Alfalfa
Protein levels believed to be between 15% - 22% therefore concentrate rations should be adjusted.

Ash
This is the residue left after the feedstuff has been burnt at a high temperature, this may reflect mineral levels or indicate soil contamination in hay/haylage.

Barley
A cereal. It has a reversed Ca : P ratio. Causes allergy in some horses when fed over 15%. Micronised Barley has a slightly elevated energy level.

Biotin
Necessary for hoof formation and fat metabolism.

Bruised Oats
See oats

Calcium
Used in the body for bone and tooth growth and development. Blood formation and clotting. Muscle contraction. Nervous system activity. Lactation

Calcium Pantothenate
Necessary for enzyme systems , protein, carbohydrate and fat digestion and the correct functioning of the nervous system.

Cane Molasses
Useful in aiding palatability and reducing dust in feed.

Chaff
Chopped forage, useful supply of fibre. Minimal nutritional value. Can be hay, afalfa or straw. Nutrient value and molasses may vary.

Choline Chloride
Required for fat metabolism.

Chopped Straw/Hay
See chaff

Cobalt
Used for Vitamin B12 synthesis.

Concentrate Pellets.
Palatable carrier of protein meals, such as soya, minerals, vitamins and trace elements used to ensure even distribution throughout the mix.

Copper
Haemoglobin formation. Enzyme activation for many body processes. Copper also involved in bone developmen and muscle activity.

Cracked Oats
See Oats

Estimated D.E.
D.E. is an abbreviation for Digestible Energy. Usually given in MJ/Kg.

Fibre
Essential for digestive system of the horse. Available from a variety of sources e.g. hay, straw, grass and alfalfa.

Fibre Pellets
Pelleted fibre source. Also see Fibre.

Folic Acid
Also known as Folacin . Necessary for the health and maturation of red blood cells. Involved in growth and development.

Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a natural sugar produced by the body and found in certain foods. It plays an important role in the production, maintenance, and repair of cartilage, the white, smooth, rubber-like padding that covers the ends of bones and prevents them from rubbing against each other painfully as we move. It also helps form ligaments, tendons, and nails.Glucosamine stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans, two essential building blocks of cartilage. In most cases, the joints produce sufficient Glucosamine to keep the cartilage in good repair, but if they fail to do so, it dries out, degenerates, cracks, and may even completely wear away. Left unprotected, the joints then become swollen, stiff, inflamed, tender, and painful--the condition known as osteoarthritis, Advocates believe that by taking artificially synthesized Glucosamine sulfate supplements, osteoarthritis sufferers can "jump start" the natural production of Glucosamine in the body. Glucosamine has been used to treat osteoarthritis in Humans in Europe since the 1980s. Several scientific studies have recently supported its effectiveness , and its popularity is spreading quickly.

Grass
The basic horse feed ‘alias Dr. Green’. Source of important sugars, fibre and some vitamins and minerals. Horses love it !!

Grass Nuts
High temperature dried pelleted grass. See Grass.

Iodine
Important for thyroid gland function.

Iron
See Copper

Lysine
A limiting (most likely to interfere with the metabolism through short supply ) amino acid.

Magnesium
Required for bone and tooth growth and development. Enzyme activation.

Manganese
Involved in energy release, protein metabolism, fat digestion and bone development.

Methionine
A limiting amino acid.

Micronised Barley
See barley

Micronised Maize
Reverse Ca : P ratio. Low protein level and quality. High carbohydrate (starch) energy.

Micronised Peas
Mainly found in micronised form. Good quality protein source and high digestible energy.

Micronised Soya Flake
See soya

Micronised Wheat
Must be cooked, e.g. micronised or extruded before feeding.

Milk Pellets
Pelleted skimmed milk which is high in protein a with good amino acid spectrum. Usually have added vitamins and minerals.

Minerals & Vitamins
A premier broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement containing all the important trace, macro and micro nutrients that are important in a well balanced diet for a healthy horse.

