Cutting Costs Back to Basics
Simple System
HORSE FEEDS
Issue 10
Autumn / Winter 2024
Contact Us
Simple System Horse Feeds, Symonds Farm, Newmarket Road, Risby, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 6RE 01284 810 043 sales@simplesystem.co.uk www.simplesystem.co.uk
Feed Advice 01728 604 008 info@simplesystem.co.uk
Cover photo | The opening of the bridleway underpass at the A11 at Elveden. An historic achievement for the groups involved in campaigning for this –BHS, Byways & Bridleways and Camino Riders. In the foreground, Heronstream Trizeyah ridden by Simple System’s, Jane van Lennep and Heronstream Tzarah.
Photo credit | Cover and page 3 - Janet Harber.
About Simple System
Simple System Horse Feeds is an independent, family owned feed company based in rural Suffolk. The company was founded in 1996 with the aim of producing natural and nutritious feeds that horses were designed to eat. The entire range is free from cereals, molasses, pulses, straw, soya, preservatives and additives.
WELCOME
The excitement of the Olympics, Paralympics and summer competitions seems a distant memory. Our boots are muddy, our clothes are mostly covered in tickly hairs, and for memy field check routine now involves a necessary visit to the hand- warming station, also known as the fluffy chest of a Highland Pony!
As we think about settling in for the winter season, we know our horses often need more - more care, more feeding, more money and more time.
With this in mind, we’re here to help keep your horses happy and healthy this winter. This special 10th edition of The Scoop focuses on bringing things back to basics. From the ‘Simple System Rules of Feeding’ on page 16, to advice on ‘Cutting Costs without Cutting Welfare’
CONTENTS
Page 4 : News & Updates
Page 6: Winter is Coming! Preparing for the season
Page 10: The Vet’s Perspective
Page 12: Cutting Costs without Cutting Welfare
Page 14: Training. Horse & Rider Connection
on page 12 and even ‘Winter Watch Outs’ from a vet’s perspective over on page 10.
We also have not one, but two chances to WIN!!!
Scan the code on page 3 to complete our customer survey for a chance to WIN £100 of Simple System feeds. Then, enter our competition (page 29) courtesy of the amazing people at Hippo Horse Showers. You can WIN a Micro-E Hippo and an all new Bubbl-o!
Pour yourself a cuppa, cosy up by the fire and take some time out to enjoy this special, 10th edition of The Scoop.
Melody Ashcroft
Page 16: The Simple System Rules of Feeding
Page 20: Key Ingredient Focus - Sainfoin
Page 22: Customer Testimonials
Page 24: The Making of... Meadow Forage Pellets
Page 28 : Feed Room Fun
Page 30: Feeding Older Horses
Meet our Cover Star...
As it’s our 10th edition of The Scoop we’ve had a dig around the Simple System archives! Both this image and the cover were taken 10 years ago.
Trizeyah was a homebred Arab by Dhruv ex Tezila, owned and bred by Simple System Director of Nutrition, Jane van Lennep.
Trizeyah was the fifth generation of Arab in the family and she proved to be an excellent Endurance horse, especially over 80km. She was Regional Champion in Iceni Group of EGB.
Here’s what Jane has to say...
‘‘At 15.1hh she was fairly substantial for an Arab mare. She was a powerful ride, unfriendly to strangers, as brave as any horse I have ever known and would give a lead to other horses in any conditions – heavy traffic, farm machinery, rivers in full spate. She was always willing and never hesitated to go out again on Endurance rides. She was as happy to toddle quietly (the term is relative!) round a Pleasure Ride as to clock up impressive times on competitive rides.
She was very much the Queen of the herd, with her sister Tzahra as her winger. No horse messed with her! Riding her was always exciting as she had an impressive spook but never deliberately dropped me. For some reason, other people did not want to ride her. Together, we completed over 5,000 organised miles.
To my sorrow, she was not able to breed, but maybe such a unique horse should remain that way.’’
Whilst competing Trizeyah was fed a combination of Lucie®Nuts, Lucie®Chop and Total Eclipse
Complete our survey for a chance to WIN £100 of Simple System feeds
UPDATESNews &
NEW STOCKISTS
Our store coverage has grown significantly in the last few months. Here are just a handful of our new stockists:
• Kingsley Animal Feeds | Cheshire, WA8
• Rackhams | Suffolk, IP13
• Baber Animal Feeds | Wiltshire, BA12
• Barnstaple Equestrian Supplies | Devon, EX31
• LCP Animal Feeds (Stewarton) | Scotland, KA3
• Newdigate Feeds | Surrey, RH5
• Ganwick Farm | Hertfordshire, EN4
To find your closest retailer head to www.simplesystem.co.uk, click ‘Stockists’ at the top of the page and enter your postcode.
WELCOME
We are excited to welcome a new addition to our Head Office Team, Kate Hornsby, who joins us in a new role as Management Accountant. Kate has recently switched her horses, Monty (KWPN), Pluto (Welsh B) and Figaro (Anglo Arab), to a Simple System diet. We’ll be reporting how they’ve been getting on soon!
Follow us for more updates
QUALIFICATION CONGRATULATIONS!
We wish to congratulate Feed Line Advisor, Ellen Lincoln (pictured below), on completing her Master of Science (MSc) in Equine Science at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh.
After successfully completing such a demanding course (and working full-time on the Feed Line might we add!) many would be taking some well deserved time out from studying - but not our Ellen, who says...
‘‘I’ve changed the letters after my name, so now it’s time to change the letters in front of my name!’’
We’re looking forward to supporting Ellen during her PhD.
Rebecca Duke and Mr Finn
COMING SOON...
A number of customers have asked, and asked again, for a sainfoin chop to be added to our range and we are delighted to confirm that Sainfoin & Shine is almost here!
Keep your eyes on our social media pages for announcements which are coming very soon!
NEW SUPPORTED RIDERS
Emily Watts Equestrian | Emily Watts is a self-proclaimed ‘‘horse obsessed coach and rider’’ who has been feeding her horses a Simple System diet for over 15 years! She competes at British Dressage to Grand Prix level, is a BCDD Level 3 coach and a UKCC level 2 British Showjumping coach.
