12 minute read
What’s in the bag?
CORRECT FEEDING IS BOTH A SCIENCE AND ART. WHILE SCIENCE KNOWS WHAT TO FEED TO SATISFY THE HORSE’S REQUIREMENT, THE ART IS IN KNOWING HOW TO FEED TO GET THE BEST RESULTS. SO WHAT DOES THE LABEL ON YOUR BAG REVEAL? BARBARA YOUNG INVESTIGATES.
Referencing the wealth of information found on packaging could mean the diff erence etween money well spent, or disappointment that a feed doesn’t deliver the required results. tatutory la elling re uirements for horse feed are designed to show what feed contains, feed are designed to show what feed contains, as well as levels of certain nutrients. For those as well as levels of certain nutrients. For those competing, it’s also important to make sure competing, it’s also important to make sure all feeds and supplements are BETA NOPS all feeds and supplements are BETA NOPS approved. approved.
hese statutory re uirements include omposition ingredients , nalytical onstituents utrient nalysis and dditives and are collectively known as the tatutory Statement and is aligned with regulations in the , e plains aileys orse eeds director of nutrition i ul rook i points out that y law manufacturers i points out that y law manufacturers only have to declare the levels of certain only have to declare the levels of certain nutrients, namely rude rotein, rude nutrients, namely rude rotein, rude i re, il, sh, odium and itamins i re, il, sh, odium and itamins A, D and E. Levels of other vitamins and A, D and E. Levels of other vitamins and minerals are mentioned at the manufacturer’s minerals are mentioned at the manufacturer’s discretion, however, ust ecause some may discretion, however, ust ecause some may not e declared, it doesn’t mean that they’re not in the feed.
“Some products are often marketed as feeds’, ut do not contain su cient additional nutrients to achieve a fully alanced diet, when fed alongside forage hese include alfalfas, chaff s, eet pulps and other straight’ feeding stuff s, like linseed other straight’ feeding stuff s, like linseed or fl aked cereals, which re uire, at least, an or fl aked cereals, which re uire, at least, an additional source of vitamins and minerals in additional source of vitamins and minerals in order to achieve a alanced diet order to achieve a alanced diet
FOR THOSE COMPETING, MAKE SURE ALL FEEDS AND SUPPLEMENTS ARE BETA NOPS APPROVED.
Whichever concentrated feed you choose, understanding the ingredients and value each off er helps in making an informed decision.
“Compound feeds (mixes and cubes), mashes and fi bre feeds containing added vitamins and minerals off er a convenient way of providing a balanced diet,” explains Spillers nutritionist Sarah elson. “A quality feed starts with quality ingredients. In terms of the fi nished product; ‘quality’ includes being fi t for purpose and delivering the level of nutrients promised on the bag, hygienic quality and physical product quality.”
While most nutrients and ingredients commonly found in feed are easily understood, others are less obvious, such as oatfeed and ash.
Sarah explains that reputable manufacturers formulate feeds to ensure an appropriate supply of nutrients for the horse or pony in question.
“Ash might sound like something that belongs in your fi replace, but it represents the total mineral content of your feed. Cereal co-products such as wheatfeed and oatfeed are valuable sources of slowly fermentable fi bre. This makes them particularly useful in low energy feeds - slowly fermentable fi bre yields lower levels of digestible energy (vs. highly digestible rapidly fermentable fi bres) making them a useful fi bre source for good doers. “For the majority of horses, it’s nutrients rather than ingredients per se that are important. Focusing too heavily on ingredients alone can cause unnecessary concern. For example, when looking for a fi bre-based feed, seeing oatfeed on the ingredients may set alarm bells ringing because it’s derived from oats. However, the fi nished feed could be very low in starch – oatfeed is signifi cantly higher in fi bre and lower in starch than whole oats!
“Also for a feed low in sugar, it is the total sugar content and the feeding rate that is important and not the inclusion or exclusion of molasses.
Feeds may still be low in sugar, despite the inclusion of molasses or molasses derivatives.”
