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HORSE KEEPING
CHOOSING THE RIGHT HORSE FEED
Choosing the correct horse feed can be difficult. Here is what you should consider when looking at a feed and why. SUBMITTED BY KERI WEIR, Equine Nutrition Consultant, Cargill Animal Nutrition
LOW NSC - What is NSC? NSC stands for ‘non-structural carbohydrates’ and is typically the combination of starch and sugar. Horses with metabolic concerns, such as Cushing’s disease, laminitis or Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) require reduced levels of NSC to support their activity level.
LOW GLYCEMIC - What is low glycemic? It refers to a reduced sugar/starch and higher fat and fibre content. This delivers sensible calories (energy) needed for performance, helps to minimize excitability, ideal for horses that tie-up, helps prevent starch overload that minimize gut upset (colic).
HIGH FAT - Why feed high fat? Fat is highly digestible and energy/calorie dense, helps regulate glycemic and insulin response, delays gastric emptying which aids in ulcer prevention, clean burning fuel that does not produce lactic acid and spares glycogen levels for enhanced athletic performance.
HIGH FIBRE - Why feed high fibre? High levels of fibre help maintain a healthier hindgut pH and microbial population. Shredded beet pulp is high in pectins and is a highly fermentable fibre source that provides the calories needed for performance.
BALANCED OMEGA RATIO - Omega 6-3 ratio is vital. Why? It improves hair coat and skin condition, supports immune functions, helps with anti-inflammatory properties and ulcer healing, promotes membrane integrity and cell (including red blood cells ) viability. Omega 3 fatty acids are also shown to help enhance insulin efficiency therefore reducing insulin resistance and helps support cognitive ability.
NUTRIENT DENSE - Why add more? Added nutrients benefit peak performance and muscle recovery along with supporting a healthier digestive system and stronger natural microbiome. Purina adds Horse Plus, organic copper, zinc, manganese and selenium, elevated levels of vitamin E, prebiotics and probiotics, XPC Ultra, yeast and Athlete.
HORSE PLUS - Purina’s exclusive B VITAMINS with added Vitamin C, E and K - Why feed added B-vitamins along with
C, E, K? This blend of vitamins is essential for blood building nutrients, supports immune function, overall health, proper utilization of energy for exercise, vitamin K supports blood clotting and helps prevent against exercise-induced stress.
ORGANIC COPPER, ZINC, MANGANESE, SELENIUM
Why feed organic? Organic increases absorption, enhances trace mineral bioavailability to improve immune response, and supports immune function and overall health.
YEAST, PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS - Advantages of adding yeast into the diet improves hindgut fermentation, which increases energy, protein and phosphorus utilization. Additional prebiotics and probiotics help promote good gut bacteria and protect against harmful bacteria for improved gut health.
VITAMIN E - Elevated levels of vitamin E (300 IU/Kg) and selenium (0.4 IU/kg) are two important antioxidants, which help support immune function and overall health. Selenium also plays a role in the control of thyroid hormones metabolism and helps protect against exercise-induced stress.
ATHLETE - What is Athlete? Purina’s unique extruded high fat supplement with flaxseed (an excellent source of Omega-3) with a 5:1 balanced Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio.
XPC ULTRA - What is XPC ULTRA? Diamond V XPC Ultra aids in the horses immunity, digestibility, performance and recuperation. Supports cognitive and behavioural functions in situations associated with travel, training and competition. Supports cartilage and joint health.
WE ARE • LOW NSC EXCITED TO • HIGH FAT ANNOUNCE • HIGH FIBRE PURINA HAS • NUTRIENT DENSE A NEW FEED! • BALANCED OMEGAS • MADE IN CANADA EQUILIBRIUM XCEL HD • MANUFACTURED IN A DRUG FREE FACILITY
Equilibrium XCEL HD is a high calorie, low NSC (sugar and starch), nutrient dense multiparticle feed (containing extruded components as well as shredded beet pulp) designed for equine athletes and hard keepers. New and unique to Purina, the XCEL HD elicits a delicate sweet aroma making it extremely palatable. It has a supple texture in all weather conditions allowing for easy handling. It is formulated with certified quality ingredients and is manufactured exclusively in our specialized drug free facility in Strathroy, Ontario.
XCEL HD meets the needs of multiple disciplines at different activity levels. The flexibility of this feed also allows you to effectively keep weight on horses that may be hard keepers, excitable, on stall rest or senior. All these factors contribute to this feed being a well-balanced option for your horse.
2021 HORSE SAVVY DAY PLANNER & EQUINE HEALTH CARE RECORDS
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