Feed guide 17

2017

FEED GUIDE Helping you master the art of feeding

Brought to you by Your Horse magazine

YOUR

HORSE

Certification Mark

Suitable for equines prone to gastric ulcers as part of a balanced diet

Our Healthy Tummy will give everyone a spring in their step

For the answer to ALL your equine feeding queries talk to a Dengie nutritionist today: *

DENGIE FEEDLINE: 0845 345 5115* ĂŻ DENGIE ONLINE: DENGIE.COM

Calls cost 2p per minute from a landline and 2.5p per minute from a mobile plus your phone companyĂ­s access charge.

FEED GUIDE 2017 Treat your horse like the individual he is

Welcome to the 2017 Your Horse Feed Guide

O

UR HORSES ARE all different and they need diets tailored to their type, workload and weight.

Approach feeding your horse like you would your own diet. Would you eat exactly the same as your friends? And if you did eat what your friends ate, would your health and weight be as easy to maintain as it is for them? The effects certainly wouldn’t be identical.

Horse or human, we’re all individuals and therefore our diets need to be carefully considered and managed if we’re to be as healthy as we can be.

Our horses need us to do that decisionmaking and management for them and it’s really important that we get it right.

This is why the advice and information we can gather from experts in equine nutrition is so important and luckily, we’ve done the legwork for you! You can simply sit back, relax and read up on the latest feeding advice.

What goes into your horse’s fee d bucket should be carefully considered

CONTENTS 4 Understanding his workload 6 Creating a balanced diet 9 Caring for his tummy 14 Feeding good and poor-doers 18 Feeding laminitis prone horses and ponies 21 Feeding the leisure horse 23 Feeding competition horses 24 Supplements explained 29 Useful contacts

Your Horse editor Imogen Johnson

30 Nutrition for older horses

Got a question? Every month in Your Horse we put your questions to our experts. So if this guide inspires a new feeding query for you, email getinvolved@yourhorse.co.uk and we’ll put your question to a pro – absolutely free!

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 3

FEED GUIDE 2017

Getting the

ratio right

I

The amount and type of food we require is directly related to the energy we burn – and your horse is no different. Make sure you get the feed-to-work ratio right with advice from Katie Grimwood, nutrition adviser at Baileys

T STANDS TO REASON that the more work your horse does, the more energy he needs from his food. But how do we determine which workload bracket he falls into? If you’re not sure whether you’d describe your horse as being in ‘light work’ or ‘moderate work’, take a look at our chart in the panel below.

Feed levels are formulated to ensure the horse is getting a fully balanced diet of vitamins, minerals and quality protein intake, which are all needed to supporta number of functions in his body. They also help to achieve strong healthy hooves, good energy levels, a shiny coat and great muscle tone and topline, as well as building internal nutrient reserves.

Feeding the right amount

Feeding the right product

It’s important to make sure you’re using the recommended amounts of a mix, cube or balancer to accommodate your horse’s size and workload. How much exercise he gets should be a deciding factor as well, rather than his weight alone. The minimum recommended feeding rates for the particular product you’re using can usually be found on the back of the feed sack, but owners can also get advice from a nutrition helpline or their feed company’s area advisor, since many companies offer yard visits.

Choosing the right product is also essential, since products are formulated differently depending on their ‘target market’ horse type. For example, a low energy, high fibre mix or cube is typically designed for horses at rest or in light levels of work, whereas a competitiontype mix will be targeted at horses in moderate-to-hard levels. Competition feeds may include higher levels of antioxidants and quality protein than other products, in order to support horses who are working harder. The digestible energy/

WORKLOAD AT-A-GLANCE

As a rough guide, your horse will probably fall into one of these three categories, although it’s also possible there may be some overlap. If you’re unsure, call your feed company’s helpline and ask for some advice.

Workload category

Typical activities

Rest / light

From rest through to quiet hacking and/or light schooling, 1-3 times per week.

Moderate

Daily hacking of 1-2 hours, schooling 30-60 minutes, regular Riding Club competitions or show jumping.

Hard

Hard/intensive schooling or training, endurance riding, eventing and racing.

4 YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017

Recommended feeding rates can be found on the feed bag

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

UNDERSTANDING WORKLOAD

Your horse’s workload is a key factor in how much he should be fed

If your horse needs time off, his feed ratio will need to reflect his change in activity

calorie value for the feed may also be higher, owing to the greater need of these horses for more calories to maintain weight and performance.

Where do we go wrong?

Feeding less than the recommended amount is surprisingly common.

Recommended guidelines are there for a reason: to support a balanced diet for your horse. But if less than recommended amounts are being fed for any reason - for example, to limit his calorie intake - it’s often advisable to ‘top dress’ a mix or cube with a pelleted forage balancer so that the requirements for vitamins, minerals and quality protein can still be met.

It’s often thought that horses who are not in work don’t require any supplementary feeding if out at grass.

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

While their energy requirements will doubtless be lower, even the best quality forage can lack certain nutrients, so an extra nutrient source will be needed. Again, a pelleted forage balancer is ideal because this provides essential nutrients without the calories.

Feed for his workload Make sure you’re feeding for the work the horse is actually doing, not the anticipated workload. If you’re aiming to start eventing next season but currently he’s only doing light schooling, then the recommended quantities of a

competition feed for horses in moderate work are unlikely to be appropriate just yet. Instead, adjust his concentrate ration gradually as his workload increases.

The same rule applies if your horse has to have time off work or needs to be placed on box rest – the feed will usually need to be reduced or changed in response.

YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 5

FEED GUIDE 2017

Balancing act Every horse and pony, regardless of age, type or workload, needs a properly balanced diet.

Sarah Elder from Blue Chip Feed explains why it’s so important and how to get it right

As we try to keep our horse’s diet as natural as possible, what can we do to strike a balance?

B

ALANCED DIET’ is a phrase we hear daily. To keep healthy and feel well, we need to eat a variety of foods including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and fibre, and horses are no different. Often our social media newsfeeds bombard us with people’s efforts to create balanced meals for themselves; so if your horse started Instagramming his dinner, what exactly would it look like?

6 YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017

To ensure they receive all of the essential dietary components, equines will forage far and wide in the wild, over many acres of land. Roaming over these distances allows them to consume a wide variety of grasses, herbs and plants, effectively balancing their own diet without too much trouble.

Our horses, however, are confined by us to particular fields, stables and turnout pens, so the responsibility to emulate this wide variety in their

domestic diets falls to us.

Unlike a human, a horse or pony is only able to produce saliva when it chews.

