Cool mix and cool cubes are feeds designed to reduce excitable behaviour in horses and ponies. ‘Fizzy’ behaviour can be displayed as excitable and nervous actions, as excessive spooking, being easily distracted and general poor behaviour. Excitable behaviour may just be part of a horse’s character, but could be better managed by the correct diet to suit his needs.Some horses and ponies may become ‘fizzy’ as a result of eating feed containing cereal,which is ‘quick release’.  To help manage excitable behaviour, reducing the amount of cereals and starch in the horse’s diet can help to keep the horse calm.

Cool mixes provide the nutrients that the horse will need, but with a reduced amount of starch which may be the cause or trigger for excitable behaviour.  Cool mixes generally contain a controlled level of starch and sugar and provide the horse with energy instead through higher levels of fibre and fat, such as vegetable oils. Some mixes also contain magnesium, which can help address a possible deficiency in the diet, which could contribute towards ‘lively’ behaviour. The fibre in cool mixes may be derived from alfalfa or grass pellets.  The lowered amount of cereal means that the energy in cool mixes and cool cubes is ‘slow release’ with the aim of reducing over excitable and/or unpredictable behaviour.

If you’re having an issue with your horse and you think it could be caused by the wrong diet, you’ll find that many feed companies are happy to give free advice over the phone, to help you choose the right food for your horse. These nutritionists really know their stuff, so it’s worth giving them a call!