High Grain Rations Result in Digestive Disorders
It is ironic that, as we enter the new millennium, the way we feed horses is dramatically changing. In the early 1900s horses were first routinely fed cereal grains to provide additional energy for work. And, that was also the beginning of an era of metabolic and digestive disorders such as colic, founder, tying-up, etc. in horses. It is true that today’s elite athletes need very specialized rations with all of the nutrients in the correct proportions if they are to perform at their best. But, cereal grains are no longer the best way to provide the needed calories and other nutrients.  

Added Fat Provides Energy Without the Risks of Digestive Disorders
In the early 1970s the first personal computers were developed, and the first work was done on feeding fat to horses. In three short decades, personal computers have revolutionized the way we think and communicate, and fat has become a standard in rations for performance horses. This is because horses can be healthier and perform better when some or all of the grain in their rations is replaced by fat and good-quality forages. The world is changing at a tremendous rate, and those changes will benefit our horses.  

Characteristics of “Traditional” Horse Feeding Programs

• Heavy emphasis on concentrate or grain portion of ration.

• Many horses fed 50-65% concentrate and only 35-50% forage.

• Large increase in ‘all-in-one’ bag feeding. These feeds are very expensive on a cost per horse daily basis. They are eaten more quickly than long-stemmed hays or pastures and result in vices related to boredom. (Horses that can eat good-quality forages don’t need all-in-one-bag feeds.)

• Common use of multiple supplements from different companies that are not designed to be fed together (can lead to deficiencies, toxicities, and wasted money).

• Least-cost formulation results in vastly different contents, different palatability, and varying results from bags of the same product.

• Frequent incidences of metabolic and gastro-intestinal disorders like colic, founder, tying-up, ulcers, etc.

• ‘Grain High’ attitudes in horses that result in more required ‘ride down time’ and increased risk of musculoskeletal injury.

• Growing horses commonly have developmental orthopedic disorders.  

Traditional horse feeding programs are contrary to the normal physiology of the horse’s digestive tract. Horses are non-ruminant herbivores that are designed to best utilize good-quality forages. And, locally grown, good-quality forage is usually the most economical component of the total ration and can meet most of a horse’s nutrient needs.

The fat in NATURAL GLO® is natural rice oil that meets human food standards. Other feed companies use feed grade animal fat or vegetable oils that do not meet NATURAL GLO standards. And, recent research has shown that corn oil can reduce the small intestinal digestibility of starches in high-grain rations and disrupt the population of bacteria in the large intestine.

FORAGE FIRST Programs:

• Designed with the benefit of the horse in mind.

• Based on the most current nutrition research.

• Based on the latest technology.

Benefits of FORAGE FIRST Programs:

• Natural for the horse’s gastrointestinal tract.

• Based on good-quality forage.

• Supplemented with GROSTRONG® vitamin/mineral products.

• Utilize NATURAL GLO® stabilized rice bran (20% naturally occurring vegetable
  fat from rice oil).

• Cost effective — require less grain than traditional rations.

• Utilize fixed formulations for consistent nutrient content, palatability, and results.

• Total rations balanced for all vitamins and minerals and Ca/P ratio.

• Less risk of metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders, such as founder, colic, tying-up, etc.

• More long-term energy for work.

• Reported increased shine and ‘glo’ in the hair coat.

• Less risk of musculoskeletal and developmental orthopedic disorders.

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

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ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc. 1000 North 30th Street P.O. Box C1 Quincy, IL USA 62305-3155