The foundation of a healthy horse is a high quality, nutritionally sound diet. We all want the best for our equine friends and knowing that we are providing them with the optimum nutritional care provides some peace of mind.

Owners have known for many years that supplementing a horse’s diet with fat has a positive impact on the quality and condition of the horse’s coat. This works because each individual hair on the coat is made up of protein, minerals and fatty acids. When a horse’s diet is supplemented with the correct types and amounts of fat, the flow on effect is to positively alter the fatty acid composition of the hair, leading to stronger, healthier hair.

Fatty acids are a significant component of oils (or sebum) which are produced in the sebaceous glands in the horse’s skin. These oils coat each strand of hair, providing a protective barrier on the coat and enhancing its shine.

Dietary fat also facilitates the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, which also contribute to the appearance of a healthier coat.

It’s not all about looks though, and nobody needs to be told about how significant the contribution of healthy hooves are to having a healthy horse. For years it has been said, “No hooves, no horse!”. Hooves are made up of the same protein, which is found in hair, namely keratin. Keratin, like all proteins, is structured from amino acids. Amino acids fall into either one of two categories. Some amino acids can be manufactured by the animal and these are called non-essential amino acids because it is not essential that these are consumed in the diet. However, there are some amino acids which the body cannot manufacture and therefore they must be consumed in the diet. These are known as essential amino acids.

Essential amino acids are extremely important in the development of muscles and in the development of hooves and soft hair growth. Two amino acids of note are Lysine and Methionine. If the body does not have sufficient amounts of these the correct development of the hooves will not occur. This is extremely important in the prevention of, and where necessary, the treatment of laminitis.

Functional ingredients such as pre and probiotics which promote the development and stability of beneficial bacteria in the horse’s gut are also very important. A healthy gastrointestinal tract will enable the horse to efficiently extract nutrients from the diet and will reduce the risk of gastrointestinal issues such as colic.

Barastoc, specialists in equine nutrition, produce a range of products that can keep your horse not only healthy on the inside, but also looking beautiful on the outside. Barastoc Groom is the perfect feed supplement to make your horse healthy on the inside as well as the outside. Start your horse’s inner health journey today by supplementing their diet with Barastoc Groom.

Barastoc Groom delivers all the nutrients a horse requires every day. It contains essential amino acids, as well as restorative levels of Biotin and Zinc to enhance hoof conformation and structure as well as promoting soft hair development, with a minimum crude fat percentage of 6%, to keep your horse beautiful on the outside.

Barastoc Groom also contains ingredients to promote maximum gut health in horses. With a healthy dose of both pre and probiotics, Barastoc recognise that looking after the inside of your horse is just as important as looking after their outward appearance. Further, added yeast metabolites assist in achieving and maintaining a healthy gastro-intestinal tract by increasing immune function and the digestion of minerals such as calcium and phosphorous.

Barastoc Groom has also been fortified with biotin and zinc, as well as loaded with Lysine (1.2%) and Methionine (0.6%); two essential amino acids which contribute to the structure of Keratin and therefore strong and healthy hooves.

Barastoc Groom is the perfect feed supplement to make your horse healthy on the inside as well as the outside. Start your horse’s inner health journey today by supplementing their diet with Barastoc Groom. Click HERE for more information.

Advertorial sponsored by Barastoc