Emily has 4 horses; 19 year old Razzy, 9 year old Rodney, less traditional dressage ‘horse’ - 14hh Welsh Pony - Loxely, and recent addition, 4 year old Frank (pictured on page 14).
Emily feeds a combination of a pellet (Sainfoin Pellets and Lucie®Nuts), chop (Perform & Shine) and balancer (Veteran Balance +®) to each of her horses in differing amounts dependent on size, condition and workload.
RLD Dressage | Rebecca Duke is a classically trained dressage rider, teacher and BD Judge who trains horses with their soundness and well-being at the forefront of all she does. Rebecca is passionate about ‘clean’ feeding as close to nature as is possible, and she loves her native ponies.
Rebecca was introduced to Simple System feeds by a well regarded, German based, independent nutritionist who she turned to for help when one of her horses, Welsh Cob - Mr Finn (pictured top left), was struggling badly with the muscle disease, PSSM. Since adjusting his diet Finn, is a much happier, healthier horse. He enjoys Blue Bag Grass Pellets, Timothy Chop and Total Eclipse. He also has HayCare® alongside his hay - which he thoroughly enjoys.
Rebecca also has yearling Welsh, Moomin, and older Shetland, Rosie - who enjoy the same combination of feeds.
We are delighted to welcome both riders to our family and we look forward to sharing their future updates. In the meantime, follow them on social media @rlddressage and @emilywattsequestrian
PRODUCTION & WAREHOUSE EXPANSION
Due to increasing customer demand, we have expanded our production and warehouse facilities. This will help keep our retailers and direct customers well stocked up with Simple System feeds this winter!
Please ensure to place your order by Monday 16th December to guarantee delivery before Christmas.
Christmas Opening Hours Christmas Last Orders
Our office and warehouse will be closed on the following dates:
December 24th
December 25th
December 26th
January 1st
IS COMING!
Ellen Lincoln BSc. (Hons), MSc. | Feed Line Advisor | ellen@simplesystem.co.uk
Cosying up in front of the fire with a hot chocolate and a dog in your lap paints an idyllic picture for many, but winter is a dreaded word for almost all equestrians - and many of us are still feeling triggered by last year’s horrendously wet and muddy edition.
That is the problem with winter, we never know what kind of winter is coming!
Not only the weather, but a change in daylight availability and necessary management can mean a whole host of changes for our horses. When it comes to feeding, this can be a fine balance to manage. Horses who get less turn out and less exercise may become more excitable and fresher to handle, requiring a decrease in digestible energy intake, yet those who rely on grass to maintain their weight, may instead require higher nutritional intake.
Turning to cereal based feeds results in a high starch intake, affecting excitability and also increasing the risk of gastric ulcers due to the breakdown of starch in the stomach, lowering pH and increasing acidity. Winter is already a risk factor for ulcers. More time stabled can increase the risk of long gaps without food and stress, both impacting the likely development of ulcers. Utilising low starch but highly nutritious forages – with a low sugar level – can help sustain them through winter but with more appropriate energy levels.
Thoroughbreds who often do well on good grass can suffer seasonal weightloss; Blue Bag Grass Pellets offer the ideal substitute for this whilst Warmbloods may do best on Lucie®Nuts with higher protein intake for their larger muscle bulk.
Native types and good doers can be kept full on Organic Lucie® Stalks which offer a time consuming chew and quality protein, but low feed value.
For those who are poor at drinking in cold weather PuraBeet is the ideal way to increase fluid intake, but also fill the hindgut with soluble fibre. A full hindgut will keep them warm through the process of microbial fermentation as an inbuilt central heating system! Brix are ideal for occupying easily bored horses and Calm Balance +® may have a settling effect for those who get stressed being indoors for longer.
Make any necessary changes to management gradually, slowly increasing or decreasing feed and hay amounts to allow the digestive system to adapt. Also slowly increasing time spent stabled will minimize the risk of colic but also stress due to sudden changes in routine that can easily upset them. Taper off workload gradually if you are turning them away for the winter.
We are always here to help with both feed and management advice if you or your horse are struggling to adapt or find the right energy balance.
Let us all hope the winter is kind, with a lot less of the wet stuff!
Back to Basics...
Why Soak Feeds?
The natural diet of horses is grazing. Fresh forage is 70 – 80% water, so horses actually eat a lot of water.
Even on very wet grazing, they still need to drink as well, as the food needs to be mixed with plenty of fluid to get through the small intestine’s 20 metres or so. In this part of the gut, the food (now called ingestate) is around 90% fluid. When a horse eats hay for instance, which is only 10 – 13% water, the horse has to chew a lot and this releases saliva which helps to add fluid to the mix. Water for the saliva comes from the blood, which in turn will draw on reserves in the large intestine, which needs to be replaced by drinking. Many horses dunk their hay in the water container, which is actually very sensible of them, albeit annoying for us as it will need cleaning out more frequently.
Dried, pelleted feeds are around 10% water. Different feeds absorb different amounts of water – forages will take up 2.5 times their volume of water and beet pulp (PuraBeet), 5 times.
Straw is not very absorbent, taking up a lot less water, which is one reason why it is not a favoured feed and has a reputation for causing impaction colic.
We always suggest pelleted feeds are offered soaked. This restores their natural hydration, increases bulk and slows eating rate. It aids digestion and can help reduce the chance of choke. Horses choke because they did not chew the food sufficiently. If a horse chokes, we need to look at what went wrong for the horse. Hungry and greedy horses may bolt their food and fail to chew it sufficiently. Young horses who are teething may fail to chew properly and horses with dental issues just cannot chew well.
Even with good dental care, the teeth will start to let the horse down at some point from the late teens on - and by the time they are 30 it is inevitable that the molars are worn out and will start to fall out, if this hasn’t already happened.
