EQUUS FEEDS - Quicklinks

Horses prone to Laminitis, Cushing Disease, Insulin Resistance, Tying up and Intolerant to Starches and Sugars

Laminitis is a systemic disease, however, the major and most devastating symptoms include inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the hoof. Many horses have lost their lives to laminitis as a horse that cannot support itself structurally cannot survive.

Cushing's syndrome is caused by pituitary malfunction. In all cases it will eventually be lethal and the general approach to treatment is to make the horse as comfortable as possible and to slow down the advancement of the condition as much as is practical. Insulin resistance is related to
Cushing's, however, horses suffering from insulin resistance are usually obese whereas most horses with Cushing's are underweight.

                                         While significant research has been completed with regard to Tying up syndrome in horses over the past several years,
                                          it is not yet definitive enough to be able to effectively prevent or even treat individual horses that exhibit myopathies
                                          of one sort or another. Muscular myopathy is multi-faceted and affects different horses in various ways.

                                         Even though the causes, symptoms and effects of these conditions are quite different, the dietary approach to their
                                         management is similar. Horses suffering from these conditions should receive a reduced NSC (non structural
                                         carbohydrates) intake. Controlled and field studies have demonstrated that equine diets low in NSC and high in fat are
                                         beneficial to horses that suffer from exertional rhabdomyolysis (Tying Up). Similarly, current dietary recommendations
                                         for horses suffering from laminitis, Cushing's syndrome and insulin resistance include low NSC levels.

                                         Equus has responded to this need by developing the Safe 'n Lite ration. As well as all of the above conditions, Safe 'n
                                         Lite is also very suitable for older horses as well as "good doers" and overweight horses and ponies.

                                         For more information on these disorders see Laminitis and related Metabolic Disorders (Cushing's Syndrome, Insulin
                                         Resistance and Tying Up) under Article of Interest.

Endurance Events

                                    The nutritional needs of the endurance horse are somewhat unique compared to horses used for other athletic
                                    disciplines. The metabolic demands of endurance racing are high, requiring the horse to draw heavily upon energy
                                    reserves to fuel muscle contraction leading to depletion of the glycogen reserves.

                                    The above also holds true for disciplines like polo, polo-cross and cross country eventing, although there is a distinct
                                    difference in the duration and amount of time spent aerobically versus anaerobically, and these factors will determine
                                    the extent to which the glycogen reserves are depleted with a subsequent demand for replenishment.

                                    Both the Cool 'n Perform 15 and the Cool 'n Perform 12 are specifically designed to meet the very high nutrient
                                    requirements during training and the build up for competing in these disciplines, especially in terms of energy required
                                    and muscle recovery time.
                                    It must be noted, however, that both these rations are formulated for an even and gradual release of energy which is
                                    desirable during training sessions, but not for muscle refueling during an actual event. (see Race 'n Replace notes below)

                                                         Cool 'n Perform 12 is a unique concentrate designed to meet the demand set by high intensity training.
                                                         The combination of a healthy fibre based product, high protein quality, energy density, omega-3 oils,
                                                         high levels of live yeast culture, and a vitamin and mineral composition ensuring excellent muscle
                                                         recovery, elevates this product to a class of its own.

                                                         The Cool 'n Perform 15 contains the same unique properties and should be used when condition is not
                                                         exactly as required or when entering a very intensive period of training where the athletic demands
                                                         made on the horse are high.
                                                         The energy density, protein and amino acid composition, as well as the vitamin and mineral levels are
                                                         all higher in this concentrate to meet the increased demand.

                                                         Equus Feeds has nearly completed an extensive series of tests on a new high glycemic ration,
                                                         Race 'n Replace, specifically designed to refuel endurance horses which will soon be available
                                                         commercially. The Race 'n Replace is a highly specialized ration to be used in combination with either
                                                         of the Cool 'n Perform rations. Should you be interested in the progress of this product and would like
                                                         to be informed when it is available commercially, please go to "contact us" and provide us your
                                                         contact details.


