Nutritional advice – how feeds affect behaviour

On their Best Behaviour!

Calmly grazing – but behavioural issues linked to feeding could be imminent!

Every horse owner will be able to tell you about an occasion when they have experienced certain effects on their horses’ behaviour as a result of a feedstuff or dietary component. Our equines are individuals and just like humans, some horses will react to a type of feed in a different way, sometimes producing difficult or highly energised behaviour. Many equine owners will blame a specific feed-stuff or even brand, so in our latest blog World Wide Tack takes a look at the general practices which in most circumstances, ensures our equines are on their best behaviour!

Each Horse is an Individual

Firstly when considering management through diet, the most important thing to remember is to match each feeding programme to our individual horse’s activity levels. Over feeding is the most common mistake leading to over exuberant equines. Some horses require more cereals to be present in the diet in the form of regular concentrate feed than others but for those that aren’t working hard a predominately forage based diet is wise.

Sugar and Starch

In the case of an energy overload resulting in poor behaviour the common culprit is the content of starch and sugar within the diet. Cereals such as oats, barley and maize offer quick release energy through starch. This type of energy source is rapidly broken down in the horse’s digestive system causing a rush of fuel into the blood stream which can encourage excitability.

To avoid this type of response from meals selecting a slow release energy source, such as fibre and fat which is slower in its break-down and utilisation will typically result in less hyperactivity issues in equines.

To Summarise…

So the key points to consider are; not overfeeding, matching the quantity of our horse’s feed to their workload and seeking out fibre and fat rich feed. In addition avoiding rich haylage and soaking your horse’s hay can be beneficial.

However it is important to remember that when reducing the nutrient content of your forage and also potentially reducing the quantity of hard feed your equine receives not to risk them becoming deficient in vital nutrients and vitamins and minerals.

Supplements

Including a supplement in the diet such as Grand Meadows Grand Vite can offer the solution to a reduced diet which isn’t low in essential ingredients. The balanced, full spectrum formula contains vitamins, chelated trace minerals including a full Spectrum B-Complex and high levels of antioxidants will help boost the diet but without additional calories.

Alternatively horse owners could try an equine calming supplement to help minimise stress and promote concentration and performance.

Grand Calm is a unique calming supplement that is drug-free and non-herbal. The formula contains 4 different sources of magnesium that provides maximum bioavailability which broaden the effects of the magnesium. The formula also includes the amino acid Theanine which is well documented as an aid to relaxation. Grand Calm will help control nervousness in horses that are tense, spooky and inattentive.

Pair correct management with a ‘behaviour friendly diet’ and find out more about Grand Meadows Grand Vite and Grand Calm by visiting the website today at http://www.worldwidetack.com 

Grand Meadows Explains: What are Amino Acids ?

Thanks to the experts over at Grand Meadows, we can explain everything you need to know about Amino Acids. Want to know what, why and how? Read on to find out…

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They band together in chains to help form the horse from the very beginning. Think of amino acids as Legos for your horse. It’s a two-step process, amino acids get together and form peptides or polypeptides and it is from these groupings that proteins are made. Amino acids are essential to nearly every bodily function. Every chemical reaction that takes place in your body depends on amino acids and the proteins that they build.

There are a total of 22 amino acids that are needed by the horse, but not all of them have to be provided in the feed. There are 10 that need to be in the diet. These are arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

Out of these ten amino acids that need to be provided to the horse Lysine and Methionine are the two most important that are regularly included in supplements. At Grand Meadows a number of our products use a soybean meal base that is an excellent source of the required amino acids.

Lysine is involved in many functions in the horse. It helps improve the appetite and the excretion of gastric juices. It is crucial in the growth of young animals and helps protect horses from anemia. It is very important in the absorption of calcium and in the development of collagen. Lysine is also involved in maintaining the pigment of skin and hair coat.

A deficiency of lysine would result in poor quality hooves and coat, slower wound healing, poor tolerance to heavy exercise, a low red blood cell count along with a number of other problems.

Methionine is a very important source of sulphur and as such is crucial to the formation of healthy collagen and to the keratinisation of the hooves. It is involved in the production of a number of other important compounds in the horse from liver detoxification to muscle building.