We are accustomed to soaking beet pulp and rightly so. It is not difficult to soak feeds and enables very valuable and nutritious forage feeds to be offered safely to all horses, good chewers or not. For convenience, try soaking one feed ahead i.e make up the evening feed in the morning and the morning feed in the evening.
Soaked feeds are very palatable but need to be fresh. Feed within 12 hours of adding the water. Use an amount of water that suits your horse. Some love a soup, others prefer more of a crumble like texture. You can use warm water to speed the process along and offering a warm feed is appreciated by many horses in the winter. Don’t let the requirement for soaking put you off feeding the very best forages to your horses.
For a free Feed Plan tailored to your horse’s individual requirements please contact our equine nutrition team on 01728 604 008.
Soaking tip... For easy, convenient feeding, soak your morning feed in the evening and your evening feed in the morning!
CONDITION A Feed for
Sometimes, our horses need a bit of a nutritional boost. Maybe they require extra going into winter, after a demanding competition season, or even for ‘extra good looks’ for a special show. Bring on TopGain!
This feed is high calorie, high oil but naturally low sugar, so is non-heating and should not cause any unwanted ‘fizz’. It is also highly palatable and so useful for fussy eaters.
Two perfectly complementary ingredients do the job – high protein lucerne leaf and cooked, full fat linseed.
As with all our feeds, the ingredients are included at functional levels, without additives, fillers or bulking agents and are GM free - making them suitable for use on the majority of organic yards / farms.
Lucerne leaf is naturally high in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, but lower in fibre, so more of the feed is body-building nutrition.
Linseed is very high in oil and importantly, it’s high in essential omega 3, which is vital for cell renewal and repair. Linseed is also antiinflammatory, high calorie and an excellent source of phosphorous - perfectly balancing the lucerne leaf’s calcium.
With suitable exercise, horses gain muscle bulk, develop a stunning coat and stay sane.
As with all feeds, we suggest introducing TopGain gradually to the diet. If you’d like to discuss introducing TopGain to your horse’s diet, please contact the Feed Line on 01728 604 008.
Conditioning, muscle & topline
Low in sugar & starch
High in quality protein
Healthy coat & skin
Highly palatable
Common winter ailments
We asked Norfolk based practice, Westover Large Animal Vets Ltd., to share the most common health concerns they encounter in equines during the winter months.
Here’s what Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Ann Kent (pictured), had to say...
As the nights draw in and the flies disappear, common health problems equine vets see include:
Impaction colic. Most commonly due to the large intestine being blocked by dry food material. Causes are often management based with a high-risk period when changing from summer to winter routine or snow fall resulting in reduced turnout. Less weather dependent causes are injuries requiring box rest, sand accumulation or general dietary changes – some horses are also poor drinkers, temperature related or not.
Impactions can take several days to clear and on occasion require surgery. They can be fatal so do call your vet immediately if you suspect colic.
Preventative measures include; making all dietary and management changes slowlythis includes time stabled and adding hay / haylage to the diet, providing forage based feeds throughout the year, (which can also help minimise seasonal behavioural changes), supplying clean water ad-lib, ensuring your horse is turned out or exercised daily whatever the weather, and feeding hay and bucket feed on/over rubber matting if the horse is fed outside on sandy soil.
If your horse must be stabled 24/7 for health reasons, feed wet high fibre mashes (such as soaked Simple System feeds) and consider changing to a shavings bed if your horse is likely to gorge on straw, or is stabled suddenly, to prevent a straw impaction.
Mud Fever (pastern dermatitis). Seen more in white limbs and on certain soils, resulting in sores which may be very painful, on the lower limb. Bacteria can enter the skin through small cuts and abrasions which occur more commonly when the skin is wet, just like us getting chapped hands.
Prevention includes providing somewhere dry and mud free to allow limbs to dry, treating leg mites, not using dirty / wet boots and bandages, examining legs thoroughly, daily, to pick up on early lesions, and using “mud boots” in some horses.
Stock image showing Equine Pastern Dermatitis
Ann Kent, Senior Veterinary Surgeon Westover Large Animal Vets Ltd.
WATCH
and how to prevent them!
Pus in the foot. Foot abscesses are more common in the wet, when hooves are soft and susceptible to penetration by foreign bodies or infection. Providing dry, hard standing helps avoid this.
Skin rashes. Rain scald can be avoided by providing shelter and rugging thin coated horses adequately. In contrast, skin rashes are often caused by overheating, which is becoming more of a problem with modern rug materials and designs.
Ask yourself if you are rugging a horse for their or your sake. Remember that winter is the time horses should drop weight naturally, before the spring grass appears and this is helped by not over rugging.
Equine Asthma Syndrome (EAS). Stabling for longer periods reduces fresh air access, increasing respiratory problems. Use dust free bedding and forage, turn out whenever possible, and groom outside. A horse’s cough reflex is not sensitive, so coughing must not be ignored.
Osteoarthritis. Keep older horses moving whenever possible and provide large deep beds to ensure that they can rest. Use a joint aid or natural anti-inflammatory support, such as linseed in the diet, or prescription pain relief as needed. Speak to your vet if you have any concerns over quality of life.
Ann Kent Cert AVP (EP), BVetMed MRCVS, Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Westover Large Animal Vets Ltd.
Did you know? Our Feed Line are always happy to work alongside your equine vet.
You, or your vet, can call us on 01728 604 008 or email info@simplesystem.co.uk
Winter feeds
Eclipse Recovery is a natural wildflower tonic feed to support gut function and the immune system.
Recommended post viral issues and for periods of box rest & recovery.
RRP £33.75 for 5kg or £59.25 for 10kg
Trusted by vets...
Instant Linseed is a valuable source of omega 3 which is anti-inflammatory. Useful for promoting healthy skin, coat and condition.
RRP £18.50 for 5kg or £45.00 for 20kg
HayCare® is our best-selling hay replacer created for those struggling to chew hay/haylage. Also recommended by vets postcolic, post-dental treatment and postsurgery.
RRP £19.95 for 20kg
Cutting Costs
Keeping horses is expensive - no one can argue with that! But there are ways we may be able to save a little money without reducing the quality of care we offer our equine friends.
