As a horse owner, you will strive to keep your horse healthy, but sometimes, there are issues that crop up that are out of your control. An example of this is liver disease. There are various severities and causes of this disease, but depending on your horse’s particular condition, most can be managed using the appropriate horse food, supplements, and good nutrition. Knowing more about this disease is crucial, so read on to find out how to determine whether your horse is suffering from this issue, and how to proceed.
The Importance Of The Liver In Horses
Did you know the liver is one of the most important organs in your horse’s body? It helps with a range of processes which means it requires energy to keep it working as it should. Your horse’s liver helps to produce protein for blood plasma, converts glucose for storage and energy, helps to clear your horse’s body of toxins, and removes bacteria from your horse’s bloodstream – to name a few! This is why advanced liver disease can be fatal, as these functions would all be compromised. However, in earlier stages and less severe cases, liver disease can be managed with the careful adjustment of your horse’s feed. We’ll explore the various elements of this below.
Symptoms And Causes Of Liver Disease
So, how can you tell if your horse has liver disease? More severe cases may show visible signs of jaundice around the eyes, nostrils, and mouth of the horse. They may also be showing signs of abdominal pain. Earlier signs include weight loss and photosensitivity – horses with white coats and areas of pink skin often display this most visibly. They may also show signs of depression, look glazed over or detached, and they may suffer decreased appetite during this period.
One of the most common causes of this disease in horses is ragwort poisoning. This could be ingesting ragwort when turned out, or when dried in hay. The chemicals present in this poisonous plant make can damage the cells of the liver and so limit its function. If you think your horse is suffering from liver disease, you should ensure that you call a vet for help and advice. Whilst a blood test can help you to confirm there is liver damage a biopsy may be required to determine the extent of the problem. Neither will necessarily confirm the the initial cause.
Management And Diet
A balanced diet is essential when it comes to managing liver disease in horses, and recently, further recommendations have been made on the way we adjust a horse’s diet when living with this condition. There are a few factors to think about when feeding to manage this issue, such as:
- Protein: You should always try to meet your horse’s requirements rather than exceed them as excessive protein can be detrimental; however, you should make sure you do not avoid protein completely as this could lead to your horse struggling to maintain essential tissues and muscle. Lysine is particularly important and should be used as a way of providing high-quality protein.
- Forage: We all know how important forage is for our horses, and this doesn’t change because of liver issues – it should still make up most of their diet. Grazing for longer periods is also preferred to short amounts of time in the field, as this could result in gorging which can cause issues in the gut.
- Starch: General recommendations are to keep levels of starch low for health and well-being but in the case of liver disease, it is a preferable energy source to high levels of oil. This is because the liver produces the bile that helps to break down oil in the gut and so high levels of oil may put increased pressure on the liver.
Vitamins And Minerals: Your horse may be struggling to process certain vitamins and minerals when suffering from liver disease, which is why supplements may be beneficial. You should provide vitamins that they may not be getting enough of like vitamins A, D, and E. Vitamin C may also be necessary, but ensure you avoid supplements that include high levels of iron and copper.
