Fibre
providers
Dengie senior nutritionist Katie Williams, MSc (Dist) R Nutr, takes
a look at forage alternatives.
When fibre is
fermented by bacteria in
the hindgut, it generates
heat, which acts as the
horse’s own internal
central-heating system.
A surefire way of checking is to send a
sample of your hay for testing. Dengie
offers a comprehensive forage analysis
service, which is a really effective way
of helping to devise a nutritionally
complete diet.
Although this is good news for good
doers, who will be able to eat more
without putting on too much weight, it
is not ideal for poor doers, particularly
older horses that might struggle to
chew it. In these cases, short-chop
fibre feeds can be used alongside, or
instead of, hay to ensure the horse
consumes enough fibre.
What’s in your hay net?
Your horse should be fed as much
forage as possible, provided it isn’t
overweight. But how do you know that
Fibre alternatives
Dengie also offers a range of tried and
trusted fibre feeds to help promote
a healthy gut and its Hi-Fi range is
perfect as a total or partial forage
replacement.
If your horse is spending more time
cooped up in its stable, why not try
Dengie Hi-Fi Senior, which is made
from a blend of high-temperaturedried grasses and alfalfa? It’s perfect to
feed in larger quantities to replace or
supplement forage.
It’s also ideal for the older horse
or pony that struggles to manage
hay’s long fibres because of the
deteriorating condition of their teeth,
as well as those that struggle to
maintain their weight, because it has
a similar calorie and protein level to
good-quality hay – and a short-chop
length makes it easier to chew.
Chewing fibre
produces saliva, which
helps to neutralise
gastric acid and protect
the stomach’s sensitive
lining.
?
?
the hay you are offering your horse is
of good nutritional quality?
Last summer was a washout for many
horse owners, with competitions
cancelled and leisure riding brought
to a halt by driving rain. This appalling
weather has also had a knock-on
effect for winter forage because a late
harvest has resulted in coarse, stalky
hay that is less digestible and of lower
nutritional value.
Why is fibre so
important?
A high level of fibre
in the diet is essential for
digestive health and all
horses and ponies should
be fed at least 1.5 per
cent of their body weight
each day. This can take
the form of grass, hay,
haylage or short-chop
fibre feeds.
?
Older horses that still struggle to
chew even short-chopped fibre can
be given a soaked fibre feed such as
Alfa-Beet or Alfalfa Pellets, made into a
mash or gruel.
Winter is a good time of year for some
horses and ponies, particularly those
on the cuddly side, to get in shape for
spring. Dengie Hi-Fi Lite can be fed
with supplements and balancers as a
low-calorie ration to help lose those
extra pounds and can also be fed
in place of hay. It is made from topquality cereal straw and alfalfa with a
light coating of molasses and is one of
the brand’s six fibre feeds approved by
the Laminitis Trust.
Balanced diet
It’s important that your horse receives
a balanced diet to ensure the right
amount of nutrients essential for hoof
quality, digestive health, supporting
joints and tissue, as well as providing a
great bloom and shine to the coat.
Dengie’s Natural Vitality range of
supplements has been carefully
developed to meet the needs of
horses and ponies at all levels of work
and those with a range of specific
health needs.
It is also worth considering that a
tissue such as hoof horn takes six to
nine months to grow, so the horn
being formed during the winter
months is what the farrier will be
working with in the middle of the next
competition season.
Look out for supplements containing
biotin and zinc for hoof horn,
glucosamine for joints, prebiotics
for gut health and vitamin C for
respiratory problems.
How much should I feed my
horse?
Do remember that fibre feeds are
generally lighter than cereal-based
feeds, so the volume will always
seem like a lot. However, because
they supply fibre, there are not the
same restrictions on meal size, as
there is with cereal-based feed. The
extra volume is really beneficial for
providing more chew time while the
horse is stabled.
For further information
on Dengie feeds and the
hay analysis service, log
on to www.dengie.com
or telephone the Dengie
Feedline on
0845 345 5115.
22 January 2013 | All Horse | For advertising telephone 01380 734366
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