Nutrition - including

VERSATILITY OF A

MASH By Eleanor Blinkhorn (Bsc) Equine Nutritionist, Rowen Barbary Horse Feeds

Traditionally, many horse owners often think a mash should only be fed

or starch. Mashes contain highly digestible, good sources of fibre From a hay replacer up to a high calorie nutrient dense mash containing cereals and an

to older horses, or as a warming winter feed. Mash based products are incredible versatile feeds that are now becoming increasingly popular offering a wide range of nutritional benefits.

Mashes are popular due to the nutritional benefits that can be tailored to each horse’s nutritional needs. For those who want to feed a mash, they range from cereal-free and high in fibre which can result in a lower calorie feed for a lower workload, up to mashes that contain cereals which can sustain horses requiring increased stamina and performance. An alternative option, If your horse is particularly excitable or prone to gastric ulcers, mashes that are developed with high fibre and oils, can support horses undertaking a more strenuous workload without the inclusion of high levels of sugar such as Soya Hulls or sugar beet pulp supporting overall hindgut health, by slowing the rate of digestion. Mashes absorb a high volume of water to create their consistency. This is particularly important when encouraging water intake during summer and winter months or for horses and ponies that do not drink much water. The moisture also eliminates irritants that may irritate the respiratory system or horses suffering from COPD. The consistency of the mash is easy to chew and digest which is suitable for those with dental issues, like Diastemas. The texture increases palatability, ease of chewing and swallowing also benefiting horses that have previously suffered with Choke or fussy eaters. Rowen Barbary horse feeds have four mashes. Each mash is specifically designed for a range of nutritional requirements. alternative high calorie nutrient dense mash which is cereal and molasses free. The cereal free mashes are Ready Fibre Mash and Solution Mash. Ready Fibre Mash is ideal as a hay replacer for those stabled for long periods, more senior horses with difficulty eating long-stem fibres or for performance horses on a high cereal diet that require a boost of fibre in their diet. It is the equivalent of good quality hay containing (30%) fibre. This mash is suitable for good doers, horses prone to Cushing’s and Laminitis due to the low levels of starch (5%) and sugars (2.5%) as well as the feed solely being cereal-free. Ready Fibre Mash also can support horses on a high cereal diet that require more fibre to support overall gut health. It only requires five minutes of soaking and is an excellent way of increasing your horse’s water intake. The second cereal free mash is Solution Mash. Solution Mash contains high fibre (28.5%) but with a higher percentage of oils (15%) and key antioxidants to encourage the improvement of condition whilst maintaining crucial fibre levels to support the digestive tract. The high oil percentage helps to improve coat condition and is a great source of calories without the use of cereals. Other ingredients are included such as Yeasacc 1026 to encourage mineral digestion and increase optimum fibre digestion. Ingredients such as Garlic, Spearmint and Fenugreek are also added to improve palatability and support gut function and overall health. Solution Mash is cereal and molasses free, designed for low starch (4.5%) and sugar (1%) but is high in oil and fibre to help with controlled weight gain and stamina. It is fully balanced with essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

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Ready Mash is a highly digestible, low energy, high fibre (22.5%) mash. Ready Mash is designed to be sympathetic on the digestive system and provide a balanced diet without additional calories. It contains a touch of soya oil for skin and coat condition and only takes five minutes to soak. Ready Mash Extra is a step up from the Ready Mash. Ready Mash Extra is a highly palatable soft textured mash. Designed to encourage controlled weight gain and condition through the inclusion of essential oils and milk powders. High in digestible fibre (18.5%) it helps provide an excellent source of slow release energy for improved stamina with glucose powders added to help aid recovery from strenuous work. Fully balanced in essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements, it takes just five minutes to soak.

www.rowenbarbary.co.uk

By the Golden Paste Company

SWEET ITCH

IN HORSES

Insect Bite Hypersensitivity, otherwise known as Sweet Itch in the UK (summer mange, summer eczema or Queensland itch across the world), is a chronic, recurrent, seasonal dermatitis of horses.