Management... Keeping your horse out as much as possible can cut feed and bedding bills, as well as being healthier for the horse. If the horse is to live out 24/7 all year, you will need at least 2 acres per horse - probably 3. Ensure there’s ample shelter. Hedges, banks, stone walls and woodland are all good - and are often better than conflict over space in a field shelter. You may need a contingency plan to cope with prolonged wet or snowy weather - we all remember last winter!
Old, thin or sensitive horses may need rugging depending on the weather. If you don’t clip your horse they will need less feed and fewer, or no rugs. If you do clip due to workload or sweating, keep to the smallest clip possible, so on good days, you can leave rugs off and at other times, less rugging is needed.
Bedding... Often the most economical bedding is locally bought straw. Straw rots down well in the muck heap and makes excellent compost, but make sure it is not dusty and the crop was not sprayed immediately prior to harvest.
Straw beds can be deep littered during the week, just removing droppings and topping up with a full muck out at the weekend.
Some horses may eat straw which isn’t good for them. Ensure there is ample hay / hay replacer to see them through the whole time they are stabled. Wheat straw is less palatable than barley straw.
Feeding... The cheapest feed is forage with good hay and grazing being the most economical options. A quality forage balancer such as Total Eclipse or Simple Balance +® can be fed alongside to top-up essential vitamins. Nature’s own mineral and vitamin supplement is seaweed, a much underutilised feed - and very economical.
Some horses will need additional forage in the feed bowl to maintain condition and performance. The price per kilo of forage pellets is usually considerably less than that for chops / chaffs. Soak the pellets and you have the same ‘bulk’ as provided by a chop. The pellets that go the furthest are unmolassed beet pulp - PuraBeet. They swell up to five times their original volume, whereas our other pellets make half that. Beet pulp is a good source of soluable fibre but is not a good source of vitamins. Only use this to replace up to 1/3 of your regular feed.
Check the feed value of feeds, as sometimes higher calorie versions are not always more expensive than lower calorie. By switching to higher calories, you will need to feed less to achieve the same result but don’t reduce overall intake. If you’re unsure about how this could work for your horse’s individual needs give our Feed Line a call on 01728 604 008 or send an email to info@simplesystem.co.uk. We’ll be more than happy to advise.
Shoeing... Most horses don’t do huge amounts of work in the winter and they rarely wear out their shoes at any time of the year. Discuss with your farrier if your horse needs shoes at all, or if they will be fine with just front shoes. The hind feet are a different shape to fore feet and take wear better. Also, the horse bears less weight on the hinds.
Contact our Feed Line for free advice to find the very best feed for your horse
Cutting Welfare
Jane van Lennep BSc., MSc., BHSI(SM)., NPSD | Director of Nutrition |
Work closely with your farrier – a good farrier will be able to give the best advice for your horse’s individual needs.
Choice of horse... Big horses eat more than small horses and they need more space both in the stable or field. If you are seeking a new horse avoid buying bigger than you need.
Research breeds and types to check for genetic disorders that will cost you in terms of vet fees and medication. Some responsible breeders will have their stock tested for inherited conditions. Native breeds and their crosses are hardy, generally good doers, have good feet and are well adapted to live out. Retrained racehorses are not expensive but may need more management. Rehomed horses from a charity can be very rewarding.
Temperament is important and young horses with a good temperament will grow out of being young, can be less money to buy and you will have them for longer. They will not have the wear and tear of an older horse.
Always have any purchase vetted and if it is a mare or filly, include a check for pregnancy. Two for one could sound like a bargain, but in the long term the costs will be greater.
Competing... Entry fees are soaring and often involve membership fees too. Competing should be enjoyable for you and your horse so choose to support the events you have the most fun at if you need to minimise spend.
As an alternative, consider Fun or Pleasure Rides. For an entry fee of around £15 - £30 you can have 3 hours or so of great hacking, a choice of marked routes - usually mainly off road, back up in case of emergency and likeminded people to ride with.
It’s fabulous education for your horse, very enjoyable, accessible and excellent value for money. Local drag hunts, riding clubs and distance riding groups all organise these increasingly popular events.
Budgeting... Some expenses come up annually – winter bedding supplies, routine vaccinations, insurance, car / horsebox MOT. Try to space these out so you don’t have two or more big bills together.
If you can, bulk buy bedding in summer when your feed bills are less. You can even stock up on your Simple System feeds in the same way. Our feeds have a long shelf-life when stored correctly and we offer a discount for buying in bulk- just check the website for the discounted pallet price.
If you have your own transport, it may be cheaper to take the horse to the vet for routine work rather than the vet come to the horse. See if any costs can be shared with others at your livery yard, such as visits from farrier, physio, vet, dental technician etc.
Keeping up to date with health care saves money long term. Locating some additional storage will enable you to benefit from bulk deals and exploiting special offers.
The team at Simple System can offer suggestions for saving money, without compromising welfare, with our extensive knowledge and experience.
Our service includes hay analysis – good hay may well provide most of your horse’s needs, but poor hay will certainly need supplementing. Analyse your hay and know for sure!
Horse & Rider
‘‘Improve the rider to help the horse’’
Emily
Watts | Simple System Supported Coach & Rider
Connection
One of the most common problems in training horses and riders is the lack of connection.
What does this mean? To put it simply, the horse is not pushing enough from behind to a secure, elastic feel down the rein to the bit. This often means they aren’t working the back properly from a good engine behind, and through the neck.
The first thing to assess is the rider - are they / you allowing the horse to work freely to a contact or is there a positional correction to be made in order to help the horse? Often a rider may be blocking the connection by sitting to one side, or twisting, collapsing, tightening etc.
My main motto as a coach is - Improve the rider to help the horse. This is my starting point. Then I will look at the horse to ensure they are happy in the work, strong enough to do the work and ready for training. Often I actually spend my time when they are young or weak hacking, using the hills and fields to develop the horse’s muscles before even attempting to get them going better in the arena. A lot of groundwork can be done, walking poles, reversing, lateral work from the ground to get them moving and understanding without the added weight of a rider on board. I find turning on the forehand a super useful exercise in my toolkit.
