St.Hippolyt Equigard Muesli

Energy and starch overfeeding - not a trivial offense!

The equine metabolic syndrome and the laminitis that develops from it in a creeping process are effects of an over-prosperous life, which can be counteracted with exercise and a diet that is particularly low in starch and energy.

What competition horses and racehorses can usually cope with is becoming more and more of a problem for less busy leisure horses and ponies: the ample supply of feed energy.

In particular, the high-energy starch in oats, barley, maize, spelt, but also sugar in pasture feed can lead to the derailment of carbohydrate metabolism in the medium term: the so-called "Equine Metabolic Syndrome" (EMS).

Characteristics, causes and sequelae of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

Horses with EMS have too much fat. It can either be evenly distributed or excessively deposited in the mane crest, in the shoulder or upper croup area. In addition, the blood levels of fasting insulin, sometimes of fasting blood sugar, are increased - symptoms that indicate "insulin resistance".

Current research blames complex interactions between hormone-active fat cells and blood sugar-increasing meals (cereals!) For this. Both factors, in connection with a sedentary lifestyle, contribute to the fact that the effectiveness of the blood sugar hormone insulin gradually decreases. This is made up for by an excessive release of insulin.

The metabolic syndrome can develop undetected for a long time and convey the deceptive image of a well-fed "horse in prosperity".

In many horses, however, EMS leads to laminitis in a gradual process. A significant number of affected mares also become sterile. Weaner foals who become insulin-resistant due to excessive grain feeding tend to have malpositions - and joint problems.

How can laminitis and other EMS consequences be better avoided?

On the basis of scientific research, the following measures have proven effective:

• Little or no grazing
• Exercise at least one hour a day.
• Starch + sugar less than 10 percent of the total ration.
• Avoid unnecessary stress
• Reduction of the fat deposits through sensible restriction and change of the feed

Recommendations for feeding:

If your horse is inclined to EMS, a roughage-oriented total ration with moderate energy content and a low starch-sugar content is ideal.

As a supplementary feed to ensure the supply of minerals, trace elements and vitamins, a more reduced structure muesli with a high mineral and vital substance content is well suited.

In the case of performance horses, the additional energy requirement should preferably be covered by native oil, oilseeds and fast fermentable fibres (e.g. beet fibre). Vital substances such as magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, O-3 fatty acids, lecithin and natural antioxidants such as vitamin E and fruit - flavonoids are of particular importance for stabilising the insulin function, carbohydrate and fat metabolism.

Strength reduction in Cushing's syndrome, rhabdomyolysis and gastric ulcer

The characteristics outlined above - above all the starch reduction - have proven to be particularly successful as a sensible diet even with a tendency to Cushing's syndrome, rhabdomyolysis or stomach ulcers.

Equigard - the vital substance muesli

Equigard is the quintessence of numerous research results on the targeted supplementary feeding of horses of the problem areas described. As a particularly tasty structure and vital substance muesli, it is characterized by an ideal balance of natural energy carriers with a particularly low starch and sugar content. The increased content of native O-3 fatty acids and functional elements for the carbohydrate metabolism should be emphasized. Due to the reduced digestible energy with a higher level of minerals and vital substances, Equigard is also particularly suitable for a reduction diet. For performance horses we recommend a combination with structural energetic and HippoLinol.

Feeding recommendation:
Small horses, easy-to-feed breeds and horses on a reduction diet: 0.5 - 1kg.
Other large horses: 1 - 2kg.
In the case of increased energy requirements (performance horses) do not feed grain but, for example, meadow cobs and vegetable oil, gradually increasing the dose.
Because of its higher content of trace elements compared to complete feed, this feed may only be fed to horses up to 70% of the total daily ration (incl. hay portion) should be fed.