Holistic Boarding - cont.

The primary focus for the health of our animal guests is NUTRITION!  In my opinion, a holistic approach to animal nutrition means looking at what Mother Nature, in her infinite wisdom, fed an animal.  Then looking at how stress and caloric need changes affect their overall health and using foods naturally found in their diet to keep the body in balance.

First - horses GRAZE.  They are not designed to eat concentrated calories in short bursts.  In fact, concentrated feeds such as hay pellets & cubes and pelleted grains can lead to sand colic, teeth problems and overall poor nutrient assimilation.  Here in Arizona grass pasture is rare and expensive.  And it is less expensive to grow a low-water legume like Alfalfa than it is grass.  But feeding alfalfa is to save money is short sighted and can get very expensive in future veterinary bills.  Click here for a more complete article on Why Not to Feed Alfalfa.