ENDURO-PERFORMANCE

The feeding rates are offered as a guideline, if you would like to discuss your horse's individual requirements please contact a member of our nutritional team on 01622 718487.

Research studies have concluded that feeding oil to horses in training resulted in a greater mobilization and utilization of oil as an energy source during long distance exercise. By using oil as a primary energy source, it helps the horse to 'spare' glycogen during endurance-based exercise thus preserving glycogen for the maintenance of blood glucose levels and for the support of more power and sprint-based exercise.

ENDURO-PERFORMANCE contains a live yeast culture which has been shown to increase microbial activity. Saccharomyces cerevisiae supports efficient fibre digestion leading to improved feed and forage utilisation.

Beet pulp is a highly digestible fibre source which supports beneficial fibrolytic hindgut bacteria and therefore has a ‘prebiotic effect’ on the hindgut microbes (Moore-Colyer et al., 2002). Microbial fermentation of beet pulp leads to the production of volatile fatty acids, and through this Butyrate (butyric acid) is produced. Current studies are investigating the effect of butyric acid on gut health and wall cell stability. It is thought that butyrate can reduce inflammation and improve intestinal permeability (Stewart et al., 2017). Pectin (naturally occurring in beet pulp) helps to support generation of mucus secretions which line the gut wall and act as a barrier to microbial adhesion. Pectin forms a gel like substance when exposed to acidic conditions (i.e. within the stomach) and can protect the lining of the gastrointestinal tract (Zavoshti and Andrews, 2017).

Research has shown that alfalfa has a high capacity for buffering stomach acid due to its naturally high calcium content (Nadeau et al., 2000). The inclusion of alfalfa pellets within the ration not only provide a source of highly digestible ‘Super-Fibre’ but will also help to support optimal gastric health through the buffering capacity that alfalfa provides.

Carbohydrates (cereals) have been shown to aid in muscle glycogen repletion when fed post exercise. Studies have shown that horses receiving a cereal based meal following high level exercise will replenish muscle glycogen stores faster than horses fed a solely fibre-based meal (Lacombe et al., 2004). ENDURO-PERFORMANCE contains crushed oats, micronised barley and micronised maize to aid in recovery post exercise and repletion of muscle glycogen stores to support optimal athletic performance.