Liz Bulbrook explains that there has been little change to the range of ingredients in feeds, but there has been a shift towards the increased use of digestible fi bre sources and oil, away from starch-rich cereals.
“This has been in response to the recognition of the prevalence and causes of gastric ulcers and other digestive problems, and the development of processing techniques which allows their use in a convenient and palatable form.
“ itamins, minerals and quality protein, as well as calories energy, are all essential for optimum health and wellbeing, while fi bre is essential for gut health and digestive effi ciency on which the equine’s overall health is dependent.
“Oil is useful as a concentrated source of ‘slow release’ calories – supplying . times as many calories as the same weight of cereals – and helps to promote soft supple skin and a shiny coat. Most feeds contain natural levels of oil, and many contain additional oil to meet their stated digestible energy contents. When fed at recommended levels, these feeds will provide a fully balanced diet and should not require supplementing with additional nutrients.”
Sarah elson agrees: “If fed the recommended amount of an appropriate feed, most horses will maintain condition well without need for additional oil. Owners thinking about adding larger amounts of oil (more than ml – as a guide for most horses) should speak to a nutritionist to ensure their horse’s diet will provide suitable amounts of vitamin E. Although oil from a bottle can be a useful way of providing additional calories without increasing meal size, switching to a higher oil feed may be a more convenient (and sometimes more palatable) way of providing a balanced diet.
ABOVE RIGHT: ALL FEED BAGS SHOULD INCLUDE CLEAR INFORMATION ON THE FEED INGREDIENTS AND THEIR QUANTITIES. ABOVE INSET: KNOW YOUR CEREALS – THIS IS MICRONISED SOYA, A SOURCE OF PROTEIN. BELOW: COMPOUND FEEDS SUCH AS CUBES OFFER A CONVENIENT WAY OF PROVIDING A BALANCED DIET.
he diff erence in the cost of switching to a higher oil feed may also e negligi le i e plains that it is the overall alance of nutrients which is important alance of nutrients which is important rying to avoid a specifi c ingredient rying to avoid a specifi c ingredient should never e at the e pense of the overall should never e at the e pense of the overall alance of the diet, while looking at individual alance of the diet, while looking at individual levels of nutrients must always e put in the levels of nutrients must always e put in the conte t of recommended feeding rates conte t of recommended feeding rates
CASE STUDY
rand ri rider and trainer elissa hapman comments ith horses on the yard, if need a diff erent feed for a particular horse, talk to my local aileys eed dvisor, ngie ohnson s an a liated competitor, it’s important that all feeds and supplements are safe and free from any prohi ited su stances, so always check for the logo
t’s important that a feed is suita le for the horse’s level of work to e sure that their vitamin, mineral and protein re uirements are eing met and you also need to know where the calories are coming from use fi re and oil ased feeds for calm energy’ and the cereal ased mi for a it more oomph’ or sparkle and always follow the feeding guidelines, or ask ngie, to make sure the horses are getting the correct amounts
t’s important that a feed is suita le for
ABOVE: OIL CAN HELP GIVE YOUR HORSE A GLEAMING COAT, BUT MAY BE BETTER PROVIDED IN A COMPOUND FEED THAN ADMINISTERED SEPARATELY. BELOW: CHECK THE BACK OF THE BAG FOR INGREDIENTS, NUTRIENT SPECIFICATION AND FEEDING RATES. IF IN DOUBT, CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER DIRECT.
UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF THE VALUE OF BALANCERS BALANCERS
Nicola Tyler, TopSpec’s nutrition director, explains: “Horses’ digestive systems have evolved for little and often feeding of a foragebased diet. Therefore, by maximising forage intake, while keeping hard feeds small, you can feed in sympathy with their digestive system.
Feeding balancers that are also low in sugar and starch will help to optimise digestive health and function.
A good quality feed balancer should contain a concentrated amount of nutrients in a small amount of low sugar and starch feed, she points out.
“A 500kg horse would usually need just 500g per day, compared to signifi cantly larger amounts of compound feed, which still might not provide a similar range or level of micronutrients.
