Beat the Crunch!

This year, the effect of the economic meltdown, higher energy prices and increased global demand for food and feed on our household bills has been well documented. All these factors have contributed to increases in horse feed prices too and so there has never been a better time to review your horse’s diet. The following tips should help you to find the best value diet for your horse.

Tip 1: Think Fibre First!

Even though horses are designed to digest and utilise roughage as their main energy source, cereal-based feeds are fed in abundance at the expense of our bank balance. As the horse needs fibre it makes sense to use “super fibres” that provide fibre and energy too. Alfa-A Original contains as much energy as a pasture mix and so can be used instead on a weight for weight basis to provide slow release energy and contribute to your horse’s fibre intake.

Tip 2: Getting more from the fibre you feed

Research has shown that live yeast supplements help to improve fibre digestion, releasing more nutrients that the horse can make use of. If you’re feeding a high fibre diet it makes sense to help your horse get more from it as this should reduce the need to use other supplementary feed. Dengie Natural Vitality Digestive Health contains is a pure live yeast supplement. The feeding rate is 10 grams per day and so 1 tub lasts over 3 months. The RRP of the tub is £22.10-£25.95 which means the cost per day is only 24p – great value for money.

Tip 3: Using good quality feeds

One of the basic rules of feeding is to use good quality feed as skimping on quality can prove more costly in the long run. For example, making sure that feed is free from dust and mould will help to reduce the risk of respiratory disease. If you want to determine how good your forage is you can always get it analysed. Dengie offer a forage analysis service – please contact us for more information.

Tip 4: Value for money supplements

If using a fibre based diet then a vitamin and mineral supplement is recommended to ensure that the diet is balanced. It is always worth comparing the cost per day of supplements as the cheapest tub isn’t always the most cost effective to use. Divide the cost of the tub by the number of days supply to work out cost per day. Most companies can do this for you if you’re not great with the calculator!

Tip 5: Share and share alike

Larger tubs tend to cost less per kg but the initial outlay can be that bit too much when you’ve just had to pay the livery bill and the farrier. Why not find someone else on the yard to buy the tub with so that you can both benefit from the reduced cost but only have to pay half? As long as you can weigh your share accurately and have another suitable container to store half in, it’s a win-win situation!

Tip 6: Go green

Instead of forking out for succulents such as carrots and apples, visit your local greengrocer or farm shop to see if you can arrange to pick up fruit and veg that has passed its display date. As long as it is mould free this is a great way to supplement your horse’s ration and recycle food rather than wasting it.

Tip 7: Out and about

More callers to the Dengie Feedline have been telling us that they are trying to leave their horses out for longer this winter. As the nutrient levels in pasture fall away in the colder months it is advisable to offer an alternative supply. Dengie Field Licks are a great way to supply extra nutrients and are particularly useful for group kept horses as individuals lower down the social hierarchy can access them too.

Tip 8: Don’t be afraid to ask

Ringing up a feeding advice line such as the Dengie Feedline 0845 345 5115 is a great way to check whether there are any changes you can make to your horse’s diet and who knows, you might help to improve your horse’s health and performance as well as save some money!