Supporting our members in their efforts to achieve the highest level of repute, knowledge and profitability.
Thank you to @nafuk for sharing this fantastic, practical advice for Feed Fact Fortnight!
Kate Hore (Head Nutritionist at NAF) explains why horses on predominantly forage-based diets still need those essential micronutrients—vitamins, minerals, and trace elements—that aren`t provided in the right amounts by grazing and forage alone. Follow for more advice, stay tuned, and keep your eyes peeled—we have great competitions coming soon!
#FeedFactFortnight #EquineNutrition #NAF #HorseCare #BETA #ForageBalancing
Teeth through the ages...
Throughout their lifetime, a horse`s teeth continually erupt and wear. This means regular checks from a suitably qualified Equine Dental Technician or vet are recommended—even before they start work or after retirement.
As foals, teeth begin to erupt from one to two weeks after birth, reaching a full set of 24 by 9 months. Like humans, foals have baby teeth, which are replaced by adult teeth between ages 3 and 5.
When adult teeth erupt, they dislodge the first teeth (caps). This can make chewing painful—especially long fibre forage and short grazing—causing sudden weight loss in youngsters. Offering soaked feeds and hay replacers like HayCare makes eating much easier and helps maintain condition.
Dental checks are recommended at least once a year, though youngsters and older horses may need more frequent care. If your horse has difficulty chewing or body condition concerns, contact your vet or EDT.
Once adult teeth are fully in at around age 5, they continue changing both on and beneath the surface. By age 15 to 16, dental issues are very common. Some can be minimized with early dental care and proper feeding. For example, peripheral caries are less likely with low sugar, low starch diets.
On the surface, crown wear and diastema (gaps between teeth) are frequent issues. Diastemas trap food, causing painful gum inflammation and infection. Treatment ranges from flushing to widening gaps. Avoid chops or chaffs; instead, opt for soaked forages.
In their early 20s, crown wear often outpaces eruption, meaning their teeth are wearing out. This makes chewing forage difficult, and you may notice quidding. It is time to offer a soaked hay replacer like HayCare, which mirrors high-fibre hay in an easily manageable format.
Beneath the gums, root depth decreases over time due to continual eruption, causing tooth instability and uncomfortable chewing. Soaked hay replacers are recommended here too.
Thank you Simple System for this very informative post.
For feeding advice, contact the Simple System Feed Line on 01728 604008 or email info@simplesystem.co.uk
BETA FFF is here, and we have an exciting giveaway in partnership with EquiGlo!
Win a navy, quilted EquiGlo Jacket. Available in sizes 8 (small), 8/10 (medium) and 12 (large)!
Thank you, Equiglo!
To take part in the competition, answer the question below in the comments.
Question: Is soaked beet a nutritionally complete food?
Let us know in the comments below!
Then. . .
Follow @equiglohorsefeeds and us if you haven’t already.
Like this post
Deadline for entries: 29th October, 12 pm
Winner announcement: 30th October
This competition is run by BETA on both Facebook and Instagram. Correct entries will be combined from both accounts, and a winner will be selected at random from the combined entries. This competition is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram. No cash alternative is offered.
Good luck to everyone entering!
Long grass = safer grass? Not always.
It’s easy to assume that short, actively growing grass is the bigger concern for horses prone to laminitis, while long, fibrous “standing hay” is the safer option. But grass length only tells part of the story.
What really matters is how much your horse actually consumes. Short grass may contain more sugar gram-for-gram, but horses can take much bigger mouthfuls of longer grass - meaning their total sugar intake could still be significant.
With autumn grazing sometimes proving surprisingly plentiful, managing risk means considering total grass intake, not simply whether a paddock looks short or long.
Equine nutritionist Jennifer Little explains why appearances can be deceptive and what owners can do to manage grazing more effectively.
🔗 Read the full article via the link in the bio.
Thanks to @equell_performance_supplements , BETA members for supporting FFF and sharing this valuable insight.
Thanks to @topspec_horse_feeds , we can share a list of several helpful actions that owners of older horses can take:
a) Make regular six-monthly appointments with a qualified horse dentist or vet to optimise the grinding action of the horse’s teeth.
b) Avoid feeding worms! Consult a vet or worming company and ensure that veterans are tested and thoroughly wormed for all relevant worms.
c) Do not waste feed in order to keep horses warm! Rug them up well.
d) Maintain sufficient fibre intake to keep hindgut digestion efficient; keeping an eye on the consistency of horses’ droppings will act as a guide.
e) Use a senior feed balancer as the base of bucket feeds as it will improve feed conversion efficiency.
f) Provide any extra protein and calories needed to maintain condition in a nutrient-dense form that is also low in starch. There is no point feeding low nutrient-density products containing straw to a horse that needs to gain weight, as straw contains very few calories. For elderly horses needing soaked feed, the sheer weight needed to be carried to the stable is a major issue, and by feeding nutrient-dense feeds this weight can be kept to a minimum.
Congratulations to Lillianne Fenn from @aruwrittle as the WINNER of the BETA Equine Thesis of the Year 2026!
Lillianne’s research explored: "An Investigation into Alternative Protein Sources to Soya in Horse Feed: Nutritional and Practical Implications".
A fantastic achievement and a wonderful contribution to the future of equine nutrition and sustainability!
Celebrating All Our Finalists!
We would also like to extend a massive congratulations to ALL of our incredible finalists! 🌟 Reaching the final stage of the BETA Equine Thesis of the Year competition is a monumental achievement. Your hard work, dedication, and innovative research are helping shape the future of equine science and industry standards. Thank you to everyone who participated, submitted, and supported this year`s awards!
Feed Room Staples with Saracen Horse Feeds
In this fantastic reel, Saracen shares two simple feed room staples every yard needs: a kitchen scale and a spring balance. These brilliant tools help you accurately weigh hard feed and control forage amounts (like hay or haylage) to keep your horse in optimal condition. 🙏 A massive thank you to @saracen_horse_feeds for sharing this great video with us for Feed Fact Fortnight!
#FeedFactFortnight #SaracenHorseFeeds #EquineNutrition #HorseCare #FeedRoomStaples #BETA
Does Your Horse Need More Hard Feed This Winter?
As the weather turns cooler, it`s time to evaluate your horse`s winter diet! Here are the key considerations shared by Connolly`s RED MILLS for Feed Fact Fortnight.
Thank you to @redmillshorse S for sharing these top feeding tips for Feed Fact Fortnight! Need help tailoring your horse`s diet? Reach out to a qualified nutritionist or feed advisor for personalised guidance.
#FeedFactFortnight #ConnollysREDMILLS #EquineNutrition #WinterFeeding #BETA #HorseCare #EquineHealth
