QUESTIONS ABOUT FORAGE FIRST

Q. What is FORAGE FIRST?
A. FORAGE FIRST is a horse feeding program in which good-quality forage, GROSTRONG vitamin-mineral products, NATURAL GLO stabilized rice bran products and Fortified Feeds are combined to produce balanced total rations. With this combination of feeds, horses can perform at their best when fed less grain than they would receive from typical horse rations. Also, FORAGE FIRST  horses exhibit a consistent energy level rather than a 'grain high' attitude (often associated with high-grain rations) that requires 'ride-down time' and can increase the risk of musculo-skeletal injuries.

Q. Why do we want to use forage-based feeding programs?
A. Horses are grazing animals with digestive tracts best suited for eating forages for 15-20 hours per day. They have relatively small stomachs, that hold less than 2 gallons of feed, and huge hindguts that hold 23-30 gallons of fibrous material while billions of bacteria work to digest it. This is a very efficient system that works in the long-term best interest of horses, if they are fed a lot of grass or hay. In fact, forage is the best source of fiber, energy and protein for horses. However, forages do not provide vitamins and minerals in the correct amounts and proportions for horses, so they must be supplemented.

Q. Can NATURAL GLO and GROSTRONG Minerals be fed with feeds like Patriot and Tindle Trails?
A. Absolutely. NATURAL GLO and GROSTRONG Minerals allow us to customize Patriot and Tindle Trails more than we ever could in the past. When our customers have overweight horses, we can recommend GROSTRONG Minerals and a small amount of concentrate feed. This way we meet the vitamin and mineral needs without contributing to the weight problem. And, when horses need additional weight or energy, we use NATURAL GLO along with the Patriot or Tindle Trails program. This allows the horse to eat more forage for a healthier digestive tract. Yet, he can still gain weight and look great! A large majority of horse owners feed traditional, grain-based rations. But, they also use 2-3 supplements!! We are now able to offer full nutritional services to our customers, including the best traditional feeds, which are formulated using the most up-to-date research information available, and the best two supplements on the market for horses. We also have increased technical service and the FORAGE FIRST HELPLINE (1-800-680-8254). At ADM Alliance Nutrition, we have the best of both worlds!

Q. What is a gradual feed change?
A. A gradual feed change involves removing and adding feed ingredients in 1 lb. or smaller amounts every 2-3 days. Generally, grains should be changed more gradually than hays. Gradual changes are required for horses, because a large amount of digestion occurs with the help of microbes in the hindgut. The microbe populations need time to adjust to different feedstuffs.

Q. What is a custom feeding analysis?
A. A custom feeding analysis is an examination of your current feeding program with recommendations for a program designed specifically for your horse. It is the most precise way to feed your horse to help it achieve optimal performance.

Q. Can I feed this program to a horse with laminitis, history of colic, tying up, EPM, HYPP?
A. For all horses with medical conditions, you should work closely with your veterinarian and nutritionist to develop rations. FORAGE FIRST programs are usually safer for horses than traditional high-grain rations, because many metabolic disorders, such as laminitis, colic, ulcers and tying up can result from improper digestion of starches in typical rations. NATURAL GLO is recommended, for horses with several kinds of tying-up problems, by researchers and veterinarians. NATURAL GLO and GROSTRONG Minerals provide important nutrients like Vitamin E and Selenium that are recommended for horses recovering from Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM). Horses with Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) thrive on FORAGE FIRST programs, as long as the potassium content of the total ration is controlled and large amounts of potassium are not fed in meals. GROSTRONG Minerals do not contain added potassium, so are safe for horses with HYPP. For help with rations for horses with HYPP, contact an_equinehelp@admworld.com.

Q. Why don't you put it all in one bag?
A. Nutrient requirements vary from horse to horse, making it impossible to make one formula that works for every horse. And, vitamins and minerals are required for proper utilization of both the forage and the concentrate portions of the ration. Therefore, as the hay to concentrate ratio changes, the vitamin and mineral content of the concentrate becomes inadequate for the total ration. For instance, one horse might require 20 pounds of good-quality hay and two pounds of POWERGLO, and another horse does best on 15 pounds of hay and six pounds of POWERGLO. Both horses should have two ounces of GROSTRONG Minerals, so it is impossible to put them into the POWERGLO in the correct amount for both horses. Therefore, we recommend that additional GROSTRONG Minerals be fed free-choice with all products except GROSTRONG Mintrate.

