ARTICLE LIBRARY

Horses are a passion and at Baileys Horse Feeds there is a passion for one particular horse who meant so much. That horse was Mister Baileys.

Nearly every major feed manufacturer produces a balancer and it seems that they are so versatile everyone should be using them. But what are they and would your horse benefit from receiving one?

Digestive enhancers include probiotics, prebiotics and yeast culture which all have slightly different functions.

Overfeeding is often cited as the main cause of equine obesity but this implies a positive action on the part of the horse owner to give the horse too much feed. Is this truly the case and what can we do to keep horses trim?

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right compound feed for your horse such as their type, bodyweight, temperament, condition and workload which should influence which feed to go for

What is condition and how do we achieve the "right" condition for an individual horse?

Improving your horse's condition isn't always about making him gain weight, it's about making him look and feel as well and healthy as possible.

Losing weight is tough but even tougher for a horse who has evolved to spend most of his time eating.

Horses age at different rates and feeding a horse a 'veteran' feed just because he is about to have his 16th birthday may not be appropriate. So probably the best piece of advice you can follow when faced with feeding an older horse or pony is simply to treat him or her as an individual, just as you would any other in fact.

Losing weight is tough and it's even tougher if you're an animal like the horse that is designed to spend most of its life eating. Finding the happy medium is what managing a good doer is all about and hopefully the following tips will help you to keep your horse in good shape both mentally and physically.

If your grass is good, it's likely that your horse's energy demands will be partially, if not fully, satisfied by what he grazes each day. What will be less obvious is whether his requirements for vitamins, minerals and quality protein are fully met through grass intake alone.

When illness or injury strike, not only do these have to be treated but they generally involve a change in routine for the horse and an appropriate change in diet too. This can be almost as stressful as the problem itself, so it is worth considering how best to deal with the situation in order to minimise the risk of secondary setbacks and maximise the chances of a speedy recovery.

So many thoroughbreds are now finding new careers as riding and competition horses and, when they first come to a new home, a new diet is one of the first major changes they face.

Weight loss probably causes the most concern amongst horseowners which is why so many people feel compelled to ask for advice. If there seems to be no apparent reason for the weight loss and you have tried everything you can think of to improve the situation, it can be exasperating. If you are faced with this situation then the following advice should be of help.

Forage, whether fresh or conserved grass, should be the basis of any horse's diet and is potentially an abundant source of nutrients.

The advent and more widespread use of modern preserved forages has sparked recent debate as to whether horses can indeed survive on just forage alone and whether more nutritious fibre products could indeed be all that equines need.

A closer look at ingredients used by Baileys, why we use them and why they're good for your horse.

Whatever the original cause of the disease, nutrition plays an important part in its management and the horse's ultimate recovery; more importantly, it is fundamental to the successful prevention of an attack.

If a horse is going to lose weight, then winter is the most likely time, as the temperature drops and his body uses more fuel simply to keep warm.

Matching your horse's diet to his workload involves supplying the calories and nutrients he needs to maintain the desired body condition and fuel his work while keeping the diet balanced at all times.

There's an increasing awareness of the possibility of allergies and intollerances to feeds, or feed ingredients, in horses, but how prevalent are they?

The information printed on the feed bag is ther to help you, the horse owner and customer, to make an informed choice about which product is most suitable for your horse.

Whilst you cannot change a horse's temperament or type by changing his feed, your choice of feed and the way you feed it can affect his condition and energy levels. Here we look at the most common extremes of condition and temperament and how you can adjust your feeding programme to achieve the result you are looking for.

Starch gets alot of negative publicity these days and, whilst some of it may be deserved, it is often the way it is used which is at fault.

We all have our own way of doing things and with feeding horses it%u2019s no different. But have you ever considered why you do what you do and whether it%u2019s actually for the right reasons?

The use of electrolyte supplements has the potential to significantly affect a horse's performance and, importantly, recovery; here we take a look at the science and the practicalities behind their effective use.

What is energy? What are the sources of energy? What to look for in a performance feed

The rigours of competition have many implications for the health of the horse and, whilst many show no outward signs of stress, all the travelling and disruption to routine could have an effect.

You can't change the genetic make up of an individual horse or transform a natural sprinter into a stayer but you can help any horse perform to the limits of his personal stamina with careful training fuelled by the right kind of energy and supporting nutrients.

Tying-Up, also known as Monday Morning Disease or Setfast, requires careful feeding and management routines to avoid re-occurrence

A diet formulated for stamina and endurance can be quite different from that designed for power and speed. Emma Case BSc (Hons) takes a look at the theory behind fuelling for success over long distances.

As winter progresses, you'll be assessing the condition of your horse and thinking about making changes in preparation for the season ahead. Consider your plans and work out a fitness programme, however basic, that includes a review of your feeding regime to bring your horse to the level of fitness and condition you need.

There's more to a horse in good condition than just body fat and a shiny coat and, whilst you won't achieve a well-muscled horse without the correct work and training, the right nutritional building blocks are essential too.

What are the main sources of "essential" fatty acids and what the effects of adding them to the horse's diet? (Don Kapper, Director of Nutrition and Technical Services at Progressive Nutrition, Iowa, USA)

Energy intake is often the focus of the competition horse's diet but other nutrients are just as important to ensure optimum performance.

Changes in routine are inevitable when travelling to training sessions and competitions and the resultant stresses can take their toll on the horse's digestive health with potential subsequent loss of performance.

Ensuring your horse receives a fully balanced diet will help him perform to his best.

Alot of myths surround feeding foals and youngsters so here we explain how best to provide all a youngster needs for optimum growth.

While a fully balanced diet should provide all a mare or stallion needs, there are key nutrients which play a role in fertility and foetal development.

Correct nutrition from conception onwards helps ensure the production of a strong healthy foal.

Dispelling the myths about feeding youngsters both for an early career in the ring and for their future careers.

Losing a horse at any time is upsetting but when it's a mare at foaling it can be even more distressing, not least because there is the added worry of looking after the orphan.

Breeding horses is all about getting a return on your investment, whether by selling through the auction ring or as an owner breeder experiencing the thrill of producing a winning racehorse. Getting that return involves hard work and attention to detail, encompassing good balanced nutritional programmes and sensible exercise regimes alongside overall health and general management.

The key to successful weaning lies in good preparation.