Allergy Vs Intolerance
If your horse has a food intolerance, it is often necessary to cut all cereal products out of their diet. This may seem to be problematic, especially if they are in hard work but with Dengie's range of alfalfa based products you can rest easy in the knowledge that you can look after both his health and performance. ALFA-A OIL, ALFA-A MOLASSES FREE, ALFALFA PELLETS, ALFA-BEET and HI-FI MOLASSES FREE are all suitable for those horses and ponies that need a low sugar, cereal free diet.
The Cereal Free Alternatives
ALFA-A OIL is pure alfalfa with a GM free soya oil ideal for horses that need extra condition or for those working hard needing more stamina. ALFA-A OIL has the equivalent energy value to a conditioning cube or mix. Soya oil is a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 oils which are essential in the diet for good health, skin and coat condition. ALFA-A OIL also contains added vitamin E which is a vital antioxidant that helps to protect cell membranes.
ALFA-A LITE is a less calorie dense option for working horses and ponies needing to maintain condition. ALFA-A LITE is equivalent in energy to a pasture mix or nut but with far less sugar and starch which is ideal for those horses and ponies needing a lower sugar option or are prone to laminitis.
ALFALFA PELLETS are naturally very low in sugar and unlike most other pellets or cubes have no molasses coating. They are also ideal for horses and ponies that are prone to laminitis and can be fed either dry or soaked.
ALFA-BEET is a combination of alfalfa and unmolassed sugar beet pulp, which provides a very conditioning source of slow release energy. A source of good quality protein, ALFA-BEET is ideal for older horses and ponies that struggle to maintain condition. Fed in conjunction with HI-FI LITE or any of the above products it is ideal for horses and ponies requiring a low sugar diet.
HI-FI MOLASSES FREE
Contains a combination of chopped alfalfa and straw with alfalfa and straw pellets. A soya oil coating is used and mint and fenugreek herbs are added for enhanced palatability. The sugar content is only 2.5% which is naturally present in the raw materials. No artificial flavours or preservatives are used in this feed.
ALFA-A MOLASSES FREE
Combines chopped and pelleted alfalfa with soya oil and mint and fenugreek. A medium energy level means that Alfa-A Molasses Free is ideal for those that need help to maintain their bodyweight or horses and ponies in work. The sugar content is only 4.5% which is naturally present in the raw materials. No artificial flavours or preservatives are used in this feed.
Dengie offers a flexible approach to feeding forage to RAO horses. All alfalfa produced by Dengie is high temperature dried meaning that a consistently clean forage is produced. Some of the Dengie product range can also be used as hay replacers offering a more sympathetic option for the respiratory system than hay.
HI-FI LITE is a blend of alfalfa and oat straw with a low sugar coating which helps to bind leaf material. HI-FI LITE has a lower sugar level than good quality hay, ideal for horses needing to maintain condition and those that may have other problems like laminitis.
HI-FI SENIOR is a blend of high temperature dried grasses and alfalfa with a low sugar coating. Although it is called Senior it is ideal for all horses that need a top quality hay substitute. Even the smallest respiratory challenge can affect performance making feeding a hay replacer particularly beneficial for horses that are competing or racing.
For horses and ponies that are very overweight and have to be stabled for longer periods, HI-FI GOOD DO-ER is the ideal option. A blend of dust extracted top quality oat straw and alfalfa, HI-FI GOOD DO-ER can be used to replace hay and haylage which provide too many calories for these individuals.
Feed Intolerance
Sweet Itch is another common allergic problem in the horse. It is a delayed reaction to the saliva of the cullicoides midge which when it bites the horse causes itchy skin. Sweet Itch can also be quite tricky to manage - for details and advice please see www.sweet-itch.com
Most food intolerances usually present as pruritus (itching) or urticaria also more commonly known as 'nettle rash' episodes or 'protein bumps'. Food intolerance's can be particularly difficult to treat as they may be a reaction to more than one component of the feed. Usually these components are protein like in nature, which also makes it equally as likely that horses could be reacting to pollen in the air. Some horses may also become intolerant to high starch or sugar diets.
Feed elimination diets are usually the way in which food intolerance's are discovered and managed. Keeping a comprehensive diary of attacks may also help to identify any caused by seasonal effects or insects. Feed elimination diets often involve introducing a novel foodstuff or going back to basics by removing all cereal from the diet and feeding only hay and water. These are best managed with the help of a veterinarian.
Alfalfa is ideal in most elimination diets as it is tolerated by most horses and has a naturally very low water-soluble carbohydrate (sugars) content. Barley and wheat are often found to be the most common cause of food intolerance and may result in over-exuberant behaviour as well as a skin reaction.
You may think it would be difficult to feed a horse with a food intolerance, especially if they are in hard work, but ALFA-A OIL, ALFA-A LITE, ALFALFA PELLETS, ALFA-BEET and HI-FI LITE are all suitable for those horses and ponies that need a low sugar, cereal free diet and can provide enough energy to support a horse in medium to hard work.
The Cereal Free Alternatives
ALFA-A OIL is pure alfalfa with a GM free soya oil ideal for horses that need extra condition or for those working hard needing more stamina. ALFA-A OIL has the equivalent energy value to a conditioning cube or mix. Soya oil is a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 oils which are essential in the diet for good health, skin and coat condition. ALFA-A OIL also contains added vitamin E which is a vital antioxidant that helps to protect cell membranes.
ALFA-A LITE is a less calorie dense option for working horses and ponies needing to maintain condition. ALFA-A LITE is equivalent in energy to a pasture mix or nut but with far less sugar and starch which is ideal for those horses and ponies needing a lower sugar option or are prone to laminitis.
ALFALFA PELLETS are naturally very low in sugar and unlike most other pellets or cubes have no molasses coating. They are also ideal for horses and ponies that are prone to laminitis and can be fed either dry or soaked.
ALFA-BEET is a combination of alfalfa and unmolassed sugar beet pulp, which provides a very conditioning source of slow release energy. A source of good quality protein, ALFA-BEET is ideal for older horses and ponies that struggle to maintain condition. Fed in conjunction with HI-FI LITE or any of the above products it is ideal for horses and ponies requiring a low sugar diet.
For horses and ponies that would usually get their vitamins and minerals from a cereal concentrate, feeding Dengie NATURAL VITALITY LEISURE VITS & MINS is the answer. A broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement with an alfalfa base makes NATURAL VITALITY LEISURE VITS & MINS is suitable for most horses and ponies.
Health on the Inside
Poor coat, skin and hooves can also be an indication that all is not well in the horse's hindgut. Micro-organisms in the hind-gut produce vitamins, including B vitamins that the horse requires for good health. If the hind-gut environment is disrupted either through overfeeding cereals, stress, colic or laminitis, many problems can ensue including poor coat and hooves.
Dengie NATURAL VITALITY DIGESTIVE HEALTH PLUS is a unique 3-phase synbiotic supplement that combines a prebiotic, probiotic and yeast that may help reduce the likelihood of digestive disturbance.
