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The Hay Pillow Blog

Enhancing Equine Health

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January 2021 Hay Pillow & Emergency ID Tag Giveaway

1/4/2021

177 Comments

 
​We're Giving Away a Hay Pillow® & Equine Emergency ID Tag -
to 3 Lucky Winners!
​

​Contest ends January 31, 2021

January Hay Pillow and Equine Emergency ID Tag Giveaway

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177 Comments

Barn Hacks & Horse Keeping Tips - Save Time & Money

12/15/2020

3 Comments

 
By Monique Warren

​As equestrians we face a myriad of obstacles and tasks that ultimately reduce the time we spend with our beloved companions and dwindle our bank accounts. Following are some barn hacks and horse keeping tips that can save you serious time and money!    
Barn Hacks and Horse Keeping Tips

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How & Where to Test Your Horse's Hay & Interpret Results

12/10/2020

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By Monique Warren

Hay is the foundation of the majority of horse, donkey and mule diets - yet it rarely includes a nutritional analysis. Most of us would never consider purchasing any type of bagged feed or supplement without a label/nutritional analysis. Testing your hay is the only way to know the nutritional values - allowing you to compensate for deficiencies, imbalances (ratios) and possible excessive components.
​
A balanced core diet is necessary to achieve optimum health for your horse or herd. Read on to learn how to test your hay, where to send the sample and how to calculate NSCs using the results. Related links are provided to guide you through the process.
How to test your hay and where to send the samples

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Why Horses Need Salt & Why Salt Blocks Are Not Enough

8/10/2020

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By Monique Warren

Salt is the most crucial mineral required by horses and often overlooked in the equine diet.  Despite providing a salt block, the vast majority of equine diets do not provide sufficient sodium.

Salt supplementation is required for optimum health - regardless of the season. It is imperative to: 1) Ensure the minimum requirements are consumed daily in feed; 2) Provide an ample supply of fresh water; and 3) Offer an additional free choice supply of either loose salt or a white salt block. Read on to learn why, when and how much.

sweaty horse drinking water from bucket

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Sugar Content of Pasture & Hay: Q & A with Katy Watts, Founder of Safergrass.org

6/8/2020

3 Comments

 
By Monique Warren

Katy Watts is a leading worldwide authority on sugar levels in grass and hay and the conditions that influence them. She has a BS in crop and soil science from Michigan State University. Katy worked as an independent contract researcher performing pesticide efficacy and residue studies and consulting for farmers growing potatoes and grain. When her horses experienced laminitis, she switched her focus to sugar content of grass and hay. Over the next decade, she wrote articles in veterinary journals, conducted cooperative field studies with academics, spoke at numerous veterinary and nutrition conferences, wrote various book chapters and lectured worldwide. Katy is the founder of safergrass.org. 

Read on to learn more about Katy's findings from her field studies in her plight as a plant scientist to better understand the factors that contribute to NSC (NonStructual Carbohydrate) levels in plants. 

Katy Watts, leading authority on the NSC content in grass and hay.tent
Katy Watts, founder of Safergrass.org

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Slow Feed Solutions for Farm Animals - Goats, Sheep, Alpacas & More

4/8/2020

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By Monique Warren

Although Hay Pillow slow feed bags were initially designed for horses, mules and donkeys, we quickly learned just how popular they became for other farm and zoo animals. Free choice forage is beneficial for all herbivores including ruminants such as goats and sheep; camelids including llamas, alpacas and camels; and monogastrics such as horses, donkeys, mules and zebras.
​
Read on to learn how you and your farm (or zoo) animals can benefit from slow fed free choice forage.
Sheep, goats, alpaca, zebra, pig and camel eating from slow feed hay bags.

