Uls-gard Pellets (10kg), Digestive Supplements

Information and Nutrition

Horses are designed to trickle feed – grazing for up to 16 hours a day. This means that they need to constantly secrete acid to help digest this almost continual source of food entering their stomach. A grazing horse will also produce up to 9 gallons of saliva a day which as well as lubricating the food, also acts to buffer or neutralize the acid.

Furthermore, the physical presence of food in the stomach acts as a protective “mat” or barrier, helping to prevent acid splashing on to the upper, unprotected areas of the stomach. So if access to forage (pasture, hay, haylage) is restricted, acid continues to be produced, and with restricted chewing time, less saliva is produced to buffer the acid.

The lower portion of the stomach (the glandular area), where the acid is produced, is naturally protected including mucous production and bicarbonate secretion, but the upper portion of the stomach (squamous area) has no such protection. If the horse is worked with a mainly empty stomach, when he trots, canters or jumps, or even just tenses his abdominal muscles, this acid can splash or be squeezed up to the unprotected area of the stomach The horse has a small stomach, and food does not stay in there for very long, so even short periods during the day without access to forage can cause problems.

In addition to restricted access to forage, there are other factors which have been reported to increase the incidence and severity of ulcers, including:

Stress – social stressors such as bullying from stable neighbours or herd mates , or box location ( for example near the feed room or muck heap, resulting in increased activity past the door) have been shown to increase the risk of ulcers
High starch diets – may result in increased volatile fatty acid production in the stomach, which may in turn result in abnormalities with sodium transport leading to cell damage in the stomach.
Limited turnout and reduced access to natural antioxidants from grass
Intense training and competition schedules and frequent travelling, especially long distance.

Equine America Uls-Gard Pellets have been formulated using carefully selected ingredients to help maintain gastric health and comfort including:

Slow release calcium and magnesium from marine algae, to help balance the gut pH.

Lecithin – a special type of fat which helps to protect and repair the cells lining the stomach

Pectins, Marshmallow root and Liquorice – to help produce mucilage which acts as a physical protective barrier for the unprotected upper portion of the stomach

Aloe Vera and Glycine – to help support the gastric mucosa (lining of the stomach).

High nucleotide yeast to provide beta glucans which help to increase the viscosity of stomach contents, and provide nutritional support for a healthy gastric mucosa (stomach lining)

Alfalfa and soya hulls to provide a fibrous “mat” and to help maintain a healthy gastric pH.

Additional Management factors to help support digestive health and comfort:

Turnout to grass where practical and possible, ideally with a placid companion, even if only for short periods.
Ensure ad lib forage where practical. For good doers, where calories are restricted, offer very frequent, but controlled amounts of forage, with the largest allocation overnight. Select clean, but low calorie forage to enable larger amounts to be offered.
Offer forage in different locations in the stable to encourage natural foraging behaviour.
Try to reduce social stressors such as bullying stable mates, or proximity to the feed store.
Feed a good double handful (or 1 round scoop) of alfalfa chaff before exercise or competition warm-up to provide a protective barrier in the stomach - even if forage is available in the stable or lorry
Consider replacing some starch-based calories with Equine America Supreme Omega Oil in the diet .

Benefits of Uls-Gard Pellets

Natural support for gut health and comfort (Calcium, magnesium, lecithin, pectin, glycine)
Key ingredients to soothe the stomach wall (Aloe vera, marshmallow root, liquorice)
Beta Glucans from high nucleotide yeasts to support a healthy gastric mucosa
Alfalfa and soya hulls base to provide a protective fibrous mat
Palatable and easy to mix for fussy feeders.
Suitable for foals at a reduced serving rate

Nutrition

Uls-Gard Pellets are a complementary feed for horses and ponies, designed to support gastric health as part of a balanced diet.

Directions for feeding:
For typical 500g horse: 100g per day, ideally divided in to 2 or 3 feeds. Maximum 200g per day if required. 50 g (approx.) measure enclosed)

Additives (per kg): Technological additives: 1c322i Lecithin Liquid 15,125mg, Diatomaceous Earth (purified) E551c 25,000mg. Sensory Additives: 2b17034 Glycine 5,000mg,

Composition: Soya hulls (from genetically modified sources), Wheatfeed, Dried Alfalfa, Maerl, Apple Pectin, Magnesium Oxide, Yeast Products, Soya Oil (from genetically modified sources), Althaea officinalis (marshmallow) root powder, Liquorice root, Aloe Vera (200:1 extract).

Analytical Constituents:

Crude Protein11.0%	Crude Ash24.1%
Crude Fat4.3%	Sodium0.3%
Crude Fibre17.7%	Calcium5%
Magnesium2.3%