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By Monique Warren
The vicious cycle of meal fed, hungry hoovers can be remedied. In this post, we’ll focus on some of the physical (including obesity) and mental effects of stress and cortisol levels you may not be aware of. We'll also discuss alternative approaches to feeding that can lead to happier, healthier horses and less stress at feeding time.
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By Monique Warren
If you are feeding alfalfa and grass hay - feed them separately! Alfalfa is very palatable and highly digestible (more concentrated source of calories per pound). For most horses if grass hay has ANY alfalfa they will be more inclined to eat faster.
By Monique Warren
Provide your equine with forage prior to and during prolonged exercise. While trail riding, offer the opportunity to graze along the way. Why? Fiber creates a mat of sorts which prevents acid splashing in the stomach. The equine stomach produces acid 24 hours a day (16 gallons!) in preparation for constant uptake and can empty in as little as 15-20 minutes. Chewing activates saliva production (an alkaline substance rich in bicarbonate), which buffers gastric acid. An empty stomach allows unbuffered gastric acid to slosh and bathe its lining causing discomfort and may induce ulcers. (Learn more about how forage helps buffer gastric acid and prevent ulcers.)
By Monique Warren
February 10, 2012 was the day a very sad realization occurred to me. One of the large contributing factors to our economic decline is that jobs are outsourced to other countries; white and blue collar.
Having completed the prototype process for my new product, I was excited to find wholesale suppliers to start production.
By Monique Warren
Some horses paw or are aggressive at feeding time. This is more than likely due to frustration and/or pain. They are anxious to self-medicate; their stomach does not feel well due to the build-up of acid and/or painful gastric ulcers. Once they start chewing and eating they experience relief. Read on to find out why. 
By Monique Warren
If your horse attacks their hay or herd mates for food, this is not "normal". They may be Insulin Resistant - a voracious appetite is one of the many signs of IR. Or they are stressed due to waiting for and receiving meals - instead of always having forage available.
If your current "slow feeder" is not slow enough, it will take time and experimentation to supply your equine with a limited amount of hay AND have it available 24/7. 
Hierarchy will always exist in a herd, the majority of aggressive behavior is associated with food aggression. If free choice forage is available, the intensity of dominant combative behavior typically subsides.
By Monique Warren
The purpose of this article is to inform equine guardians of the potential for unhealthy levels of nitrates in hay to increase awareness that will lead to change. You can’t see smell or taste nitrates. They can lurk in the prettiest, greenest best smelling bale of hay. The only way to know the levels you are feeding is to test your forage. It is optimum to test prior to purchase.
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Monique WarrenMonique Warren invented the Hay Pillow® slow feeder and is the owner of Hay Pillow Inc. |
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