“Conditioning feed balancers improve the utilisation of the rest of the diet, which reduces the need for additional blends, straights, or compounds. This keeps meal sizes small and economic.
“Top specifi cation feed balancers supply both general purpose and specialised supplements, which should include those to aid muscle, bone, to aid muscle, bone, hooves, blood, joints, coat, skin, bone, the immune and digestive systems. Feeding one can eliminate the need for additional supplements and avoid unbalanced or over-supplemenover-supplementation.” nutrition director, explains: “Horses’ digestive systems have evolved for little and often feeding of a foragebased diet. Therefore, by maximising forage intake, while keeping hard feeds small, you can feed in sympathy with their digestive system.
Feeding balancers that are also low in sugar and starch will help to optimise digestive health and function.
A good quality feed balancer should contain a concentrated amount of
PRODUCT WATCH
FEEDS & SUPPLEMENTS
SARACEN HORSE FEEDS RE-
LEVE is a cerealfree, low starch free, low starch mix specifi cally mix specifi cally formulated to replace all formulated to replace all cereal-based hard feed for horses in work, that react adversely to high starch feeds or are prone to Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome. The use of alternative energy sources optimises power generation and recovery, providing controlled energy from highly digestible ‘Super-fi bres’ and oils. Re-Leve is fully fortifi ed with an extensive range of vitamins and minerals along with antioxidants such as vitamin E to support normal muscle function and recovery. EASE & EXCEL CUBES supply elevated levels of slow release energy, for condition or performance, from a low starch, high fi bre formula. They are ideal for sensitive horses, for whom starch intake should be minimised, and are designed to support healthy gastric and digestive environments and muscle function.
RRP: FROM £18.50 |
saracenhorsefeeds.com RRP: FROM £15 | baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk
SPILLERS DIGEST+ CONDITIONING
CUBES are high calorie conditioning cubes designed to build condition whilst maintaining a healthy digestive system. With quality protein to support good muscle tone and topline development.
RRP: £14.59 | spillers-feeds.com
CALM & CONDITION is a high calorie/ energy feed for horses and ponies that need to put on or maintain weight and condition, or harder working horses at higher levels of competition. Whole cereal grain-and molasses-free, it is high in fi bre and low in starch and sugar, with a high oil content as a source of slow release energy.
RRP: FROM £12.39 | allenandpage.com
MOLLICHAFF LIGHT MOLASSES FREE is a low-cost option for adding essential fi bre to your horse’s diet, made from a blend of dried grass, straw and fl avouring, essential fi bre to your horse’s diet, made from a blend of dried grass, straw and fl avouring, with added fi bre pellets. It is ideal for a diet low in sugar and starch, those prone to laminitis, with added fi bre pellets. It is ideal for a diet low in sugar and starch, those prone to laminitis, overweight, those needing a calorie-controlled diet and those showing signs of gastric discomfort. overweight, those needing a calorie-controlled diet and those showing signs of gastric discomfort. NUPAFEED FLEX GLM is an advanced mussel joint formula, ideal for hard working, older or stabled horses. The green lipped mussel is the highest quality and Flex GLM is nature's most potent Omega-3, combined with a phosphorylated glycogen compound, to support against infl ammation. Flex GLM also has vitamin E and selenium, which support against free radical tissue damage.
RRP: FROM £7.99 | horsehage.co.uk
RYEGRASS
HORSEHAGE is a
high-quality, dust-free, bagged forage containing no additives, made from a selection of ryegrasses cut at an earlier stage of growth to provide optimum protein and energy levels. This product can help horses that require more from their forage and can also be fed to help horses gain weight and improve and improve condition.
RRP: £8 | RRP: £8 |
horsehage. co.uk
MOLLICHAFF CONDITION COMPLETE is a
highly digestible, complete fi bre-based conditioning feed that is high in oil and low in starch. It contains a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement, plus Yeasacc and a prebiotic.
RRP: FROM £11.20 |
horsehage. co.uk
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. The digestible fi bre helps provide 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.
