EQUUS FEEDS - Our Ingredients

1. Ingredients and Composition of Equus Products
2. More on Super Fibres
3. Benefits of Hight Omega-3 containing oils in Equine Diets
4. Benefits of using a Live Yeast Culture

Ingredients and Composition of Equus products

The Equus range of products is manufactured in the Waterberg. As many of our
raw materials as possible are also sourced from the many fertile valleys within
this beautiful range of mountains where acid rain and the pollution of river water
are unheard of.

The philosophy behind the Equus range is based on the proven principles of
natural feeding techniques and the emphasis throughout is on natural fibres
and gut health.

Fibres
The two main natural fibre types used to supply the required roughage in our
feeds are Lucerne and Oaten Hay. Only second and third cuttings of first grade
Lucerne is used and great care is taken not to lose the leafy part of the product
which contains most of the sought after nutrients. Our Oaten Hay is cut in the
early bloom stage before the grain has developed, and is then sun dried until
it is ready for baling.
read more on fibres >

Starches
Our strategy is to use several different ingredients to supply the required non structural carbohydrates. All of these are digested at different rates
and energy is subsequently released into the bloodstream more gradually. This helps to prevent any insulin spikes and ensures more sustained energy for the horse. To ensure that there is no starch overload in the foregut, a percentage of the maize is cooked by extrusion. A gradual
release of energy from starches is carefully balanced between extruded maize, crushed raw maize, hominy chop, bran middlings and rice bran.

                                                                                              Protein
                                                                                              Our emphasis always falls on protein quality more than the total percentage of
                                                                                              protein. When selecting protein sources great care is taken to supply a healthy
                                                                                              balance of the essential amino acids lysine, methionine, threonine etc.
                                                                                              The main protein sources used are Soya meal, extruded Full Fat Soya and
                                                                                              Sunflower Oilcake.

                                                                                              Fats and Oils
                                                                                              Fats and oils play a very important role in increasing the energy density of
                                                                                              high fibre diets, but maintaining the balance between the omega-3 and
                                                                                              omega-6 fatty acids is what makes the difference. Apart from Full Fat Soya
                                                                                              which supplies this much needed energy from fat, a special blend of high
                                                                                              omega-3 containing oils is used to achieve the correct balance.
                                                                                              read more on omega-3 containing oils >

                                                                                              Vitamins and Minerals
                                                                                              Few people realize how the quality of vitamins and minerals can vary depending
                                                                                              on the source. The quality is determined by their stability in mixtures (which also
                                                                                              affects shelf life) and also by the biological availability of these vitamins and
                                                                                              minerals to the animal. Stringent quality control is applied in the selection of
                                                                                              these and minerals in the organic form (especially chelated selenium and zinc
                                                                                              and chromium) are used wherever required.

Live Yeast Culture
The live yeast culture of choice for Equus is the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026, a yeast strain specifically selected for its positive influence
on animal performance. The yeast culture is included at a level of 2.5 gram/kg.
read more on live yeast culture >

More on Super Fibres

Not all fibre is the same and, depending on its origins, it can vary widely in terms of quality and digestibility.
Fibre consists of three main substances: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Lignin is considered 100% indigestible by either horses or the bacteria
they harbor in their digestive tracts; it is the very hard fibre that gives plant material its rigidity (trees are high in lignin; tender young grass shoots
are low). Cellulose, and to a certain extent hemicellulose, however, are digestible, and it is from these two that horses derive most of their
digestible energy requirements.

Cellulose and hemicellulose, which stem from the non-seed and non-fruit portions of a plant (such as the leaves, stems, and hulls), also are known
as insoluble fibre. Soluble fibre (which makes up a relatively minor portion of the fibre in a horse's diet) is fibre stemming from the "liquid" portions
of a plant: the resin, sap, pectins, and mucilages.