A deficiency in methionine may well lead to poor hoof quality and tendon and ligament damage.

To find out more about Grand Meadows products visit www.worldwidetack.com

What is in your joint supplement?

The experts from Grand Meadows supplements tell us more about some of the commonly found ingredients in many joint supplements on the market…

Glucosamine is an amino sugar and a prominent precursor for glycosaminoglycans. Glucosamine is composed of the exoskeletons of crustaceans. It is produced commercially by the hydrolysis of crustacean exoskeletons. Since glucosamine is a precursor for glycosaminoglycan’s which are a major component of joint cartilage, supplemental glucosamine may help to support the horse’s system to reduce the risk of cartilage degeneration. Its use as a supplement appears to be safe. The generally accepted idea behind its function for joint support is that it helps to maintain the viscosity of an articular joint’s synovial fluid and by doing so provide a more effective barrier between the two strips of cartilage found in the joint. In addition it is also believed that the supplementation of glucosamine will help to maintain a healthy cartilage structure by providing nutrition to the chondrocytes that live in the cartilage matrix.

Hyaluronic Acid is an anionic, non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan distributed widely throughout connective tissues. It can be very large, with its molecular weight often reaching the millions of daltons. One of the chief components of the extracellular matrix, hyaluronic acid contributes significantly to cell proliferation. It has been widely used for many years in an injectable form delivered either by IA or IV. The big question mark about the oral delivery of HA is based on its molecular weight and most vets and biochemists are not convinced that the HA molecule can be absorbed out of the equine stomach. At Grand Meadows we waited 2 years after the initial introduction of oral HA in equine supplements based on our concerns that there were too many questions related to its bioavailability. We finally discovered a patented product, Kolla 11, that was sourced from chicken sternum cartilage. The manufacturing process resulted in a molecular weight that was dramatically lower than conventional HA and also contained two important additional elements Chondroitin Sulfate and Type 11 Collagen. All the elements in this product have been subjected to the same manufacturing process and thus are optimized for bioavailability.

Chondroitin Sulfate has long been considered an essential partner with glucosamine in chondroprotective products and is generally sourced from either bovine or porcine trachea. There is an overwhelming body of evidence that the traditionally sourced chondroitin has very limited bioavailability and as such is not an effective oral ingredient. The other concern, which has been proven in multiple NASC random testing programs, is that the purity of Chondroitin is hugely variable and the chances of a product matching a stated label claim are very slim.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organosulfur compound which is often included in oral joint supplements. While there are a number of benefits that MSM offers where it can act as a cellular transporter helping to enhancing the delivery of nutrients through the body it is also important to understand that at higher levels it has been shown to have an action that is anti-inflammatory so in using MSM it is important to understand that you may be masking discomfort as well.

To view the entire collection of Grand Meadows supplements available visit www.worldwidetack.com 

Calmly does it

If you are stressing about competitions and keeping your horse calm this season then perhaps you ought to invest in a little outside assistance in the shape of Grand Meadows Grand Calm…

The unique formula of Grand Calm helps to minimise stress and support maximum performance to help make preparing your horse for a casual hack out, training session or competition a fun and enjoyable occasion rather than one fraught with angst!

A hard to handle, spooky, stressed out horse will quickly ruin your fun and affect the outcome of your ride or performance.

Grand Calm is a unique calming supplement that is drug-free and non-herbal. The formula contains four different sources of magnesium that provides maximum bioavailability which broaden the effects of the magnesium. The formula also includes the amino acid Theanine which is well documented as an aid to relaxation. Grand Calm will help control nervousness in horses that are tense, spooky and inattentive.

Don’t just take our word for it, trainer Kathryn Fischer was very impressed with Grand Calm. “In the time I tested Grand Calm I could see a huge difference in the way my horse could focus her energy into her jumping instead of being high strung and unable to pay attention to her job. With Grand Calm my mare is now a lovely and willing partner who no longer rushes at fences and can stand still without tossing her head.”

To purchase Grand Calm, or any of the other Grand Meadows products visit www.worldwidetack.com 

Grand Meadows explains Vitamins…

Our friends at Grand Meadows help explain what the various different vitamins do and why they are essential for your horse’s diets…

Vitamins play a number of key roles in the diet of the horse. Vitamins are organic, meaning that they consist of complexes of living enzymes. They are needed for healthy body tissue and energy. They are also important in supporting the immune system and wound healing.

