by Ross the Boss

25 May 2022 | [email protected] | 845.990.2059

My horse isn’t eating, my horse needs low sugar hay, my horse is tying up and my horse is just not performing well. These are just many questions that are faced daily by veterinarians, nutritionists as well as hay salesman. How do we address it? How do you explain to your customer or your client that it might be other issues or to make a change? 

For years people have blamed many issues with their animals on a variety of reasons. Oh, my horse doesn’t like the hay. Did he eat the same hay before and recently doesn’t like it? Are there underlying issues (Ulcers, Virus, New animal in the barn, Sickness, or even a new work schedule)? Animals cannot talk, people that own animals overthink, trust me I know I am one of them. So, what can we do, how can we fix? There are a multitude of ways. There are a multitude of solutions. But what’s the best for our animal. 

Biggest issue we all face is we make everything complicated when easy simple solution is usually the case. Google is our friend has been instilled in my head. But is it truly? I mean is there ever a case where to much knowledge hurts us. That’s a debate that can go on forever. But in my opinion, we hurt ourselves allot in the google process with equine. Your vet tells you some long SAT word that “might” be wrong with your horse. So you google and you panic. Fear is something that incites a large amount of craziness. Please no need. 

Before you call your hay guy or feed guy you need to do a checklist. 

What did I change? 

Does my horse have a temp? 

Run a full bloodwork. 

Did anything in the barn change? 

These are simple things that can get you some quick answers. Then have a casual and non-combative conversation with your hay or feed guy. Explain to them what’s going on and what you found out. They are knowledgeable. They might have had same issues on their own animals. They care. Not just about just making the sale but also about helping you and your animal to be happy and healthy. They want repeat business not a one and done and upset customer. 

Ulcers are a huge issue in all equines. And proper diet and management help as much as medication. Improper hay will cause such issue or most of all not enough of it. Horses that stand allot in the stall without something to nibble on with chew their stomach lining apart. These are grazing animals. There’s allot of intestine involved we need to help you keep this process going with quality. Cheap is not always better and your local guys $4 hay might look good but might be detrimental. 

This is just some of my thoughts. I have 30 years’ experience with racehorses and pleasure horses. Hit me up with your thoughts, your questions. I am here to help not just sell.

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Ross is a Sales Broker for Aden Brook with years of experience in the horse industry.