The Role of Starch
By feeding a high starch, sugary carbohydrate feed you are supplying your horse with a slug of sugar that they are not designed to deal with. This can result in any or all of the following consequences:
· SPIKE IN BLOOD GLUCOSE: Causes excitabiliy and can lead to temperament problems
· RISK OF LAMINITAS: irreversible effects to the hoof
· RISK OF COLIC: stress on the digestive system can be serious
· WEIGHT GAIN: excessive weight gain can lead to numerous health concerns
Avoid these problems by feeding supplements high in digestible fiber. This fiber complements hay/grass digestion and results in less risk of many health & lameness issues.
Senior Needs
If your horse is over 15 years old, it’s considered a SENIOR HORSE. Older horses are not as efficient at absorbing and digesting nutrients compared to younger horses. Therefore, their supplemental needs increase. ULTIMATE CARE horse feed has the level of vitamins and minerals needed to meet the requirements of these older horses. Additionally, by containing more fiber, digestion of this feed is easier on their aging systems. Give your older horse the boost that they need with ULTIMATE CARE horse feed!
Colic
Colic is one of the most dangerous & costly equine medical problems. In fact, 1 out of every 10 horses suffers from colic each year. One of the most common causes of colic is “carbohydrate overload”. The equine digestive system is designed to run off forage, so any time grain is added to the ration, problems may occur. Grains are typically high in starch and by increasing the amount of starch fed, less can be absorbed in the small intestine. This results in more starch passing to the large intestine where fermentation occurs. This fermentation results in lactic acid production which irritates the gut lining and causes the environment to become acidic. This is when you will see your horse start to show signs of colic, such as kicking its belly, rolling, pawing and laying down and getting up. One way you can decrease the risk of colic is to look for a HIGH FIBER CONTENT on the feed tag: Ultimate Care is 20% crude fiber!
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