Horse Protein Natural Supplements, Foal Milk Replacers, Feeding Horses, Orphan Foals

The health of the horses’ respiratory tract is a performance variable that is often overlooked in today’s intensive stabling and travelling practices.  Healthy respiratory function is essential for athletic performance and endurance, and respiratory disease is currently one of the major causes of lost training days and horse wastage, both in Australia and internationally. 

One of the greatest causes of respiratory disease is Ammonia, the potent respiratory tract irritant that is found at high levels in stables, horse floats and trucks. Ammonia is a small molecule with a characteristic strong and unpleasant odour, formed by urea, a nitrogen rich molecule found in urine and faeces.  While urea in its pure form is odourless and non-toxic, once it has been excreted it rapidly changes into the highly potent ammonia that is extremely irritating to the mucous membranes that line the mouth, eyes and respiratory tract of the horse. 

Continued exposure to high environmental ammonia levels may lead to Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD), a respiratory infection which narrows the airways and causes mucous to accumulate, significantly reducing the respiratory function and therefore the athletic ability of the horse.  IAD is characterised by coughing during exercise and decreased endurance during training and competition.

While there are a number of antibiotic based treatments available for IAD, recent studies have recommended that antibiotics are over prescribed when treating coughing horses in Australia, suggesting that, when treating respiratory infections, improved stable environment management practices may reduce the need for high-cost medications.

Prevention is better than cure - reducing the level of moisture and ammonia in barns is a big step towards reducing the risk of respiratory disease!

ePro® Stable Xtra is a natural and safe alternative to traditional ammonia absorbing substances such as lime.  Made from extra fine Crystalline Alumino-Silicate, an ancient mineral that is highly efficient at trapping moisture and ammonia within tiny micro-channels, ePro® Stable Xtra can absorb up to 50 times its own mass in toxic gasses and moisture. 

Designed to be used with existing bedding, ePro® Stable Xtra is an innovative stable management solution with a great range of applications.

Facts about ePro® Stable Xtra:

• 100% safe – ePro® Stable Xtra is non-toxic and does not irritate the skin, mucous membranes or respiratory system.
• Does not dry or crack hooves.
• Reduces stable cleaning time and volume of bedding used.
• Cost effective – save $ on bedding and vet bills!
• Can be used to safely absorb ammonia and excess moisture in chicken pens, cat litter trays, dog kennels and high traffic areas.
• Excellent fertiliser – place used ePro® Stable Xtra on garden beds as a slow release fertiliser.

How can ePro® Stable Xtra help your horse?

Stables & Barns

Horses that are continuously stabled are at much greater risk of IAD than non-stabled horses.  Studies have shown that ammonia levels in barns can be in excess of 200 parts per million (ppm), given that safe levels of exposure to ammonia gasses for humans have been set at 35ppm for a maximum of 15 mins, it is clear that the respiratory systems of stabled horses are exposed to excessive and unhealthy levels of toxic ammonia gasses. 

Measurements of ammonia gas within different areas of the barn have shown ammonia levels are highest near barn and stable floors, which is where all the manure and urine accumulates.  Even if solid material is removed, the liquid remaining is rich in urea ready to be converted to ammonia gas and contaminate the barn. 

To reduce the risk of respiratory infection in stabled horses:

• Use 200 g - 1kg/m2 of ePro® Stable Xtra under the bedding to absorb ammonia and moisture from urine and faeces.
• Use 200 - 1kg/m2 of ePro® Stable Xtra in high traffic areas, tie-up stalls and walkways.
• Provide proper stable ventilation - open windows and doors, use fans or install rotary ventilators.
• Do not allow horses to eat directly from the floor, always use hay bags and feed bins to provide feed.
• Clean stables regularly and keep surrounding facilities clean and dry.
• Allow horses as much time out of the stable as possible.  Injured horses especially are often stabled 24/7, check with your vet how much movement the horse is allowed and ensure that he is given as much fresh air as possible.