All plant-eaters use nearly all of the soluble fibre they ingest. But the degree of insoluble fibre that horses use varies. The sooner bacteria go to
work breaking the beta-bonds, the higher the percentage of the fibre that is used by the horse; but even insoluble fibre that is not digested has its
place in the equine diet. It helps maintain gut motility and function, as well as preventing the too-quick consumption of carbohydrates, which are
readily digested and sometimes can cause digestive upset if not "cushioned" by the presence of fibre in the colon.

Products like Beet Pulp and Soya Hulls are often referred to as a "super fibres" due to their high digestibility and ease of fermentation. The reason is
the lack of lignin in the fibre. Tall pastures and overly mature hay cannot be digested well by horses because of the high lignin content in the plant to
give the stalk strength. In addition, high lignin content fibres like peanut hulls, oat hulls and rice hulls have very low fermentation properties and
are, therefore, very low in caloric content. Super fibres like Beet pulp, on the other hand, have about the same caloric content as oats.

It is unusual to have a fibre product that is so completely and easily fermented by the horse's digestive system and still provides the calorie content
of a grain product. This describes the advantage of using these so called super fibres in the diet.

With the current focus in the horse industry on lowering non-structural carbohydrates(NSC) in equine diets (starches typically derived from grains
easily causing digestive disorders), it is important to note that some super fibres have an average NSC of around 12%. This fact, combined with their
good calorie content and ease of fermentation make them an excellent ingredient for formulating high fibre, low carbohydrate diets. The use of super
fibre diets can benefit not only older horses but also horses suffering from gastric ulcers, respiratory issues, metabolic diseases and many other
feeding situations.

Benefits of High Omega-3 containing oils in Equine Diets

The main reason for adding oils to a concentrate is to increase the energy density of the horse's diet without increasing the grain and starch
inclusion of the diet. Increased energy density is required for hard work or intensive training. Too much starch in the diet increases the risk of
digestive disorders. Because oils provide about 2 � to 3 times more digestible energy than an equal weight of cereal grain, a high energy diet for
peak performance can be obtained by using oils without sacrificing any fibrous material critical for digestive health and the prevention of diges-
tive disturbances.

Other benefits of incorporating fats or oils in the diet may include:

� Lower lactic acid accumulation in muscles and blood by sparing glycogen use
� Reduced severity of tying-up
� Reduced muscle damage
� Calmer behaviour in horses on typically high grain diets

Added oils are well utilized by the horse and studies show that fats and oils added to the horse's diet are 76 - 94% digestible. Even without
increasing the total energy of the diet, having oils or fat in the ration has been shown to increase the amount of dietary energy available for growth, lactation and physical activity (Kane et al., 1979; McCann et al., 1987; Scott et al., 1993). Adding oils to the diet decreases total body heat
production, leaving more energy available for maintenance and productive use (Scott et al., 1993). Dietary fat is thus utilized by the horse for
energy more efficiently than other sources of dietary energy.

Essential Oils (Fatty Acids)
With regards to calories, all vegetable oils are created equal as they provide approximately 2� to 3 times as many as the equivalent amount of
cereal grain. However, different oils contain different amounts of "essential fatty acids" so they are not created equal from a nutritional point of
view and the most recent research focus has been on the use of different kinds of oils. When oil is digested, free fatty acids are incorporated into
cell membranes, but some fatty acids cannot be synthesized by the horse and so are called "essential" fatty acids. These must be available in
the diet on a daily basis. Two of these essential fatty acids are Omega 6 and Omega 3 which have the greatest biological activity in the body.

Maintaining the Balance
Oils containing higher levels of Omega 3 are found in the natural diet of horses (forage) and can be digested easily with positive effects on the
horse's system. Omega 6 should not be excluded from the diet as it is essential to support some inflammation required to fight infection and heal tissues as well as being involved in hormone production, brain function and regulating blood pressure. Research has shown that the correct ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids is vital for the oils to work beneficially and therefore it is important that the correct combination is supplied in
order to achieve the best results.

