Allen & Page Fast Fibre Horse Feed, 20 kg

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Laminitis isn’t just a spring and summer problem it can occur in the winter too, particularly when horses eat frosted grass. Avoid turnout on days when it is very cold but bright and sunny as the fructan (sugar) content of the grass will be at its highest. Wait until the temperature has risen and the frost has melted before turning out. Includes a full range of vitamins & minerals including chelated zinc & copper to help maximise absorption.

Your horse appears uncomfortable and may shift his weight from one foot to another. The characteristic ‘laminitic stance’ with forelegs stretched forwards and weight shifted onto the heels to relieve pressure from the toes is commonly seen. Horses that are good doers, have a tendency to put on weight easily or that are at rest should be fed a high fibre, low calorie feed alongside their forage. This will not only help keep their digestive system healthy, but also help prevent unwanted weight gain. Performance horses that have a higher energy requirement due to their workload can also perform well on a high fibre, low starch diet. Oils such as linseed oil and rapeseed oil and highly digestible sources of fibre can provide additional sources of slow release energy for the horse, in a way that is much better suited to their digestive physiology. In all cases the horse’s diet should be tailored to suit their individual requirements. Please ensure that you obtain and retain a proof of posting when you return your goods. This is to protect you in the event that your goods are lost in transit. Cereal & molasses free, high in fibre & low in starch & sugar making it ideal for good doers and those in light work. Toxins – e.g. as a result of bacteria released during illness such as retained placenta, colic, or an infection in the bodyLaminitis is recognised as one of the most common and crippling diseases affecting horses, ponies and donkeys. Laminitis occurs as a result of inflammation of the sensitive layers (laminae) in the hoof. The laminae attach the pedal bone to the hoof wall and any inflammation causes pain and lameness. In severe cases the laminae can fail completely, leaving the pedal bone detached from the hoof wall and able to rotate within the hoof capsule or sink downwards and protrude through the sole.

Stabling him on a deep bed of shavings to provide support for the hooves. Do not use straw as your horse may eat it. Bear in mind that not all laminitics are the typical overweight ponies we usually associate with the condition; some are poor doers or hard working horses that require higher calorie/energy diets. Ingredients like beet pulp and alfalfa are not only high in fibre but they are also an excellent calorie source, containing as much energy as many cereal grains but without the high starch content. Oil is also an excellent source of extra calories that is safe for laminitics; in particular, a linseed meal or oil would be a useful addition to the diet for any horse requiring an energy boost. Linseed is high in omega 3 oils and well known for its excellent anti-inflammatory properties within the body. Fibre should form the basis of every horse’s diet to keep the digestive system healthy and functioning efficiently. A horse’s hind gut is populated with millions of bacteria which break down fibre by fermentation. Starch and sugar are normally digested in the small intestine, but when too much is fed some passes into the hind gut where rapid fermentation by the bacteria causes lactic acid to be produced. This acid production alters the pH of the hind gut and disruptsthe careful balance of gut bacteria. The acidic environment can also damage the gut wall and allow dead bacteria and other endotoxins to enter the blood stream; this causes an inflammatory response in the body resulting in laminitis. Feeding a high fibre diet, particularly one which utilises ingredients such as beet pulp, oat fibre and alfalfa will not only supply the horse with essential nutrients but will also help to maintain a healthy hind gut microflora as well as providing anti-inflammatory properties. Perfect for senior horses with poor teeth, especially those who have difficulty chewing long fibre.

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Cases of laminitis can vary greatly in their severity and prognosis and whilst every horse or pony has the potential to develop the disease, some are more at risk than others and once an individual has had laminitis they are more at risk of suffering recurrent episodes, regardless of the initial cause. What causes laminitis continues to be an area of huge research. It has become evident in recent years that although the over consumption of grass or feed high in starch or sugar is still commonly associated with horses developing laminitis, up to 90% of cases have an underlying hormonal cause. Animals that suffer from problems such as: Cushing’s disease (also known as PPID), Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Insulin Resistance (IR) will have an increased risk of developing laminitis.

Supplies quality protein to help maintain topline & muscle tone. This is especially important for balancing the diet of horses and ponies on calorie restricted rations. Excessive intakes of lush or frosted grass, molassed feed and cereal grains that leads to an overload of soluble carbohydrate in the hindgut

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An excellent way of boosting a horse or pony’s water intake, which is especially important for veterans who can be reluctant to drink enough water, particularly in winter