Posted: 2nd February 2014 | Back to news feed
There is often a misconception that HorseHage is rich in energy and therefore unsuitable for horses and ponies prone to laminitis. This is not the case with the High Fibre and Timothy varieties of HorseHage.
Forage can vary in quality as well as nutritional composition. Some batches of hay can contain large amounts of sugar – as much as 10% - whereas with HorseHage sugar levels are only around 5%, due to its unique fermentation process.
High Fibre HorseHage is made from ryegrass but in this particular variety, the ryegrasses have been allowed to mature before harvesting to attain higher fibre, lower protein and lower energy levels. This means it is very different from ordinary haylages made from ryegrass and makes it an excellent choice for laminitics, good doers and horses and ponies that are convalescing or resting.
The same low protein and energy levels are found in Timothy HorseHage which is made from timothy grass and is very similar to the famous Kentucky bluegrass of America. It is already naturally high in fibre and because it has a different ‘nose’ to ryegrass, horses find it very appetising, so it’s a great choice for fussy feeders.
As well as the low sugar and energy benefits making High Fibre and Timothy HorseHage safe to feed to laminitics, these bagged forages are also dust-free – an essential quality to avoid causing serious respiratory problems such as RAO. They contain no chemical additives, mould inhibitors or inoculants – just natural grass – and are more digestible than other forages allowing more efficient utilisation of the available nutrients. In other words, your horse or pony will get more nutritional value from this type of forage, which may enable you to cut down on his hard feed. Even better, because HorseHage is so appetising, there is rarely any waste.
HorseHage is BETA FEMAS NOPS certified which means it is produced from specially-grown grass with a high regard for feed safety, consistent quality and full product traceability, so you know exactly what your horse or pony is being fed.
HorseHage has devised a special diet especially for laminitics called ‘The HoofKind Diet’. Feed either High Fibre and/or Timothy HorseHage alongside Mollichaff HoofKind, which is a great value, complete feed specially formulated for horses and ponies prone to laminitis. When fed at the recommended levels, it contains all the vitamins and minerals your laminitic horse or pony needs to keep him healthy.
For more information on feeding your horse, pony or donkey, please call the HorseHage Helpline on: 01803 527257 or visit www.horsehage.co.uk
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