Cereal grains such as oats, barley, maize, wheat, rice etc., as well as the oils from sunflower, maize, rice bran and cottonseed, all contain high percentages of Omega 6 in relationship to their Omega 3 levels. All Omega 6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory which helps maintain the horse's immune system and is beneficial during infection and sickness.
However, if too many Omega 6 fatty acids are fed, an imbalance can occur, leading to an altered physiological state and potentially harmful inflammation. On the other hand, Omega 3 fatty acids are potent, anti-inflammatory agents that help reduce pain and swelling and assist in
returning the horse's system to normal function. So, as with all nutrients, balance is the key.

The table (above) shows the percentage and ratios of Omega - 6 and Omega - 3s contained in some of the different oil seeds and fish oil available. Omega- 6 is normally in abundance compared to Omega-3. Only certain oils containing relatively more Omega-3 is available to rectify the Omega 3
to 6 ratio balance of the total diet.

Oil as Fuel for Performance
High-fat diets have been shown to enhance both aerobic activity (endurance activity) and anaerobic activity (sprint-type activity) and help to delay fatigue. Horses fed a high-fat diet appear to have greater muscle glycogen utilization and no change in their blood glucose concentration during anaerobic activity (sprinting), whereas during aerobic activity (endurance) there was comparatively a smaller reduction in blood glucose concen-
tration. Glycogen sparing within the muscles also occurred further aiding in the delay of fatigue. (Oldham et al., 1990).

Research suggests that by providing oil in the diet, which the horse can utilise when walking, trotting and even cantering (up to a heart rate of
around 150 beats per minute), the stores of glycogen are spared so that when the horse starts to gallop he has a full tank of fuel to use for high intensity work resulting, in effect, in improved stamina. It also seems that, because the horse is starting with a full tank, he doesn't deplete energy stores completely, so recovers from an intense work period more quickly and can therefore perform more frequently.

Importance of Anti Oxidants
To ensure that the oil is used as efficiently as possible by the horse, a range of supporting nutrients are required when oils are added to the diet.
These include, in particular, antioxidants such as the vitamins C and E and minerals like selenium and zinc. During aerobic respiration which breaks down oil, free radicals are produced which, if not countered with antioxidants, can damage cell membranes including those of the muscles. Whilst
the body produces its own internal antioxidants these may be insufficient to deal with the additional free radicals produced by an increased inclusion
of oil in the diet. All Equus concentrates ensure that this is taken care of by using high levels of these anti oxidants as required.

Claimed Health Benefits of Omega 3's
The Omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have now been linked to a wide-range of health benefits. Research has indicated that increased levels of EPA & DHA supplied in Omega-3 oils may help to maintain pain-free, supple and mobile joints in horses and ponies. Claimed benefits of Omega-3 oils include that they:

� Help horse's joints and connective tissues heal and recover from the stress of exercise and thus aid recovery after training and competition.
� Promote a healthy, shiny, glossy coat
� Promote stronger and faster growing feet useful for horses and ponies prone to laminitis and those with slow growing feet or those difficult to
keep shod.
� Boost the immune system.
� Are good for the respiratory system.
� Can help calm the temperament of excitable horses.
� Keep horse's joints supple.
� Correct development of nervous system, brain muscles and skeleton.
� Maintain and repair cellular walls.
� Have anti-inflammatory properties.
� Aid in wound healing.
� Support a healthy heart and blood circulation.
� Have anti-allergic properties.
� Support a strong metabolism.

Equus and Omega 3's
High Omega-3 containing oils with all their claimed benefits are used in both Equus Cool 'n Perform and Equus Safe 'n Lite.
Equus uses a blend of oils highly desirable for their favorable Omega-3 to 6 ratio, palatability and stability in mixtures.
In Cool 'n Perform the combined effects of Omega-3's and high levels of Vitamin B1 are used to assist in maintaining calmness.
In the Safe 'n Lite ration, the oils are used for all the beneficial properties, but also specifically to supply a reasonable energy density in a diet
designed to be very low in NSC (non structural carbohydrates) to assist horses prone to laminitis and all related disorders.