Wild horses will graze for up to 18 hours a day, so to simulate this, our own horses must be able to trickle feed. This action will produce the saliva needed to lubricate food for swallowing, combat acidity in the stomach and encourage fermentation in the hind gut by using good bacteria to break down the forage and fibre in the diet. With advances in WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

CREATING A BALANCED DIET A balancer can supplement your horse’s diet

veterinary science, we can now help the horse to better utilise what it eats by feeding pre and probiotics and nucleotides to help these good bugs to thrive.

Getting his feed right For a ‘normal’ horse or pony, using a feed balancer is the best and easiest way to ensure he receives a balanced diet because it contains the vitamins, minerals and proteins required to repair muscle WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

and plug the micronutrient gaps left by grass or hay alone. Of course, the majority of the diet should be fibre-based and therefore consist mainly of hay, haylage or grass. For his feed bucket though, a balancer is best.

All horses are individuals though, and there are many balancers and superconcentrated balancers available on the market which have been specially formulated to support animals with specific needs and circumstances. His

particularities may force him to require more help from you in leading a normal, healthy life, and this has been made much easier thanks to the wide range available you can create an appropriate and tailored diet especially for him.

Special circumstances may include being a senior citizen, a laminitic or being kept out 24/7, being a good-doer or being susceptible to ulcers, stress or poor feet. Balancers are excellent for horses and ponies needing more specialised care.

YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 7

£5

Autumn Offer

* ff

O

• A combined top specification feed balancer and joint supplement • Includes the veterinary recommended levels of pure glucosamine • Promotes muscle development and topline • Low sugar/ starch, ‘Non-Heating’ formula *Available from participating retailers throughout October and November, whilst stocks last. Normal RRP £35.50.

¨

Multiple Award Winner for ‘Excellence in Nutritional Advice and Customer Service’

Collect

CREATED WITHOUT COMPROMISE by experienced equine nutritionists

Tel: 01845 565 030 www.topspec.com

Æ

Tokens

for product and merchandise

#FedonTopSpec

Redeem your TopSpec tokens at www.topspec.com/tokens

FEED GUIDE 2017

CARING FOR HIS TUMMY

Feeding fibre is vital for our horses to have healthy digestive systems

Gut instinct

Katie Williams, senior equine nutritionist at Dengie, explains how to minimise the chances of stomachrelated illness with a bit of TLC: Tummy Loving Care WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

F

IBRE-RICH FOODS are superfoods for herbivores.

Straying too far away from this diet can cause problems for a horse’s digestive health, affecting the reactions of his body from mouth to gut and beyond.

Time to chew Fibre needs chewing more than cereals to prepare it for swallowing. Researchers found that it takes 3,000 to 3,500 chews for a horse to get through a kilo of hay; whereas the same amount of hard feed

took less than half that amount, with a cereal like oats taking a mere 830.

Chewing also matters because it’s how saliva is produced. This is a major difference between equines and other animals, including humans, who salivate at the smell or thought of food. Saliva not only lubricates food, making it easy to swallow and reducing the risk of choke, but it also contains bicarbonates that buffer acidity in the digestive system, helping to reduce the risk of gastric ulcers. So, the more chewing that occurs, the better.

YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 9

FEED GUIDE 2017 The engine room

Feeding before exercise

Dietary changes

The hind gut is the collective term for the caecum and large intestine. It’s here that microorganisms reside and perform vital functions for their host, just like in the engine room of a ship. These functions include the production of useful B vitamins such as biotin and also the fermentation of fibre, which activates slow-release energy that the horse can then use or store.

Fermentation of fibre also generates heat, acting as your horse’s very own central heating system. These microorganisms are also involved in the horse’s immune response, fighting harmful bugs and keeping the horse healthy from within.

The horse’s stomach makes up only 10% of his entire gut, so many of the basic rules of feeding have been developed to ensure we don’t cause tummy troubles by giving too much.

When trickle feeding, the horse’s stomach is never totally empty.

This basic principle has informed some of the latest advice when it comes to reducing the risk of gastric ulcers – feeding a double handful of chopped fibre before work for instance helps to stop ‘acid splash’, which can eventually cause ulcers.

Exercising a horse with a completely empty stomach is now an outdated concept.

Keeping your horse’s gut healthy means ensuring any changes to his diet are gradual. This allows the population of bugs that live in his digestive system time to adjust. It’s recommended that owners change the diet over seven to 10 days, and it may also be beneficial to use a prebiotic or live yeast supplement when making significant changes, since fungi such as yeast are part of the fibre digestion process, helping to keep a stable environment in the gut.

FOS (fructooligosaccharide) prebiotics provide a food source exclusively for good bacteria too. The advantages of ‘good bugs’ for general health and even weight loss are being recognised in

“Feeding a double handful of chopped fibre before work helps to stop acid splash”

10 YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

CARING FOR HIS TUMMY

Horses who are turned out are at less risk of colic than stabled horses

humans, and there’s research to suggest that the same relationship exists in horses. Levels of good bacteria that are too low will allow other bacteria to proliferate instead. The research has shown a link between horses fed on low fibre, high starch diets – which do not promote the ‘good bugs’ – and increased cases of disease such as chronic laminitis and colitis. So, a worthwhile question to ask ourselves is whether reducing fibre intake to manage bodyweight is just about the worst thing we could do for a horse who is also prone to laminitis.

Little and often Although studies haven’t yet looked specifically at meal size, keeping the total amount of concentrates fed to a minimum should reduce the risk of colic. It’s recommended a maximum of 1.25kgs and 1.75kgs of concentrates is fed per meal. It’s preferable to feed four meals a day of 0.75kgs rather than two meals of 1.5kgs for example. By feeding more small meals, the horse may be able to get more out of the feed he’s consuming as well, so he may require less feed in total – a win-win situation for him and your pocket!

Owners should also consider whether they need to use a cereal-based feed at all. There are lots of ways to provide WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

the energy your horse requires without resorting to cereals. High-quality fibres, such as alfalfa and sugar beet, provide as much energy as a cool mix. When oil is added, the energy value can increase to one comparable with a competition or conditioning mix. Even if owners don’t want to convert to a fibre-and-oil diet completely, reducing cereal-based feed will still reduce the risk of colic.

