Here are a few common horse myths that you’ve probably heard before and might believe, all of which are untrue.
Horse Myth 1: All horses need grain or some type of concentrate
This right here is laminitis waiting to happen. Not all horses need concentrates. If your horse is holding their weight and maintaining their energy level, they’re probably fine. Always add forage or ration balancer before adding bulk concentrates. Click here for learning more about ration balancers and supplementing a natural diet.
Horse Myth 2: Horses can never survive on just grass
I suppose this is partially true. They should also have loose salt available at all times. However, for the most part, this is false. If the pasture is properly managed, fertilized for horses according to the needs of the soil and the region it is in, it is possible for a horse to survive on nothing but grass, water, and loose salt. That being said, this should only be done from late spring to early fall. Early spring and late fall grasses are nutritionally unbalanced.
Getting in to fall horses need to be supplemented with at least biotin and magnesium. Preferably they also need to be started on a ration balancer for a grass diet, taken off the pasture, and started on a hay diet.
Access to spring grasses should be limited, especially for horses with a history with laminitis.
Horse Myth 3: All horses need shoes
This one should go without saying. Not all horses need shoes. Some do for medical reasons. Some do for competing in certain disciplines. Reining in particular comes to mind. But there are plenty of disciplines, including trail riding, that don’t necessarily require shoes. For horses that occasionally ride on particularly rocky terrain, boots may be a viable option.
Horse Myth 4: All horses can go barefoot
You thought I was a “everyone can go barefoot” groupie didn’t you? Nope. That vice is plenty versa. Many horses can go barefoot. I would even venture to say that most horses can go barefoot. However, there are some that genuinely need shoes. So much line breeding in pretty much every breed has led to poor feet everywhere you look and it gets harder to manage with each generation.
Horse Myth 5: Any horse can succeed in any discipline
Ok, yes, any horse can technically speaking try any discipline. But that doesn’t mean that just any horse can succeed in any discipline. Specialized breeding has seen to that well enough. This is why so many competitors want papers. It’s not just about getting in to breed shows. Ok, yeah, it’s partially about getting in to breed shows. But, it’s also about stacking the odds in the horse’s favor. Certain bloodlines are noted for succeeding in certain arenas. Why do many disciplines restrict entries to certain breeds? Because those breeds are the ones who excel at that discipline. The field of competitors is big enough. Is it always fair? No, but it makes sense. With all the specialized breeding going on, the odds of winning on a grade or alternate breed are a long shot at best.
