21/11/2012
It’s that time of year throughout the country where spring pastures are bolting bolt away on us and grass staggers and resultant behavioural changes are causing headaches for horse owners everywhere. At this time of year grasses tend to be high in complex carbohydrates such as sugars, which alter the horse’s digestive system. These changes to the horse’s digestive system result in the micro flora of the hindgut becoming unbalanced, resulting in excitable and spooky horses and in severe cases (such as staggers) can cause muscle soreness and mild colic like systems.
With the increase in pasture growth there is also an increase in exposure to endophytes and mycotoxins, especially in high ryegrass or ‘horse sick’ pastures. Endophytes are microscopic fungi within the grass and act as the plants defence against grazing animals and insect pests. It is these endophytes and mycotoxins which cause ‘staggers’ and behavioural changes in horses on ‘fresh’ grass. Symptoms vary from horse to horse; where in severe cases horses can appear ‘drunk’ and uncoordinated, while others may only show minor symptoms such as uncharacteristic spooking or stops with a horse that is a consistent jumper. Horses grazing in the same paddock may have very different reactions!
Horses affected by any of the above ailments will benefit from the Equinemix Range. Our specially formulated mixes assist the horse’s many ways:
1. Specialised yeast to assist the breakdown of the concentrated sugars and carbohydrates that pass undigested matter into the hindgut.
2. Our yeast also assists in the absorbancy of vitamins and minerals such as selenium, which NZ soils are deficient in - and NZ horses suffer accordingly.
3. Yeast provides active enzymes to assist the naturally occurring bacteria in the hindgut and help prevent imbalances.
4. Our products contain more than 1 toxin binder, this is to aid in the protection against all types of toxins and digestive imbalances
Our Equinemix range is available from all good feed stores, saddleries and Veterinary clinics.