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Horse Tail Wraps, Braids & Bags – Potential Risks

4/6/2020

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By Monique Warren

I think we can all agree that long thick horse tails are a sight to behold! In an effort to achieve them we commonly braid, wrap and/or use tail bags. Despite the best of intentions, these efforts can cause harm - including hair loss, permanent nerve or muscle damage or, worst of all, amputation.
​
Read on to learn why your horse's tail is more than an ornament and how keeping it healthy and natural provides benefits and prevents injury.
Horse tails - potential dangers using wraps, braids and bags

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Equine Gut Health - The Need for Feed

3/13/2020

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By Monique Warren

Meeting your horse's needs for optimal gut health is not the same as meeting his caloric requirements.  If your horse is not underweight and basically healthy, suffice it to say his caloric (not necessarily nutrient) requirements are being met. Considering horses are grazing herbivores and their digestive tract is designed for almost continual trickle feeding (16-20 hours a day) of fibrous feeds - the question isn't are you feeding enough calories - but are you feeding in a way that promotes optimal gut health?
​​
Read on to learn why gut health is so important, how common feeding practices affect it, and how to improve it by feeding more in line with your horse's digestive tract design.
Horse in stall eating a meal

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Grass Hay vs Pellets, Cubes & Chopped Hay – Pros & Cons

1/10/2020

2 Comments

 
By Monique Warren

Considering horses are grazing herbivores and their digestive tract is designed for almost continual trickle feeding (16-18 hours a day) of fibrous feeds, what best suits the equine physically and mentally as a primary source of forage?

​Read on to learn the pros and cons of the various forms of grass hay.

Grass Hay, Pellets, Cubes & Chopped Forage for Horses.

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Why You Shouldn't Transport Horses On An Empty Stomach

10/11/2019

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By Monique Warren

To date, it has become common knowledge to never exercise your horse on an empty stomach. Yet, to the best of my knowledge, little has been published about transporting on an empty stomach.

Considering a horse's natural instincts, transport is inherently stressful.  Add to that lack of forage - or lack of access to forage if your hay ends up on the floor - and you've combined two common causes of gastric ulcers. Very alarming - considering ulcers can occur in as little as 24 hours.

Thankfully, you can be proactive by providing forage (hay, pasture or soaked hay pellets) 1) prior to departing, 2) during transport and 3) once you arrive at your destination. Read on to learn why forage (not grain or sweet feed) is crucial for all three scenarios.
​
Important Exception - if you’ve been instructed to withhold feed due to a medical condition, by all means do so!

Horse trailer hauling horses, don't transport horses on an empty stomach

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Equine Gastric Acid - 12 Facts You May Not Know

8/26/2019

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By Monique Warren

Gastric acid is produced continuously by horses, donkeys and mules, whether there is food in the stomach or not.  Following are 12 facts about gastric acid - short and to the point. These have been compiled and condensed to provide a better understanding of the physiology, volume, benefits and conditions that occur from the production of gastric acid. 
The average horse produces 16 gallons of gastric acid daily.

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A Safer Always Have Hay Source – Mature Grass Hay

8/14/2019

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By Monique Warren

The #1 concern and source of stress for customers I have had the pleasure of speaking with is they worry about their horse “standing around with nothing to eat” or their horses are eating dirt, manure or shavings. This article focuses on the plight to choose the safest, always have hay source to slow feed if you can't test your hay. If you do test, the palatability factors described can still be used to your advantage!

Picture

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Why Do Horses Paw?

7/11/2019

1 Comment

 
By Monique Warren

​Pawing is an indication something is not okay in the horse’s world. It's body language expressing either 1) mental stress or 2) physical discomfort ranging from anticipation of a treat to painful ulcers. Pain, boredom, frustration, impatience, anxiety, hunger, excess energy and isolation can all be causes of pawing. If the source of mental stress and/or physical pain is not identified and remedied, pawing can eventually become a stereotypy/habit - presenting a whole new set of challenges for both horse and guardian.      
 
​​Horses rarely do anything that doesn’t have a purpose. They don’t have the mental capacity to ponder and carry out acts intended to be annoying.

Read on to learn more about why horses paw, possible solutions, and how the source of pawing can be misconstrued.

Picture

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Considerations If Giving Vaccines, Sedatives or Dewormers Concurrently

4/23/2019

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By Monique Warren

I’m an err on the side of caution horse guardian; therefore I avoid administering vaccines, sedatives or dewormers at the same time and document information ranging from an individual’s “normal” vital signs to what type and how much of a sedative/tranquilizer produces successful results with no adverse reactions (i.e. sweating or looking like they might fall over!). My records help me determine optimal baselines and doses for each horse, which makes routine care easier on my horses – and me.