Emily feeds all her horses a Simple System pellet, chop and balancer. 4 year old Frank (pictured) has a diet of Sainfoin Pellets, Perform & Shine and Veteran Balance +®.
BCDD & UKCC qualified coach
Next, I am thinking about how responsive to the leg is the horse, are there good enough reactions to the small aids or is there some ‘’nagging’’ going on? We need power coming from behind to help the flow of the connection and improve the roundness.
Using lots of transitions, both in and out of the gait, and within the gait will help create more engagement and walk trot transitions are great for improving the roundness. This can be done from the ground too. I also find doing lots of transitions out hacking, up hills or across different terrains, very good for encouraging the horse to lift up through the middle and work the back muscles.
I will train every horse and rider individually, but usually using the pace the horse is most comfortable in enables you to develop the feel easier. Working along the scales of training: rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness, collection is also so important in keeping things simple and remembering without a good rhythm, you can not improve anything. My top training tip would be - ride forwards in balance, then work to develop connection. Remember, always ride with the thought you are on a rear wheel drive and not front first. This way our horses will develop a clear understanding within the work and probably have a smile on their faces whilst doing so!
Emily Watts | Simple System Supported Rider &
The Simple System Back to Basics...
Whether you grew up through The Pony Club, followed the BHS training pathway or just dived straight in, nearly all horse owners and those involved with horses will have come across the so called “Rules of Feeding”.
At its core it was devised as a useful guide, outlining our horse’s basic management requirements when it comes to feeding. A great starting point certainly but many of these “Rules” failed to mention when and why they may apply – and when and why they may not. Many of these rules were created on the assumption people were feeding traditional cereal “straights”. When it comes to horses maintained on an entirely forage diet, such as one fed Simple System Horse Feeds, many of these rules are altered, simply don’t apply or are already being followed.
So here we have it. The Simple System Rules of Feeding...
Provide
fresh, clean water and plain salt at all times
It is paramount horses always have access to fresh, clean water and this will need more careful monitoring in the summer when they may empty containers quicker or, in winter when they are liable to freezing.
We would also suggest they have access to a plain salt lick, such as a Salt Lick Tub, as hydration relies on both fluid and salt (sodium) intake.
Simple System
Salt Lick Tubs can be placed in the field or stable
There is no limit to meal size when feeding forages
Horses should be fed little and often - except when feeding forages where there is no limit to meal size!
Horses are trickle feeders with a small stomach capacity relative to their size and a limited ability to digest starch - meaning starchy, cereal based feeds can only be given in small quantities to accommodate these limitations.
When feeding forages, there is no limit to meal size as they are instead digested in the hindgut – via microbial fermentation - which has a vast capacity and a slower method of action.
You would never think twice of giving your horse a 5kg haynet all in one go, and could give exactly the same generous quantity of Lucie®Nuts - should they need that much.
Would you like to discuss your horse’s diet? Our Feed Line are happy to help on
Rules of Feeding
Ellen Lincoln BSc. (Hons), MSc. | Feed Line Advisor | ellen@simplesystem.co.uk
Use only the best quality feed from trusted suppliers
It goes without saying that quality is at the forefront of Simple System products. We source only the highest quality ingredients from trusted growers with whom we have a close relationship. This ensures consistent quality throughout each product, year on year, decade by decade.
Feed
only what
the horse is intended to eat - forage
The rules of feeding have long championed a high forage intake, only turning to cereals where energy demands require it. However, the same energy supply is possible using entirely forages if earlier and more nutritious cuts are utilised. They may both be “grass” but the energy supplied by Red Bag Grass Pellets is far above and beyond that supplied by HayCare® – simply due to the growth stage they are cut at. HayCare® is a very mature cut hence its use as a high fibre, low calorie hay replacement whilst Red Bag Grass Pellets are a very early cut for nutritional levels similar to spring grazing!
Feed according to ideal, not actual, bodyweight
We view the horse externally, but are actually feeding their internal system. The size of their organs remains constant - whilst their external body fat and muscle tone may fluctuate through the year. It also makes for simpler feeding as we are always feeding the same horse and any amounts are already taking into account calorie requirements.
Feed
by
dry weight not by volume
We often get hung up on the physical size and look of feeds, rather than what they actually weigh and this can lead to incorrect feeding amounts – often short changing both poor and good doers! A whole Stubbs scoop of Organic Lucie® Stalks may look like a massive feed for a good doer looking to lose weight, but only weighs around 250g which is tiny in terms of their total daily requirements which will be measured in kilos, even if they are on a diet!
The same goes for those that are underweight, as people are often put off by the physical volume, thinking “they can’t eat that much” or, simply not feeding enough as the feeds look so big already. Remember when feeding soaked feeds that the dry weight was much smaller physically and all you have added is water.
Scan here to request a free Feed Plan
The Simple System Back to Basics...
Make changes to diet and management gradually
We are accustomed to changing bucket feeds slowly to allow the sensitive hindgut microbiome to adapt to digesting the new feed ingredients. A drastic change could upset the balance and trigger colic or other digestion related issues. It also allows our horses to become accustomed to the new taste and smell of their feed - we would most certainly notice if someone left the sugar out of our coffee and this is often why horses moving away from molassed feeds or those with artificial flavourings, may initially reject a naturally lower sugar forage feed, as it simply doesn’t smell or taste as sweet. Just like you would if you were also cutting down your own sugar intake, if you do so gradually, it will come as much less of a shock and you will have much greater chance of success.
Gradual changes should also be made to management such as slowly increasing the time spent stabled in winter and when introducing more hay into the diet. Again, allowing the microbiome to adapt but also allowing us to closely monitor those prone to colic who may react adversely to decreased movement and a diet with an overall higher dry matter content.
