Extra Info
Added Herbs - Natural Herbs
We use a combination of up to nine different types of pure natural herbs in a variety of selected diets. These include garlic, mint, kelp, nettle, rose hip and oregano which have been known for many years for their effects in helping to maintain optimum digestive, respiratory and circulatory functions.
Bioplex Minerals - Bioavailable Minerals
Proper mineral nutrition is vital for maximum performance, growth, reproduction and general health in all types of horses. Recent history has demonstrated the need to supply proper levels of trace minerals to horses, such as magnesium, zinc, copper and selenium.
Bioplex Minerals are different.
For many years, supplements have provided trace minerals, such as zinc and copper, in an inorganic form. These sources have served the horse well and their use should continue. However, during times of stress due to work, a period of growth and development or trauma, Bioplex minerals have proved to be more effective at maintaining the horse's well-being, performance level and overall health.
What are Bioplex Minerals?
Bioplexes are minerals bound to small proteins. When trace minerals are bound in this way they take on the biochemical characteristics of the particular protein to which they are bound. Since the horse readily absorbs these proteins during digestion, this characteristic makes bioplex minerals more available than the traditional inorganic forms of minerals. In addition to this increased availability, certain biochemical systems within the horse have above average requirements for certain amino acids - the building blocks of protein. We take advantage of this feature by binding minerals to specific proteins, which enables us to target specific minerals to particular systems or tissues within the horses body, to help with stress reduction, the immune system, skeletal tissue and the reproductive system.
Bonded - HFL Tested
Every bag of Saracen feed is manufactured in a UFAS accredited mill, and undergoes strictly documented quality control procedures.
A comprehensive system is in place to ensure the consistency and quality of all products manufactured by Saracen Horse Feeds for equine use. Every batch of feed manufactured in the Saracen Racing range of products is sampled, and aggregate samples from each respective batch are sent away for independent analysis to test for the presence of naturally occurring contaminants that are considered prohibited by the equine regulatory authorities. These products are tested using the Horseracing Forensic Laboratory (HFL) 'Common Feed Contaminant Test', and are then held in bond.
Finished product is tested by the HFL, an independent laboratory near Newmarket, for naturally occurring common feed contaminants such as those shown below. HFL offers a screening service designed to help feed manufacturers ensure that their product is free from contamination with certain naturally occurring drugs. Analysis is performed to high international standards (ISO 17025) using state of the art mass spectrometric detection systems, capable of detecting contaminants at very low levels (ng/g).
THE TEST ANALYSES SAMPLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF:
> Caffeine
> Theobromine
Bonded product is kept in isolation in a designated quarantine area at our main site in Aylesford, and marked clearly with 'Bonded product - not released for distribution'. The product will not be released for sale until confirmation of clearance from the HFL has been received. Following clearance, a certificate will be attached to the pallet, and it can then be dispatched. All bonded products are marked on the front of the pack 'Bonded products - HFL Tested'. The product is only released for sale on receipt of a certificate stating that, with regard to caffeine and theobromine, "none was found".
Omega Balanced - Optimal Omega 3 and 6 Balanced
All fats are comprised of fatty acids. There are 2 distinct families of fatty acids: the Omega 3 family and the Omega 6 family, which are also know as essential fatty acids because they cannot be manufactured in the body and must be obtained from dietary sources. Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids must be balanced within the body in order for both to be effective, and scientists believe a ratio of 2 to 4:1 may be optimal. Correct ratios of these essential fatty acids are thought to help with numerous inflammatory conditions and to have many reproductive advantages, such as sperm viability and motility.
E-Max Ester - Natural Vitamin E
Saracen Horse Feeds & Kentucky Equine Research have propelled Vitamin E technology into the future with E-Max Ester & Nano-E. E-Max Ester & Nano-E are both revolutionary natural supplements that provide unsurpassed Vitamin E nutrition to horses of all ages. Vitamin E contributes richly to the wellbeing of the horse and plays an imperative role in immune, cardiovascular, circulatory and reproductive functions. In addition, Vitamin E is an essential component of body-wide antioxidant defences.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. Free radicals are produced during metabolism and some are highly reactive and can be potentially dangerous to normal healthy cells. Antioxidants such as Vitamin E help to maintain optimum health and athletic performance, and a healthy immune response.
A SUPERIOR SOURCE
E-Max Ester & Nano-E are natural organic sources of Vitamin E. E-Max Ester & Nano-E have superior bioavailability compared to the commonly used synthetic versions, being more highly digestible and preferentially metabolised by the horse. Moreover, this natural form of Vitamin E is retained in tissues for longer periods of time, creating a reservoir that allows it to be instantly available when the horse needs it most, namely in times of stress or during periods of confinement. E-Max Ester is used in designated Saracen diets, whereas Nano-E is a water soluble liquid version which can be purchased for use as a supplement.
RESEARCHED
A recent study conducted by KER revealed that horses receiving E-Max Ester increased plasma Vitamin E levels greater than 56% above baseline levels when compared to horses receiving the equivalent amount of synthetic product. Saracen Horse Feeds' own research study in conjunction with KER and a leading veterinary hospital, revealed that broodmares supplemented with natural Vitamin E had significantly greater serum levels 7 days post supplementation and post foaling, which is associated with the best possible colostrum quality.
BENEFITS
The benefits of a feed containing E-Max Ester are appropriate to horses of all ages and breeds.
HORSES AT MAINTENANCE
Proper Vitamin E supplementation is essential for horses that are stabled or have restricted access to fresh forage. The Vtamin E content of dried forages such as hay is severely diminished with a reduction in vitamin content of 75% or more not being uncommon.