Float, Truck and Air Transport

Medium to long distance transport of horses, can result in acute respiratory tract disease (ARTD) and travel sickness, in fact, during the 2000 Sydney Olympics one of the greatest issues relating to long distance transportation of horses was respiratory tract dysfunction.

 While ATRD or travel sickness is rarely fatal, suffering from either may rule horses out of competition for several weeks and may have significant consequences for future athletic performance, even after recovery.  Excluding individual horses response to travel, the greatest factor contributing to the onset of ATRD or travel sickness is the environmental conditions inside the truck or trailer, which can significantly decline during travel depending on the number of animals, type and quality of bedding and forage, amount of urine produced, air filtration rate and humidity of the air inside the transport unit.

To reduce the risk of travel sickness and respiratory infection during transport:

• Use 1kg/m2 of ePro® Stable Xtra directly on the floor under the bedding to absorb ammonia and moisture from urine and faeces.
• Improve ventilation and airflow during transport by opening windows and top panels in floats and trucks and installing rotary ventilators.

Encourage horses to keep the head lowered during travel to help keep the lungs clear.  Do not tie horses’ heads up too high and use a filled hay bag to help keep the head lowered.

The old sailors saying ‘water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink’ rings too true after the devastation of the recent floods in Queensland and Northern New South Wales.  While we usually welcome the rain to fill dams and water pastures and crops, too much water can severely compromise the availability and quality of food and water resources and have detrimental effects on equine health.   The following information will help you to decrease your horses’ risk of post-flood disease and loss of condition.

Drinking water
Dams, ponds and water troughs that were submerged during the floods may be contaminated with chemical run-off, agricultural toxins and debris.  Check your horses’ water sources thoroughly to make sure that they are safe before allowing horses to drink from them.  Muddy, brackish water and water containing debris, especially old chemical containers, should be avoided and fresh drinking water should be provided in clean buckets until the original water source has been cleared for animal consumption.

Pasture Availability & Quality
After flooding and being churned up with debris, pastures are often not suitable for grazing for quite some time.  Additionally, grasses growing on flooded pasture have often been leached of essential nutrients, making them significantly less nutritious than they previously were.  This may leave you relying on hay and premixed feeds to supply the bulk feed and nutrition that your horse requires and can be quite costly.   Supplementing your horses’ diet with protein and vitamin concentrates will help to prevent loss of condition and will promote recovery from stress and injury that may have occurred during the floods.  ePro® Topline Xtra  contains essential amino acids and omega-3 & 6 fatty acids to support  cellular repair and immune function.

Debris
One of the most devastating effects of the floods is the homes, properties and natural resources that have been destroyed from the force and volume of the water.  As a result of this, many pastures have been littered with rubbish, chemical waste containers, trees and wreckage that can be extremely dangerous for your horse.  Chewing on plastic bags and other waste can cause colic, while the wreckage of destroyed buildings can litter paddocks with nails, large splinters and glass which can easily cause hoof punctures and body wounds.  It is essential to check your paddock and clear it of all debris.  If the area is too large, clear it in stages, fencing horses off from unclean areas.

Hooves
With many wet days prior to the floods and the time taken for flood waters to recede, horses in QLD & NSW have been standing on wet or damp ground for quite a long time.  This significantly increases the risk of hoof and foot infections such as white line disease and greasy heel, while the softening of hooves in the wet conditions makes them much more susceptible to bruising of the sole which may lead to abscesses.  Using a high quality protein supplement such as ePro® Total Performance Xtra will encourage healthy hoof growth, strengthening the walls and soles and helping to grow out damaged hooves .

Parasites
The pooling of water in usually dry areas significantly increases the breeding habitats for mosquitoes.  After flooding there is often a steep rise in the mosquito populations, causing serious discomfort and irritation to horses and exacerbating Queensland Itch.   To help your horse repel the mosquitoes and repair damaged skin, without having to use harsh and sometimes painful and burning external treatments, add 15 – 30 grams of ePro® Garlic Xtra to his feed each day.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the flooding.  ePro® Equine Professional is committed to improving your horses health and performance and we encourage you to contact us if you need any information on helping your horse to recover.

