Horses are called upon by humans to perform many activities, from pleasure rides to eventing, dressage to race training and racing. These activities require energy. The feed formulation the horse consumes is the most important consideration in determining the energy available for each activity.
Fast Release Energy - The horse utilises glucose from starch within the small intestine as a form of energy during performance. Molasses is an important source of this glucose, as well as grains containing starch (oats, barley and maize). Processing of these grains allows digestive enzyme access to the starch within the fibrous husks, helping to facilitate improved absorption of glucose within the small intestine.
Slow Release Energy - An important source of energy for the horse is the activity of the microbial population within the horse hindgut. Fermentation of fibrous feeds (Chaff, Lucerne Chaff) produces volatile fatty acids, which are a form of energy utilised by the horse during activity. As feed can remain in the hindgut for up to 50-60 hours, this fermentation occurs over a longer period, providing an extended energy source.
Energy Storage - Glucose not utilised by the body for activity can be stored as glycogen by the horse, an important store of energy which can be accessed during exercise.
The horse is a herbivore without the benefits of the ruminant digestive system (i.e. cows/sheep) which helps to facilitate digestion of high fibre diets for digestion in the ruminant small intestine.
To counter this, the horse evolved to be able to graze and thoroughly chew feed for up to 20 hours a day. This level of mastication would be impossible without constantly erupting teeth, which can continue emerging from the gums until the horse is up to 25 years old. Without this regular chewing, teeth overgrowths can occur, resulting in developmental and nutritional issues.
A major advantage of feeding unprocessed muesli feeds is the mastication required to digest the feed promotes wearing of the teeth, helping to promote the maintenance of healthy teeth, whilst also slowing down feed consumption, allowing more time for digestive enzymes to break down food particles.
The vitamin and mineral levels in PERRYS HORSE MEAL have been carefully selected to ensure that horses receive the appropriate levels for its size and work load. Ensure high quality pasture or hay is used when fed to your horse, as these are an important source of vitamins and minerals in the horse's diet, including vitamins A and D.
Any new product should be introduced into a horse's diet gradually over a period of 1-2 weeks. Please take note of the vitamin and mineral levels in PERRYS HORSE MEAL before adding extra supplements or combining with other enriched feeds. The feeding levels suggested is intended to meet recommended requirement levels for the relevant size and work load. Take into account your horse's condition, age, work load, breed and climate conditions when feeding your horse.
| HORSE WEIGHT | WORK LOAD | PERRYS HORSE MEAL | LUCERNE | CEREAL CHAFF/PASTURE |
| 600kg | Light Work | 4.5 | 2 | 6 |
| Moderate | 5 | 2 | 4 | |
| Heavy | 6 | 3 | 5 | |
| 500kg | Light Work | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Moderate | 5 | 2 | 3.5 | |
| Heavy | 6 | 2 | 3 | |
| 400kg | Light Work | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Moderate | 3.5 | 1 | 4.5 | |
| Heavy | 4 | 1.5 | 4.5 |
This is a feeding guide only, and is based on approximate nutrient levels for products suggested. Lucerne, Cereal Chaff and Pasture nutrient levels can vary drastically so please take this into account when formulating rations. Ensure a supply of fresh water is available at all times. Horses lose large amounts of water and electrolytes through sweat, and access to a salt lick will promote water intake and assist with replacement of essential minerals lost during exercise. If you are unsure as to the suitability of PERRYS HORSE MEAL for your horse, contact your veterinarian.
PERRYS source only the highest quality ingredients for our feeds. We prefer to use natural ingredients, which have excellent nutrient value.
| NUTRIENT AND VITAMIN LEVELS IN 1KG PERRYS HORSE MEAL | |||||
| Energy (Mj/kg) | 11.5 | Magnesium (mg) | 2.1 | Vitamin A (iu) | 5600 |
| Protein | 9.5% | Sodium (g) | 7.5 | Vitamin D (iu) | 480 |
| Fat | 3.3% | Selenium (mg) | 0.3 | Vitamin E (iu) | 130 |
| Fibre | 12% | Iron (mg) | 200 | Vitamin B3 (mg) | 13.5 |
| Lysine (g) | 3.2 | Manganese (mg) | 75 | Vitamin B5 (mg) | 11.9 |
| Calcium (g) | 6 | Biotin (mg) | 1.25 | Vitamin B2 (mg) | 4.9 |
| Phosphorous (g) | 3.8 | Zinc (mg) | 80 | Vitamin B12 (mg) | 0.03 |
| Potassium (g) | 11.5 | Iodine (mg) | 0.89 | Vitamin B6 (mg) | 1.6 |
| Copper (mg) | 22 | Sulfur (mg) | 1.6 | Vitamin C (mg) | 135 |
PERRYS HORSE MEAL contains Steam Rolled Oats, Steam Rolled Barley, Cereal Chaff, Lucerne Chaff, Crushed Maize, Balanced Horse Pellets, Steam Rolled Lupins, Sunflower Seeds, Molasses and vitamins and minerals.