Feed forages before and after excercise, even when hot and sweaty
This is likely the most shocking to many people as the key standout rule has always been to leave a minimum gap of an hour between feeding and work, both before and after. This is based on the limitations of the horse’s digestive capacity for both starch and feed volume, when these feeds are cereal based.
When they are forages, digested in the hindgut, this rule need not apply! Feeding before work will offer a physical lining to the stomach, helping create a fibre mat to protect against acid splash. It will also supply energy, nutrients and in the case of soaked feeds - fluid - to aid hydration during work. Preventing them feeling hungry will increase willingness to work and improve concentration as they can focus on their work - and not when their next meal is coming!
Feeding post-work helps replenish used energy stores to aid muscle recovery, restore hydration status and reward them for a job well done. This process we have termed Target Feeding and is a unique benefit of forage feeding that quite literally rewrites the rules!
Rules of Feeding
Ellen Lincoln BSc. (Hons), MSc. | Feed Line Advisor | ellen@simplesystem.co.uk
Feed according to workload and individual requirement
All horses are individual, needing varying levels of intake to maintain a healthy weight even if all other factors such as breed, age and even workload are the same – they all have different metabolic rates and burn through calories faster or slower.
It is important to regularly assess your horse’s intake and make changes according to the time of year and workload, even pre-empting changes for those who can drop or gain quickly. Feeding rates with Simple System feeds are very flexible; the balancer amount remains constant (as their ideal weight never changes), but the amount of chop and/or pellet given alongside can be changed weekly even to counter an increased or decreased workload - and more or less turn out.
Target Feeding offers the ability to get even more food into working horses prone to dropping weight whilst allowing you to fuel good doers who day-to-day need very little feed to maintain them, but can lack energy when ridden.
Assess the whole diet, not just what goes in the feed bowl
It is important to remember that what you give your horse as a feed makes up only a small percentage of their total daily intake. The majority of their nutrient requirements are supplied by their grazing and hay/lage, with their bucket feed used to complement this.
We are often quick to blame the feed when things go amiss because it is what we have the greatest control over, but the quality of their grazing and hay - the soil it grows in, the grass types present - and even simple things like the time of year, will have much greater impact on how our horses are feeling and looking. Conducting a nutrient or mineral analysis on your hay or even your grazing can help guide you.
When access to grazing is restricted, poor in quality, or we know it is lacking in essential nutrients such as protein, “calories” or even specific minerals, we can help you select forages and ingredients to go into the feed bowl that will top these things up, ensuring your horses maintain a healthy weight and good condition, year-round.
Sainfoin is an ancient legume that has been grown by farmers across the world for hundreds of years. It is native to South Central Asia and was introduced into Europe in the 15th century. There is a record of sainfoin being imported into England from France in 1652.
The name Sainfoin comes from the French saint foin or sain foin meaning “healthy hay”. It was known that animals fed on sainfoin were healthier and put on weight more rapidly than on other forage.
In the days when working horses were commonly used in agriculture, sainfoin was grown as a hay crop to provide high quality forage which would power the heavy working horses. In the south of England, one in seven fields used to be covered with sainfoin and it is still widely grown in northern Spain, Italy, Armenia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia.
With the advent of cheap nitrogen and new strains of high yielding crops, the use of sainfoin started to decline in Western countries from the 1930s. However, with current interest in sustainable and organic farming there is renewed interest in sainfoin.
Sainfoin is a perennial legume herb that is highly palatable to animals and has an excellent nutritional balance. It thrives on alkaline soils, provides its own nitrogen and needs very little phosphate. Sainfoin has a deep tap root, making the plant highly drought resistant and hardy through the winter. These roots are also able to draw up minerals from well below the top soil, making it a highly nutritious forage for our horses.
Voluntary intake of sainfoin by cattle and sheep is 20% higher than for grass. Unlike many other legumes, it is non-bloating and studies suggest that it has several other highly beneficial properties due to its unique tannin composition.
Farming with sainfoin has excellent environmental benefits and it is known to be largely self-sufficient as a plant. Before the use of artificial fertilisers, sainfoin was commonly used to add fertility to the soil. It absorbs nitrogen from the atmosphere and transforms it into nutrients, reducing the need for fertilisers. Cattle fed sainfoin produce lower levels of greenhouse gases, helping to reduce the carbon footprint.
Sainfoin is a favourite for both bumble and honey bees, and is commonly used in “pollen and nectar” mixes for headlands in arable farming, where it provides a great food source for insects. Honey made from sainfoin is known to be of the finest quality.
At Simple System we are dedicated to bringing you the very best forage feeds for your horse. We are delighted to have made sainfoin available to horse owners through our range of pellets, chops and balancers. We also have a new addition to the range coming very soon...
Coming soon...
Sainfoin & Shine
Chopped sainfoin with fresh cold pressed linseed oil.
Sustainability Sainfoin &
As more farmers move toward more ecofriendly, regenerative and sustainable farming practices, the ‘forgotten forage’ that is sainfoin, is starting to see a resurgence.
Here are just a few reasons why...
Perfect for pollinators... Having an extended flowering period, typically around 60 days, it’s a valuable resource for bees, butterflies and invertabrates. It is also believed to produce more honey than any other legume.
Long leys... Sainfoin leys typically last for three years or more. This allows for the plant to develop deeper roots, fixing more nitrogen and improving soil structure. These deeper roots take up more nutrients, enabling the plant to produce vitamins and condensed tannins - which in turn are passsed to the horse.
Customer Comments...
Not just for horses... Sheep and cattle also do well on a diet of sainfoin. With our Simple System sainfoin, sheep graze ‘the aftermath’ which is the growth later in the season that is not harvested. Not only is this good for feeding the sheep, it means that growth in the spring is fresh for our horses, it’s more environmentally friendly than using sprays, and it supports sustainable farming.
‘‘We’ve qualified for the Veteran Championships at Your Horse Live. The Judges gave great feedback and said what great condition he’s in.
I want to say a HUGE thank you - changing Hugo onto a diet of Sainfoin Pellets, Timothy Chop and Total Eclipse has been life changing for him!’’