Q. What FORAGE FIRST products are available?
A. Click here

QUESTIONS ABOUT NATURAL GLO

Q. What is NATURAL GLO?
A. NATURAL GLO is stabilized rice bran enhanced with calcium carbonate and Vitamin E and contains no preservatives. Rice bran is the brown part of the rice kernel that is left on the brown rice and milled off from white rice. Rice bran accounts for only 5-8% of the paddy rice weight, but contains over 60% of the nutrients found in each kernel of rice. Raw rice bran is very unstable; therefore it can become rancid within 24 hours if not stabilized. NATURAL GLO is stabilized with an exclusive extrusion process that gives it a shelf life of over one year and, at the same time, retains the high concentrations of vitamins, minerals and vegetable oil (20%). NATURAL GLO is fed for its fat, vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content.

Q. Is NATURAL GLO a supplement?
A. In Feeding and Care of the Horse (Lewis, LD. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, 1995), Lewis defines a supplement as "a feed mixture added to a diet to increase the amount of a specific nutrient(s)". However, most people think of a supplement as something fed in relatively small amounts. NATURAL GLO is a feed, because it provides many nutrients rather than a few. But, since it is fed at the rate of 1/2 to 2 lb. per day, it is commonly called a supplement. Whether considered a feed or a supplement, NATURAL GLO is a very beneficial component of FORAGE FIRST feeding programs.

Q. Will NATURAL GLO make my horse gain weight?
A. Horses gain weight when they consume more energy than they use up. NATURAL GLO can be used to put weight on horses that are too thin, because it provides more useable energy per pound than typical grains. When NATURAL GLO replaces some grains in a total ration, horses can be fed to gain or lose weight or stay the same, depending on the horse's needs.

Q. Will NATURAL GLO make my horse shiny?
A. NATURAL GLO contains fatty acids that cause a typical healthy horse's coat to 'glo' or shine. That is why the product was named NATURAL GLO.

Q. Will NATURAL GLO make my horse too hyper?
A. NATURAL GLO provides more energy per pound than grains, but it does not produce a 'grain high' that is a typical response to the starches in grains. In fact, most horses become quieter when switched from high-grain rations to rations containing NATURAL GLO and little or no grain.

Q. How much NATURAL GLO do I feed?
A. In order to determine how much NATURAL GLO to feed, you need to know the age, breed, size, medical status, reproductive status and workload of your horse as well as its current condition and its current feeding program. When you provide this information to our HELPLINE service at 1-(800) 680-8254, we will make ration suggestions specifically for your horse. Typical feeding rates for NATURAL GLO are 1/2 to 2 lb. per day.

Q. What does NATURAL GLO look like, is it a pellet?
A. NATURAL GLO is pure rice bran which comes in two forms, a texture that is called a meal, and an extruded mini-pellet, called a nugget. It is golden in color and resembles wheat bran, except it is heavier and seems moister because of the 20% fat content. It has a fresh nutty smell. It is extruded and very digestible. Interestingly, it is water soluble, so it can be mixed with any combination of whole grains and/or pellets by simply adding a little water. (See also, our pelleted Triple Energy Supplement MOORGLO, below.)

Q. Do horses like NATURAL GLO?
A. Most horses like NATURAL GLO the first time they get it. Some horses take a few days to adjust to it. Most horses prefer it to grains once they become accustomed to eating it.

Q. How much does NATURAL GLO cost?
A. NATURAL GLO costs about 70 cents per pound and typically replaces about 3 pounds of grain that costs about 20 cents per pound plus several supplements that can cost well over a dollar per serving. (Horses should receive more forage when fed NATURAL GLO to replace grains.) FORAGE FIRST programs usually cost about the same as or less than other programs on a cost per horse daily basis. This is partially because horses fed FORAGE FIRST usually utilize forages better than horses fed high-grain rations.

Q. Why do I need to reduce grain?
A. The nutrients formerly provided by grains are now provided by NATURAL GLO, GROSTRONG Minerals and your good-quality forages. Large amounts of grains will actually interfere with the digestion and absorption of the NATURAL GLO and forages.

Q. Why does this program replace so much grain?
A. NATURLAL GLO has more energy per pound than grains and can improve the digestibility of the other components of the ration. Additional energy can also be provided by increasing the forage content of the ration.