There are two types of vitamins: Fat Soluble and Water Soluble.

Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble. They dissolve in fat and any excess will be stored in the body fat and liver. It is important to monitor the levels of fat soluble vitamins being provided as excess levels can cause serious health problems.

Vitamin C and the B vitamins are water soluble. They dissolve in water and any excess is excreted in the urine.

Fat Soluble Vitamins — A, D, E and K.

Vitamin A is a fat soluble, antioxidant vitamin. It is important for proper eye function, healthy skin and hooves. It is also needed to maintain healthy epithelial tissue in the respiratory, digestive and reproductive tracts. It also regulates bone development in young growing horses.

Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, shedding, progressive weakness, dry hair coat, diarrhea, decreased growth, impaired mineral delivery, decreased intestinal absorption and susceptibility to infections of the respiratory and reproductive tracts.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin. Its main role in the body is calcium homeostasis, or keeping the calcium levels at a constant level. Vitamin D is also critical to proper growth.

A Vitamin D deficiency can cause a reduced growth rate, bone weakness, increases in bone demineralization, lameness and loss of appetite. It can also cause a depletion of calcium. If a horse is exposed to plenty of sunlight then a Vitamin D deficiency is unlikely.

Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant. It is essential for growth, proper muscle development and function, oxygen transport and red blood cell stability. It is also believed to be important for the proper function of the immune system.

Vitamin E also acts as a vasodilator which opens up blood vessels so that blood flows more freely through tissues. It can also help reduce toxic oxide compounds in the tissues during periods of intense exercise.

Vitamin E deficiency in horses causes swelling of the joints, loss of coordination, poor wound healing, rickets and nutritional muscular dystrophy or White muscle disease which is a degenerative disease that affects the heart and skeletal muscles of foals under a year of age.

Vitamin K is very important for blood clotting. It helps to produce what are called the Gla-proteins which are intricately involved in the complex process of blood clotting.

Vitamin K is also important in bone metabolism and heart health.

Vitamin K deficiency is rare as there is plenty of it in forage and cereal grains. One note of caution is that it has been shown to be affected by moldy hay—particularly sweet clover hay. This can work as an agent to prevent Vitamin K from doing its job.

Water Soluble Vitamins — B and C.

Vitamin B1 or Thiamine is an essential part of several enzyme systems. It is involved in the release of energy from absorbed or stored carbohydrates and fats. It also seems to have a direct role in the activity of the nervous system, stimulating peripheral nerves. When fed in higher quantities, it can also calm nervous horses.

Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin is a precursor to two coenzymes. Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD) and Flavin Mononucleotide (FMN). Coenzymes are molecules that carry chemical compounds between two enzymes—very important to transport many substances in the body. Being a precursor simply means that the equine body uses B2 to make the coenzymes.

Vitamin B3 or Niacin is one of those vitamins that is essential to almost everything your horse does. It is involved in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids. It also functions as a vasodilator and helps to increase blood flow to the extremities.

Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid is found numerous places in the body. It is important in converting proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into energy.

Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine is a part of most of the enzymes that aid in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. As such, it is a very important for energy production, nervous system activity and for blood production.

Vitamin B7 or Biotin is found in virtually every cell in the body and is an essential coenzyme in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. It is also important for thyroid and adrenal gland function, reproductive tract health, stability of the nervous system and most importantly to maintain healthy coat and hooves.

Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid has many functions in the body but, perhaps, the two most important functions are its role in the formation of red blood cells and its involvement in DNA synthesis.

Vitamin B12 or Cyanocobalamin is an essential part of several enzyme systems. It is involved in carbohydrate and fat metabolism, as well as protein synthesis. It is particularly important in helping to maintain the manufacture of red blood cells.

Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid is primarily an anti-oxidant and is important for combating free radicals and helping the immune system fight off infections. It is also vital to the formation of healthy connective tissues.

Deficiencies of antioxidants would include poor wound healing, reduced performance and frequent infections.

To see the range of Grand Meadows supplements available in the UK visit: www.worldwidetack.com

Wash & Go!

As featured in Local Rider magazine.

