HORSE KEEPING
CHOOSING THE RIGHT HORSE FEED Choosing the correct horse feed can be difficult. Here is what you should consider when looking at a feed and why. SU B M I T T E D B Y K E R I W E I R , Equine Nutrition Consultant, Cargill Animal Nutrition
LOW NSC - What is NSC? NSC stands for ‘non-structural carbohydrates’ and is typically the combination of starch and sugar. Horses with metabolic concerns, such as Cushing’s disease, laminitis or Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) require reduced levels of NSC to support their activity level. LOW GLYCEMIC - What is low glycemic? It refers to a reduced sugar/starch and higher fat and fibre content. This delivers sensible calories (energy) needed for performance, helps to minimize excitability, ideal for horses that tie-up, helps prevent starch overload that minimize gut upset (colic). HIGH FAT - Why feed high fat? Fat is highly digestible and energy/calorie dense, helps regulate glycemic and insulin response, delays gastric emptying which aids in ulcer prevention, clean burning fuel that does not produce lactic acid and spares glycogen levels for enhanced athletic performance. HIGH FIBRE - Why feed high fibre? High levels of fibre help maintain a healthier hindgut pH and microbial population. 18
ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
Shredded beet pulp is high in pectins and is a highly fermentable fibre source that provides the calories needed for performance. BALANCED OMEGA RATIO - Omega 6-3 ratio is vital. Why? It improves hair coat and skin condition, supports immune functions, helps with anti-inflammatory properties and ulcer healing, promotes membrane integrity and cell (including red blood cells ) viability. Omega 3 fatty acids are also shown to help enhance insulin efficiency therefore reducing insulin resistance and helps support cognitive ability. NUTRIENT DENSE - Why add more? Added nutrients benefit peak performance and muscle recovery along with supporting a healthier digestive system and stronger natural microbiome. Purina adds Horse Plus, organic copper, zinc, manganese and selenium, elevated levels of vitamin E, prebiotics and probiotics, XPC Ultra, yeast and Athlete. HORSE PLUS - Purina’s exclusive B VITAMINS with added Vitamin C, E and K - Why feed added B-vitamins along with