Carol Quantro & Hugo
Available in 5kg & 15kg bags FREE DELIVERY
Did you know? We’re exhibiting at Your Horse Live from 8th -10th November
If you’ve qualified like Carol & Hugo above, please get in touch. We’d love to show our support in person.
Our pick of Sainfoin feeds...
Sainfoin Pellets are an alternative to lucerne or grass. Rich in minerals and trace elements and a soure of condensed tannins to aid the digestion of protein. Often recommended for itchy, reactive or allergy-prone horses as well as for competition horses, breeding stock and youngsters.
RRP £23.50 for 20kg
Sainfoin Brix are blocks of compressed sainfoin chop. Ideal for placing in the field or stable, for occupying bored horses and for adding forage variety.
RRP £3.50 for a single pack or £26 for a 20 Brix economy pack Also available in grass (MeadowBrix) & lucerne (Lucie®Brix)
‘‘Pride gets a bit stiff in the winter, feeding Veteran Balance +® helped her feel a bit more loose and free in her way of moving, allowing her to be happier and more forward. Veteran Balance +® definitely gives her the nutrients she needs to perform to her best!
Sophia Wynne-Walsh & Pride
Credit: C Hudson Photography
Calm Balance +® is a comprehensive forage balancer with calming support specifically developed to help settle reactive, tense or spooky horses.
Pelleted with sainfoin and contains only functional, natural ingredients.
RRP £37.75 for 15kg FREE DELIVERY
‘‘Percy loves his dressing of Sainfoin Pellets
Add your story to our website gallery for a chance to feature in our next issue!
Andree Ralph & Percy
The making of
At Simple System, we are constantly looking at what will further improve conditions for our horses whilst being very aware of environmental issues. For instance, we try as far as possible to reduce feed miles by making the most of the skills and resources of our trusted UK growers.
For the last 4 years, we have been working on growing a range of beneficial forages together. Director of Nutrition, Jane van Lennep, had some clear ideas on the types of forage that she felt would grow well together and be highly beneficial to the horses, as well as enhancing soil health. More plants support more gut microbes. These are beneficial to overall health, not just the digestive system, and contribute to the immune system.
Site meetings with our grower and agronomist included looking at fields and discussing all the challenges and benefits. A suitable seed mix was formulated, and a field identified for our trials. Timing the harvest was critical, as the crop was thriving on the chosen land. After 2 years experimentation, we were able to harvest a useable crop. The initial taste test trials were completed, then a subsequent trial with some horses in need of quality forage. They improved in weight, demeanour and coat condition.
During the final stages of a more extensive trial we agreed to extend the acreage with our grower. The mixed forages last for a few years, so we are closely monitoring the balance of species within the mix. After drilling, the crop can be cut that year if sufficiently developed. Any vegetation remaining in the autumn is grazed by sheep so that there is only new season growth the following year. Incidentally, the sheep thrived.
Each year, the soil becomes more stable, sequesters more carbon and organic matter, the plants root more deeply and access more minerals. This is beneficial for the soil as well as the environment generally.
So, what’s in it? We chose plants specifically for the benefit to horses (and, incidentally, other obligate herbivores). Sainfoin is in the mix for its well-recorded health supporting attributes, multiple benefits to wildlife and deep roots. To support its growth, meadow and tall fescue grasses, which also increase fibre and diversity. Very few forage plants contain condensed tannins, which support the digestive process. To this end, we have also included Birdsfoot trefoil, a palatable native wildflower with distinctive yellow flowers attractive to pollinators. Initial work with other livestock has shown that these condensed tannins may help in reducing worm burden. There is also a herb, chicory, with its distinctive blue flowers and support for the equine digestive tract.
Four years on, we are happy to say that things have come to fruition, and we are now able to supply our Meadow Forage Pellets for horses in need of even greater support for their gut and it’s microbes, or just a highquality forage. It’s a massive bonus that we are also able to support the environment, and sustainable UK agriculture in such a positive way.
Scan here to shop for Meadow Forage Pellets
Five forage ingredients in one bag
Understanding
Protein
Ellen Lincoln BSc. (Hons), MSc. | Feed Line
Often wrongly thought of as the “bad guy” and blamed for skin issues, laminitis and hot behaviour, protein is essential for every organ of the horse and not least for supporting, repairing and building muscles. It is also needed for hooves, bones and even coat. By law, the total protein, also called Crude Protein (C.P.) has to be declared on feed bags, but this figure is only part of the equation. Protein can be good or bad quality and can vary in digestibility.
Good quality protein is protein in which the amino acids of which it is composed, are in the right balance for the horse’s body. Good quality protein is found in forages, such as grass but the best quality protein is found in legumes such as lucerne and sainfoin. The protein in grains (such as oats, barley and wheat) and pulses (peas and beans) is generally poorer quality, lacking sufficient amounts of one or more amino acids.
Legumes are often considered too high in protein for good doers or metabolic horses, but this is where digestibility comes into play. The digestibility of protein reflects how much of the protein needs to be broken down by enzymes in the foregut (stomach and small intestine). “Indigestible” protein passes through to the hindgut (large intestine) where it can be used by the gut flora. These microorganisms are essential to the horse. They break down fibre and turn it into nutrients for the horse, but just like any living thing, they need nourishing and in particular - they too need protein. So, the indigestible protein in the horse’s diet is vital for the hindgut microbes, keeping them healthy so they in turn can nourish the horse and also provide the horse with Vitamins B and K.
The protein in cereals and pulses is on the whole highly digestible, with up to 90% of it being digested in the foregut, with little left over for the gut flora. The protein of forages on the other hand, is only about 50% digestible. This does not impact adversely on the horse but does feed the gut flora.
The highly digestible, but poorer quality, protein of cereals and pulses is often accompanied by high levels of starch, making these feeds even less appropriate for very many horses. Forages and in particular legumes offer higher quality protein that can feed both the horse and the gut flora with reliably lower starch levels.
