With on-going research to optimise health, growth and performance in our horses, premixed feeds continue to evolve.
One area that can be particularly frustrating for Trainers is ‘tying-up’. There are many variables which can impact on an episode of ‘tying-up’ including environment, individual horse characteristics and nutrition.
In recent years more research has taken place into how feed impacts on a horse’s temperament and behaviour and goes someway to explaining why removing grain and increasing fat has historically been successful in the diets of many horses prone to ‘tying-up’. The latest research demonstrates low-starch diets result in less anxious behaviour. Studies show markers for stress, such as heart rate and cortisol levels are reduced in response to a stimulus for horses on low-starch diets. Many Trainers will acknowledge that often the ‘tye-up’ horses may be the more anxious, highly-strung individuals.
Taking into account the most recent findings on the impact of nutrition on horses prone to ‘tying-up’, Dunstan has developed Dunstan Move Free. The goal was to further reduce the reliance on starch as a key calorie source and utilise fats and fibres to meet energy demands. This was achieved by increasing the contribution of the ‘super fibres’, beet pulp and soya hulls. Lupins also provide a valuable calorie source as they are low in starch, are calorie-dense and high in fibre.
To tailor Dunstan Move Free to optimise muscular health, the Vitamin E level is elevated and is provided in the form of Natural Vitamin E for improved bio-availability. Vitamin E is a key antioxidant important for muscular health and may be deficient in the diets of horses that have reduced pasture access, if adequate levels are not provided by supplementary feed.
A unique and key addition to the new Dunstan Move Free is Melofeed®. Melofeed® is a new age antioxidant; a feed additive designed to fight against oxidative stress. Research has indicated Melofeed® to be beneficial for joint and muscular health in the hard-working horses. The antioxidant properties of Melofeed® benefit equine muscle membrane, helping to prevent muscle lesions that may occur in horses during intense training, therefore making it the ideal addition to a feed for horses prone to 'tying-up'. Melofeed® works synergistically with Alkosel (Selenium Yeast) as a first line of defence against oxidative stress. Dunstan Move Free utilises Alkosel as its organic source of Selenium.
Both a Live Yeast and Chromium have remained in Dunstan Move Free to optimise performance, digestive health and well-being.
Selecting a feeding regime that takes into consideration the unique nutritional requirements of the ‘tye-up’ horse is a vital starting point in their management.
