April 2023 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN April 2023 Page 9 Animal wellness is a top- ic with a multitude of studies, research, opinions, and practices that can keep a caretaker active just attempting to find something that can be applied to get the end result they are in search of, usually at the expense of the animals in their care taking. In essence, we with good intensions, find ourselves using the animals we love as barnyard “lab” experiments rather than catering to the basic needs required for the animals well being. This writing is an attempt to take us back to the basics of meeting the foundational needs of equine with applicable info to restore or to maintain the best welfare possible. The basic needs of a horse start with knowing the operation of its digestive tract and how the body assimilates nutrients. With a relatively simple digestive tract, a horse needs a relatively simple diet of clean water, grasses and minimal grains properly prepared, along with a supplemental source of the full spectrum of minerals in a form the body can easily assimilate. The importance of a complete mineral foundation cannot be emphasized enough when building the constitu- tion of a horse. The best source of minerals is found in nutrient dense hays and grains that are harvested from well-balanced, mineral rich farmland where measurement of Brix levels are included in the relative feed value (RFV). Most effective supplemental mineral sources are found in “salt” forms as they are “pre-digested” for higher cellular assimilation. Observations indicate that horses with adequate- ly balanced mineral substance are more resistant to parasites, have more stamina, and maintain full body systems wellness longer than those without. Consider introducing Hy-Brix Equine Daily and Mineral Bal- ancer from Natural Way Minerals (NWM) as your horse’s preferred choice of mineral supplement. Foundational Equine Wellness the Natural Way Once considered a “stable secret” by many top trainers, Hawthorne’s award-winning prod- ucts are available to anyone who cares for their horses. Hawthorne products are made from the purest, natural ingredients. Whether you race, compete or just enjoy riding and owning horses, Hawthorne products can help keep your horse feeling his best. Through solid sci- ence and strenuous research, they have helped horse people avoid the disappointment and frustration of showing up at the barn and finding a lame, sick or ailing horse. Their goal is to not only provide optimum care for all horses, but to prevent many common ailments entirely. To accomplish this, Hawthorne provides a wide range of products – including pain relief, wound care, breathing aids and much more. Hawthorne Products and Education for Optimal Health (Continued on page 11)