Introduction
One thing that any horse owner can tell you is that every horse is unique. And it’s true; horses are different in many ways – such as breed, size, age and of course temperament. Horses and ponies also live in a range of environments and participate in a variety of activities.
All these factors mean that individual horses have individual nutritional needs.
Whether it’s a thoroughbred broodmare or a three day eventer, each horse requires a balance of ingredients that will maintain both energy levels and condition.
The right diet is also important for a horse's general wellbeing, in both the short and long term. A well nourished horse will have strong teeth and hooves, bright eyes and a glossy coat. However without proper nourishment, horses are more susceptible to lameness, tying up and colic.
When it comes to working out the right diet for a horse, Barastoc offers the help that owners need. With over 30 years of experience in producing top-quality horse feed, we have a comprehensive range of products. Our feeds are tailored to match the needs to every kind of horse, from pony club mounts to racehorses…and everything in between.
In the development of the Barastoc range, we have taken two kinds of ratings into account – energy rating and heat rating.
Energy rating
A horse’s energy requirements will vary greatly according to what type of horse it is, and how much energy it is expending through day-to-day activity. For example, a two year old racehorse in heavy training requires much more energy than a horse that’s spelled in the paddock.
Work loads can vary from light intensity – such as gentle trail riding – to highly athletic disciplines like racing, eventing and showjumping.
When looking at energy content in feed, the desired outcome is to provide enough energy for a horse to perform at an optimum level, without it having a negative affect on its temperament.
Heat rating
In addition to energy, it’s important to provide horses a diet that contains ingredients which provide energy in a form that matches their temperament and tolerance to grain.