Q. I've heard this has a bad calcium to phosphorus ratio, explain.
A. FORAGE FIRST programs are balanced for calcium and phosphorus. Our competitors try to make an issue of the Ca/P ratio because NATURAL GLO has more phosphorus than calcium. But, all cereal grains, including oats, corn, barley, wheat etc. have more phosphorus than calcium. It is the total ration that counts, not each ingredient. In fact, most FORAGE FIRST programs have a better total Ca/P ratio than many traditional rations with large amounts of legume hays (alfalfa and clover) containing too much calcium or rations with several pounds of unfortified grains like oats and corn. Rations should be designed so that horses receive about 2 parts of calcium for every 1 part phosphorus (2:1 ratio). Mature horses can tolerate up to about 5:1 without problems. Growing horses should receive rations at about 1.2:1 if possible. Total horse rations should always have more calcium than phosphorus.

Q. Why do many horses calm down when fed NATURAL GLO?
A. NATURAL GLO contains B vitamins and tryptophan (an amino acid) that have been associated with a calming effect on animals and humans. However, the main reason that many horses changed from high-grain rations to NATURAL GLO rations seem calmer is that they no longer are eating a lot of starch from carbohydrates that tends to produce a 'grain high.' NATURAL GLO doesn't provide nutrients that increase the glycemic response (increased blood sugar), so, often, the final result is a 'calmer horse.'

Q. Why is it so expensive?
A. NATURAL GLO seems expensive because people are accustomed to looking at feeds on a cost per bag basis. However, since you feed only 1/2 to 2 lb. per day, it only costs 35 cents to $1.40 per horse daily. Compare this to sweet feeds that cost $7.00-$10.00 per bag, but last only 3-4 days, and you will find that the other feeds are really the expensive ones. Our programs make maximum use of the good-quality forage that is available and economical in each area of the country. And, feeding more forage and less grain is in the best interest of your horse's digestive health.

Q. Why is rice bran better than top-dressed vegetable oil?
A. NATURAL GLO provides a relative DE (digestible energy) of about 2.4 Mcal per pound compared to 1.9 Mcal per cup of vegetable oil. NATURAL GLO also contains many other nutrients, such as high-quality protein (13%), vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and digestible fiber. Vegetable oil is pure fat, so when you top-dress with oil, the protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber in the rest of the diet become diluted. Then, in order to metabolize the fat, vitamins and minerals must be taken from the rest of the ration or from the horse's body. Also, recent research has revealed that vegetable oil, when top-dressed on feeds, can interfere with proper digestion of the grains and hays in horse rations. NATURAL GLO is more palatable and less messy than oils and has a much longer shelf life. The rice oil in NATURAL GLO is a natural source of gamma oryzanol, a very potent antioxidant known to improve muscle function in humans and animals. As you can see, there are many reasons to feed NATURAL GLO rather than vegetable oils.

 QUESTIONS ABOUT MOORGLO^â

Q. What is MOORGLO?
A. MOORGLO is a pelleted Triple Energy Supplement (containing NATURAL GLO, Soy Shine and Omega Flax), which is enhanced with calcium, yeast and natural-source vitamin E.

MOORGLO is designed to be fed with GROSTRONG Minerals for Horses products. MOORGLO is a key component of FORAGE FIRST horse feeding programs. Both MOORGLO and NATURAL GLO stabilized rice bran provide energy, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, B-complex vitamins, and vitamin E (all natural sources). They replace some or all of the grains in typical horse rations with nutrients that are highly digestible. With FORAGE FIRST programs, horses can perform at their best with less grain and less risk of digestive and musculo-skeletal disorders associated with high grain intake (colic, founder, tying up, ulcers).

Q. Why does MOORGLO contain NATURAL GLO stabilized rice bran?
A. NATURAL GLO provides energy from rice oil and structural carbohydrates from rice bran. NATURAL GLO is a food-grade product that contains over 20% fat and is stable for one year. Stabilized rice bran is the only source of certain antioxidants that are reported to enhance lean muscle growth. NATURAL GLO is also an all-natural source of vitamin E and many B-complex vitamins necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Q. Why does MOORGLO contain Omega Flax?
A. Omega Flax ground flax seed is high Omega 3 essential fatty acids. MOORGLO has the best Omega 3 to Omega 6 essential fatty acid ratio for horses.

