Feed A Species Appropriate Diet
Have you ever thought about feeding your horse a raw food diet? No, I don’t mean raw meat. I’m referring to a natural, whole-food diet that is suitable for their species, made up of the foods they are naturally designed to digest. Think of it as the horse equivalent of raw dog food. Now ask yourself this question. Why aren’t we feeding our horses a diet that is as close to species-appropriate as we can.
First, I want to delve into the changes that have taken place in the dog and cat food industry and the reasons behind them. Over the past decade, there has been a significant shift toward providing our dogs and cats with a more natural, species-appropriate diet. Why has this occurred? Pet owners began to question the ingredients in their pets' food. They wondered why their pets were frequently ill, why so many dogs suffered from allergies, and why dogs over the age of three faced an 80-90% chance of developing periodontal disease(1). Additionally, the rise of cancer as the leading cause of death among our beloved animals raised further concerns(2). These inquiries prompted consumers to advocate for change within the industry. Pets are now considered family members, and owners want to provide them with the highest quality food. This growing demand for more natural pet food has fueled the expansion of the raw pet food industry.
Initially, professionals and large manufacturers completely dismissed this “new” approach to feeding pets, labeling it as dangerous and unnecessary. However, they quickly recognized that they were losing revenue as more people began to understand that raw food companies were onto something significant. People were starting to ask specific questions about the products brands were producing. Why do we feed our dogs an oven-baked, high-carbohydrate, filler-rich diet filled with synthetic vitamins and minerals? How much chemical residue is on their food? How does that affect them? Why do we feed them the same food day in and day out? Personally, I would get sick of eating the same dry, heavily processed cereal every day. But how did we get here?
Kibble was invented during World War II due to a metal shortage, which made it impossible for companies to produce wet canned food. In 1941, kibble was created to provide a convenient, shelf-stable food option for our pets but more so for the convenience of us humans. Companies utilized by-products from cereal manufacturers as fillers to increase production volume. Resulting in cheap, dry food that offered a significant profit margin. Keep this in mind for later when we discuss horses in this blog. If you're interested in learning more about the history and development of the pet food industry, check out link 3 below. You can also watch the documentary "Pet Fooled" on Netflix or YouTube.
The natural dog food industry has experienced significant growth over the past decade. Today there are numerous raw food companies, as well as others striving to create more species-appropriate kibbles for our pets. Most of these kibbles are primarily made from animal protein sources rather than carbohydrates or grains. These companies are also taking greater care in sourcing their ingredients by developing traceable formulas and ensuring that no synthetics, preservatives, or chemicals are used on the individual components.
The result? Pets on these diets are far healthier than the ones on the ultra-processed kibbles. Dogs that once suffered from skin allergies no longer require costly allergy shots or daily medications. They are able to maintain healthier teeth and coat conditions. One of the most exciting changes is that veterinary professionals are stepping forward and acknowledging that what they had once preached is not the best advice. Including Dr. Travis Einertson DVM, who was able to achieve nearly a 70+% remission rate in diabetic cats using a low-carb species-appropriate diet (4).
Additionally, the New York Times best-selling book "The Forever Dog," authored by DVM Dr. Karen Becker and animal activist, as well as a two time New York Times best selling author, Rodney Habib, highlights the significance of preventing health problems rather than merely treating them. The book encourages dog owners to provide minimally processed foods to help extend their pets' lives. This is thoughtfully laid out with nearly one scientific study cited per page. They document some of the oldest recorded dogs living well into their 20s and even 30s contributing their longevity to a healthier lifestyle. These dogs were active, experienced less daily stress, were not exposed to environmental chemicals, and ate a species-appropriate diet.
As Rodney Habib says, “When pet owners know better, they will only do better.”
Now, with all of these studies and new findings coming out about our dogs and cats, why wouldn’t we look to do the same for our horses? I was chatting with a client recently who was concerned about switching her horse from a conventional commercial diet to our Seasons Biome Blend. I suggested that she view our feed differently, like the first raw food for horses. You could almost hear the light bulb go off. She said “I foster dogs and when they come to me on a kibble diet I immediately switch them to a raw diet. Why is making that switch for my dogs easy but making this switch for my horse seems so difficult.” That statement really made me stop and think. Why is that such a difficult concept for horse owners? It’s likely due to the fact that, like with dogs and cats, commercial grain and feed are all we have ever been taught to feed our animals. We rely on “science-backed formulas” to provide products that are safe to feed our animals. Convenience has often driven the choices in the horse feed and supplement industry, just like the dog and cat food industry, sometimes at the expense of the animals.
The principles of nutrition and the importance of a natural diet are no less critical for horses than they are for our pets. Horses are natural grazers that thrive on a diet that closely resembles what they would consume in the wild. This includes a variety of grasses, herbs, and plants that provide essential nutrients that are vital for their health and well-being. Understanding the natural dietary needs of horses is crucial, especially during seasonal transitions because they live outside. This involves not only recognizing what to feed them but also what is impacting their body systems during those transitions. The gradual introduction of spring grasses, for instance, is necessary to prevent digestive issues and ensure that horses adapt smoothly to the changing nutrients. Dr. Juliet Getty said in her blog ‘Respect the Power of the Horse’ (5).
“When we see images of wild horses running free, we all experience the hush, the chill, and the awe of their power and majesty. That is Nature at her best – allowing these incredible animals to live as they are intended. Why is it that we don’t see our own domesticated horses in the same way? Why is it that we think we can confine them to a small area for hours at a time, give them a few “square meals” each day, and expect them to be right, physically and mentally? Are they not the same horse species that long ago lived a different life?”
The general principles of true healthy nutrition are not as different for our horses as they are for our dogs, cats, or even ourselves. The importance of a more natural species-appropriate diet is critical for maintaining the health and longevity of life for ourselves and our pets.
Sources:
2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9891508/#:~:text=Cancer%20is%20by%20far%20the,breed%20%5B2%E2%80%934%5D.
3) https://stevesrealfood.com/2018/10/31/the-surprising-history-of-commercial-pet-food/
4) Proper PET Diet [Dangerous Pet Food] Travis Einertson, DVM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxP7lVD8DdA
~ From the desk of Olivia Sobczak, Exec Asst & Bach Animal Science Equine
