was her diet or something sugar related, so I had my equine vets perform a food intolerance blood test. In the meantime while waiting for results, at the yard we decided to start soaking her hay in case it was sugar related, whilst I sourced other lower sugar hay as the hay being fed was pure ryegrass. We saw a significant positive physical and behavioural change in her in less than two weeks. My suspicions were confirmed when her results came back, and everything we had been feeding her (which was all meant to help gut issues) had content that she was intolerant to! Highest scoring was - ryegrass…. She is also very intolerant of linseed and soya amongst other things like willow, beech trees etc, Since we have changed her diet she is a different horse, she will always be a high energy horse and sensitive, which I would never want to change, that is up to me to be reassuring and helping her and allowing her gain her own confidence, and it is part of who she is, but she is so much happier and not on any medication or supplements other than a joint one to assist her and a general pre and probiotic as support. Interestingly enough one thing she is not intolerant to is Alfalfa which most people were telling me to avoid! So important to listen to our horses and think outside the box and avoid these stereotypes!

[@lynnacton7831]

Good for you, being so patient and diligent about getting to the bottom of the problem! My Bronzz is allergic to beet pulp, which we would never have guessed without the allergy blood test. I will add that and the rye grass to my blog post on food issues. Thanks for sharing you girl's story.