MSM
MSM is a naturally occurring nutrient found in nearly all living organisms, plant, animal and human. MSM is a pure, unique and beneficial form of the mineral sulphur. MSM is a "Sulfonyl" - Methyl-sulfonyl-methane. It is not related to the common sulphurs, sulphates, sulphites or sulphur drugs which are known to cause irritation to membranes. MSM is totally harmless and is extremely beneficial and important to many vital physiological functions.

Naked Oats
See oats

Niacin
Required for function of enzyme systems, cell integrity and metabolism.

Nicotinic Acid
See Niacin

Oats
A cereal. Reverse Ca : P ratio. High in carbohydrate energy. Low in Lysine. Easily digested so does not need to be cooked, presented - cracked, bruised and rolled.

Oatfeed
Natural & valuable source of fibre for horses. Mainly the hulls and husks of oats.

Oatfeed Pellets
See oats

Oat Straw
Use as a chaff or as an alternative to hay when feed with a suitable hard ration. Horses should be closely monitored when oat straw is introduced to avoid colic.

Oil
100% soya oil is used at BALANCED’ Horse feeds. Useful as an energy source as oil provides 2.25 times the energy of carbohydrates per unit weight. Also useful to promote good condition and provide a layer of subcutaneous fat.

Pantothenic Acid
See Calcium pantothenate.

Phosphorus
See Calcium.

Plant Extracts
Extracts including Boswellia serata, Uncaria tomansata, Circumin, Olive leaf extract

Protein
Proteins are made up from amino acids. Used for body building and tissue repair. Certain amino acids are needed for the metabolism and the utilisation of energy. Found in differing levels in numerous feedstuffs.

Pyridoxine
More commonly known as vitamin B6 . Necessary for carbohydrate metabolism, enzyme activation and protein and fat digestion.

Riboflavin
Better known as Vitamin B2 . Needed for carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. Nutrient utilisation and energy release.

Salt
Provides 2 of the essential electrolytes - sodium and chloride.

Selenium
Important for the maintenance of muscle cell membrane and other antioxidant properties.

Sodium
Necessary for body fluid regulation. Nervous transmission. Muscle metabolism. Blood formation.

Soya
Very good source of protein and high digestible energy. May have high oil levels or have oil extracted.

Soya Meal
See soya

Soya Oil
See soya

Spices
Apple spice - flavouring .

Thiamine
Also known as Vitamin B1 . Used for carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism and the correct functioning of the nervous system.

Total Sugers
Basic energy source.

Unmolassed Suger Beet
Useful source of digestible fibre.

Vegetable Oil
See Oil.

Vitamin A
( May be referred to as its pre-cursor beta-carotene. ) Important for normal eye function, maintenance of tissue integrity, especially reproductive, urinary and nervous systems. Also for the correct functioning of the immune system. May be stored in the liver and fatty tissues.

Vitamin B1
See Thiamine

Vitamin B2
See Riboflavin

Vitamin B6
See Pyridoxine

Vitamin B12
(Cyanocobalamin): Necessary for carbohydrate, protein and fat utilisation, liver function and muscle metabolism.

Vitamin C
Used in the body for bone and tooth structure, gum health, blood vessel integrity and reproductive efficiency.

Vitamin D3
Important for bone structure. Joint and cartilage integrity. Absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the gut. If the horse is on good grazing he is able to manufacture sufficient levels to meet normal maintenance requirements. Stables, grass kept and hard working horses require a daily dietary supply especially during the winter months.

Vitamin E
This may be referred to as Alpha - Tocopherol. Required for the maintenance of muscle and other cell integrity. It also has antioxidant properties and is helps reproductive efficiency including sperm production and quality.

Vitamin K
Blood clotting mechanism.

Wheatfeed
Natural fibre source for horses.

Yea-sacc
Useful for optimising fibre digestion.

Zinc
Important for enzyme activation, skin and hair formation, blood formation, Bone development and lactation.