Colic and ad-lib forage A 2014 study found a link between the amount of time a horse is turned out and the risk of colic. A horse that was always stabled had twice the risk of recurrent colic compared with a horse with 12 hours of turnout per day. If this isn’t possible at your yard, then ensuring plenty of forage is available in the stable is paramount. Some owners believe that ad-lib means feeding lots of forage, but in reality it means that the horse is never without access to it. Not many horses given forage overnight have any left over by the next morning, which technically means that they haven’t been fed ad-lib, as they’ve had a period of time without any at all. Using a small-holed haynet, or multiple, smaller nets around the stable, so that the horse has to move around to eat all of his ration, can help owners to manage this.

YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 11

Feeding fibre

A high-fibre diet is the best thing for your horse. Here, the team at Dengie offers some top-tips for trouble-free feeding this winter

1

Condition without fizz

Fibre and oil provide slow-release energy which means they’re less likely to result in over-excitable behaviour – great news when you need to add condition without fizz! What’s more, combine alfalfa and oil (such as in Alfa-A Oil) to provide as much energy as a conditioning mix or cube at 12.5MJ DE per kg BUT with typically around 10 times less starch. Alfa-A Oil is also naturally low in sugar at 4.5% – no wonder it’s the choice of top riders and trainers around the world!

2

Feed fibre and oil for energy without fizz with Alfa-A Oil

Find the right forage

Autumn and winter can be good times to promote weight loss if your horse is a good doer. Finding some late-cut, coarse, stalky forage will help – the more like straw it looks the better! This will mean you can feed more without promoting weight gain as it will be less digestible and so your horse won’t extract as many calories from it. To help reduce calorie intake further you could feed low-calorie Hi-Fi Lite or Hi-Fi Good-Doer as a total or partial hay replacer. Weighing feed and haynets and regularly using a weigh-tape can all help you to keep your horse’s weight

3

Add interest for stabled horses

You can soak Alfa-Beet to add moisture to your horse’s feed

Studies have shown that horses benefit from having a selection of fibre types when stabled. Dengie Alfalfa Pellets or Grass Pellets are a great low-sugar and starch option for snack balls – and why not leave a bucket of chopped fibre alongside their forage overnight to provide more chew time? Dengie Meadow Grass with Herbs is the ideal, super-tasty chop that will add variety to their diet.

Stabled horses benefit from having various fibre types to munch on and Dengie has the solution!

12 YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017

4

Maintain hydration

Hay and haylage contain much less moisture than fresh grass (grass is around 80% water and hay is only around 15%).

Research has also shown that in colder

Meadow Grass is great for horses with poor teeth WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

know-how!

PROMOTION

DENGIE’S TOP FIBRE TIPS ●

●

●

●

●

●

weather horses tend to drink less, which when combined with feeding hay or haylage, results in a reduction in water intake which can increase the risk of colic.

Adding soaked feeds such as Alfa-Beet, sugar beet or soaked Alfalfa or Grass Pellets can help increase moisture intake.

5

Care for golden oldies

Winter feeding preparation is key for older horses and it’s important to keep a close eye on your older horse’s condition especially if they’ve lost weight in previous winters. Start feeding a little earlier as it’s much easier to keep weight on than trying to promote weight gain. For those with poor teeth Dengie Meadow Grass with Herbs, Hi-Fi Senior and soaked products such as Alfa-Beet or Grass Pellets are

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

highly digestible, promote weight gain and are soft and easy to chew. Adding live yeast to the feed, such as Dengie Digestive Health Plus, should improve fibre digestion and help older horses to get more out of their forage.

6

Balance his diet

Dengie’s Alfa-A and Hi-Fi feeds contain an abundance of natural vitamins and minerals but are straight feeds so a balancer or vitamin and mineral supplement should be fed alongside.

Dengie Alfa-A Balancer contains a high specification of vitamins and minerals, live yeast for optimal fibre digestion, B vitamins, linseed, glucosamine, prebiotics and tasty herbs to help keep your horse happy and healthy this winter.

Use small-holed haynets to keep stabled horses occupied for longer Split hay rations into two or three nets and place in different locations to encourage movement Regularly monitor weight and condition to ensure you’re not over-feeding Heat is generated as fibre ferments in the digestive system so keep your horse warm by feeding lots of fibre Use colder months to promote weight loss. Don’t over-rug, especially if horses aren’t clipped and weather is mild Feed a high-fibre diet to help promote digestive health, maintain regular bowel movements and reduce the risk of colic

Always seek advice Getting your horse’s diet right is important so never be afraid to ask for help. You can give one of Dengie’s experienced nutritionists a call on the Dengie Feedline today – 0845 345 5115. Alternatively, you can visit www.dengie.com where you can chat-live!

YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 13

FEED GUIDE 2017

Curves in the If your horse only has to look at food to put on weight or if you’re battling to keep condition on a real skinny minnie, TopSpec’s Nutrition Director Nicola Tyler has the answers

J

UST AS WITH humans, there’s usually a genetic element involved in how well horses can burn off calories or keep on weight. Typically, native ponies, Arabs, cobs, Warmbloods and their crosses will maintain condition with relative ease, whereas more highly-strung riding ponies or Thoroughbreds may struggle.

Poor-doers are predisposed to being on the lean side and sometimes it can feel as though his feed is vanishing into thin air. If this is your horse, and there are no clinical reasons for it, there are three key questions to ask yourself: ●● Is he on an effective worming plan? ●● When were his teeth last checked? ●● What’s his temperament like?

Feeding problems related to your horse’s teeth might need attention from a dentist

Teething problems If all is well with your worming plan, it could be that there’s an issue with his teeth, particularly if he drops the condition over winter when eating more hay or haylage and less grass. This is because these foodstuffs are more mature than grass so they take more chewing.

Not only can poor teeth cause quidding (when horses will drop or spit out partly chewed food instead of swallowing it) but

“Typically, native ponies, Arabs, cobs, Warmbloods and their crosses will maintain condition with relative ease” 14 YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017

the effectiveness of chewing determines the level of activity of the bacteria in the hind gut. This has a knock-on effect on how well his body can ‘access’ his food and all its nutrients. Therefore, it’s important for him to have regular dental check-ups every six months, especially if he’s prone to teeth issues.

Not all dental problems are visible to your vet or dentist’s naked eye though, and many horses will suffer in silence.

FEEDING POOR & GOOD-DOERS

right places Sometimes it takes an X-ray to discover an issue like a finely-fractured molar.

If this is the case with your horse or pony, there are a number of temporary measures you can take while waiting for a surgical solution, including feeding soaked fibre cubes. This means he still gets his all-important fibre but in a preground form, reducing the need to chew.

Stressed eric or nervous nelly Some horses are more interested in what’s going on around them than food.