Extra Condition Required

                                     There are a number of reasons why a horse may be underweight, or not exhibiting the required condition,
                                     including poor teeth, worms, or even pain and discomfort due to a bad back. Consult your veterinarian to assist in
                                     eliminating any of these possible causes, then consider the following to help promote the weight gain needed:

                                     � Firstly, check that you are feeding the recommended quantities of concentrate feed for your horse's bodyweight
                                         and workload. If you are underfeeding you will not be supporting your horse's energy requirements for work and
                                         maintenance so he will struggle to keep his body condition. Use a weightape, if necessary, to check your horse's
                                         weight, and to ensure you are measuring the feed by weight and not by volume.
                                     � Ensure that you are feeding the most suitable ration for your horse's workload and condition. For example,
                                         if you are working your horse   relatively hard but using a feed formulated only for light work, there will be little
                                         if any energy left for your horse to use for laying down extra condition. The most effective way to promote
                                         weight gain is to feed a conditioning feed which is energy dense and will give you more calories per scoop than
                                         a lower energy mix.
                                     � Oil is an excellent source of non-heating calories which can help to promote weight gain without significantly
                                         increasing the total volume of feed.
� The "little and often" rule is even more important when feeding poor doers, in order to give them the best chance to make the most of every
    mouthful. Large volumes of hard feed, no matter how digestible, can overload the stomach encouraging feed to pass too quickly through the
    stomach before it has been digested properly. Feeding smaller amounts of feed higher in energy will ensure that your horse is utilising his
    feed properly whilst receiving sufficient calories for weight gain and reducing the risk of any digestive upsets.
� Horses use energy (calories) to maintain their body temperature. By keeping the poor doer well rugged in winter you are helping him to conserve
   energy which he can then lay down as extra condition.
� Consider feeding a "digestion enhancing" supplement, such as a pre- or probiotic. These can help promote good gut health and improve gut
   efficiency to ensure that the horse gets the most from all its feed.

Cool 'n Perform 15 is a highly digestible and fully balanced textured feed ideal for restoring lost condition at a rapid rate without resulting in
excitability. The diet provides excellent quality protein, which is vital for developing muscle tone and real topline, and is also high in energy
and enriched with high omega-3 containing oils both for excellent coat condition and for supporting general metabolism.

The diet is also rich in natural fibres and enriched with a live yeast culture to ensure excellent gut health which assists in avoiding the associated digestive problems which can occur when restoring weight. With an elevated vitamin and mineral profile Cool 'n Perform 15 is incredibly
versatile and can be fed to all types of horses and ponies at rest, in work or competing up to the highest levels.

Due to the high digestibility of the diet and inclusion of cooked cereals this is also an excellent choice for the older equine with poor dentition
in need of restoring lost condition.

Needs to lose Weight?

Overweight horses present a challenge in that horses are designed to spend the larger part of their days eating and cutting back on intake may
lead to horses with both health and behavioral problems. Not addressing the problem, however, may lead to laminitis and obesity.

                                    The equine digestive tract functions most efficiently when it has an almost constant supply of fibrous material to break
                                    down. This fibrous mass also pushes out any gas bubbles that have formed as it passes through the digestive tract.
                                    If a horse receives too little to eat in an attempt to control its weight, then gas can accumulate causing the gut to
                                    become distended which is both painful and may lead to colic symptoms.

                                    Stabled horses with not enough to eat can also develop stable vices. Previously, boredom was associated with stable
                                    vices, but research suggests that some of these are as a response to increased acidity in the gut. When a horse
                                    chews, it produces saliva which contains bicarbonate which helps neutralize the gut acidity. If the horse is not receiving
                                    enough fibre, and so chews less, the gut may remain acidic. This is why antacids are beginning to be prescribed for
                                    horses with stable vices.

                                    Ways to deal with the problem:
                                    The rule of feeding little and often applies not only to concentrates but to hay as well and this should
                                    be made available for much of the day. Keep the best quality, softer and leafier hay for poor doers and
                                    performance horses and the more fibrous (stalkier) hay with a slightly lower nutrient value, for the
                                    overweight horse.

                                    Feeding a token offering of the concentrated feed may keep the calories low but, as these products are
                                    formulated to be fed in much larger quantities, your horse is likely to be missing out on vitamins,
                                    minerals and protein, vital for health and well-being.

                                    A far better option is to simply dilute the existing hard feed using Equus Nice 'n Easy. Start off by
                                    replacing roughly 10 - 20% by weight of the hard feed with Nice 'n Easy and continue the process
                                    over several weeks until you find the ratio on which the horse maintains his weight more ideally.