Soaking hay for a long time, whilst deemed necessary for reducing sugar, also strips out this all-important protein (as well as vitamins, minerals and even reducing fibre levels) making it even more important to provide high quality protein in their bucket feed. We want good doers to lose weight, but we also want them to build muscle. This cannot be done without protein and as so many metabolic conditions affect their feet, protein is also vital for ensuring hooves are strong and healthy.
So, rather than discounting a feed on its crude protein value alone, consider the source of this protein, its quality, its digestibility and ultimately its suitability for your horse!
If you require dietary advice for your horse, we’re always happy to help. You can contact the Feed Line on 01728 604 008 or by email to info@simplesystem.co.uk
Our entire range of horse feeds is available for direct delivery to your home or yard.
Treat your horse this Christmas Natural Healthy Festive
ChristmasBrix and Christmas LucieMints are back for the festive season! These limited edition treats make excellent gifts.
Available from November 1st.
Scan code to shop or find out more
Older Horses Feeding
When horses reach their mid to late teens, even if their teeth are all present, they are likely to have poor dentition.
As horses age the roots of their teeth become shallower, making the teeth less stable in the jaw. This means that they could find eating grass and hay difficult. It may be taking longer to eat and they may not be chewing significantly - resulting in the horse gaining inadequate nutrition. This is why older horses can suffer seemingly unexplained weight loss, particularly during the winter months. In this situtation it becomes important to offer the majority of their daily forage in an easier to chew form.
We tend to avoid chops / chaffs for elderly, dentally challenged horses as they too can be difficult to eat. A feed or hay replacer that soaks to form a soft, palatable mash is far easier to manage. Feeding a soaked feed will also increase your horse’s water consumption, particularly useful during the winter months where horses can be reluctant to drink very cold water.
HayCare® is the UK’s most popular hay replacer*. It is simply mature Timothy grass, dried and pelleted. This offers nutrition likened to good quality, high fibre hay - the ideal choice for those who are struggling to chew hay. It is also suitable for those with asthma, COPD, ulcers and metabolic issues.
It can be difficult to appreciate just how much of a soaked hay replacer your horse may need. HayCare® needs to be fed in the same dry weight quantity as hay. One Stubbs scoop of HayCare®, before it has been soaked, is the approximate equivalent to one slice of hay from a standard small bale. So, to replace a 5kg haynet you will need 5kg, or 5 scoops, of HayCare - dry weight pre-soaking.
Once you’ve added water this can look like a huge feed, but remember there are no limits to meal size when feeding forages and all you’ve added is water. You should leave large buckets of soaked HayCare® out for your horse or pony to graze upon.
Soaked Lucie®Nuts or Lucie® Fibre Cubes pair well with HayCare® for elderly horses. Both are made from nothing but lucerne, which is naturally low in sugar and starch. Lucie®Nuts are great for muscle and top-line and are non-heating. Lucie® Fibre Cubes are lower calorie lucerne - useful when good doers have regained condition.
Many horses become less mobile in the joints as they age - often noted by observing a shortened stride. As much turn out as possible is beneficial, as is feeding a good quality balancer such as FlexiBalance, - our meal form balancer with natural joint aid, or Veteran Balance +® - our pelleted balancer with joint and digestive support.
Sadly with increased age comes increased likelihood of metabolic issues such as PPID / Cushing’s disease, EMS and laminitis. For these horses it is important that sugar and starch levels are kept low, whilst offering sufficient protein. MetaSlim® is worth considering for prone horses. This is a carefully formulated balancer, created to aid the optimisation of blood sugar levels, insulin effectiveness and metabolic rate.
Whilst feeding an elderly or dentally challenged horse can seem more costly than feeding younger horses, ensuring their nutritional needs are met pays off longer term. You may find you have fewer vet bills and of course keeping your much-loved family member happy and healthy is always worthwhile.
Abi Clark | Specialist Feed Line Advisor |
Warm Winter Mash Our Pick of Feeds for a
In colder temperatures horses can be reluctant to drink, making them at risk of dehydration. Offering a warm, soaked feed will help increase your horse’s fluid intake.
All Simple System pellets can be made up with warm water instead of cold. Just remember to check the temperature before offering it to your horse.
Here’s our pick for creating a warm mash...
HayCare® soaks quickly in warm water and is suitable for all horses - not just those that need a hay replacer. It’s a great way to provide a different taste, texture and temperature to predominantly hay fed horses in winter.
RRP £19.95 for 20kg
Meadow Forage Pellets contain five different forage species to support a more diverse range of microbes in the gut. This highly palatable feed is suitable for those with sensitivities to lucerne / alfalfa and is often useful for fussy feeders and poorer doing types.
RRP £21.50 for 20kg
PuraBeet is an economical source of digestible fibre. It’s also a great hydrator for those reluctant to drink in colder weathersoaking up to 5 times its volume of water!
RRP £15 for 20kg
MalleMash offers soothing support for those with dry, itchy skin - including the legs.
This ‘one bag’ feed soaks instantly, is very palatable and is well suited to cobs, native types and other feathered breeds.
RRP £29.50 for 20kg
Feed Room Fun
Find these words
Anniversary
Balancer
Chop
Digestion
Dressage
Environment
Equine
Forage
HayCare
Mallenders
Mash
Microbes
Nutrition
Pellet
Sainfoin
Shine
Veteran
Make a Match
Can you work out which statement matches which number?
1. The approximate amount of water in dried, pelleted feeds (%)
2. The approximate amount water in grass (%)
3. The approximate amount of water in hay (%)
4. The ‘normal’ core body temperature for a horse (C)
5. The required intake of water (per day) for an average horse (L)
6. The number of ingredients in Christmas Brix
7. The approximate length of the horse’s small intestine (m)
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Horse Shower a Hippo
Thanks to our friends at Hippo Showers we’re giving away a Micro-E Hippo - a portable ‘plug and go’electric shower. Suitable for horses, hounds and humans! But that’s not all... We’re also giving away a NEW Hippo Bubbl-O shampoo mixer.
or visitwww.simplesystemhorsefeeds.co.uk/competitions/