  

With the huge range of equine dietary supplements on the market today how can you make sure that you are using the right supplement for you and your horses’ needs?   When choosing a supplement it is essential to consider the following factors:

What do you want the supplement to do?
Think clearly about what you want to achieve from your horse.  Do you want to build muscle, improve coat condition, increase energy, improve joint health or improve the temperament?  Do you want to do all of these things or only a few?  Different supplements provide unique nutrient combinations that work on specific body systems, by being clear about what you want to achieve you are better able to select the supplement with the right nutrient profile to get the results you desire.

How is the supplement used?
Always read the instructions on the supplement packaging before you buy it.  Check the manufacturer recommendation for feeding the supplement and consider how this suits your feeding regime and your horse.  Is the supplement added into feed or syringed over the tongue?  Must it be fed directly before or after exercise?  Should it be used continuously or over a treatment interval?  All of these things must be considered when choosing a supplement in order to ensure maximum supplement efficacy and value for money.

Will your horse accept the new supplement?
A new taste or smell in the diet can sometimes cause a horse to go ‘off’ his feed.  While it may only take a few days for your horse to get used to the new ingredient, some horses will steadfastly refuse to eat if they detect a foreign taste or smell on the feed.   Set a 3 day trial period and include the supplement in the diet as recommended.  If the horse eats the new supplement immediately you know he will accept this supplement as an everyday part of his diet.  If he does not eat it straight away try mixing a little molasses into the feed to encourage eating, slowly reduce the amount of molasses over the 3 days to see if your horse is accepting the new supplement.  If your horse still refuses to eat the feed with the supplement mixed in you may need to look for another more palatable supplement or consider alternative methods of dosing such as syringing the supplement over the tongue.

Educate, educate, educate!
Educate yourself about your horse!  You do not need to know the nutritional requirements of every horse in the world but you do need to know about your own!  There is a fantastic range of resources online and in print, a copy of RIRDC's ‘Feeding Horses in Australia’ should be in every horse owners bookshelf.  Understanding your horse, the nutrients he needs and why is essential for keeping your horse happy, healthy and looking and performing his best.

The nutritional requirements of the equine athlete vary hugely with the type and intensity of work being performed. However, regardless of the type of work, the biggest factor affecting sound muscle development, healthy nerve function and coat and body conditioning is the type and quality of protein that your horse is receiving from his diet.

Increased protein intake in performance horses will support muscle development, reduce muscle damage, support joints and connective tissue and increase recovery rate.  A high quality protein intake from 0 - 24 months of age is essential for strong and correct bone development. Pregnant and lactating mares have a significantly higher requirement for dietary protein due to the huge protein demand of growing a foal in-utero or producing up to 20 litres of milk each day for a feeding foal.

Protein is made up of over 20 different essential amino acids; these are the building blocks of healthy muscle, skin, hooves and hair. Each animal species requires specific amino acids in order to grow, develop and reproduce and these are known as essential amino acids. In horses these essential amino acids are Leucine, Lysine and Arginine. Dietary protein for horses is usually supplied in the form of Soybean meal, Copra meal, Rice Bran or skim milk powder.

While all of these are good sources of bulk protein they do not always contain the type and amount of essential amino acids required for optimum muscle development in the horse and can also have a very high fat content.

Download a copy of this article from Equine News December 2010.

Recently, studies into the body building benefits of concentrated protein supplements derived from Whey, a by-product of cheese making, and Soy have shown that these concentrates contain very high levels of the equine essential amino acids Leucine, Lysine and Arginine. Supplementing the performance horses diet with high quality Whey and Soy protein concentrates and isolates, such as those found in the  ePro® Equine Professional muscle building product range, ensures that the essential amino acids required for optimum muscle development and recovery are readily available from the feed. This gives the horse the best possible building blocks to repair and grow muscle, resulting in stronger, bigger body and topline muscle; shorter post- exercise recovery time and lower risk of tying up.