                                    Should enough pasture be available to turn the horse out most of the day, the ideal solution is to
                                    use the Equus All Time Balancer which will provide all the nutrients required to supplement the
                                    shortages of the grazing in a convenient low dose pellet.

                                    Lastly, keep in mind that the steps discussed above need to be implemented alongside regular
                                    exercise. Ensure that the horse or pony is receiving sufficient exercise to burn off any extra
                                    calories being consumed or this will be put down as extra fat.

Feeding Senior Horses and Golden Oldies

                                                         Do I need to feed my older horse a special diet?

                                                         Many horses live longer these days and enjoy healthy, active lives into their late twenties. However, as a
                                                         horse gets older his digestive system becomes less efficient due to damage caused by internal parasites
                                                         over the years and also due to a general change in metabolism. Loose and worn teeth can also make it
                                                         difficult for oldies to chew properly. It is important, thus, to identify timeously when, or if, a horse
                                                         requires a diet designed specifically for his age.

                                                         Bear in mind that horses age at different rates and thus need to be evaluated individually. As long as
                                                         your old horse is not struggling to maintain his normal condition, there is no reason to use a more nutrient
                                                         dense feed than the diet you are currently using. Only when his condition is not as good as it was on his
                                                         current feed and it is clear that he needs to be fed differently in order to maintain body condition, should
                                                         he be regarded as a senior horse or geriatric and step up to a feed more suitable for his age.

                                                         Research has shown that feeds suitable for older horses generally need a higher level of protein to make
                                                         up for the reduced efficiency in digesting protein. Because grains also become harder to digest in the
                                                         foregut, feeds that rely more on ingredients rich in fibre to supply the calories required are preferred.
                                                         It is important, however, to use fibres in the diet that are more digestible and the addition of a live yeast
                                                         culture to improve fibre digestibility can make a big difference. The addition of oils to the diet to further
                                                         supplement the energy requirements often works well and is good practice except in cases of liver
                                                         damage where oils are not advisable.

                                                         One of the biggest issues with older horses losing weight, however, is not getting enough fibre. This is
                                                         often a result of dental problems because the biting surface may have changed and become wavy, or the
                                                         horse has lost teeth and can no longer grind forage properly. You might have a horse that does well on
                                                         green grass, but during winter can't chew drier hay as easily as the softer grass.

Once you have reached this stage it is advisable to replace a percentage of your hay portion with an alternative forage. Equus Nice 'n Easy Hay
Replacer Cubes are manufactured from chopped forages in which the break-down process has already started, so the teeth don't have to do it
all. Wetting down the ration might help to stimulate intakes and also reduces the risk of choking. With older horses the Nice 'n Easy should be
regarded as an alternative source of more digestible forage and used in conjunction with a concentrated feed like Cool 'n Perform or
Train 'n Leisure with added good quality hay.

Some older horses find it especially hard to maintain weight in winter in which case a conditioning feed like Equus Cool 'n Perform 15 would be an
effective choice. This diet is rich in natural fibres with an added yeast culture, has an elevated protein level, contains extruded cereals which are
easily digested in the foregut and a considerable portion of the energy required is derived from high omega-3 oils with all the listed benefits
(see omega-3 article).

If your horse has never suffered from laminitis in his younger years this does not mean, however, that he is not still vulnerable now that he is
older. Cushing's disease is most commonly associated with older horses and stems from the growth of a tumour on the pituitary gland situated in
the brain which causes hormonal disturbances. Equus Safe 'n Lite is a diet specifically formulated to assist with managing these conditions due to
the low NCS (non structural carbohydrates). This diet contains adequate protein for most older horses and the bulk of the energy required is
derived from both fibres and fat.

As always, it is strongly recommended that you discuss with your veterinarian the use of supplements for your older horse requiring extra
assistance with either gut or joint health. Certain pro-biotics can be very advantageous to general gut health, while supplements containing
ingredients such as methylsulphonylmethane, glucosamine and chrondroitin sulphate are thought to help with joint inflammation and are certainly
worth consideration.

Breeding Horses

Producing champions is the ultimate goal of any horse breeding program but attaining this success requires the successful management of several critical factors. The most basic step in correctly managing the feeding of breeding animals is to maintain them in moderate body condition. Breeding animals should be on pasture as much as possible with grass forming the foundation of their diet. The correct concentrate or balancer to supplement pasture should be selected based on the individual animal's condition, the specific breeding phase and the condition of the pasture (summer/winter).

