Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Horse Feed

By Ilechukwu Magnus


When we think of horse feed, the image of horses grazing contentedly in paddocks and fields or chomping on hay in a stable may come to mind . However, to protect the welfare of a horse, its diet needs to be supplement with horse feed, rich in the nutrients needed to sustain a long and healthy life .

Broadly speaking, the two types of horse feed diets are either one of hay and oats or a specially compounded one. The diet type will depend on whether the horse does light, medium or heavy work .

Horse Feed- Conventional Horse Feed

It is believed that horses with small workloads can exist on forage alone . But, in doing so, the likelihood is that they may not get sufficient minerals and vitamins. The reason for this is that soil may be lacking in these nutrients and so the crops they produce will also have low levels . Additionally, because forage is obviously subject to seasonal changes, a horse may face hardship in winter. However, such deficiencies can be rectified by adding a feed balancing supplement to the forage and there are no shortage of these. In addition, a popular practice is the use of heat-stable yeast, which makes food usage more efficient and this, in turn, generates better health . Because yeast boosts digestion, it helps with the absorption of all the nutrients . The use of a horse feed balancer can prove an economical way to improve the health of a horse . Adding it to high levels of forage can ensure the horse receives sufficient amounts of each nutrient . The horse's condition and workload will determine the type and level of horse feed balancer used.

Quality Horse Feed- Compounded Horse Feed

The type of situations where horses are required for heavy work or high performance are mainly in the sporting arena and include such activities as racing, eventing and polo . These are demanding situations so is vital that horse feed is formulated and balanced to ensure the horse is mentally and physically fit . Because of the competitive, commercial and welfare implications of these activities, there are a vast range of horse feed supplements available . As each circumstance applies pressure to the horse, its owner should understand the nature of these pressures. Through this knowledge, the horse feed can be supplemented to a suitable level. For instance, rice bran oil has proved effective for weight gain and performance by increasing the metabolism of fat and the synthesis of protein while flax meets the need for slow energy release . The horse's overall condition and appearance can be improved by flax because it has a high omega 3 content. In cases of nervous or excitable horses, it is believed that feeding them a good source of digestible fat can have a calming effect . And, of course, the horse feed should be concentrated to cater for muscle and joint well being, whether it is to achieve high performance or aid recovery I And, undoubtedly, to maintain good muscle and joint health, an appropriately formulated horse feed is needed I And, undoubtedly, muscle and joint health should be protected by a specially formulated horse feed whether it is to achieve optimum performance or assist recovery.

By improving our knowledge of the ingredients of horse feed and their functions, we stand a strong chance of being able to care responsibly for our equine friends and leading them through a long, productive and ailment-free life. Cheap Horse Feed




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