Our Head of Nutrition, Dr. Stephanie Wood leads our September blog - focussing on the importance of fibre in your horse's diet, especially through the colder months.
Fibre has multiple roles in keeping the horse healthy and should form the basis of their diet. This is especially important in autumn and winter as there is less grass available and the colder temperatures increase energy demand. As grass intake reduces, the feeding of other fibre sources should increase.
The benefits of fibre come from its complex structure. Fibre promotes chewing and the production of saliva, which helps to keep the stomach functioning correctly. Fibre also provides a food source to the trillions of microbes in the horse's hindgut. These microbes are essential for the hindgut to function correctly and thrive when multiple fibre sources are fed. Microbial fermentation of fibre generates energy for the horse to use, and heat that keeps the horse warm from the inside. This makes fibre particularly important for horses who lose weight in the winter, as they use their body fat to produce heat to keep at a comfortable temperature. By feeding more fibre you will help to keep them feeling warm and reduce weight loss.
Hay, haylage, chaff and high-fibre feeds are all good sources of fibre, however, they can be difficult for those with dental issues to chew. Partial hay replacers are concentrated sources of fibre that are easier to eat, usually in the form of a nut that can be soaked. High Fibre Nuts are the ideal partial hay replacer as they provide a blend of multiple fibre sources in a low energy formulation. They can be fed dry or soaked, allowing you to tailor feeding to your horse's specific taste.
For horses and ponies prone to gaining weight it is easy to think that they don’t need any feed as the colder months provide the opportunity for them to lose a few kilos. This is true for energy, however, they still need fibre for digestive function and vitamins, minerals, and proteins for general health. Slim Down provides these essential nutrients in combination with a range of fibre sources, including oat husks. Oat husks are similar in fibre level to straw but softer and easier to eat, making them suitable for all. Slim Down is low in energy, starch, and sugar and has a high feeding rate, allowing you to feed a larger portion that promotes that full feeling.
