Vices can affect a horse’s health, value and present management limitations. This is due to a variety of causes including nervousness, excessive energy provision, nutritional deficiencies or boredom and once established vices may be difficult to eliminate. Some vices may lead to physiological problems while others may be dangerous to the horse and handler, destructive to property or just undesirable. Many vices are caused by improper nutrition and subsequently lead to loss of condition and poor performance. These metabolic vices require addressing as soon as possible and in many cases this can be achieved by providing additional roughage and access to vitamins, minerals and basic salts. Feeding the horse more frequent, smaller meals will reduce boredom, improve digestive function and requires the horse to spend more time obtaining food which leaves less time for displaying vices. Balancing the ration ensures the correct energy intake while exercise and turn out time in paddocks or pastures will help many horses avoid developing vices.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 13:44:35 +0000