Choosing the right feed for our horse is important, but the amount of something we choose to feed has even greater importance. When it comes to starch, a small amount is good for our horse's energy levels, growth and metabolism. However, when they are fed too much of it, it may have a detrimental effect on their health.
It isn't uncommon for horse owners to not actually know what is inside their horse's feed. But did you know feeding your horse a high amounts of starch can heighten the risks of Gastric Ulcers, Colic and Laminitis later down the line? So choosing a feed with a small level of starch, or feeding it in moderation, is key to maintaining a healthy horse.
Caroline Dickens joins us at our Rochdale Superstore to give us an insight into the good and the bad of a high starch diet, with great information on the effects, choosing the right feed, how often and how much.
Why a low starch diet is best - Baileys:
"Starch is made up of chains of glucose molecules and is tightly packed in granules into cereal grains. It provides a much more concentrated source of energy than fibre so the horse only has to eat a relatively small amount to gain the energy he needs.
If undigested starch reaches areas of the horse’s gut that it shouldn’t, not only will it disrupt the bacterial populations, so reducing the efficiency of fibre digestion, but toxins produced by the bacteria as they die can lead to diseases, such as laminitis."
Browse Caroline's feed recommendations to help maintain your horse's health:
Baileys Light Chaff 15kg
Baileys Tasty Treats 5kg
Baileys Meadow Sweet with Turmeric 15kg
Baileys No14 Lo-Cal Balancer 20kg
