In the beginning, when horses have issues, we recommend feeding GrazeEzy and Alleviate C in combination. In simple terms, Alleviate C is designed to address the “grass affected” issues we see when our horses’ mineral profile is unbalanced. When this happens, horses tend to have a high urine pH.
When the issues are truly diet-related, we see a rapid improvement. This is why we feed Alleviate C at a high level for 5 to 10 days and then can reduce it to a lower maintenance amount. The exceptions to this are normally acute lamintics and headshakers. Often, very these highly compromised horses benefit from higher levels of Alleviate C for longer – that is, until the issues subside.
My horses have been on the Calm Healthy Horses regime for a long time. In my case, the track set-up I use means that I do not see acute ‘grass affected’ issues but I do notice more subtle signs. I manage the challenge of the variation in hay and any grass they have access to from around the fence lines by regularly feeding 30-60g of GrazeEzy per day, the higher level being during the seasonal changes, spring and autumn. .
Alongside the GrazeEzy I then add 50g of Alleviate C during the seasonal change and 0-30g outside of these months. I can assess the need for Alleviate C by how the horses are moving and how focused they are when ridden.
1. During periods of
Doing this supports my horses, so they are better able to cope with the stress of traveling and the physical demands of competition and training. This also means that they can do their very best for me at the event.
2. In Spring and late Autumn when the grass is challenging I increase the level of GrazeEzy. I also include Alleviate C at a maintenance level. Since my horses do not have visible issues, I do not need to feed a loading level first.
GrazeEzy and Alleviate C work in combination with their daily salt to ensure that my horses do not become compromised.
As a result problems of footyness, abscesses, and tightness in the large muscle groups – which were the main problems my horses experienced before I adopted the Calm Healthy Horses protocols – have disappeared.