07/10/2024
This is SO important!!! šššš„š„š«
āWhatās in Your Horse Feed?ā
In a society where convenience is sometimes a necessity, it can be tempting to opt for commercially formulated feeds. However, closer inspection reveals that these products often fail to provide the nourishment our horses truly need. Laden with fillers, binders, chemicals, and synthetic additives, these feeds can compromise your horse's nutrition, leading to various health issues such as inflammation, digestive problems, allergies, and metabolic imbalances. š«
š§ Let's Take a Closer Look at Commercial Feeds:
Grain By-Products: š¾After crops are processed for human consumption, what remains are grain by-products. Labels listing grain by-products, roughage products, or grain products often include a blend of around 30 by-products. Feed manufacturers use the most cost-effective combination of these ingredients to meet minimum nutritional requirements, so the composition of feeds can vary depending on market prices. For example, Bag A might contain more corn when corn prices are low, whereas Bag B of the same product a few months later might have more soy hulls if soy prices decrease. This variability and uncertainty can contribute to chronic acidity and inflammation of the hindgut. ā ļø
Soy: š± Soy is widely used due to its high protein content, making it a cost-effective way to boost protein levels. However, its richness in omega-6 fatty acids can increase inflammation in horses' diets. Additionally, 99% of soy in horse feeds and supplements is genetically modified and engineered to withstand glyphosate, a substance detrimental to gut health. Glyphosate causes systemic inflammation, stresses internal organs, and degrades the gut membrane, making nutrient absorption difficult and leading to toxin buildup, leaky gut, and immune function impairment. š«
Grain Distillers: By-products from the ethanol manufacturing process, grain distillers carry a high GMO content. They are susceptible to bacterial contamination during fermentation, leading to the addition of antibiotics. Studies have revealed high residual antibiotics remain in animal feeds, raising health concerns.
Corn (sometimes labeled Hominy): š½ Corn is high in omega-6 and low in omega-3 and can lead to an imbalance of omega 3:6 ratios. Corn can also increase hindgut acidity, which kills beneficial bacteria and allows harmful bacteria to flourish. This can cause the gut lining to become permeable, releasing toxins into the body and causing various health issues. š¦
Synthetic Minerals and Vitamins: š Inorganic minerals listed as DL-, sulfates, carbonates, chlorides, dicalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, and oxides have low bioavailability (0-10%). Despite meeting NRC recommendations for serving size, horses often remain deficient because they cannot assimilate these nutrients effectively. Organic minerals are chelated meaning they contain at least one carbon bond and are often bound to amino acids for better assimilation; they are listed as amino acid chelates, citrate, amino acid complex, proteinate, gluconates, or methionine. Plants contain organic minerals, so horseās bodies can readily absorb them in this state. Organic minerals have an absorption rate of 50-75 % (gluconates around 10-40%). . š
Natural Flavorings and Additives: Finding feed or supplements without natural or artificial flavorings is challenging. These "natural" flavorings are developed in labs using hundreds of chemical compounds. For instance, apple flavoring may use up to 50 chemicals to replicate the taste. Common additives include propylene glycol, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, mono and diglycerides, benzoic acid, polysorbate 80, BHT, and BHA.
MSG, a flavor enhancer, often overstimulates the nervous system and triggers inflammation. It's labeled as an excitotoxin because it can overexcite cells to the point of causing damage. In equine feeds and supplements, MSG may be listed under names such as protein isolate, texturized protein, natural flavor, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extracts, soy extract or concentrate, and glutamate.
Processing: š„ Grain processing can exceed 450 degrees (145 is the max temperature for enzymes, vitamins, and phytonutrients to survive). This means feed companies must add synthetic vitamins and minerals, which are often poorly absorbed. The addition of sweeteners, additives, binders, and preservatives leaves little āfoodā. Creating deficiencies, systemic inflammation, and contributing to various health conditions.
What if there's a better way? š¤
What if we could support our horses' well-being with the healing power of real food and herbs? Using a whole-food approach to heal from the inside out. Nature provides everything our horses need to thrive. Whole foods are packed with essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. šš„š«