We're back from Equitana, Melbourne!  Thanks to everyone who visited our stand.   A very successful event and we're very happy after all the long hours of work. 

Meadowlands at Equitana, Melbourne, Victoria

$500 PRIZE PACK WINNER

Thanks to everyone who entered the draw for the $500 ePro® Prize Pack.  We will draw the winner early next week, so stay tuned to see if you're the lucky winner!  

Bio-John Animal Health, the 'One Stop Shop' for the Western Australia Performance, Racing and Harness Industries is now a proud retail and wholesale distributor of the full ePro® Equine Professional product range.

Bio-John has been trading for over 20 years has resulted in it being the major supplier to the Race Horse Trainers in WA.  As well as the retail outlet in Belmont, Bio-John distribute horse products to retailers serving the horse industry throughout WA.

 Bio-John are the only WA retailer to carry the entire range of ePro® products!

     

   



Check out the Product Training Guide to see what gives ePro® its Protein Power performance!

It is essential to understand the specific protein and energy requirements of your horse in order to achieve the best results from your equestrian training program.  The nutritional requirements of the equine athlete vary hugely with the type and intensity of work being performed however, regardless of the type of work, the biggest factor affecting sound muscle development, healthy nerve function and coat and body conditioning is the type and quality of protein that your horse is receiving from his diet.

Protein is made up of 20 different essential amino acids; these are the building blocks of healthy muscle and connective tissue.  Increased protein intake in performance horses will support muscle development, reduce muscle damage, support joints and connective tissue and increase recovery rate.

During growth, low protein intake can be detrimental to bone development as it lowers the production of hormones essential for bone formation.  The majority of skeletal growth and development occurs between 0 and 24 months of age, therefore high quality protein in the diet of young, growing horses is essential to ensure the strong and correct skeletal development required for agility, speed and endurance in performance horses.

Although protein requirements are highest in young, growing horses, pregnant and lactating mares and racing horses, all horses require a good source of high quality protein.  Diets that are rich in starch (energy) but low in protein and minerals may cause obesity, insulin resistance, unsoundness, low milk production in lactating mares and stunted growth.

Dietary protein for horses is usually supplied in the form of sunflower oil, linseed oil, Soybean meal, Copra meal and skim milk powder.  While all of these are good sources of protein they do not contain all the essential amino acids required for optimum muscle development.  

So, what makes ePro® Equine Professional Protein Power so different? ePro® Equine Professional conditioning products are made using human grade whey protein concentrate and isolate.  The protein sourced from whey protein is:

• Naturally complete protein and has the ideal combination of amino acids to help improve body composition and enhance athletic performance.
• Rich source of branched chain amino acids, the first amino acids used during exercise.
• Excellent source of the essential amino acid Leucine which is integral to muscle growth.
• Easily digested and efficiently absorbed by the body.
• Highly palatable and cost effective.

Further reading and product recommendations

ePro® Product Training Guide ( PDF Download  4428KB)

Which product should I use?

ePro® Equine Professional is very proud to announce that Horseland stores nationwide now stock the ePro® performance line of products.

This is a great partnership for the ePro® and Horseland brands and for you!  Your ePro® favorites are now available at over 50 Horseland stores and and getting the muscle health and growth benefits the ePro® Protein Power products promote is easier than ever!

The ePro® Product Range currently stocked by Horseland:

• Garlic Xtra - a powerful antioxidant and great for fussy eaters.
• Topline Xtra - a high quality whey protein isolate powder, designed to support muscle and body functions in performance and breeding horses.
• Total Performance Xtra - a high quality whey protein concentrate powder enriched with natural herbs, assists with muscle growth & repair, body cell repair, bone development and improves overall body condition.
• Rapid Performer Xtra - a high quality whey and soy protein isolate powder, specifically formulated for gallopers, pacers, endurance and equestrian horses to support optimal muscle function and recovery.