Yet again, this is a factor which will be exacerbated or exposed during winter, when horses’ natural feeding behaviours and their ability to roam, forage and take part in social grooming is more limited.

If your horse’s condition is much better in summer, it’s unlikely to be a clinical or worming issue, but a dental, mental or emotional one. These horses can feel overfaced by large amounts of food when owners desperately try to ‘feed them up’.

Instead, they require small, tempting feeds with ad-lib forage instead.

In these cases, owners may also wish to try a relaxant supplement as part of a more holistic approach to managing the welfare of these tenser types. Scientists

WRAPPING UP WARM How well-rugged is your skinny minnie in winter? Rugging choices matter. Having to burn more energy to stay warm is a waste of calories that could be spent maintaining condition instead.

have suggested that calmers carry more of a placebo effect than a genuine one but there’s much anecdotal evidence to support the idea that they can help to relax some horses’ behaviour, aiding in the restoration of their appetite.

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

Feed only what he needs A small amount of balancer designed for good doers, mixed with some low-cal chop, is sufficient for his feed bucket. This will provide him with micronutrients and enough protein to repair muscle without building it. Mash products for good doers are also useful, because a small amount of mash seems like a lot more food when soaked: so you’ll get to feel less mean without killing him with kindness!

Feeding for maintenance Poor-doers are best off being fed GET conditioning feeds or balancers.

HIM MOVING Unless there’s a dental issue, cubes are Give some honest better than mashes due to the level of consideration to the digestible energy content, as fed, in each. question, ‘how much work Adding chop to feed does very little is my good-doer getting?’ to affect the calorific value but is good Good-doers with too much for adding interest and texture. Alfalfa time on their hooves will or grass-based chops are better than spend it eating instead, straw-based for poor-doers. Fibre-andpiling on weight. oil combination diets can significantly increase energy value too.

To gain condition without making him fizzy, avoid feeds high in starch and sugar.

This advice is also ideal for horses prone to laminitis, colic, limb abnormalities (young horses), elderly horses and those prone to stereotypies.

Soaking hay

Forage for the larger lad

Some horses (unlike most!) won’t always be quick to dive into their feed buckets

Use a trickle net to prolong the time it takes to eat forage, allowing some restriction of intake. Clean oat straw (not wheat), especially chopped, is also an option. It isn’t that nutritional or palatable, so it will keep both him and the microflora in his hind gut occupied, without letting him stuff himself!

causes sugars

to leach out Haylage is not a good idea for horses and ponies who inhale calories with ease. Instead, opt for the latest-cut meadow hay of the season and, if your horse needs to shift weight with some urgency, soaking the hay can be used as a temporary strategy (not exceeding three months). The hay should be soaked for between three and 12 hours in an ample amount of fresh, cool water – otherwise, this strategy will not work. The water causes sugars to leach out from the hay through the process of osmosis and this requires sufficient time and space for the process to occur.

YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 15

FEED GUIDE 2017

Battling

Laminitis is a worrying condition for many horse owners. Spillers’ Equine Nutritionist Clare Barfoot offers her expert advice to help you manage your laminitis-prone horse’s diet safely and effectively

Laminitis

Y

OUR LAMINITIC HORSE or pony’s diet needs to act as a frontline defence against the condition. There are a whole range of things which can cause laminitis, from stress, carbohydrate overload, obesity and insulin dysregulation to Cushing’s (PPID) and mechanical factors, which is why owners should always consult their vet or nutritionist.

Tailor-made menu Each horse or pony should be treated as an individual. There’s no one-size-fitsall method for preventing or managing laminitis, so owners need to consider their horse’s current condition, workload, age, the time of year, any underlying clinical issues, such as Cushing’s or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and – if they’ve suffered with laminitis before – when they last had it and how many times they’ve had it. This can help to identify any patterns and in turn reveal the likely cause. If the condition was triggered by a retained placenta in a mare (known as endotoxemia) or stress, then dietary restrictions may not need to be as severe as they would for an obese pony with EMS, for example. However, whatever the individual circumstances are, the dietary strategy you use should generally stick to a few golden rules.

Laminitis is a painful condition that you can help keep at bay through diet management

18 YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017

PHOTO: JUNIORS BILDARCHIV GMBH/ALAMY

Check the label Feeds to avoid are ones containing high amounts of non-structural carbohydrate (NSC). These include feeds high in starch, like cereals and cereal-based feeds such as coarse mixes. Don’t fall into the trap of vilifying certain ingredients like molasses – it’s the overall NSC level that should be considered. Ideally, this should be less than 12%. Choose your forage carefully, too. Hay and haylages typically contain NSC levels far higher than 12%, which is why forage analysis is a very important WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

FEEDING LAMINITICS

Hay and haylage contain high non-structural carbohydrate levels and so should be analysed

tool in managing horses and ponies prone to laminitis. High quantities of grass should be avoided as well, especially during risky months. As a general rule, NSC levels will be higher in the spring with another peak seen in autumn, so it’s particularly important to restrict grazing at these times of year.

Out at grass Grazing restriction can be done by using a good-quality grazing muzzle, which should be introduced slowly. Make sure he can drink through it and isn’t bullied by other herd members, that it doesn’t

Got a laminitic?

Beware long, lush grass

rub, and that the grass is at an optimal length. Grazing muzzles shouldn’t be used all the time though, so remove them for part of the day and ideally take him off the pasture, replacing grass with a low NSC forage. Other methods include strip grazing, grazing with sheep or using a bare paddock, but if there’s very little grass available there, a suitable forage

should be provided. You also need to take care with simply restricting turnout time as a method for managing laminitis: ponies learn very quickly to stick their heads down and ‘hoover’ for the duration they’re out! Ponies can consume up to 1.5% of their bodyweight in just 3 hours, and this is all they actually need daily to maintain condition.

