PERRYS HORSE MEAL uses carefully selected ingredients to create a horse feed that provides a constant source of energy important for horses in work. PERRYS HORSE MEAL vitamin and mineral levels are formulated o meet the requirements of horses with a light to heavy work load. ENERGY 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. WHY A MUESLI FEED? 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. VITAMIN AND MINERALS 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.