From shampoos to conditioners, and de-tanglers to cosmetic creams, we equestrian consumers enjoy using a wide range of products to help boost our horses’ appearance – whether this is for the show ring, for the start of the eventing season, or simply to wash away the remains of the wet, snowy and dirty winter we have just endured! Here are some of our favourites –

Cowboy Magic Detangler & Shine – from £12.33 EXC Vat.
This fabulous product contains silk protein and panthenol for a great shine and pure conditioning. It penetrates the hair shaft, restores moisture, strengthens the hair and protects against UV sunlight.

Cowboy Magic Green Spot Remover – from £8.04 EXC Vat.
This concentrated ‘shower in a bottle’ is easy to use and is formulated to remove manure and urine spots instantly, and remove wet or dried sweat. It dissolves manure, urine, dirt, and sweat.

Cowboy Magic – Super Body Shine – from £8.04 EXC Vat.
This product is formulated to give hair a super shine – it helps repel show ring dust and dries fast. Concentrated Super Body Shine reflects a full spectrum of light. Aloe Vera is added.

Cowboy Magic – Shine In Yellowout – from £8.04 EXC Vat.
This clever product neutralises yellow stains and brightens hair of all colours. It takes yellow stains out of hair, and gives dull hair of every colour a more brilliant sheen. It leaves hair silky and shiny.

Cowboy Magic Rosewater Shampoo – from £8.04 EXC Vat.
This concentrated shampoo with silk conditioners is formulated to gently dissolve dirt and clean the hair. It also conditions the skin and is easy to rinse. Panthenol and silk proteins penetrate the hair. Conditioner also available.

Remember the diet
The horse’s diet can influence all areas of equine health, and the coat is no exception. Here are some of the key areas of nutrition that affect equine coat and skin health:
• Essential fatty acids (EFAs): Omega-3s help boost immunity to allergies, while omega-6 fats help fight resistance to skin infections.
• Protein: Protein is a key element of all body tissue, including skin, hooves and cartilage. Protein helps boost skin condition and elasticity.
• Lecithin: Lecithin is an important ingredient for helping maintain healthy skin and coat colour.
• Digestive aids: A healthy equine gut promotes overall health, so make sure your horse’s diet is fibre-rich. Consider yeasts and microbial feed supplements with probiotics.
• Vitamins and minerals: These compounds play a major part in coat health. Certain vitamins are specifically known to help boost coat health, particularly Biotin, and Vitamins A and B6.

Are you showing your horse this spring? Follow our top tips:
1. It is often better to bath a horse a few days before a show, to allow time for the natural coat oils to return, and make him naturally shiny.
2. Your horse’s mane and tail need to be presented according to the animal’s breed society rules, or the class you are entering. If you are leaving the mane ‘au naturel’, thin the mane and forelock to show off a refined head.
3. Plait according to your horse’s need (and breed society rulebook) – eg, with a very thick neck, plaits should be smaller and in higher numbers to make the neck appear finer. Thicker, rounder plaits that sit ‘high up’ on the crest can add definition to a ‘weedy’ neck. It is generally easier to plait a mane that isn’t freshly washed.
4. The night before the show, cover your horse with a rug or sheet that covers his whole body.
5. Take to the show any finishing touches like hoof oil for the feet, baby oil to bring out shine on the muzzle, and any whitening products such as chalk blocks for white areas like socks.
6. Pack a grooming mitt for last minute tidy-ups at events. With every 32oz cleansing product purchased, including those detailed above, www.worldwidetack.com will provide a free Stephens Sheepskin Grooming Mitt to customers.

 

 

Grand Meadows Horse Supplements

Grand Hoof Pellets

£43.40

Still using a pelleted hoof supplement by the cup-full?

New Grand Hoof Pellets has the same potent formula as our original Grand Hoof with the addition of 5,000 mg MSM in a concentrated one-ounce dosage. The best hoof supplement you can buy.

Grand Hoof Pellets offers several benefits over existing pelleted hoof products. It combines the well-proven Grand Hoof Formula with 5,000 mg of MSM per serving, which provides essential support to the connective tissues in the equine foot.