MANAGING LAMINITIS AT A GLANCE DO

✔Have your forage analysed for ¨

water soluble carbohydrate ✔Soak hay for 12-16 hours (no ¨ longer than six in warm weather)

✔Look for feeds with less than ¨

DON’T

12% NSC ✔Feed a suitable balancer to good ¨ doers and overweight animals ✔Restrict grazing during high ¨ risk times ✔Use feeds low in starch and ¨ sugar but high in oil ✔Put them on a calorie restricted ¨ diet if they’re overweight

✘ Feed straight cereals or ¨ coarse mixes

✘ Restrict overall feed intake ¨

to less than 15g per 1kg bodyweight (dry weight) ✘ Make any abrupt changes ¨ to their diet ✘ Turn them out 24/7, especially ¨ during spring and autumn ✘ Feed haylage if it’s avoidable ¨ ✘ Allow them to get overweight ¨ ✘ Forget to feed them ¨ a well-balanced diet

Avoid feeding coarse mixes and cereals

Keep an eye on your horse or pony’s condition by regularly body condition scoring

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 19

• Dust Free

BETA N O

100% Quality Guarantee

HO

Since 1976

TEL: 01803 527274 www.horsehage.co.uk

FEMAS rtified Ce

For Forage

& PS

R S E H AGE

Absolutely •Nothing Added Dust Free • • HighlyEasyCompressed • To Use

HorseHage & Mollichaff

•

BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN MARK WESTAWAY AY AND SON A MANUFACTURERS ACTURERS OF HORSE FORAGE

Ussee Easy asy ToTo UUse

Complete Peace of Mind

A Complete Calming Fibre Feed

A Complete Feed Suitable For Horses & Ponies Prone To Laminitis

MARK WESTAWAY & SON LOVE LANE FARM, MARLDON, PAIGNTON, DEVON, TQ3 1SP

TEL: 01803 527274 www.horsehage.co.uk

HorseHage & Mollichaff

A Complete Conditioning Fibre Feed

BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN MARK WESTAWAY AND SON MANUFACTURERS OF HORSE FORAGE

FEED GUIDE 2017

FEEDING THE LEISURE HORSE

Diet of a happy hacker

A huge number of us own and ride horses for pleasure alone. Rachel O’Sullivan, nutrition adviser at Saracen, sheds light on the dietary needs of the leisure horse

T

HE WORKLOAD OF the leisure horse usually falls into the light bracket.

Sometimes, less consideration is given to these horses’ diets since they’re not burning the calories of a horse in harder work. However, the very nature of a happy hacker’s life means their feed must be well-thought out to ensure they get the balanced diet all horses require.

Just browsing Horses are natural browsers and, in the wild, they will consume over 50 different types of vegetation per year.

Domesticated horses – even those who live out – are unable to replicate this level of variety if restricted to the same field, so their natural foraging behaviours are still limited to an extent. To spice things up for him, you can give him alternative sources of forage that stretch beyond hay or haylage - for example, giving him big buckets of chaff. Fibre cubes in treat balls on the floor will provide more interest when he’s being kept in, and may also help avoid stereotypic behaviours.

Similarly, licks and vegetable ‘kebabs’ hanging up around his stable will give him something different to turn his attention to and will ensure he’s ‘foraging’ at a range of heights, rather than eating from a single, static haynet, which is an unnatural way to feed.

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

Go for a stroll

Leisure horses need a well-thought out, balanced diet.

Below: Give your horse a veg kebab to spice up his diet!

You can also add variety to his diet and enjoy a little me-and-you time by taking him out in-hand. Going for a stroll and allowing him to pick at verges and hedgerows will let you see which plants he takes a shine to, which can then be gathered and taken home for his stable. Horses are fairly adept at avoiding things that are poisonous to them but it’s always good to check this for yourself before leaving it lying around for him to snack on!

The hard stuff

When it comes to hard feed, most leisure horses don’t require one as such, provided they’re getting enough forage.

So whether he receives one or not will be down to you. It’s easy to think, ‘horses in the wild don’t need one’, but we must take into account that wild horses receive more variety and the very freshest forage, carrying more nutritional value. Domesticated horses also work harder than their wild counterparts, carrying the weight of a rider and being hacked, schooled or worked in other ways.

If in doubt, body condition score your horse every two weeks, so that you’re giving him a regular visual appraisal.

Looking at him, feeling his body and keeping a record of your findings can help you

keep on top of his condition in a way that simply sticking him on the weigh bridge will not. If fatty pads, or even ribs, are starting to appear, it’s time to take action.

For leisure horses, feeding a balancer is usually the best bet to provide quality protein and nutrients, without promoting unwanted weight gain. The main bulk of the diet can then remain as forage, which will support optimal digestion and behaviour.

Leisure time Grass is an appetite stimulant, so turnout time or in-hand grazing is fantastic for poor-doers year round. However, good doers may need to have their grazing restricted in some way, for example, by using a grazing muzzle. While he’s enjoying his own leisure time in the field, it’s important to keep an eye on his weight, particularly if his workload is not very intense.

Grazing muzzles should never be left on all day though: research has shown that some horses wearing muzzles have been bumped down the herd’s hierarchy as a result, since the muzzle prevents them from taking part in social activities, such as grooming. If he’s out 24/7, a muzzle is much less necessary overnight, since sugar levels drop when the grass is not photosynthesising in sunlight, so this is an ideal time to let him graze without one and party with the rest!

YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 21

“VioVet have never let me down, they give excellent service at extremely reasonable prices�

-Deborah, customer since 2014

For

Feed Balancers

For

Joint Supplements

For

Calming Supplements

For

Respiratory Supplements

Visit

VioVet.co.uk

9.6 / 10

with over 38,000 reviews

FEED GUIDE 2017

FEEDING THE COMPETITION HORSE

Fuelling performance A

First-class competition horses need topnotch nutritional management. Dodson & Horrell’s Head of Nutrition, Catherine Rudenko, tells us what you should be considering

COMPETITION HORSE’S life is significantly different to that of a leisure horse. Once out of the light work bracket, greater physical and psychological demands are placed upon him, which can affect both what his body requires and the way he eats. These horses may find themselves stabled more often and travelling frequently, which can cause a loss of appetite in some animals as a result of the less natural environment and interrupted feeding patterns.

The lifestyle challenge “This is the real challenge,” says Catherine.

“Helping him keep his appetite when the adrenaline is pumping. To help manage this, owners need to be aware of which ingredients they can lean on; ones that A horse who’s expected to compete needs the right fuel!

their horse finds very palatable and are likely to eat even when they’re away from home. Chaff is good for this, and sugar beet pulp – it’s easy to eat and can be made to be sloppy, so it’s a fantastic way of rehydrating a horse that won’t drink.

“Grazing between classes is good for them, too. It has digestive benefits and psychological benefits too, being such a natural behaviour. Grass is only 20% dry matter and 80% water, so there’s nothing harmful about letting them do this.”

Revitalise him The hard feed you give him should plug the gaps that his natural diet of forage cannot provide when exercising hard.

Vitamins and minerals are often the areas where gaps occur.

“Horses expending a lot of energy

Chaff will help to prevent acid splash in the stomach

do need to be fuelled with protein and carbohydrates,” says Catherine, “but the salts and electrolytes lost through sweating are very important to replace too, which can be done through adding an electrolyte supplement to the feed.