It is important to note that complete metabolic adaptation to a high-fat diet has been shown to be achieved in 11 weeks, but not in 6 weeks
(Custalow et al., 1993).
Therefore keep in mind that it will take a while before you will notice all the positive benefits of using high Omega-3 containing oils.

Benefits of using a Live Yeast Culture

In both Equus Cool 'n Peform and Safe 'n Lite Yea-Sacc1026 is used as the live yeast culture.

Yea-Sacc1026 is a live yeast culture based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026, a yeast strain specifically selected for its widely accepted positive influence on animal performance.

Live Yeast cultures are used to stabilize the hindgut bacterial populations and increase nutrient digestibility. Yeast cultures synthesize many proteins and secrete all essential amino acids. Many studies have been conducted with horses as to the usefulness of this ingredient. Adding a yeast culture
to the diets of horses has been shown to enhance the activity of fibre-digesting bacteria in the hindgut, resulting in increased fibre digestibility and more efficient use of the vitamins and minerals derived from the forage portion of the diet. Yeast requires oxygen in order to live and, as the
horse's hind gut is largely anaerobic (free from oxygen), it needs to be supplied in the diet daily to be effective.

Research data further shows that adding yeast culture to feed formulas directly corresponds with improved digestion, decrease in lactic acid after exercise, better utilization of protein in the diet, enhanced overall fitness levels and improved tissue and muscle reproduction and repair. Indirectly, this could lead to fewer incidents of diarrhea, colic, laminitis and a variety of other equine health and performance problems, while simultaneously improving performance and well-being of the horse.

Feeding yeast to horses during exercising and training may help condition the horse. Campbell and Glade (1989) reported lower plasma lactic acid concentrations after 35 minutes of exercise in young adult horses fed yeast culture compared to a diet without yeast culture. They also found lower heart rates during the first five and final ten minutes of a 35-minute exercise workout for horses fed a diet with yeast compared to a diet without yeast. Thus, inclusion of yeast in diets of exercising horses seemed to improve their aerobic metabolic capacity. The reason for this effect is
unclear, but may be related to the improved nitrogen retention or fermentation profile of the gut when horses are fed yeast culture as shown in
other studies.

Lactating mares fed yeast culture have higher concentrations of sugars, fats, proteins, and amino acids, and their foals were shown to have higher average daily gains due to increased availability of nutrients. Older horses will benefit directly from the addition of yeast culture due to increased
fibre digestion and phosphorus absorption from the large intestine, which commonly deteriorates and loses some absorptive capacity due to aging.

Yeast levels used in Equus
It is important to note, however, that experimental data has shown that no benefits are obtained from adding a yeast culture when included at levels below that recommended. Equus uses a level of 2.5 gram/kg of the live yeast culture ensuring that a horse receiving 4 kg of concentrate per day receives 10 grams of yeast.

Carefully check the level of yeast indicated on the bag tag of your current feed as some concentrates on the market only use half, or even less than half of the recommended inclusion level which will certainly not ensure the benefits as achieved in the experimental trials.

Conclusion
Yeast can provide a benefit in horse diets by improving feed digestion and nitrogen retention. Increased fibre digestion and better feed efficiency are the most common benefits of yeast supplementation. The improved nutrient digestion and feed efficiency has a wide array of benefits for horses at different stages of life, especially growth, breeding, mid-to-late gestation, and early lactation. Performance horses during training and conditioning have also shown benefits of yeast supplementation.

Clearly, the addition of yeast culture to horse feeds is a win-win situation, as all classes of horses appear to benefit from its effects.

Keep in mind that horses under stress or recovering from illness might benefit from additional yeast through the use of available supplements.
Discuss the required levels of inclusion with your Vet or Equine pharmacist.