​Read on to learn about critical information to keep on hand and what to consider if a combination of tasks/treatments are scheduled in the same visit from your vet - or administered by yourself. 
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Picture

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Sand Colic - The Surprising (Simple) Cure & Prevention

2/26/2019

1 Comment

 
By Monique Warren

Sand colic is digestive upset resulting from the accumulation of ingested sand and dirt. It occurs when particles sink to the bottom of the intestines where abrasion irritates the intestinal lining and causes discomfort. Sand Colic is estimated to be responsible for approximately 30% of colic cases.
​
Read on to learn the most effective means for removal and the best way to prevent the accumulation of sand.
Horse rolling because of sand colic

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Keeping Horses Warm Naturally – Internally and Externally

1/2/2019

1 Comment

 
By Monique Warren

Winter can be challenging for equines and their guardians. Keeping warm is often a valid concern - yet there are differences in how horses and people cope with lower temperatures.
​
Read on to learn common misconceptions about the cold and how to stoke internal body heat while providing a healthier, natural lifestyle for your herd.
Four horses in the snow standing at the fence.

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Causes of Equine Ulcers – 7 Stress Factors & Solutions

10/31/2018

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By Monique Warren

The most common causes of gastric (stomach) ulcers are lack of forage and stress. Gastric ulcers can develop in as little as 24 hours - and recur in 24 hours respectively. Given the short period of time for recurrence, administering medication (Omeprazole, Ranitidine or Cimetidine) without addressing the cause(s) can be counterproductive. If your horse does not have ulcers, this article may bring to light stress factors you may not be aware of. 

What inspired me to write this article? Speaking to countless customers whose beloved companions have ulcers - yet who were unaware of how the horse’s current lifestyle and/or feeding schedules were adding to the stress factors that may have caused the ulcers.

Read on to learn about important lifestyle and feeding practices that can minimize the chance of occurrence and/or recurrence of ulcers. Causes are truly multi dimensional - encompassing both mental and physical factors.
Relaxed horses eating hay

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9 Benefits of Slow Feeding Horses - Get Slow Feed Savvy

8/30/2018

11 Comments

 
By Monique Warren
Last Updated December 30, 2019. Originally published June 15, 2016.


Slow feeding requires the horse to eat smaller amounts over a longer period of time. This concept simulates natural free-choice foraging - and provides a host of benefits you might not be aware of.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are meals consumed by humans but are not natural for a horse. Equines are grazing herbivores with a digestive system designed for - and benefiting from - constant uptake.

If your equine does not have forage available 24/7 - and is fed traditional "meals" -  consider implementing a slow-feeding program to keep them nibbling longer. Read on to learn about slow feeder options and the nine ways your horse can benefit from a slow-feed program.


5 miniature horses eating from 4 ground slow feed hay bags

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Horse Boredom Busters - Toys & Enrichment Tips for Stall or Pasture

8/9/2018

3 Comments

 
Horse Boredom Busters - 11 Tips & Toys
By Monique Warren
Let’s face it, in a 24-hour period most of our beloved equines get only one to four hours of mental and/or physical engagement with a human. What they do for the remaining 20-23 hours a day is up to them to figure out (if not provided with opportunities to engage their natural instincts) – and so the boredom and vices set in.
 
Luckily, we've rounded up 11 tips and toys to help beat the boredom blues and provide natural enrichment for horses during their down time - whether they are on stall rest or in a pasture, pen, or paddock.

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Can Equine Fecal Egg Counts Reveal Accurate Parasite Burdens?

7/11/2018

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By Monique Warren

Fecal egg counts derived from fecal flotation tests - are a common method for determining parasite levels in horses, which can then influence how often a particular horse is wormed and what class of wormer to administer. As helpful as this information is - it unfortunately doesn't tell us the whole story. Fecal tests will not identify Pin Worms, Bots or Neck Threadworms. These parasites either do not reside in and/or lay eggs in the digestive tract making it impossible to detect their presence from a fecal sample.

Adult Tapeworms and Ascarids, despite residing in the digestive tract,  can go undetected if adult worms present are not actively shedding eggs at that point in their reproductive cycle. In addition, a fecal egg count cannot reveal evidence of an existing population of Encysted Small Strongyles or Ascarid and Large Strongyle migrating larvae or immature adults within the horse.

