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Equigard
Equine metabolic syndrome and the laminitis that may develop as a result are the consequences of an affluent lifestyle, which can be counteracted with exercise and a particularly strict and low-energy diet.
Equigard is the quintessence of numerous research findings. Energy excipients with a particularly low portion of starch and sugar, increased levels of native Ω-3 fatty acids and functional elements for carbohydrate metabolism determine the value of this muesli, which is rich in fibre and vital substances and low in energy.
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20
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Overfeeding with energy and starch – no trifling offences
That which show and race horses can generally take in their stride is an increasing problem for less active leisure horses and ponies: the generous supply of feedstuff energy. The energy-rich starches in oats, barley, maize and spelt, as well as the sugar in meadow feed can lead to the medium-term destabilisation of the carbohydrate metabolism: so-called "Equine Metabolic Syndrome" (EMS).
Symptoms, causes and after-effects of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS):
Horses with EMS have too much fatty tissue. This may be either evenly distributed or deposited disproportionately in the neck mane, shoulder or upper croup area. In addition, the blood content of fasting insulin, sometimes also of fasting blood sugar is increased – symptoms that indicate an "insulin resistance".
Current research indicates that this is caused by complex interaction between hormone-active fat cells and meals that raise blood sugar levels (cereals!). Combined with a lack of mobility, both of these factors mean that the effectiveness of the blood sugar hormone insulin gradually weakens. This is compensated for by the increased release of insulin.
The consequence is that the metabolic syndrome can develop largely unrecognised over time, conveying the deceptive image of a well-nourished "comfortably-off horse".
However, for many horses the EMS leads to the gradual onset of laminitis. A significant portion of mares affected also remain infertile. Weanlings that become insulin resistant as a consequence of excessive cereal feeding have a tendency to develop malpositioning and joint problems.
How can laminitis and other consequences of EMS be better avoided?
On the basis of scientific findings the following measures have proved effective:
• little or no grazing
• at least one hour of exercise per day
• reduction in fat via sensible limitation and adjustment of feed
• starch + sugar as less than 10 percent of the total ration.
• avoidance of unnecessary stress
Feeding recommendations:
Where a tendency towards EMS is evident a roughage-based overall ration with moderate energy content and low starch-sugar proportion is ideal.
A reduced starch structure muesli with high mineral and vital substance content is an effective supplementary feedstuff for ensuring the supply of minerals, trace elements and vitamins.
In the case of performance horses, the added requirements of energy should ideally be met via native oil, oil seeds and fast-fermenting fibre (such as beet fibre). An important role in the stabilisation of insulin function, carbohydrate and fat metabolism are vital substances such as magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, O3 fatty acids, lecithin and natural antioxidants such as vitamin E and fruit flavonoids.
Starch reduction in the case of Cushing syndrome, rhabdomyolysis and stomach ulcers
The characteristics presented above - in particular the starch reduction – have proven themselves to be particularly successful in feeding, including in cases of tendency towards Cushing syndrome, rhabdomyolysis or stomach ulcers.
Equigard – the vital substance muesli in cases of tendency towards laminitis, EMS, Cushing syndrome, tying-up and stomach ulcers.
Equigard is the quintessence of numerous research findings. On the targeted supplementary feeding of horses with the problems illustrated. As a particularly tasty structure and vital substance muesli, it us characterised by its ideal balance of natural energy carriers with a particularly low proportion of starch and sugar. The increased content of native O3 fatty acids and functional elements for carbohydrate metabolism should be highlighted here. The reduced digestive energy and increased level of minerals and vital substances also make Equigard ideally suited to a reduction diet. For performance horses we recommend a combination with Struktur-Energetikum and HippoLinol.
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InfoCenter
Equigard |
Feed:
Supplementary feed for horses |
Commercial product:
Equigard, paper bag 20 kg |
Composition:
Air dried grass chaff (Low glycemic index food ),
Apple pomace, Sugar beet fibre , Wheat germs, Flax seed,
Flax & sunflower oil cold-pressed, Apple syrup, Herbs (Chamomile, Rosmary, Coriander, Fenugreek seed),
Alfalfa , Brewers yeast, Wheat bran, Sugar beet molasses ,
Grape seed extract, Sea salt, Corn germs,
Pea protein, Ground algae, Carrots, Garlic
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Content and digestibility:
Crude protein
Crude fibre
Crude fat
Crude ash
Digestive crude protein
Digestive energy |
9,6 %
17,0 %
8,0 %
12,5 %
77 g/kg
8,5 MJ/kg
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Sels minéraux :
Calcium
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
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1,1 %
0,5 %
0,6 %
0,5 %
1,3 %
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Fat-soluble vitamins per kg/(2.2 lb):
Vitamin A
Vitamin D3
Vitamin E |
16.000 IE
1.700 IE
580 mg |
Water-soluble vitamins per kg/(2.2 lb):
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
Biotin
Niacin
Folic acid
Calcium pantothenate
Choline chloride |
17 mg
20 mg
12 mg
50 mcg
520 mcg
90 mg
7 mg
33 mg
1.000 mg |
Trace elements per kg/(2.2 lb):
Iron
Zinc
Manganese
Copper
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430 mg
280 mg
260 mg
70 mg |
Iodine
Cobalt
Selenium
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1,5 mg
3,5 mg
0,9 mg |
The trace elements are also present in organic complex compounds. |
Feeding recommendation:
Per animal and day:
Small horses, breeds requiring little feed and horses on a reduction diet: 0.5 - 1 kg.
Other large horses: 1 - 2 kg.
In the case of increased energy requirements (performance horses) do not add cereals but Wiesencobs and vegetable oil, for example, whilst gradually increasing the dosage.
This increased level of trace elements of this feedstuff in comparison to general feedstuffs means that it may only be fed to horses up to 70% of the total daily ration (incl. hay).
Additional product information:
Current scientific findings indicate that unstructured carbohydrates such as cereal starch and sugar should be significantly reduced in the overall feed ration where muscular problems (tying up, PSSM), tendency to laminitis, metabolic or Cushing syndrome exist.
Equigard consequently contains starch and sugar at heavily reduced levels (approx. 80% less than oats).
Energy content is consciously kept at a relatively low level (digestible energy approx. 8.5 MJ per kg).
In contrast, easily-digestible structured carbohydrates and valuable omega 3 fatty acids are considerably increased in Equigard.
In addition to a full mineralisation, particular value has been placed on balanced quantities of the functional micronutrients. This serves to provide the necessary support for the metabolic enzyme apparatus of horses affected.
Equigard is therefore ideally suited for horses in the problem area described, as well as for reduction diets in cases of excess weight. Hay, straw and/or reduced grazing are recommended as supplementary feed. With horses with increased risk of laminitis the sugar and starch content of the hay should be checked and grass consumption prevented. Problem horses with increased energy requirements (performance horses in training) should be fed concentrated feedstuffs in addition to Equigard, instead receiving St. Hippolyt Struktur-Energetikum, vegetable oils (with a gradual increase in dosage) and Wiesencobs, for example. This also applies to performance horses that require heavily-reduced feed as a result of a tendency to stomach ulcers. If only small quantities of Equigard are fed as part of a weight reduction course, an additional mineral - trace element - vitamin concentrate should be added to ensure that requirements are met adequately.
Please contact our free feed consultation service for further information
Tel. +49 (0)6222 / 990 - 0 or (0)6642 / 96 06 - 0
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Additional product information:
The stated values for vitamins and trace elements contain both native and supplementary quantities |
The information on individual products in this catalogue, which is in part in extract form only, is up-to-date at the time of going to press. |
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