Again, sugar beet pulp is good for this.”

Feeding on the day “Feeding before exercise must be fibre-based, so stick to a couple of handfuls of chaff or another long stem fibre,” Catherine says. “Doing this puts a ‘cap’ on acid splash-back in the stomach, which can cause gastric ulcers.

Performance horses are particularly susceptible to these. Where hard feeds are concerned, such as classic competition cubes, don’t feed these any later than two to three hours before exercise. Since horses are flight animals, their circulatory system has the ability to ‘shunt’ the blood supply away from the digestive system to other parts of the body instantaneously.

Because exercise has the same effect, it can result in poor digestion or, in worst case scenarios, colic.”

Feed for temperament “Protein is a building block and doesn’t recognise which particular muscles it’ll support. The muscle mass and strength your horse has will come from how you work him, not what you feed him, so we should feed for temperament, rather than discipline. With that said, showjumpers may prefer to feed something higher in starch for the short power boost required, whereas eventers will need something more moderate in starch. The lower the starch, the more ‘settled’ the horse.”

YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 23

FEED GUIDE 2017

Just add... what?

The market is bursting with choice when it comes to supplements. If you don’t know where to start, Dr Teresa Hollands offers her expert opinion

S

UPPLEMENTS ARE FORMULATED to provide a concentrated supply of nutrients, allowing us to easily increase how much a horse is getting.

The supplements we buy for our horses fall into one of two categories: nutritional or nutraceutical. Dr Teresa Hollands is a Senior Teaching Fellow in Nutrition at the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine. She advises that if your horse is on the correct feed for his needs and being fed the manufacturer’s recommended amount, you shouldn’t need to include supplements in his diet.

However, many horses aren’t fed much 24 YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017

hard feed, which causes them to be deficient in vitamins and minerals.

“Horses on less than the recommended amounts of hard feed, or on forage only, can benefit from a nutritional supplement or balancer,” she says.

Nutraceutical vs nutritional So what’s the difference? Nutritional supplements provide vitamins and minerals in a concentrated form to A supplement could help to support your horse’s general health

balance forages and/or lower intakes of hard feed. This includes minerals with specific roles, such as electrolytes.

“There’s no discussion surrounding nutritional supplements,” says Teresa.

“They’re necessary to provide the levels of vitamins and minerals for your horse.”

By contrast, nutraceutical supplements are defined as nutritional supplements given in excess of the daily recommended amounts in order to achieve a disease-combatting effect.

However, they’re not to be treated as veterinary medicines.

“In the EU, you’re breaking the law if you promote a supplement as having direct healing properties or health benefits,” Teresa explains. “Manufacturers have to be careful how they use language on their packaging. It’s fine to suggest these products can be ‘supportive’ of health, but the line is drawn there. If you find a product making a more substantial claim than this, I’d avoid it, since it’s against the law and it could be that other regulations have been ignored, too.”

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

FEEDING SUPPLEMENTS Overfed or undernourished?

What all horses need as a starting point is a properly balanced diet with plenty of exercise. Teresa points out that your horse needs to eat the quantity of feed recommended on the back of the bag to get the correct amounts of vitamins and minerals per day but often owners will reduce the amount they feed when horses keep on (or put on) weight easily.

This reduces calorie intake, but nutrient intake is reduced too. This is when a vitamin and mineral supplement or balancer comes into play as a ‘top-up’ without the extra calories.

Feeding his feet Human skin can suffer when the person is run down. Hair and nails might lose their shine or strength and the same is true for horses. “Horses whose coats are dull or have poor quality hooves could be deficient in minerals like zinc and copper but also in protein and biotin, which helps with the production of keratin.

You should always make sure that your horse is on a balanced diet – if they are and they still have poor quality feet, then again a vitamin and mineral supplement or balancer may help. Poor hooves can stem from having a predominantly forage-based diet that lacks many of the minerals and most of the vitamins and quality protein that are needed.”

Supporting his joints A quick look online will show you the popularity of alternative treatments for arthritic joints, such as turmeric. “The effects of turmeric are still in the early stages of investigation,” says Teresa.

“However, it is an antioxidant and

Many owners have seen great results using calming supplements

antioxidants counteract the free radicals, which attack the joints.”

More research has been carried out into glucosamine, although Teresa advises that it can only support joint health if a high enough quantity is provided.

“Research by Oke et al found that the levels of glucosamine in many products were way less than claimed on the label, which meant the product was not effective. If we take an average 500kg horse, they should receive 10g of glucosamine a day. If the product doesn’t offer that, it’s not worth it.”

Clinical trials involving glucosamine concluded in some interesting results.

“It was only a small study of 25 arthritic horses,” says Teresa, “however, a modest level of efficacy was found.” Another more recent study by Murray et al has even highlighted the beneficial effects of glucosamine on low grade lameness when compared with a placebo.

Chilling him out

Poor hooves could indicate a deficiency in minerals like zinc and copper

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

Many owners with hot or tense horses give calming supplements. However, as a scientist, Teresa would like to see more clinical evidence of their effects.

“Manufacturers of calmers face a real dilemma. In order to prove that a calmer has a definite effect on a horse’s behaviour, they would have to carry out ‘double-blinded’, randomised clinical trials, and once the effects are proven, you can no longer call a calmer a supplement – it becomes a medicine.

This of course becomes extremely expensive and therefore manufacturers are limited in discussing trials and are forced to market calmers as being ‘supportive’ only. Anecdotally though, huge numbers of people use them and claim to see great results.”

Rehydration Electrolytes, or body salts, are a nutritional supplement and are excellent for horses who lose a lot of fluids through sweating, whether this is through exercise, stress or hot weather.

“Weightapes can be used before and after exercise to measure weight loss through sweating, which indicates dehydration,” says Teresa. “Get the horse to drink before administering the electrolytes. If he’s reluctant to drink away from home, some professionals flavour their water, both at home and away, so it tastes the same wherever they are.”

Respiration Respiratory supplements belong to the nutraceutical family. A good one should be high in antioxidants to help reduce inflammation. “Supplements high in antioxidants have been tested on horses with chronic inflammatory airway syndrome and the results showed a significant improvement in their tolerance to exercise. Therefore, these supplements seem to be very worthwhile.”

Immunity: balance is better When it comes to the immune system, Teresa advises owners to ensure their horse’s diet is fully balanced and that they’re fed in the right way, before adding supplements to support immunity.