Our concentrated 1oz dose scoop vs. competitors’ 6oz cup dose makes it easy to administer and saves money. Plus, we added Diamond V Yeast Probiotic to help improve feed digestibility and utilisation and also included a delicious apple flavouring for superb palatability.

Studies show that horses with hoof problems respond to better nutrition within one to two shoeings; first you’ll see a new healthier band of hoof growth directly below the coronary band, but be patient, because it takes three to six months for the best results and almost a year for the hoof to completely grow out.

Be assured that the potent hoof formula in Grand Hoof Pellets gives you the best and fastest results you and your farrier have been looking for.

Size Available:

5 LBS (60 Dose)

10 LBS (160 Dose)

20 LBS (320 Dose)

THESE PRODUCTS ARE VAT FREE

www.worldwidetack.com

 

 

Equine Nutrition

Equine nutrition is key whether your horse is a veteran, a broodmare, a stallion, or a horse or pony that needs to stay healthy and happy, and meet his training workload.

Mega Grand Flex – £53.90

Designed to help horses that have not responded to traditional ingredient levels in joint support products.

We recommend using MEGA Grand Flex when a more aggressive approach is needed. MEGA Grand Flex contains all the important co-factors contained in original Grand Flex.

Plus, it delivers 12,500mg of Glucosamine and 10,000mg of MSM per measure. It may not be necessary to use MEGA Grand Flex on a long-term basis. We recommend following up with Grand Flex, Grand Complete, Grand HA, or Grand HA Synergy for long-term maintenance and joint support.

Size Available:
3.75 LBS (60 Dose)
10 LBS (160 Dose)
20 LBS (320 Dose)

www.worldwidetack.com

Grand Calm features in Eventing Magazine

We were pleased to see Grand Calm from Grand Meadows in May’s edition of Eventing magazine.

Grand Calm is a supplement containing four different sources of magnesium to minimise stress and maximise performance

Are your horse’s nerves and tension spoiling performance levels and enjoyment?

Many horse owners are faced with the frustrating problem of an excitable horse that is difficult to manage, or lacks focus. This is why Grand Meadows has created a brand new calming formula to help tackle these problems from a nutritional standpoint.

This unique, drug-free and non-herbal formulation contains four different sources of bio-available magnesium, which broaden the potential results and lead to a more consistent, effective calming agent.

In addition to the popular ingredient magnesium, Grand Calm contains the amino acid, Theanine, which is well documented to aid relaxation by blocking the binding of L-glutamic acid to ‘glutamate receptors’ in the brain. The pelleted supplement has been manufactured to be palatable and appealing to even the fussiest of eaters and is easily absorbed to provide fast results.

Grand Meadows is an expert in animal health supplements, and offers a range of equine and canine products for digestion, joints, hooves, coat and general health and wellbeing.

Order yours today! Click here

www.worldwidetack.com

Senior Grand Flex – over 30% off!

Was – £58.97

Now – £35.00

Keep your older horse fit and sound – give the best care he deserves.

Help protect against future joint problems – Grand Flex offers long-term joint support – and healthy joints means you keep riding.  Grand Flex original formula developed in 1997 has kept thousands of horses staying active longer.

Is your horse experiencing consistent stiffness and soreness? Perhaps as a result of an injury, getting older, or a breakdown in the function of the joint, your horse needs a more aggressive joint supplement to help him recover, be comfortable, stay active and sound.

Grand Flex was the first joint-support product containing glucosamine introduced to horse owners over fifteen years ago. Dozens of companies in recent years have tried to copy Grand Flex’s unique formula. The formulation of Grand Flex is as cutting edge today as it was when first introduced.

You will not see miracle results overnight, what you will be doing is providing your horse a powerfully effective formula that matches the right scientifically researched ingredients at the right levels to provide long-term support and therapeutic solutions for optimal joint function. Senior Grand Flex has produced effective results and benefited thousands of horses and dogs all these years with a proven formula that works.

Size Available:
3.75 LBS (60 Dose) – BEST BEFORE JULY 2012
10 LBS (160 Dose) -BEST BEFORE OCTOBER 2012
20 LBS (320 Dose) – BEST BEFORE OCTOBER 2012

LESS 30% DUE TO OVERSTOCK AND RECOMMENDED USE BY DATES

Order yours by clicking here

www.worldwidetack.com