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Media Room: Info Sheets
Aug 5th, 2007 Feeds for Stock and Campdraft HorsesOn the face of it, the feeding value of different horse feeds might seem easily gauged by simply comparing the energy content. Not so says Amanda Carney, animal nutritionist for Stance Global. Just as oils aint oils, horse feeds aint horse feeds. Horses can obtain energy from fibre, starch and oils. Whilst all three nutrients supply energy, they are metabolised differently in the horse. Fibre and oils produce slow-release energy for stamina, whilst starch yields ‘up and go' energy for explosive exercise. This is an important distinction when it comes to choosing the right feeds for your horse, and explains why energy content alone is not an accurate indicator of a feed's suitability. Roughage should form the basis of every horse's diet, and this is no different where stockhorses and campdrafters are concerned. Roughage (i.e. hay, pasture and chaff), is high in fibre and helps in the transit of feed through the horse's gut, as well as providing an essential source of slow-release energy. Oils and oil-rich feeds - such as Stance Equine's ‘CoolStance' premium copra meal - also provide slow-release energy for stamina. Oils are also very energy dense, and provide ‘cool' energy. The oil in CoolStance also has the unique advantages of being rich in medium chain fatty acids (for quick digestion), and being saturated (for a long shelf-life). Starch-rich feeds however, provide ready energy for explosive exercise. When choosing starch-based feeds, it is important to select one in which the starch can be easily digested before reaching the hindgut, and which is balanced so won't cause starch overload. Feeds such as CoolStance, GoStance and ‘PowerStance' provide horses with ‘safe' starch to fuel explosive exercise. So when selecting feeds for working horses, remember to consider what type of energy each feed will provide, rather than simply comparing the energy content. Fibre and oils provide stamina energy and starches yield explosive energy.
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