9th -17th November 2019
BETA Feed Awareness Week is back for a second year running to help dispel feeding myths and improve your knowledge of equine nutrition. They have teamed up with top nutritionists from leading feed and supplement manufacturers to be able to provide the very best feeding advice and information. BETA say…
“By focusing on good feeding practice and separating fact from fiction, we can help you make more informed choices when it comes to buying your feed and supplements.“
Fabulous Fibre
Horses are designed to eat fibre over any other feed source, so base their ration around this. They should receive at least 1.5% of their body weight in fibre per day. This is essential for gut health – a lack of, or poor quality fibre can affect the horse’s ability to utilise its feed. If feeding haylage, remember it contains a higher water content than hay, so you must feed more for them to receive the same dry matter.
Fussy Feeders
If your horse needs tempting to eat their feed, try mixing in a little molasses to aid palatability. A horse’s natural diet contains sugar and so they generally prefer a sweeter taste. You could also try chopped carrots, mint or some treats. Some horses like their feed dampened with warm water, and adding a mash can help, but try to avoid any sudden changes to their diet as this is associated with an increased risk of colic.
Myth Busters
The following are myths that are commonly heard –
- Haylage is fattening and should be avoided for fizzy or laminitic horses. The nutritional value can be as variable as that of hay. For both, it depends on the quality of the grass and when it was harvested.
- Too much protein can lead to excitability. Protein is not a primary energy source, and any excess is excreted in urine.
- Some horses are allergic to sugar. Glucose is the primary energy source for the brain, so it is impossible for a horse to be allergic.
- Feeds for laminitics must be molasses free. Feeds containing molasses are not automatically high in sugar. The total amount of sugar in the diet is more important than one individual ingredient.
For more information on feeding your horse, visit the British Equestrian Trade Association website, or speak to a member of staff in one of our Feed Barns.