What causes sweet itch in horses? Sweet itch in horses is caused by the bites of female biting midges – species of the genera Culicoides – and is prevalent across spring and summer, dying back in autumn and absent in winter. Sweet itch is caused by an allergic reaction to the protein in the saliva of biting insects. This causes the immune system to attack its own cells and leads to the extreme reaction.

When does sweet itch start? As it presents typically in a horse’s second or third summer and subsequently worsens with age, it appears to be a delayed hypersensitivity as well as a threshold response. What does sweet itch in horses look like? Horses predominantly show signs of sweet itch at the base of the mane and tail, and on the face. The withers, back, belly and rump can also be affected. Clinical signs range from mild to severe itchiness, often accompanied by hair loss and broken skin from constant scratching which can then lead to an infection. Over time the skin can thicken, folds develop and the hair becomes sparse and coarse with flaky skin. Several behavioural changes can also occur including excessive rolling and mutual grooming, head shaking, face rubbing and an agitated/restless demeanour. Is sweet itch in horses hereditary? Some breeds have been found to be at an increased risk and it can be genetic as they are at an increased risk of developing the condition.

TURMERITCH CASE STUDY...

“I am amazed at how well it is working after only starting it at the beginning of January. My horse suffers with itchy skin as well as sweet itch. The past two summers have been an absolute nightmare but by the look of the condition of her coat and skin now I’m very hopeful for a much more relaxed summer!” – Katie

Sweet itch management in horses There are several ways we can help horses with sweet itch by reducing their contact with midges. 4 Bring horses in at dawn and dusk and if possible fit small mesh over the stable doors and windows to stop insects getting in 4 Avoid fields with or near water and hedges or trees as these are areas where midges gather. An exposed field is best as midges can’t fly if the wind speed is over 5mph. Make sure you keep on top of poo picking and avoid humid conditions as

much as possible 4 For horses that are severely

affected, a ceiling fan in the

stable may be required in case any midges do get in 4 Using a sweet itch rug can also protect the horse and some people find an insect repellent helps 4 There are topical products on the market and if very severe your vet may prescribe steroid medication.

www.goldenpaste company.com Using TurmerItch as part of sweet itch management is a new approach which proved to be very effective in

trials. By introducing this dietary system that can help optimise digestive health, the microbiome and gut integrity, the allergenic contribution to the itch threshold is reduced; subsequent challenges from biting insects may then fall below the threshold, thus reducing scratching and damage to the skin. By ‘priming’ the body to be less responsive to allergens generally, subsequent seasonal rises in midge bites should be less of a problem; the skin of the horse will have a barrier of bioactives that have been shown to act as a repellent, neem for example, and be less responsive to bites. TurmerItch combines key specialist ingredients including Neem, Red Bush Tea, Apple Cider Vinegar and Chamomile, to help provide relief from itching and soothe the skin by promoting a healthy skin and coat. It also contains Turmeric and Cooked Linseed to help produce a high shine to the horse’s coat. The active ingredients in TurmerItch support biting insect repulsion and help maintain reduced sensitivity which was demonstrated during trials with the supplement over a 12month period. Not only was the supplement extremely beneficial to horses suffering with biting insects as it reduced itching, it also improved hair regrowth and coat shine.

RRP: £44.99 for a 1.5kg tub or £59.99 for a 2kg tub.

FEEDING FOR HEALTHY SKIN AND A SHINY COAT

By Baileys Horse Feeds

BLOOMIN’

MARVELLOUS!

Soft supple skin and a shiny coat are external signs that the horse is receiving all the nutrients he needs for good health, with no one nutrient being more responsible than another.

It is rare for modern pasture or forage to supply all these necessary nutrients, which is why supplementary feeding is recommended, be it in the form of a broad-spectrum supplement, a balancer or compound feed. Important Individuals Protein is one of the most important nutrients in a horse’s diet because it supplies the building blocks of all body tissues, including skin, muscles, hair and horn. All proteins are made of components called amino acids, some of which must be provided in the diet and are called ‘essential’. This means that protein sources in your chosen feed or balancer must be of good enough quality to provide a range of amino acids, including essential ones, in order for the horse to build strong healthy muscles, skin, hooves and other tissues.

