STAY BALANCED!
Feeding more forage? It’s a positieve trend for equine nutrition .. but it’s important to maintain a balanced diet.
Day in, day out, there are many different processes at work in the body. Red blood cells are being produced, cartilage is being transformed into bone tissue, new skin cells are being made, muscles are becoming stronger. The body therefore needs nutrients to help all these processes run smoothly. These are extracted from food and are circulated around the body via the bloodstream. The key to a healthy body is a balanced intake of nutrients. Just as much as the horse needs, so feed as you need.
A balanced diet for horses consists of a large amount of roughage, together with free access to fresh drinking water. They must consume at least 1.25 % of their body weight in dry matter from roughage. They need fibre to keep their large intestine and the microflora living there healthy. Many horses are also able to obtain sufficient energy and protein from their roughage. A 600 kg horse can easily eat 9 – 13 kg hay each day. It is only when horses have to do more considerable work that extra concentrates are necessary. This provides them with extra energy, protein, vitamins and minerals.Â
Concentrates don’t just provide horses with extra energy and protein. They also contain vitamins and minerals that are essential elements of a balanced diet. In fact, these are what determine the ideal dose of concentrates.
We are seeing a trend where people are starting to feed their horses fewer concentrates and more roughage. We are happy with this development. Horses are herbivores and need a lot of roughage. People often feed less than the recommended amount of concentrates to limit the amount of energy. Roughage can contain sufficient energy and protein. The amount of vitamins and minerals is never enough.
Consequently, when horses are given only roughage, or less than the recommended amount of concentrates, there is a shortfall in certain vitamins and minerals. It is then necessary to supplement the diet of these horses with a balancer.
Balanced diet: a healthy and solid foundation
What makes the difference?
We’re committed to good health inside and out. Our products – nutrition, supplements and care products – reflect what your horse needs in every sporting achievement, stage of life or special need. Because horses that are happy and healthy are our most valuable asset.
