Help! My horse’s leg aids aren’t working!

In practice, many horses respond poorly to the leg. Horses that experience an unpleasant feeling in the gastrointestinal region often respond poorly to leg aids. They have a bloated feeling, are irritable when girthed and find the pressure of the leg annoying.

Gastrointestinal complaints

Do you recognise these complaints and want to do something about them? Take a closer look at stable management. Gastrointestinal complaints occur in every breed, at all ages, disciplines and levels.

The complaints often arise in horses that are fed a grain-rich or low-fibre ration, are exposed to stress, or are affected by illness. Especially sport horses, older horses and (chronically) ill horses are at risk of damage to the stomach wall and stomach ulcers.

In trotting and racing, 60-90% of horses suffer from stomach problems such as stomach ulcers. Horses in dressage, show jumping and leisure riding are not spared either. Intestinal problems such as an imbalance in the intestinal flora, damage to the intestinal wall or reduced development of healthy intestinal villi also occur regularly.

What can you do to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal problems?

• Provide sufficient roughage (at least 1-1.5 kg per 100 kg body weight) spread over at least 3-4 feedings
• Do not offer concentrates in the 2 hours before training or competition. Providing roughage before exercise is actually good
• Limit grain and starch in the concentrate ration and give a maximum of 2 kg per feeding
• Avoid stressful situations as much as possible and always ensure contact with other horses

Hartog Digest

Of course, every horse owner tries to provide optimal care for their horse. Yet, in practice we know it is sometimes difficult to divide the roughage into 4 feedings or to feed extra roughage in a boarding stable. Also, not all horse owners can influence the quality and quantity of roughage provided. That is why Hartog has developed Hartog Digest, a roughage mix that supports the horse’s stomach and gut. Hartog Digest contains functional ingredients such as postbiotics, magnesium, lucerne and linseed oil. Magnesium and lucerne help buffer stomach acid.

Why is Hartog Digest different from other products for the stomach and gut?

Hartog Digest starts with the basics, namely good roughage. The roughage mix can be used very broadly (preventively and in case of illness) and can be combined with all types of concentrates (preferably low-sugar and starch concentrates) to help adjust to leg aids!