FOCUS ON FEEDING
FEEDING ADVICE
WINTER D
uring winter, when grazing is in limited supply, frozen or covered by snow,
it is important to provide alternative sources of fibre (e.g. hay, haylage or chop) to aid digestion and keep the hindgut working efficiently. Fibre is continually fermented by the
microflora in the hindgut. This process of fermentation produces warmth. So before reaching for extra hard feed in the cold weather, always ensure your horse has access to ample forage. Horses with poor teeth may
struggle to chew long fibre effectively. In this case the hindgut microflora are deprived of essential fibre which can lead to digestive disturbances, with weight loss and loose droppings seen as a result. A soft, short- chopped grass can be used as a hay replacer for a period of time. However, offering fibre in a pre-ground form e.g. with nutritious but high-fibre cubes, rapidly becomes essential. Although forage is the foundation
of a horse’s diet during the winter, it is important to balance this diet and ensure an optimumsupply of the essential amino acids, vitamins, trace-elements and minerals that will be lacking in a forage-only
diet. A top specification feed balancer is the perfect solution. For those that need to gain weight,
a top specification, conditioning feed balancer is ideal. The high quality protein included will promote muscle development and topline when combined with working in a correct outline. The amount of nutrients that can be utilised from hay/ haylage will be increased when using one of these balancers, reducing or eliminating the requirement for additional hard feed. When further condition
is needed, appropriate blends and/or straights can be added. Conversely, for good-
opSpecMultipleAward-
Winning-Helpline.They canbecontacted,freeof charge,on01845-565030.
Houdini, owned by AnnWalker Please mention Central HorseNewswhen responding toAdvertisements NOVEMBER/DECEMBER2018 19
doers, winter can be a very useful time to drop some condition before spring. Poor-nutritional-quality hay should be fed, e.g. late-cut meadow hay, and soaked if necessary. A non-conditioning, top specification feed balancer can be used to balance the diet. This will supply optimum levels of micronutrients without promoting weight gain when fed as part of a calorie controlled diet. Articlesuppliedby nutritionistsfromthe T
Autumn Offer!
“Since feeding
TopSpec Cool Balancer, my horse Dundee is in wonderful condition. She is a sharp mare and TopSpec Cool Balancer makes her feel great without the fizz.”
Shona Edwards *Available from participating
retailers throughout October and November and whilst promotional stocks last. Normal RRP £23.95.
A bag will last a 500kg horse for 30 days. A500kg horse gets 500g per day which equals two measures a day.
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CREATED WITHOUT COMPROMISE by experienced equine nutritionists
Multiple Award Winner for ‘Excellence in Nutritional Advice and Customer Service’
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