Garlic is often fed in winter to help the respiratory and immune systems, but did you know that many people also feed garlic in the summer months as a way to help repel flies and biting insects? Garlic helps to repel from the inside out, creating a garlicky smell when the horse sweats which flies aren’t too keen on. Here are our top garlic supplements to help you keep flies away!

Supplements to add to feed- powders, granules, snips and shreds 

Global Herbs- Real Garlic Shreds
NAF- American Garlic Powder
Dodson & Horrell- Itch Free
Global Herbs- Real Garlic Snips
Global Herbs- Real Garlic Granules
Baileys- Garlic
NAF- Garlic Granules
NAF- Garlic & Mint

Licks for the field and stable
Horslyx- Field Lick Garlic
Dengie- Lite Lick Garlic
Horslyx- Stable Lick Garlic

When we think of electrolytes, performance horses come to mind but, with the hot weather we’re currently experiencing, they might not be the only ones in need of salty supplementation. Electrolytes are lost through sweat, droppings and urine so, turn the temperature up when you’re riding your horse and you’ll notice he sweats more and is, therefore, losing more body salts. Interestingly, electrolytes have a lot of functions in the body, one is the ability to retain water, making them an important factor when it comes to preventing dehydration.

We sell a number of electrolyte products that can be added to the horse’s feed or water (see previous post http://www.efeed.co.uk/news/april-2013/supplements-for-performanece), but we also supply licks and other products that can help to keep the horse’s electrolyte levels up.

NAF Himalayan Salt Lick- Natural salt containing trace minerals all the way from the Himalayan mountains.

Lite Lick Garlic- In addition to vitamins, minerals and garlic, Lite Lick Garlic allows free choice access to a lick that contains salt- ideal for working horses as it allows them to top up on any losses that occur through sweating.

Lite Lick Respiratory- A low sugar way to top up vitamins and minerals with extra ingredients to help promote a healthy respiratory system. Lite Lick Respiratory also allows free choice access to a lick that contains salt- ideal for working horses as it allows them to top up on any losses that occur through sweating.

Some feeds and balancers have salt included, so it’s always worth checking the label.

By adding a lick to your horse’s stable or field shelter, you’re giving him the choice to take on additional salts.

Why did you decide to make a molasses-free version of Healthy Hooves? What type of horse is it most suitable for?

We listened to feedback from customers, who are increasingly asking for a molasses-free complete feed because there isn’t anything else available. It’s suitable for those prone to laminitis, those with Cushing’s syndrome, EMS cases and horses and ponies with poor hoof condition.

How would you decide whether to feed Healthy Hooves or Healthy Hooves Molasses Free to a horse?

It often comes down to palatability because some horses prefer a slightly sweeter taste. Healthy Hooves is still very low in sugar, at just 5%, which is half the level found in hay – so, if horses prefer it, then it is still absolutely fine to use. Healthy Hooves Molasses Free is now available for owners who simply don’t want to use molasses.

Molasses is one way to help improve the palatability of a feed. With the molasses-free version, what’s been added to make sure the horse loves it?

We use garlic to aid palatability and, in feeding trials, it has performed well for a molasses-free product.

Healthy Hooves Molasses Free is, obviously, free from molasses, but it does still contain sugar. Why is this?

The base plant materials in Healthy Hooves Molasses Free, alfalfa and straw, contain some sugar, so it is impossible to produce a sugar-free feed. We just don’t add any more sugar to the feed, so it is as low-sugar as possible.

What’s included in Healthy Hooves Molasses Free to help promote healthy hooves? 

Alfalfa is a source of calcium that is much more bio-available than that supplied from limestone. Calcium has been shown to help improve the structural integrity of hoof horn. There is also a full range of B vitamins, including biotin. When recommended feeding rates are used, the biotin level supplied for a horse is 15mg, which is the level research has shown to be effective at promoting improved hoof growth. It is unusual to find this level of biotin in feeds because many contain a basic maintenance level of about 2-3mg.

Can Healthy Hooves Molasses Free be used as a sole bucket feed or does it need a balancer/additional vitamin and mineral supplement?

If the recommended quantities are fed, then, yes, it can be used as the sole bucket feed for horses at rest or in light work. If you feed less than recommended quantities or your horse is in harder work, we would recommend topping up with a balancer or supplement to ensure the diet is balanced.