We recommend: CoolStance Copra GoStance

Feeds for preventing Big Head or Bran Disease

GoStance has been specifically formulated to contain higher levels of calcium to balance the Ca:P intake of horses grazing "unsafe" or high oxalate pastures. It also has lower levels of NSC by reducing the grain content of the feed to minimise the calcium binding effect. The energy from grain is replaced by coconut oil which is may be better for gut health and is a more efficient source of slow release energy for the horse.

GoStance is part of the Stance Equine Feeding System

What is Big Head?

Also known as secondary hyperparathyroidism. This disorder occurs when feeding high levels of phosphorus. These diets are typically mainly grain or bran as they have high phosphorus and low calcium. They can also contain chemicals called phytates, which bind calcium within the gut forming compounds so the horse cannot absorb the calcium.

Horses on tropical species of grasses ingest oxalates which also bind calcium. In order for a pasture species to be deemed safe the oxalates levels cannot be double that of the calcium levels. The calcium to oxalate ratio should be greater than 0.9:1.

Once the calcium has been bound, low levels of blood calcium (hypocalcaemia) stimulate the parathyroid gland to release parathyroid hormone. This hormone diverts the calcium normally used by the horse for bone synthesis, into heart and muscular function. The bone is the face is replaced with fibrous tissue which appears swollen in comparison to bone, giving the "big head"

Horses with higher calcium requirements (e.g. pregnant mares) deteriorate faster on oxalate pastures

GoStance has been formulates to provide the correct balance of Ca:P to avoid "big head" on oxalate pastures

For further reading see Feeds for Horses with Big Head