( FEEDING) The Benefits of Feeding Mashes
You may think that feeding a mash to your horse is nothing new; in fact, if you have been enjoying horses for many years, you will know that it is a rather traditional pastime. However, in contrast to the irregular use of mashes made from bran, the innovative products widely available on the market today can offer many benefits without the drawbacks.
These quick-soaking and more nutritionally balanced mashes combine the best of traditional knowledge with modern technology.
One of the main advantages of feeding mashes is that they will aid hydration. Despite the fact that the summer season and hotter weather is coming to an end, maintaining your horse’s fluid intake continues to be important.
It has been found that stabled horses drink more than horses at grass, but they do not drink enough to compensate for the reduced water content in hay compared to grass. This can contribute to the increased risk of impaction colic that occurs at this time.
If you need to encourage your horse to drink for any reason, a mash can be used to ‘flavour’ the water, by adding 1 part mash to up to 10 parts water.
Which mash should you choose for your horse?
There are two main types of mashes that you can buy; mashes that are based on conditioning ingredients e.g. linseed, and those that are based on high fibre ingredients designed for good-doers.
If your horse needs to be fed a powdered supplement or possibly medication, you can use either type of mash (whichever is appropriate for him) to help disguise it. Take care if the medication is very unpalatable though, as it may put him off even the tastiest mash!
Simply Scrumptious - Equerry Minty Treats
Equerry Minty Treats make the perfect reward for your horse or pony and have a lovely spearmint flavour.
These delicious healthy treats come in a 20kg size – ideal for larger yards or sharing!
A healthy treat option, Minty Treats are fibre-based nuggets, low in sugar and are ‘Non-Heating’ and cereal-grain-free so they won’t cause any problems or ‘fizz’.
New from Animalife is Vetrolytes PLUS, an essential for every tack box this season.
Animalife Vetrolytes PLUS is a liquid electrolyte formula providing fast absorption to rapidly replace vital salts sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) that are lost through sweat and which are needed to improve stamina and recovery whilst encouraging water consumption.
This unique formula contains a range of important naturally occurring bio-available Amino Acids, including the BCAA - Isoleucine, Leucine, and Valine - to help reduce muscle fatigue and assist muscle recovery. BCAA are the building blocks for protein and important for muscle health, recovery and growth.
Naturally flavoured for palatability, Vetrolytes PLUS is ideal for 10 SUMMER SPECIAL 2019 For the latest news visit
www.centralhorsenews.co.uk
If your horse needs to gain weight but prefers or requires a soſt feed, for example if he is dehydrated or elderly and/or has poor teeth, a conditioning mash based on linseed will be the best option. Mashes provide a voluminous feed but remember, it is the dry weight of mash that contributes to condition.
Linseed contains high levels of Omega-3’s and mucopolysaccharides, so horses fed a mash rich in this should also have a fabulous shiny coat.
If your horse is a good-doer but still needs or prefers a soſt feed, or is dehydrated, high fibre mashes are ideal. You can make a more dilute and lower calorie mash (as fed) by adding more water.
If he has poor teeth, larger amounts of the high fibre mash can be used to replace hay, haylage or chop. This provides pre-ground fibre, which will help to ensure the microflora in his hindgut receive sufficient fibre to operate efficiently. Soaking in hot water won’t help to keep your horse warm as the temperature drops. However the fermentation of fibre by the microflora in your horse’s hindgut will generate heat, providing internal central heating. Mashes can be soaked in cold, cool or up to hand-hot water, but no hotter.
It is best to speak to an experienced nutritionist if you are unsure whether a mash would be suitable for your horse. Article supplied by nutritionists from the TopSpec Multiple Award-Winning-Helpline. They can be contacted, free of charge, on 01845-565030.
They can be fed by hand, in a treat ball or added to feed to tempt fussy feeders.
Equerry Minty Treats are great for when your horse deserves a little reward.
Equerry Minty Treats 20kg are £12.50. To find out more about the Equerry range of horse feeds visit
www.equerryhorsefeeds.com or telephone 01845 565640.
fussy eaters and can be mixed with feed, added to water, or syringed orally into the mouth. Vetrolytes PLUS is ideal for competition, travelling or everyday use, and can be administered to horses aſter general sweating, during hot weather or when they are stressed to help improve their recovery.
It comes in convenient, easy to use 60ml (liquid) sachets with no wastage.
RRP £1.99 for x1 60ml or x3 for £5. Find out more information on why your
horse might need electrolytes call 0121 296 9900 or visit
www.animalife.co.uk.
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