Q A
I own an eight-year-old, 16.2hh TB X and I am struggling to keep weight on him. Is there anything I can feed which is high in fibre and not cereal based as I don’t want to have to deal with excitable behaviour?
Dr Tom Shurlock of British Horse Feeds explains...
Condition of the horse is the relationship between muscle and fat, within the context of general alertness, behavioural normality and stamina. It is wrong to assume that by increasing the weight of an underweight horse you are improving condition.
Feeding the horse to improve condition can be a complex affair, dependant on: • Energy intake • Protein • Carbohydrate intake • Fat Intake • Minerals • Trace Elements • Vitamins • And most importantly the intake of the correct type of forage.
Simply by increasing the energy intake the condition of a horse is not necessarily improved. By increasing fat or carbohydrate levels of a ration will increase the energy levels but energy intake over output will on result in fat deposition. By simply
increasing the protein content, extra amino acids will be deaminated leading to fat deposition.
The process requires a balanced intake of nutrients allowing the metabolism of the horse build protein, deposit reasonable amounts of fat whilst still providing energy for maintaining its biochemical systems. This means an increase in all nutrients in a form that the horse can digest and absorb in a normal meal.
It is OK to add small amounts of oil to a diet to increase energy reserves and it is better than using some forms of carbohydrate, but should be regarded as a short term measure, unless exercise is to be increased over the long term.
The best way of improving condition is to obtain more energy from natural feedstuffs. Fibre-Beet benefits from micronized sugar beet.
This enables: • Improved nutrient availability in the small intestine to increase
uptake of protein, minerals and fat.
• Improved fermentation and nutrient availability in the hind gut due to increased microbial activity.
Fibre-Beet is designed to improve the overall intake and consistency of fibre. Substituting some of the forage component with Fibre-Beet, the fibre profile can be enhanced giving a better ratio of celluloses:hemicelluloses:pecti ns than grass/hay/haylage alone. Coupled with its improved nutrient availability, and its somewhat different protein profile, Fibre-Beet is a long term condition improver and maintainer.
What is important, though, is “balanced” conditioning, not just a race to put on weight (i.e. fat!).
In terms of feeding, replacing a portion of hay/grass with Fibre-Beet will enhance nutrient availability and improve overall condition and maintain weight.
For a 16.2hh Thoroughbred 1kg Fibre-Beet per day should give beneficial results.
For more information contact British Horse Feeds on 01765 680300 or visit www.
britishhorsefeeds.com
www.equestrianlifemagazine.co.uk
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