TopSpec Senior Lite Feed Balancer is an ideal balancer for stiff elderly horses and ponies that need their weight controlled; they are usually good doers and may be overweight. It combines the benefits of a low-calorie feed balancer and a joint supplement, in a highly cost-effective way.
Senior Lite Feed Balancer is a very palatable, cereal-grain-free, low sugar and starch, ‘Non-Heating’, very low calorie, concentrated feed that contains a multi-supplement including high levels of micronutrients and digestive aids. It is important to keep the sugar and starch intake of elderly horses low when the level of fully chewed fibre reaching the hindgut is compromised, to help maintain healthy hindgut function and avoid loose droppings.
Of particular importance to elderly horses is the inclusion of micronutrients known to help maintain mobility, with the scientifically/veterinary recommended rate of glucosamine in a daily quantity of feed to support healthy joints, i.e. 10 grams of glucosamine/500kg horse/day. Senior Lite Feed Balancer is also rich in the building blocks for hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin. The complete molecules of HA and chondroitin themselves are too large to be absorbed in any significant quantity from the horse’s gut. These glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are essential constituents of synovial fluid. High levels of manganese and vitamin C are also included, as they are important for cartilage synthesis. Senior Lite Feed Balancer also contains methionine and other bio-available sources of sulphur, which help to maintain optimum function in tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Senior Lite Feed Balancer contains a blend of antioxidants, including vitamins A, C and E to help maintain healthy cell function around the joints.
Also of great importance is the inclusion of high levels of pure, protected probiotic yeast to help maintain a healthy hindgut environment. This environment is increasingly likely to be compromised as horses age and their ability to chew forage declines, which may result in loose droppings. Probiotics are also important for elderly horses and ponies on restricted/poor grazing.
When Senior Lite Feed Balancer is fed there is usually no need to add any further vitamin and mineral supplements, other than salt and/or electrolytes for sweating horses.
The superb specification of Senior Lite Feed Balancer provides micronutrients to balance the diets of good doers at rest or in light to medium work. Long-term trials, at the TopSpec Equine Research Centre, have shown that Senior Lite Feed Balancer will not promote condition when fed as part of a calorie-controlled diet.
It is also beneficial for elderly horses feeling anxious e.g. during changes in routine, given less than ideal turnout time, losing a companion, recovering from illness; and during or after a course of antibiotics or worming treatment.
Further Key Nutritional Facts:-
- High levels of vitamin E and selenium to act as antioxidants, helping to maintain healthy cell function and supporting healthy muscle function.
- Effective levels of bioavailable vitamin C to help maintain healthy airways.
- The level of biotin (15mg/500kg horse/day) that is scientifically proven to improve hoof quality, plus optimum levels of all the other nutrients known to benefit hoof quality. Certain of these nutrients will also help to maintain a supple skin and promote an exceptionally shiny coat.
- Effective levels of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements to help maintain strong bone.
- Copper, zinc, B vitamins and associated nutrients to optimise healthy haemoglobin levels in blood.
- Generous levels of B vitamins to compensate for decreased production in the hindgut when the level of fully-chewed fibre reaching the hindgut is compromised.
- Generous levels of prebiotic MOS (mannan oligosaccharides) to support the yeast, and help maintain a healthy immune system alongside vitamins A, C, D and E.
- Organic chelated minerals for improved availability.
- Many factors, including yeast and B vitamins, to help relax behaviour in responsive horses.
- A considered level of protein to allow muscle repair and maintenance without promoting topline.
Senior Lite Feed Balancer is available in 15kg sacks, which last a 500kg horse for 30 days or a 250kg pony for 60 days.