Excitability

What is it?

Some horses are more excitable than others. Regardless of the sport in which they participate, certain horses seem to be more susceptible to busy surroundings, sometimes making them difficult to handle. What instigates excitable behavior in one horse might not induce it in another. For some, the sight of unfamiliar horses causes excitability, yet for others, unusual sounds may cause ruckus behavior. Even if horses remain easy to control in distracting situations, their focus is invariably not on the handler or rider.

How can KERx help?

Scientific and anecdotal evidence supports the use of low-starch feeds for horses with excitability problems. As starch levels decrease, horses oftentimes become more manageable. Therefore, the use of low-starch, high-fat feeds might be appropriate for these horses.

Because horses that show excitability are likely to have a wide range of digestible energy needs, KERx provides RE•LEVE in two different formulas to ensure that appropriate amounts of vital nutrients are provided.

RE•LEVE Original maintains its energy density by relying on fat and fermentable fibers rather than starch sources for the majority of its calories. Alternative energy sources such as high-fat stabilized rice bran along with super fibers beet pulp and soybean hulls provide highly digestible and readily available energy.

RE•LEVE Concentrate is designed with greater nutrient density to ensure that horses with low to moderate energy needs receive optimal amounts of nutrients.

Excitability has also been linked with deficiencies in certain nutrients. Thiamine deficiency has been shown to cause hyperirritability, nervousness, and reduced appetite in horses. In hard-working horses or those on high-grain diets, production of thiamine by intestinal bacteria may be reduced because of stress and hindgut acidosis. To help counteract nervousness caused by thiamine deficiency, thiamine should be supplemented.

B∙Quiet provides nutritional support to excitable and high-strung horses. This paste supplement contains thiamine, a nutrient essential for proper carbohydrate metabolism and nerve transmission.