Q. Why should MOORGLO be fed with GROSTRONG Minerals for Horses products?
A. MOORGLO was formulated to be fed with GROSTRONG Minerals in order to best complement the nutrients found in good-quality forages. GROSTRONG Mineral products come in two formulations regular (for use with grass forages) and Hi-Phos (for use with alfalfa forages). MOORGLO can be fed with both GROSTRONG Mineral products.

Q. How much MOORGLO and GROSTRONG Minerals should be fed?
A. Feed I-3 lb of MOORGLO and I-3 oz of GROSTRONG Minerals along with about 15-20 lb of good quality forage and additional grains or feed products only when necessary. The exact amount fed will depend on the age, reproductive status, workload, condition, and size of the horse. However, a good rule of thumb is to feed 3 oz of MOORGLO per 100 lb of body weight per horse daily, then adjust according to the horse's condition. Call 1 (800) 680-8254 for additional information.

Q. When should MOORGLO be fed instead of NATURAL GLO?
A. Choose MOORGLO for horses that don't readily consume NATURAL GLO, whenever pellets and yeast are preferred, when low-calcium forages are fed, and when additional vitamin E and vegetable fat are preferred. Choose NATURAL GLO for its longer shelf life, for horses that readily consume it, and for horses that consume mostly alfalfa and other high-calcium forages. Both products provide premium nutrition at an affordable price.
 

QUESTIONS ABOUT GROSTRONG MINERALS

Q. Why are GROSTRONG Minerals the right choice for horses?
A. ADM Alliance Nutrition has produced top-quality, balanced animal mineral supplements for over 115 years and horse supplements since 1925. GROSTRONG Minerals are specially formulated to complement the nutrients found in forages and grains in order to allow horses to perform to their genetic potential. Since minerals interact with each other in the body, they must be provided in the correct proportions as well as the correct amounts. There are two formulations, one for use with grass hays and one for use with legume (alfalfa and clover) and mixed hays. GROSTRONG products are convenient to use. In granular form, GROSTRONG Minerals are available in 25-pound bags or in handy 10-pound containers. GROSTRONG QuadBLOCKs, the patented 25-pound blocks that can easily be divided into four mini-blocks for use in individual stalls, are also available.

Q. Why do I need to feed GROSTRONG vitamin/minerals with NATURAL GLO, MOORGLO, POWERGLO, SENIORGLO, etc.?
A. GROSTRONG vitamin/mineral products complement the nutrients found in forages. Horses should be fed 1/2 to 3 oz of GROSTRONG Minerals per day. NATURAL GLO, MOORGLO, POWERGLO, SENIORGLO etc. are feeds or feed mixtures that increase the energy content of the total ration when fed with forages. Since different horses need different amounts of these feeds, it is not possible to include the GROSTRONG Minerals in the feeds in the correct amounts for all horses. Therefore, these products are meant to be fed along with GROSTRONG Minerals.

Q. Is the GROSTRONG vitamin/mineral in the NATURAL GLO?
A. No, NATURAL GLO meal and nuggets are enhanced with calcium and Vitamin E, they contain no  preservatives. The GROSTRONG Minerals should be fed separately as part of FORAGE FIRST programs.

Q. I've heard that horses sometimes need additional electrolytes. What are they, and are they provided in FORAGE FIRST programs?
A. Electrolytes are minerals that ionize, or become charged particles in water. They are essential for many metabolic processes. The most common electrolytes are sodium and chlorine (the two minerals that make up table salt) and potassium. Calcium and magnesium are also electrolytes. Horses cannot store excess electrolytes, so they are normally excreted in the urine and in sweat, which is produced to cool animals after work or in hot weather. Therefore, electrolytes must be replaced in the daily ration. In almost all situations, there is more than enough potassium in hays and pastures for horses. However, sodium, chlorine, calcium and magnesium are usually deficient in horse feeds.  GROSTRONG Minerals are formulated to contain the correct amounts of sodium, chlorine, calcium and magnesium to complement horse feeds. Forage and NATURAL GLO stabilized rice bran are good sources of potassium. Therefore, FORAGE FIRST programs are excellent sources of balanced electrolytes for horses, and there is no need for additional electrolyte supplementation (except possibly for hard-working horses or those working in very hot, humid climates).

For More Information e-mail at AN_EquineHelp@admworld.com

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EQUINE NUTRITION HELPLINE
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