Fatty Acids These are the components of dietary fat and oils, which may be digested and used as an energy source or be combined with other molecules involved in body structure and function. Just like amino acids, some fatty acids are essential and must be provided in the diet, the most widely known ones being Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are directly incorporated into cell walls, including those of the skin, whilst other fatty acids are involved in the production of natural oily substances which lubricate the skin and hair and give it a healthy shine. Achieving the Balance So, a lot goes into a healthy coat and supplementing with one nutrient, without heed to the overall nutritional balance, may not bring the desired results. For horses whose energy (calorie) requirements are met by forage alone, a good quality feed balancer is the perfect way to supply all the essential nutrients a horse needs, without the calories associated with a mix or cube. Preferable to a vitamin and mineral supplement, because they also supply quality protein, balancers often contain a digestive enhancer, like a yeast or prebiotic, which encourages gut efficiency so the horse is able to obtain more of the nutrients from his forage too. The Right Feed Horses who require calories, in addition to those supplied by forage, are best fed the recommended amount of a suitably formulated mix or cube, to achieve a fully balanced diet. The higher the horse’s workload or need to improve top line, muscle tone, coat shine, condition or performance, the higher his requirement for essential nutrients. This is why feeds, and balancers, formulated to support performance have higher levels of important nutrients, like essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.

Added Extras Once the ‘base diet’ is fully balanced we can then consider ‘added extras’ to make doubly sure the horse has all he needs to produce healthy skin and hair. Extra help may be particularly beneficial when the coat is changing, in the spring and

Vitamins and Minerals Vitamins and minerals are involved in all manner of body functions, from hormone and enzyme production to acting as antioxidants to counteract free radicals produced during metabolism and other processes. Minerals are also integral to strong bone, horn and hair formation, are involved with the transmission of nerve impulses and, as electrolytes, with the hydration levels of all body tissues. A deficiency of any one, or a combination of vitamins and minerals, may not lead to obvious external symptoms, although poor hoof growth, a dry scurfy coat and lacklustre performance, are all signs that something may be lacking.

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autumn, and the most obvious addition is oil, commonly fed as straight vegetable oil or cooked linseed. 50ml to 100ml of a vegetable oil per day should be sufficient to provide extra fatty acids to support a shiny coat but, as the body can also use it as a calorie source, care should be taken with good-doers as any more could go to the horse’s waistline, unless burned off with exercise.

Omegas Not all oils are equal with, for example, soya oil being rich in Omega 6 fatty acids and linseed in Omega 3s, and research has shown that an optimum balance is necessary for them to work beneficially in the body. There are several high oil supplements on the market, a small number of which provide a blend of oils from different sources and therefore a mix of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The higher the level of oil in the diet, the greater the body’s requirement for antioxidants to ensure its efficient metabolism so a supplement which includes these, is preferable. Final Polish High oil supplements do have an advantage over straight oil, which can be messy and unpalatable but, whatever method you choose to increase your horse’s oil intake, it’s important to ensure the main diet is fully balanced first. Like all changes to the diet, adding oil should be done gradually to give the horse’s system time to adapt then, with a full balance of nutrients plus a little oil, you’ll simply need to polish with a soft cloth!

www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

BAILEYS HORSE FEEDS’ GENEROUS SUPPORT: HELPS RECOVERY OF RESCUED HORSES

Aherd of underweight Thoroughbred horses are making excellent progress in their recovery with World Horse Welfare thanks to careful feeding and healthcare, with the support of feed company, Baileys Horse Feeds.

