When it comes to classifying a clinical issue, definitions can be broad. In its purest term, we would be talking about equine disorders that require veterinary intervention.
Equine Disorders can be broadly categorised into endocrinopathic (hormonal) disorders, ageing factors, allergies, overfeeding, incorrect feedstuffs & nutritional deficiencies, but they can all be beneficially supported with correct nutrition.
Endocrinopathic disorders include Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), Cushings Disease (PPID) & ‘Tying Up’ (Exertional Rhabdomyolysis) and have a common theme that enzymes are not able to break down carbohydrates in the body effectively enough.
Ageing covers a wide range of issues from not being able to absorb feed and its nutrients effectively to ‘wear & tear’ conditions such as osteoarthritis, to inflammation.
Allergies may derive from conditions such as COPD (inflamed narrow airways, also known as ‘heaves’, from affected foodstuffs or even biting insects, gut bugs etc.
Overfeeding, incorrect feedstuffs & nutritional deficiencies, although not in themselves clinical issues, may lead to them and so there is a role to play. From obesity to colic to laminitis, all these disorders have their roots in poor nutrition; and, particularly, carbohydrate metabolism (supply of energy to living cells).
How can British Horse Feeds help?
British Horse Feed (BHF) products Speedi-Beet, Fibre-Beet and Cooked Linseed all have a role in helping support equine disorders. The main feeding factors to consider are keeping starch and sugar levels low in the overall diet.
It is imperative to keep the hindgut moving so it is important to provide forage for your horse. Consider soaked hay up to around 2% of the horse’s body weight for those with a condition such as laminitis. When it comes to hard feed, the aim is to keep the digestive system functioning and healthy with plenty of fibre, whilst trying to keep lactic acid levels under control by not feeding too much sugar and starch. Avoiding excess weight gain is also important for several equine disorders, such as laminitis, so avoiding cereals and mixes is recommended.
High fibre feeds that utilise ingredients like beet pulp, oat fibre and alfalfa will help the microflora (gut bacteria) to be maintained in the hind gut and provide a functioning barrier to toxins. Speedi-Beet and Fibre-Beet are super fibre beet pulp feeds that are high in fibre and low in sugar and starch (5% sugar, 0% starch). Fibre-Beet is a conditioning feed with a carefully formulated combination of Speedi-Beet and alfalfa supplemented with biotin, sodium and calcium. Made using only the best quality British Beet Pulp, Speedi-Beet is subjected to our patented cooking process to produce a unique feed which is unlike any other HorseBeet. A highly nutritious, quick soaking beet pulp feed, with no added molasses, Speedi-Beet is also 95% sugar free.
Pilot studies have shown that linseed can improve skin sensitivity to insect bites, in part due to the high content of omega-3 fats that are the building blocks of the horse’s ability to regulate inflammation.
Furthermore, butyric acid has been shown to have a positive impact on being able to suppress the horse’s immune system’s response to allergens; Speedi-Beet, Fibre-Beet and Cooked Linseed fibre have significant levels of butyric acid from hindgut fermentation.
The RRP of Speedi-Beet is £18.79 – £20.79 and one 20kg bag will give you 125 Stubbs scoops, at just 15p per scoop. Speedi-Beet expands to five times its volume too so can give a cost effective and nutritious meal every time. Find out more about Speedi beet
A 20kg bag of Fibre-Beet costs £19.09 – £20.09 and can be fed at up to 1kg/100kg body weight of your horse. Find out more about Fibre Beet.
Cooked Linseed retails at £30.89 – £36.89 for a 20kg bag which is to be used with a hard feed or balancer at a rate of 40-120g per 100kg weight depending on activity and hard feed levels. Find out more about Cooked Linseed.