“99.9% of bacteria are found in the gut and there is 10 times the amount of bacterial DNA present than there is horse DNA!” she explains. “Research shows links between gut health and immunity, and even gut health and the mind. It’s vital to keep his gut as active as possible.

Maintain consistent access to forage, while controlling calories. This is the best way to take care of his immune system.”

YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 25

PROMOTION

Why feed a Super Concentrated Balancer?

Ensure your horse is getting everything he needs (without added bulk) by feeding a balancer from Blue Chip’s Super Concentrated range

F

EEDING A BALANCER makes balancing your horse’s diet easier than ever before and now, with Blue Chip’s Super Concentrated formulas, you can ensure that your horse gets all the nutrients he needs in a feed as little as 50g.

Each of the Blue Chip Super Concentrated Feed Balancers in the range are whole cereal and molasses free which means they’re low in sugar and starch. One of them is sure to be perfect for your horse or pony!

Help your horse to perform at his best by carefully balancing his diet

Hardworking ingredients Packed into all of the Super Concentrated Balancers is a complete hoof supplement with biotin, methionine, lysine, organic zinc and organic copper for the formation of strong, pliable, good quality hooves.

In addition, each contains Primovento, a complete respiratory supplement with antioxidants, menthol, eucalyptus and garlic to soothe the airways. Every balancer also contains a probiotic digestive supplement which works to maximise nutrient absorption levels and promote healthy gut motility.

For stress heads Blue Chip Super Concentrated Calming Balancer contains a trio of calming ingredients which work together to help hot headed horses stay calm.

There’s now no need to feed a balancer and supplement separately with this all-in-one solution.

Care for older horses Blue Chip Senior Balancer contains a joint supplement with Glucosamine and MSM to support correct movement and healthy joints, plus elevated level of vitamins and minerals to meet the needs of older horses. It also contains a CushinCombo supplement with chaste tree berry which naturally helps to maintain insulin balance.

For horses at grass For horses that live out, Blue Chip Super Concentrated Grass Balancer contains turmeric, black pepper and oil to aid joint mobility and skin health, along with garlic, a traditional supplement for digestion and respiration.

Ulcer care For horses and ponies prone to gastric ulcers, Blue Chip Ulsa-Cool Balancer incorporates AcidBalTM, an 26 YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017

acid buffering agent, which is derived from marine minerals and can help the natural pH balance of the gut by slowly releasing calcium, magnesium and silicon, over a prolonged period. BetaGlucans coat the lining of the stomach with a protective lining whilst slowing the passage of feed to keep the stomach fuller for longer.

All-round nutrition Finally, for all round nutrition, Super Concentrated Daily Health Balancer is formulated with all of the essential vitamins and minerals needed for daily health and well-being. Ideal for good doers or those who only need a small amount of feed, this balancer can be fed straight from your hand!

Find out more Visit the website www.bluechipfeed.com for more information.

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

FEED GUIDE 2017

FEEDING SUPPLEMENTS

Shop for supplements There’s a huge range of equine supplements to choose from and deciding which to use can be tricky. Before giving your horse a supplement, consult your equine nutritionist. In the meantime, here’s a small selection of what’s available

CALMERS

HOOF CARE

Blue Chip Karma

TopSpec Healthy Hoof

Karma contains a water-soluble form of magnesium that’s quickly absorbed into the blood stream. It also contains other beneficial vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, which is vital to horses under stress from exercise, training and new environments. www.bluechipfeed.com

This supplement contains the levels of biotin (15mg/500kg horse per day), and associated nutrients scientifically proven to improve hoof quality, including chelated zinc, methionine, MSM, copper, iodine, calcium and vitamin A, which all improve the effect of biotin alone. www.topspec.com

Nettex V.I.P. Hoof Builder This V.I.P formula combines high levels of biotin with fundamental micronutrients necessary to support healthy, strong hooves and encourage hoof growth. www.nettexequine.com

Lincoln Platinum Pro 5 Mag Calmer Syringe This fast-acting calmer contains five different sources of magnesium, including chelated magnesium and magnesium aspartate, which are both more readily absorbed. www.Lincoln-Equestrian.com

RESPIRATORY SUPPORT

ELECTROLYTES

Feedmark Clarity

Replenish

A completely natural formulation designed to support and soothe the airways by helping to clear excess mucus. Seven herbs have been specifically selected to help your horse’s respiratory tract cope with dust and pollen particles. www.feedmark.com

A safe and comprehensive electrolyte formulation including essential body salts which can be added to feed or dissolved in water. www.feedmark.com

Equimins Air Power Booster Equimins’ Air Power Booster contains a mixture of honey, cider apple vinegar, aloe vera, menthol, eucalyptus oil and lemon juice to help soothe and support the respiratory system. www.equimins.com WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

Simplyboost Electrolyte This electrolyte offers a targeted boost of essential salts and minerals to help maintain hydration, support optimal muscle function and prevent fatigue in horses. www.equilibriumproducts.com YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 27

FEED GUIDE 2017

FEEDING SUPPLEMENTS

Shop for supplements continued GUT HEALTH

JOINT CARE

The Pink Powder

Cortaflex

NAF’s In The Pink Powder is a unique, concentrated formula that uses live yeasts and probiotics designed to optimise gut function and the natural digestive process. This enables the horse to fully utilise his diet and maintain perfect condition. www.naf-equine.eu/uk

A complementary feed supplement to support and maintain healthy joint tissue in horses, as part of a balanced diet. www.equine-america.co.uk

Coligone Liquid A natural product, designed specifically to aid and support the digestive system and maintain healthy acid levels within the digestive tract. Ideal for use when travelling or competing to maintain healthy acid levels in the gut. www.hbradshaws.co.uk

MUSCLE CARE

NAF Five Star Superflex Senior This unique formulation from NAF provides key joint support nutrients for horses.

