HORSES - 10
Protein Grain Sources
Although vitally necessary to the well being of the Horse too much high Protein in the diet can also cause many problems.
*Black Sunflower Seeds: provide enough Oil and Protein for most Horses if fed in moderate amounts. High in Vitamin E and contains Omega 6 essential Fatty Acids, which inhibits Inflammation and activates the Immune Cells.
*Soybean Meal: provides Oil and Protein, but can be given with Seeds where high Protein is required especially in Breeding and Growing Young Horses. It also contains all the Amino Acids and the essential Fatty Acid / Linolenic Acid required for good Digestion. (Also useful for Horses recovering from Injury or Illness.)
*Soybeans are a Protein Supplement, but must be fed with caution as the varieties available now have been genetically modified.
*Equi - Soy contains full fat debited Soy guaranteed free from genetic interference.
NB: Only high performance Horses and some Broodmares require this additional type of Protein.
N.B: Soybean Meal will also produce Hormonal Behaviour in some Horses and should not be continued to be fed to these. Other types of Horses and Ponies who are good doers do not need Soybean Meal.
Excess Protein
*Excess Protein and Grain: The requirement for Protein does not necessarily increase with work, but is most important for Breeding and Growing Young Horses, but excess creates problems!!
*Adult Horses require only 7% - 10% Protein in their diet although levels of 15% or more are common. Horses evolved eating only Roughage and additional Protein is not a requirement!!
Horses receive enough Protein from their Hay and Grain, as Lucerne can be as high as 23%. The effects of Overfeeding Protein Grains and Carbohydrates can lead to Behavioural and Soundness problems. *Behavioural: Include Anxiety, Distraction, Girthiness, Tension, Floating, etc.
*Soundness: Impaired Liver and Kidney function can lead onto Disease, poor Hooves, heat in the Feet - a sub - Laminitis condition, poor Hair, inability to maintain Condition, swollen Legs, especially the Hinds, dehydration, early fatigue, thick Urine and excess Ammonia, higher Heart and Respiratory rates, Tying Up and Gut Ulceration.
Millet
*Millet is high in Silica, which is important for Bone and Nerves and is very good to feed regularly especially for Horses who do not get Oats. N.B: It must be cooked, soaked or crushed. French White Millet is the best!)
*French White Millet and Linseed Porridge: 1/2 a part of whole Linseeds to 1 part of French White Millet and cover with 20cm of water and boil for 1 x hour. (N.B: Linseeds must be boiled do not feed otherwise!! *Linseeds boil over easily and the Millet minimizes this action and is also best when cooked. Add the whole lot to the feed but do not feed hot!!
*Cooked Barley or Linseed / Millet Porridge can be cooked 2 - 3 days in advance, but must be kept cool so it does not go off, but also do not feed very cold!!
Linseeds
N.B: Raw Linseeds should not be fed unless boiled first for one hour as it can be Poisonous!! Boiling is difficult as it burns and boils over easily and this is where French White Millet also assists when included as a Porridge.
N.B:Raw Linseed Oil and Linseed Meal have been fed in small amounts, but they become rancid quite easily.
N.B. Be careful with the amount given especially with those Horses who are prone to loose Manure as Linseed also has Laxative properties.
*One of the best Feeds as they contain high concentrations of beneficial Fatty Acids, Linolenic Acids, Omega 3 and Omega 6.
*Good for the health of the Digestive Tract, Ligaments and Tendons, the Immune System and prevention and treatment of Arthritis.
*Especially useful in Sandy Soils to remove the sand from the Gut and prevent it from accumulating further.
*The safest and easiest is to feed as an Oil, with Cold Pressed Linseed Oil the best, fed at the basic rate of 25ml daily for a 450Kg Horse.
*Cold Pressed Linseed Oil is expensive compared to the boiled Raw Linseed that can be cooked, together with the Millet in a Porridge as mentioned and cover with an equal amount of water and simmer for an hour.