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Mid-Rivers Equine Centre

3 days ago

What is a “hard keeper”?

A hard keeper is a horse that struggles to maintain (or gain) body condition on rations that keep most horses steady. It’s a real, recognized management category, not just “skinny.” Common biological drivers include higher caloric needs (fast metabolism, stress, cold weather), lower caloric yield from the diet (poor-quality forage, limited intake), or reduced digestive efficiency (age-related changes, past GI issues). The net effect: energy demand > energy supplied/absorbed.

Feeding a hard keeper in winter

Goal: Enter and stay at a BCS ~5–6 through cold months.

Forage first, and more of it. Offer high-quality hay ad-lib (at least 1.5–2.5% bodyweight/day). Favor higher-calorie forage: alfalfa or alfalfa/grass mixes. Use slow-feed nets to extend eating time.
Boost calorie density with fiber & fat (not starch).
Add beet pulp or hay pellets/cubes for safe calories. Layer in fat sources (stabilized rice bran, flax/veg oil) introduced slowly; split added fat across meals.
Use a ration balancer. Winter hay can be short on certain vitamins/minerals (e.g., A & E). A balancer or appropriate fortified feed helps close gaps so calories “count.”
Multiple small meals. If concentrates are needed, feed smaller, more frequent servings to support digestion and steadier intake.
Water & salt matter. Keep water unfrozen and palatable; provide free-choice plain salt to support drinking and feed intake.
Measure and monitor. Weigh hay, track actual intake, and recheck body condition every 2–4 weeks. If weight slips, increase forage first, then add fat/fiber calories.

Every horse’s metabolism is unique, and some simply need a little extra help to stay in good condition through the cold months. If you’re caring for a hard keeper this winter, our team can help you build a feeding plan that supports steady weight and overall health. Call Mid-Rivers Equine Centre to discuss your horse’s nutritional needs before the temperatures drop.

#MidRiversEquineCentre #EquineNutrition #HardKeeper #WinterHorseCare #HealthyHorses #HorseFeedingTips #EquineWellness #BarnLife #HorseCareInWinter #MissouriHorses ... See MoreSee Less

Mid-Rivers Equine Centre

4 days ago

Colic surgery is one of the most critical moments in equine medicine. Every decision, every movement, every heartbeat matters.

Here, Dr. Zobrist leads the surgical team through the complexity and urgency of a colic case, where precision and calm under pressure can mean the difference between life and loss.

This is what dedication looks like. 💙🐴

#midriversequinecentre #equinesurgery #ColicAwareness #drzobrist #equinehealth #horsecare #veterinarymedicine #savinghorses #equinevet #horselovers ... See MoreSee Less

Mid-Rivers Equine Centre

5 days ago

🐴 Wednesday Answer: Can you guess by what percentage warming increases tendon stretch in our equine partners?

✅ Answer: 65%

That’s right, a proper warm-up can increase tendon stretch up to 65%!

Here are some key benefits for your horse when you take the time to warm up well:
Warming up increases blood flow and oxygen supply to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, helping them become more pliable and better able to handle load.
Because tendons and ligaments have a limited blood supply compared to muscle tissue, this increased circulation supports their flexibility and resilience.

A good warm-up primes joints too: by stimulating synovial fluid production and gradually increasing joint range of motion, you reduce shock and sudden load on the system.

Ultimately, the more prepared the soft tissues are, the lower the risk of strains or tears.

So next time, before you ask your horse to go hard, spend a few extra minutes on the warm-up. Your horse’s tendons will thank you!

#WednesdayWisdom #EquineHealth #HorseTraining #PreventInjury #WarmUpForSucces ... See MoreSee Less

Mid-Rivers Equine Centre

6 days ago

❄️🐴 Time to Deworm — After the First Killing Frost! 🐴❄️

That first killing frost, when the temperature drops low enough to end the life cycle of pesky bot flies, is your cue to deworm your horses. 🌬️

A killing frost typically means temps dip below 25–28°F long enough to kill off adult bot flies and their eggs. Once that happens, it’s smart to deworm your horses to eliminate any bot larvae that have migrated to the stomach. 💡 Quick Tip: You’ll know it’s happened when you no longer see flies buzzing around the barn, that’s nature’s signal that it’s deworming time!

💊 Use a dewormer with:
Ivermectin or Moxidectin – effective against bots and strongyles

📆 Put dewormer on your shopping list now and be prepared to treat after the first killing frost.

#HorseCare #EquineHealth #Deworming #KillingFrost #WinterHorseCare #BotFlies #HorseHealth #MidRiversEquineCentre ... See MoreSee Less

Mid-Rivers Equine Centre

6 days ago

🐴 Tuesday Trivia: We all know a light warm-up before strenuous exercise is important. To that point, warming up can dramatically affect a tendon's ability to stretch. Can you guess by what percentage warming increases tendon stretch in our equine partners?

What’s your guess? Leave it in the comments! 👇

#HorseCare #EquineFitness #WarmUpRight #EquestrianLife #TuesdayTrivia

🐴 Wednesday Answer: Can you guess by what percentage warming increases tendon stretch in our equine partners? ... See MoreSee Less