1. Growing two year olds require high protein feed

A major challenge facing many trainers is effective management of the increased nutritional requirements of two year olds - continuing growth at the same time as rising work levels places enormous demands on development. Correctly fed two year olds achieve greater gains in wither height, reach mature height earlier and have larger muscle mass. A high quality protein diet properly balanced in all essential nutrients is mandatory if genetic potential is to be realised. The mineral and amino acid balance is just as critical for the weight bearing capacity of bone, resistance to shin soreness, maximising of muscle growth and minimising of fat deposition.

Formula 3 includes chelated minerals for improved absorption and added calcium, phosphorus, Vitamin A and Vitamin D to aid bone development, while addressing the three key factors maximising the muscle building power of feed; digestibility of feed in the small intestine, percent protein and essential amino acid content.

Increased digestibility, improved availability of energy and greater amino acid uptake is achieved via the small intestine by exploiting the benefits of Mitavite’s steam-extruded maize and micronizing of the barley content. To improve digestibility and nutrient uptake even more, added natural enzymes have been included in Formula 3 to help overcome the low levels normally found in horses. Enzymes improve energy availability and safety of grain supplementation through an increase in starch digestion.

An association between Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), a frequent cause of lameness in young horses, and high energy diets with more than 50% sweet feed or other high sugar concentrate, has been found.

The combination in Formula 3 of processed grains and high oil levels, a further source of easily metabolised energy, may aid in resisting the hormonal swings implicated in the development of OCD.

2. Horses at risk of tying up and those with low tolerance to oats

Many horses are unable to handle the extra kilos of oats to meet the energy demands produced by hard work. In instances of grain overload or reduced ability to metabolise oats, undigested grain passes to the large intestine and caecum where it ferments, producing lactic acid and increasing risks of diarrhoea, laminitis, colic and ‘tying up’. ‘Tying up’ also known as Set Fast, Azoturia, Monday Morning Disease and Lactic Acidosis, is a common cause of loss of form often identified by pain and stiffness in muscles, particularly hindquarters.

A wide variety of triggering factors can be responsible including genetic influences, hormonal or thyroid disturbances, Vitamin E and/or selenium deficiencies, delayed muscle soreness from free radical damage, electrolyte imbalances and of course, carbohydrate overloading. Even at sub clinical levels, where the only signs may be increased sweating or elevated heart rate, the effect on performance can be the same - highly strung horses and those subject to stress appear particulary vulnerable.

Management may vary between horses but from the dietary perspective, Formula 3 offers trainers a valuable tool in the control of ‘tying up’. Formula 3 contains no oats but meets all the energy demands through inclusion of micronized barley and steam-extruded maize, processing methods which maximise digestion in the small intestine avoiding the heat, gas and acid build up from the caecum - digestion and uptake of energy and other nutrients is further increased through inclusion of natural enzymes.

Safe additional energy is provided from high (12%) levels of Omega 3 and Omega 9 oils. These oils have been reported to provide improved blood cell flexibility, increased oxygen transfer and reduced blood lactate levels.

Balanced amounts of all important vitamins and minerals, including high vitamin E content and added selenium address problems of possible deficiencies whilst correct ratios of mineral salts answer risks of imbalances in the diet.

3. Horses on high energy, high oats diets requiring correct balancing of other nutrients

A high oats diet for mature horses carries with it the associated risks of caecal acidosis and subclinical laminitis, a common cause of poor performance, affecting up to 48% of horses in training. The trainers goal is to manage and balance energy demands produced by hard work with the other essential nutrients to meet full dietary requirements - at the same time, avoiding problems a high oats diet can cause.

Formula 3 provides the energy required but in a safe form, reducing the amount of oats needed in rations. Even when high level of oats are fed with Formula 3, this nutrient dense feed provides all the vitamins, minerals, proteins, mineral salts and biotin to maintain balance - while high Vitamin E levels and amino acids have been shown to protect all membranes and facilitate muscle repair of horses in hard work.

The micronized barley, steam-extruded maize and added natural enzymes significantly increases digestibility, nutrient uptake and absorbtion. Inclusion of high oil levels such as Omega 3 and 9 provides an additional source of safe, easily utilised energy.

The increased digestibility through micronization and steam-extrusion means lower feed amounts are necessary and the handicap of dead weight in the gut is reduced. With traditional feeds, intestinal ballast can rise to significant levels as additional water is drawn into the gut.

The greater the gut loading the more the respiratory function is compromised. With fast exercise abdominal contents slide backwards and lurch forwards during inspiration and expiration and whilst horses increase speed by lengthening stride a limit is reached in this cycle. At this point gut ballast can impede the movement of the diaphragm and restrict lung capacity. Formula 3 maximises the important weight to energy ratio of feed to help improve respiratory performance.