Adequate intakes of minerals, trace minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants are all very important for breeding animals, especially during the last half
of gestation. It must be noted, however, that feeding excessive amounts of minerals can be just as detrimental as not feeding enough.
Mineral intakes from forage as well as grain and supplements, thus, must also be monitored.

In most cases, however, a balanced diet will provide all the necessary vitamins for proper reproductive function.
The primary trace nutrients that should be checked in breeding animals include iron, zinc, manganese, copper, selenium, iodine, vitamin E, vitamin A,
and vitamin D. The macro minerals calcium, phosphorous and magnesium are also of vital importance, as well as their ratio to one another.

The Broodmare

Stallions receive much of the attention and glory when one of their progeny turns in a performance worthy to be called champion. However, in the
overall scheme of things, the broodmare arguably has more to do with it than the stallion. Therefore, close attention to the care and management of
the broodmare is of utmost importance to the success of any breeding program.

The Mare prior to Covering

Research has shown that a rising plane of nutrition can benefit conception rates, and that mares that are significantly over or under weight are less
likely to conceive. As changes to a mare's condition can take a long time, it is important to make dietary adjustments several months in advance.
The overweight mare requires a strict calorie controlled diet but with a balance of protein, minerals and vitamins to maintain health and condition.

Keeping mares at a moderate to fleshy condition is more economical than trying to put weight on thin mares during the breeding season. It requires more energy to put fat on a thin mare than to maintain a mare in the desired condition.

During Pregnancy

Growth of the foetus begins from the point of conception and gradually accelerates so that the most rapid development occurs during the final trimester (third) of pregnancy. Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy has been attributed to prolonged gestation, developmental abnormalities and
low birth weights. It is essential for the mare to receive the optimum level of vitamins, minerals and amino acids to support growth of the foetus,
which forage alone may not provide. Although inadequate nutrition for the broodmare may not cause immediate problems, the mare's reserves
can become depleted over time. Long term nutrient deficiencies or shortfalls can affect the development of subsequent foals.

The non-lactating pregnant broodmare has similar nutrient requirements to a mature horse at maintenance during the first half of gestation. Protein
and energy requirements are only increased slightly and from a practical standpoint these mares are fed the same as a mature horse at
maintenance. Broodmares should be on pasture as much as possible with grass forming the foundation of their diet.

The second half of gestation, however, does bring important changes to the nutrient demands of the mare. During this time, the foal's size in-
creases fairly rapidly and this is a critical time for the normal skeletal development of the fetus. The broodmare's mineral intakes and balances
are extremely important at this stage and should be monitored closely.

During the last trimester it is important that the mare's nutrient load not change drastically. A substantial increase in the protein and energy intake
of mares as they get closer to foaling is a major cause of foaling problems and angular limb deformities in foals. If a mare is slightly thin within 30
days of foaling it is better to maintain her at this body condition level until after foaling. The mare's protein and energy intake can rather be
safely increased after the foal is delivered.

The Lactating Mare

The lactating mare must be managed in a manner that ensures optimal growth of her suckling foal while concurrently ensuring normal development
of her fetus. The foal's most rapid growth occurs during the first three months of life, when it is totally dependent on milk. A mare can produce up
to 3 percent of her body weight in milk per day during early lactation, and 2 percent per day during late lactation

Many mares find it difficult to maintain desired body condition during lactation. A concentrate providing adequate nutrients but specifically lots of
energy for this demanding period will help stimulate milk production and maintain body condition. After three months of lactation, the amount of
concentrate should be decreased by about half. This should be followed by a further gradual decrease in the concentrate up until about one to two
weeks prior to weaning the foal and a decrease in forage to about 1.5-2.0 % body weight. By decreasing the total intake of energy, there will be a
decrease in milk production by the mare, which forces the foal to adjust to eating solid food and prevents the mare from getting too fat. If the
mare is too fat, the best time to implement a weight loss program is two weeks prior to weaning or during early gestation. A program of weight
loss should not be started prior to breeding, during the first trimester, or during early lactation. Thinness may affect conception rates and repro-
ductive efficiency in open mares, and it decreases colostrum and milk production in lactating mares.
If a broodmare is too thin after weaning it is important that she should be brought back up to desired body condition within 6 - 8 weeks.

Broodmares maintained in desired body condition will generally breed more successfully and produce thriftier foals.