It works in synergy with rich natural sources of Omega 3 fatty acids and naturally sourced antioxidants to support healthy, flexible joints in older horses and ponies still leading active lives. www.naf-equine.eu/uk

VITAMINS & MINERALS

Equitop Myoplast

TopSpec All-in-One

This unique amino acid supplement is designed to support healthy, lean muscle growth. www.equitop-myoplast.co.uk

A caramel-flavoured granular supplement containing a top specification, broadspectrum supplement, as well as many specialised supplements. www.topspec.com

Dodson & Horrell Daily Vitamins & Minerals for Horses Horse Muscle Builder This supplement from Science Supplements contains the key amino acids to support muscle development, repair and recovery after exercise and promotes muscle strength, power and stamina. www.sciencesupplements.co.uk 28 YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017

This is a broadspectrum vitamin and mineral ‘top-up’ formulated specially to provide your horse with all of the necessary vitamins and minerals required for a balanced diet. www.dodsonandhorrell.com WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

USEFUL CONTACTS

Get in touch

When it comes to feeding horses it’s always advisable to contact an equine nutritionist for expert guidance – here are just a few helpful teams you can call Baileys Horse Feeds

Nutrition Line: 01371 850 247 (option 2)

www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/ask-the-experts

(for a personal diet plan for your horse)

Blue Chip Feed

Advice line: +44 (0)114 263 1200

www.bluechipfeed.com/ask-our-nutritionist Dengie

Feedline: 0845 345 5115

www.dengie.com (chat live online)

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

Saracen Horse Feeds

Nutritional Advice line: 01622 718 487 (9am-5.30pm) Customer Order line: 0845 521 2444

www.saracenhorsefeeds.com Spillers

Care Line: 01908 226626 (Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm) General Enquiries: 01908 222888

www.spillers-feeds.com

Allen & Page

Nutrition Team: 01362 822 902

www.allenandpage.com TopSpec

The TopSpec Helpline: 01845 565030

www.topspec.com

Dodson & Horrell

Nutritional Helpline: +44 (0) 845 345 2627

www.dodsonandhorrell.com

YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017 29

FEED GUIDE 2017

FEEDING OLDER HORSES

As your horse ages, his diet requirements may change

The Golden Years Nutritional support for an ageing body is essential. Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at Allen and Page, reveals the five golden rules of feeding senior equines

1

Fibre first

Fibre is the most important part of every horse’s diet and is vital for good digestive health. In the wild, horses would graze for up to 18 hours a day and it’s our job to replicate this near constant supply of fibre.

As horses age, their dental condition declines, making it difficult for them to chew grass or hay efficiently. It’s then necessary to provide alternative sources of fibre that can be more easily chewed and digested - for example, a fast-soaking fibre feed that’s been designed to be fed in large quantities is an ideal forage replacement.

2

Feed for condition

Weight loss is a common problem that affects horses as they age, and for this reason most veteran feeds are high in calories to help older horses gain and maintain weight. Not all senior horses lose weight however; many that have

30 YOUR HORSE FEED GUIDE 2017

been good-doers all of their lives will remain so in their later years.

These horses and ponies may require a low calorie veteran feed, which will help to ensure they receive an age-appropriate, nutritionally-balanced diet without promoting unwanted weight gain.

3

Consider his ailments

Advancing age increases the likelihood of medical issues, many of which can be exacerbated by a horse’s diet. For example, any horse with liver problems requires a low protein diet in order to reduce the strain placed on the organ.

Consequently, it’s essential that all veterinary issues are taken into account to ensure the diet is suitable for the horse as a whole, and not just in relation to his age.

4

Low starch and sugar A good veteran feed will be high

in fibre but low in starch and sugar, as this is more natural for the horse. Feeds which contain cereals and molasses will be higher in starch and sugar, which can not only cause excitable behaviour, but can also make the horse more susceptible to laminitis or colic. Horses prone to laminitis, including Cushing’s sufferers, should only be fed feeds containing starch and sugar levels of under 10% combined. Preventing laminitis from developing in the first place is far better than the long term management that is required to successfully control the condition once it has occurred.

5

Add water

Veteran feeds should be easy to eat. A veteran horse with poor teeth is more at risk of suffering choke and colic, because he may not be able to chew properly. A feed that soaks to form a soft, palatable mash is easy to eat and using warm water also releases more flavours, helping to tempt even the fussiest of eaters.

Feeding a soaked feed will also increase a horse’s water consumption, something that is particularly useful during the winter months when many veterans can be reluctant to drink enough water.

WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

Is your veteran horse losing condition?

Call our award winning helpline for advice

01362 822 902 Veteran Vitality

R

From the First Signs of Ageing ╩ Y✔♥Þℜ Čℜ ♥⊂ ⊕½ ′Č⊂ ϯ ⊄♥⊂✔½ /¹½Č⊕  ′½ Č⊂¹ ⊂♥½ ′Č ✔σσ⊕½  Þ′½✠ ╩ ⊂Č♥⊂ ⊕♥⊂½½¹ Č⊂¹ E⊂║'D ✦Č ♥⊕  K⊄½σČ ϯ Č⊂¹ ϲ ╝ ⊂ ⊂½½¹  Č¹¹ ½✥Č ♥⊕Ύ ╩ ,♥σ′⊕✦ Č⊕ČČş⊕½ Θ şČ⊕Č⊂Þ½¹ ✠♥′ ½½⊂Č⊕ ✟♥Č⊄♥⊂ Θ ⊄♥⊂½Č⊕Ύ ╩ ,♥σ′ ♥⊂ Κş½ ✠♥′ Č σ¹ ÞČ⊕♥½ ⊕½✟½⊕  ′½⊕ ⊄Č♥⊂Č♥⊂ ✠½♥σ′ ╩ Č⊕½✦ Č⊂¹ ⊄⊕Č½ ½½ ⊕✠ ČÞ′ Č⊂¹ ⊕✠ ✔σČΎΎ ╩ DČ¹½ ✠♥′ ′♥σ′ ✔Č⊕♥✦ E⊂║'D ♥⊂σ½¹♥½⊂ Ύt′½⊂ ½¹ Č ½Þ⊄⊄½⊂¹½¹ ⊕½✟½⊕ ΎΎt′½⊂ Þ⊄Č½¹  Č¹♥⊂Č⊕ ¹♥½ ✠♥′ Þ⊄ČČ✟½ ½⊂½σ✦ ⊕½✟½⊕

K Þ⊂ČÞ ✔ ⊂✔♥⊂Č⊕ ′½⊕⊕♥⊂½ ş✦ ½⊄Č♥⊕

helpline@allenandpage.co.uk Y✔½ ¹ Z½½½⊂Þ½ s½½Č⊂ s♥Č⊕♥✦

www.allenandpage.com

ULCER FEED SOLUTIONS stressy

ulcers

Poor-doers

Good-doers

HIGH CALORIE

LOW CALORIE SUITABLE FOR THOSE PRONE TO

GASTRIC ULCERS AS PART OF A BALANCED DIET

LOW STARCH LOW SUGAR BUILDS TOP LINE* For your free sample & information pack: Baileys Horse Feeds Tel: 01371 850 247 (option 3)

www.easeandexcel.co.uk www.performancebalancer.co.uk *provides quality protein to help promote top line when fed at the recommended amounts

fussy