Contact your local Horseland store to purchase any of the ePro® products and check out the Meadowloads ePro® Equine Professional range of products on our  website. 

You may also be interested in our ePro® Product Training Guide and the impressive ePro® Photo Gallery!

You can also always contact Meadowlands online  or telephone 1300 MEADOW (1300 632 369)

Meadowlands Animal Supplies proudly announces the online launch of our free ePro® Equine Professional Product Training Guide.

This guide is packed with essential information on the whole ePro® product range, and is the first step in choosing the right ePro® supplement plan for your equestrian or race training objectives, or orphaned foal rearing program.

The ePro® Equine Professional Product Training Guide provides detailed information on:

• Recommended feeding rates for the whole ePro® Equine Professional range.
• The ePro® Whey Protein Power that give ePro® horses the performance edge in muscle development and body conditioning.
  
• The all natural ingredients that assist liver function and reduce the effect of free radicals which can breakdown muscle after exercise.
•  ePro® product protein profiles, there are 20 different types of protein building blocks and ePro® makes sure your horse gets the right ones for optimum muscle health and growth.
• Recommended retail prices for ePro® products which can now be bought from Horseland stores nationwide!

Successfully rearing a foal requires lots of time, patience, and work. Immediate attention to the newborn will increase its chance for survival and development into a healthy foal.

•  Colostrum is essential to the health of the newborn foal. The immunoglobulins found in colostrum provide early protection from many diseases. Foals should consume at least 10-12 feedings of colostrum from the mare during the first 48  hours of life. Immunoglobulins are taken up by special cells in the epithelium of the small intestine of the foal. The first hours post-partum the uptake is most effective and declines in efficiency after 12hrs and after 48 there is no uptake of most  immunoglobulins.  Although the uptake of some immunoglobulins are not effective anymore after 48hrs you can  feed colostrum during the first 3 days to provide some protection from pathogens in the intestinal tract.
• Follow feeding instructions carefully and feed at regular hours each day.
• Clean, fresh water should be available at all times, starting immediately after birth.
• Foals must be protected from the weather. Make sure the stable stays clean and the mare and foal have dry bedding and plenty of fresh air, free from drafts.
• At two week of age the foal will try to nibble grass or feedstuffs from his dam. From this moment on foals can be offered some soft hay and creep feed to complement the milk diet of the foal. Provide  your foal  with a high quality creep feed (15-20% protein) and feed small amounts twice a day.  Offer your foal good quality forage free of dust and moulds.
• Exercise is important for new foals. After the first week, the mare and foal should have access to good, clean pasture ground.
• Establish a health program with your veterinarian regarding all vaccinations and deworming as well as any antibiotic treatment.

Tips for bottle and bucket feeding

Strong, healthy foals will usually accept bottle feeding readily.Some foals will drink from a bucket once their muzzle has been introduced into the milk/milk replacer. Gradually start the foal on milk replacer to avoid digestive upsets. Patience is essential during this process.

Feeding Suggestions

• Place a small amount of milk/milk replacer on the foal’s nose and into its mouth to help get the foal started. With clean hands, insert your index finger into the foal’s mouth to help stimulate suckling. For bottle feeding, immediately place the nipple into the foal’s mouth. For bucket feeding, introduce the foal’s muzzle into the milk/milk replacer.
• Baby bottles with nipples or other bottles with lamb nipples may be used to feed the very young foal. Calf nipples are usually too hard and stiff for foals to use.
• Older foals may be trained to drink from shallow pans or buckets. Foals generally do not like to put their heads into deep buckets. Shallow bucket-feeders should be tilted at a slight angle and placed toward the centre of the stable.
• Bottles and buckets should be positioned at the shoulder height of the foal.
• Wash the feeding equipment after every feeding in hot soapy water. Rinse thoroughly with hot water and allow to drain and dry before the next feeding.
• There may be some hair loss around the foal’s muzzle during milk replacer feeding. The hair will return normally after weaning.
•  Older foals will not usually accept bottle or bucket feeding as readily as younger foals.