The horses were rescued by World Horse Welfare last year. Seven of the mares from this group went to Hall Farm, the charity’s Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Norfolk, where they have been turned away in a field for a few months to settle and decompress. Feeding is a key part of their recovery process and helping malnourished horses to regain weight and condition has to be done carefully and gradually. Sue Hodgkins, Hall Farm Centre Manager said; “We have been working gently with the mares since they arrived, assessing their behaviour with each other and their grooms. “One important aspect of health and recovery for each horse is good quality nutrition and we are so thankful for the support of Baileys Horse Feeds who are providing all of the hard feed needed by the 300 horses and ponies being looked after here and at our other rehoming centres. “These Thoroughbred mares are a fantastic example of how hard feeds can be used alongside good quality forage, such as grass and hay, to help horses who need to gain weight in a healthy and sustainable way. They really enjoy their feeds, and feed time also offers a wonderful opportunity for the grooms to bond with the horses and start to get them used to being handled.” Graham Rice, Business Development Manager for Baileys Horse Feeds said: “We’re proud to support World Horse Welfare and their teams rehabilitating all kinds of horses and are really looking forward to seeing how these Thoroughbreds progress.”

LOCAL RIDER BECOMES BRAND AMBASSADOR

Aspiring dressage rider and coach Chloe Houston from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire has been appointed as a brand ambassador for equine feed company Spillers.

Chloe is one of ten ambitious riders who won their place from 700 entries to join the Spillers Ambassador Programme. With this substantial leg up Chloe, together with her competition mares, hopes to take great strides in fulfilling her equestrian dreams this year. Chloe won her place by producing a brief video explaining why she deserved the position and horse lovers on social media voted for their favourites. All the ‘likes’ and ‘loves’ were counted as votes and taken into consideration when Spillers made the final decision on the winners. “I am so excited to be part of team Spillers,” said Chloe. “I cannot wait to share my successes and bloopers with my horses.”

DENTISTRY DO’S

By Donna Case

Don’t wait until your horse is older to keep a watchful eye on their teeth as problems can strike at any time.

If your horse’s dentition is poor, it will affect his ability to eat which may cause weight loss, lead to health problems such as gastric ulcers and various other issues. First and foremost, make sure you speak to a vet/dentist to ensure any problems that can be resolved are! Following this some horses will have no further dentistry options available to them, so it is a case of meeting their needs via the diet. One sign of an inability to chew properly is quidding, which involves partially chewed feedstuff/forage balls on the floor which have fallen from the side of the mouth. If your horse is not able to consume enough forage, we need to look to find a suitable hay replacer to provide the necessary fibre in the diet. If you try and remedy the problem through just changing the hard feed, you will not be addressing the root cause of the issue. The great news is that there are many commercially available forage replacers suitable for all stages of forage replacement. Methods of achieving this could initially be through the inclusion of a soft, shortchopped fibre provided as part of the forage ration, or in time could make up the complete forage ration. Be sure to check if the product you are using is able to be used as a ‘complete’ or only as a ‘partial’ forage replacer. Either option should be introduced gradually to reduce the risk of digestive upset. Placing them in buckets in different areas of the stable (and field if necessary) would encourage your horse to walk around and is closer to a more foraging style behaviour, rather than just placing in one position. If your horse is struggling even with a soft, short-chopped fibre then you would need to look at other solutions such as many of the mashes that are suitable as hay replacers. I always recommend starting with the short chop fibres first as they are closer to a ‘normal’ way of eating and will take longer to consume, but this is a great next step if that no longer becomes an option. Many of these replacers are also suitable for clinical issues such as PPID. Remember that whichever option you choose they would need to be provided little and often throughout the day.

www.thehorsefeed guru.com

LOCATED IN NEWMARKET BUT WORKING BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY, DONNA CASE BSC (HONS) IS THE HIGHLY EXPERIENCED EQUINE NUTRITIONIST WHO RUNS ‘THE HORSE FEED GURU’, AN EQUINE NUTRITION CONSULTANCY. FORMERLY A COMMERCIAL NUTRITIONIST ACROSS THREE BRANDS, NOW COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT, HER AIM IS TO DEMYSTIFY FEEDING FOR THE GOOD OF THE HORSE AND RIDER.