Feeding Performance Horses.

Performance and sports horses can be likened to finely tuned machines that can all too easily breakdown due to internal mechanic issues, particularly when it comes to digestion. A horse’s digestive system is highly sensitive and any compromises to that delicate environment will have significant effects on performance, appearance and even temperament.  Feeding is therefore a key contributing factor in digestive health, however even environment, well-being and good husbandry, can play a significant role when it comes to good digestive health.

Performance horses often lose their appetite as they get fitter, and this can also disrupt digestive health.  A nutrient dense, high quality feed balancer will provide the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients needed on a daily basis, eliminating the need for large quantities of hard feed which is all too often detrimental to optimal digestion. The three Fibregenix feed balancers contain an innovative nutrient supplement – Nucleotides, which can have a positive effect on digestive health.  Nucleotides are considered an essential nutrient, as they form the building blocks of DNA and RNA. They are present in the horse’s natural diet, albeit at low levels and cannot be stored by the horse. During periods of strenuous activity or stress, nucleotides often become ‘limited’ and therefore there are enormous benefits to adding nucleotides to the horse’s diet. The specific blend of purified nucleotides in Fibregenix is designed to balance the lower levels found in the diet and provides three main advantages:

  • Nucleotides increase the length and surface area of the intestinal villi, aiding nutrient absorption and ensuring optimum digestive health and nutrient yield from the diet.
  • Competition horses can often be affected by loose droppings as a result of poor digestive health or stress issues. Including nucleotides in the diet will promote a healthy gut environment, encouraging the beneficial bacteria to thrive.
  • Nucleotides aid cell replication. There is a high cell turnover within the digestive system; by adding nucleotides to the diet you are providing the building blocks for DNA and RNA which is essential for cell replication.

Fibregenix Platinum Pro is perfect for performance horses which have a higher nutritional requirement.  Platinum Pro contains performance-suited levels of vitamins, minerals and nutrients plus a comprehensive hoof supplement, oils for coat condition and skin health, a powerful combination of antioxidants of organic selenium, vitamin C and a natural form of Vitamin E, which is essential for the performance horse that is often under stress which comprises digestion and the immune system.

Platinum Pro furthermore includes blood building nutrients such as vitamin B12, folic acid and iron which assist oxygen transportation to the working muscles.  The digestive system of the performance horse is well catered for with a Digestive Enhancer Package of nucleotides and an approved live probiotic yeast supplement that doubles the digestibility of fibre in the diet, so it is utilised much more efficiently. This in turn improves and helps to maintain weight and condition.

The Gut Health Package in Fibregenix consists of MOS and FOS prebiotics. The unique FOS in Fibregenix is a short chain of sugar molecules, providing a feed-source for the beneficial micro-organisms in the gut. However, whilst the ‘good’ bacteria may thrive, if the digestive system is compromised through the stress of competing and travelling, there can still be large amounts of harmful (pathogenic) bacteria which will cause an unhealthy gut environment and negatively affect the general health of the horse.The MOS prebiotic mimics the cursor that the harmful bacteria bind to on the gut wall; once these harmful bacteria have bound to the MOS, they are rendered useless and ‘flushed out’ of the digestive system promoting the overall health of the digestive system.  This probiotic can double the digestibility of fibre in the diet, so it is utilised much more efficiently – therefore improving and maintaining weight and condition.

Performance and sport horses horses fed on Fibregenix Platinum Pro will ultimately be better equipped to deal with the demands and stresses of a performance lifestyle and will keep them performing at their peak for longer.