Read on to learn about some common equine parasites not revealed by fecal tests, including where they reside and/or reproduce, their life cycle, and why a fecal flotation test is not a be-all end-all detector of potential parasite burdens.
​
Equine fecal testing for parasites
photo courtesy of thenaturallyhealthyhorse.com

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Fly Spray: 3 Ingredients You Need to Know About

5/18/2018

4 Comments

 
By Monique Warren

Fly spray is intended to “protect” your horse from flies, but does it pose health risks? Depending on the ingredients, it can be harmful to you and your horse with potential long term adverse side effects. Unsafe ingredients have the potential to enter the bloodstream via skin absorption and/or inhalation. Natural ingredients are not necessarily safe either!
​
Read on to learn more about how fly spray enters the bloodstream, three common ingredients that may not be safe and some suggested - and safer - options.

Fly spray for horses can pose health threats to your horse and you

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Preventing Equine Gastric Ulcers - How Forage Buffers Acid

4/16/2018

0 Comments

 
By Monique Warren

Gastric ulcers are erosions of the stomach lining caused by gastric acid. It is estimated that 50 to 90 percent of domestic horses have ulcers. They can develop in as little as 24 hours and recur in 24 hours respectively. The pain is stressful, which can further exacerbate ulcers. The most common causes of gastric ulcers are lack of forage and stress. Thankfully, as owners, we have some control over both causes.

Read on to learn how and why gastric acid causes ulcers - and what you can do to help prevent ulcers from occurring.
The Equine Stomach - Upper & Lower Regions

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Feeding Free Choice - How I Chose the Best Slow Feeder

4/3/2018

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By Monique Warren

My quest to offer slow fed free choice forage resulted in a 4 year experimental journey of creating a slow feeder that met my needs. During that time I bought, designed, built and prototyped a variety of slow feeders and slow feed hay bags for my own use. Once the Hay Pillow® design was complete, it was too good not to share with others!

Following are the pros and cons I discovered while experimenting with my own version of each slow feeder type: hard-sided, webbing mesh, and netting.
horse slow feeder options - hard-sided, webbing, netting

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Are You a Prisoner of Feeding? Here's How I Broke Free

2/26/2018

8 Comments

 
By Monique Warren

Are your activities scheduled around - and limited by - your feeding schedule? Are you feeding multiple times throughout the day and night? If so, consider yourself a prisoner of feeding (POF)! 

Is there a way to free yourself? Absolutely! You will be happier and your herd will love you for it. More relaxed herd = more relaxed guardians and vice versa. 

For most of us, we become a POF because we don't want our beloved equines to be overweight or without forage for an extended period of time. And so the multiple feedings begin! I too was a POF: getting up early to feed in the morning, making sure I was home to feed lunch, and feeding late in the evening hours (horses only sleep 3-4 hours throughout a 24 hour period). 
​
Stress associated with feeding horses numerous times a day

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Feeding Miniature Horses & Donkeys: Why Slow Fed Forage is Best

1/25/2018

3 Comments

 
By Monique Warren

Miniature horses and donkeys - also known as minis - are some of the cutest creatures you will ever see.  But don't let that special stature fool you - whether your mini is for showing,  therapy, or a pasture ornament and best friend - they are essentially a scaled-down version of their full-sized counterparts.

And when it comes to nutritional needs and feeding protocols - that means a slow fed, forage-based diet is key.  Read on to learn more about why a slow feed strategy is best for your mini and to find answers to common miniature horse diet questions.
Mini Horses Eating from slow feed hay pillows with a horse
Photo Courtesy of customer Tammy O.

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    Hay Pillow Slow Feeder Inventor, Monique Warren.

    Monique Warren

    Monique Warren invented the Hay Pillow® slow feeder and is the owner of Hay Pillow Inc.
    ​
    Warren has been an equine guardian for over forty years and slow-feed advocate for over 10 years. She contributes articles on equine nutrition and digestive  health to publications such as The Naturally Healthy Horse,  Natural Horse Magazine, Nicker News, Horse Back Magazine, The Horse's Hoof, and  Miniature Horse World Magazine. Equine nutrition and horses feet are her passions. She resides in Southern California.

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