VETERANS
For older horses that may have poor dentition, adequate intake of pasture may be limited thereby compromising natural Vtamin E intake. With reduced forage intake, an available form of Vitamin E provided in an easily digestible concentrate feed will ensure that the veteran receives the many benefits of Vitamin E. Namely superior antioxidant support to help maintain metabolic systems and reduce the signs of ageing.The immune response generally declines with age, and suboptimal immune responses in older horses may be responsible for the increased risk of infection. Vitamin E has been shown to maintain vitality in the older horse.
SPORTS & PERFORMANCE
Vitamin E is an essential component to body-wide defences, with one of its most important roles being maintaining the structure of cells. As athletic effort increases, the rate of free radical production increases, thus exposing healthy cells to potential damage. Horses with optimal Vitamin E levels are afforded the best protection to maintain a healthy musculoskeletal system.
BROODMARES & FOALS
Recent research has lauded the use of Vitamin E on stud farms. Mares supplemented with Vitamin E have shown increased passive transfer of antibodies to foals via the colostrum, which ensures the strength of the neonatal system. Our own studies have also suggested the best possible immune strength in late gestation. There is also increasing evidence that Vitamin E supplementation may encourage fertility in mares. How does the savvy shopper differentiate between natural and synthetic vitamin E when looking at labels? Natural Vitamin E is designated d-alpha-tocopherol where as synthetic is designated dl-alpha-tocopherol. In some instances, a product may not have a designation or just be labelled alpha-tocopherol, if so, it may be safe to assume that this is synthetic form as natural Vitamin E is more expensive than synthetic.
Features and Benefits of E-Max Ester & Nano-E
• A superior source of natural Vitamin E
• Benefits horses of all ages and breeds
• Vitamin E supplementation for horses that have restricted access to fresh forage
• Ideal Vitamin E supplement for older horses that have poor dentition.
• Hardworking horses require optimal levels of Vitamin E to ensure proper muscle function.
Equi-Jewel - Stabilised Rice Bran
Equi-Jewel is a high fat, heat stabilized rice bran supplement, containing 18% fat (oil). Fat has become a popular ingredient in horse feeds because it supplies more calories than common feedstuffs. A ration that includes Equi-Jewel is more energy dense than a ration without.
FAT PROVIDES NON-HEATING ENERGY TO THE DIET.
FAT IN THIS CONTEXT IS OF VEGETABLE ORIGIN.
Super Fibre Technology - Controlled Energy Release
Fibre can supply a horse with 30-70% of its digestible energy requirements.
A supply of fibre is essential to the healthy function of the equine digestive tract. The traditional fibre sources include pasture, hay and haylage (forage). The importance of forage in the diet is often underestimated and it should form the basis of ANY horse's diet.
While forages are well-known sources of fibre, other feedstuffs are considered "super fibres" because they have much higher energy levels than typical forages. The energy levels in super fibres are slightly less than those found in cereal grains such as oats and barley. Super fibres are, however, safer to feed than cereal grains because their fibrous nature can reduce the likelihood of starch overload, caused by feeding high levels of cereal based feeds. Super Fibres provide a slow release source of energy to the diet.
The super fibres used in Saracen diets are beet pulp, soya hulls and alfalfa. These ingredients are more digestible than traditional fibre sources. For instance, hay is 40-60% digestible, depending on its quality, and beet pulp and soya hulls are 80% and 75% digestible respectively.
At Saracen, we include super fibres for a variety of reasons. Some horses will not or cannot eat large enough quantities of hay to fulfill fibre requirements. Dental problems, for example, may keep aged horses from consuming sufficient hay or pasture. Caretakers or horseowners in these situations should offer alternative forms of fibre, such as Super Fibre Pencils. Horses on diets composed largely of concentrates may be unwilling to eat large amounts of hay. In these instances, fibre can be introduced into the concentrate as beet pulp or soya hulls. Due to their high energy content, super fibres are also ideal for horses that have difficulty maintaining weight.
Some performance horses also benefit from super fibres, especially those asked to work at moderate speeds for long distances, such as endurance horses. In addition to being a steady energy source for horses, super fibres help maintain intestinal health. Consumption of fibre can increase water intake, creating a reservoir of water and electrolytes in the hindgut. This reservoir may prevent dehydration and electrolyte depletion while the horse is exercising for prolonged periods of time.
Horses that cannot tolerate diets high in starch may also benefit from super fibres. Research has shown that normal muscle function can be maintained when diets that are high in fibre and oil are fed in preference to traditional high energy diets.
An added bonus to the use of super fibres is the positive effects they have on preserving gastrointestinal health. The use of Super Fibres in the diet may also help to maintain a natural acid balance in the stomach.
Yea-Sacc - Viable Yeast Culture
Yea-Sacc is a totally natural product. It is a specifically selected viable strain of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae 1026). This live yeast culture has generated more research in the UK and worldwide than any other product of its kind.
The aim of supplementation with yeast culture is to transfer viable populations of yeast to the site of digestion thus stimulating the microbial population already present. Diets supplemented with yeast stimulate the cellulytic bacteria and micro fungi in the hindgut resulting in enhanced fibre digestion and energy extraction. The pH of the hindgut is also very important in the development and maintenance of cellulytic activity and rapid changes in pH can lead to the proliferation of microbial populations with a lower efficiency of utilisation of dietary fibre. Yea-Sacc helps to maintain a stable environment in the hindgut to ensure good levels of fibre-digesting bacteria. Research has shown that Yea-Sacc enhances protein digestion, and phosphorous and calcium absorption, all important for the nutrition of the young growing horse, lactating mare and the exercising horse.
Features & Benefits of Yea-Sacc
• Natural
• Increases microbial fermentation for improved fibre digestion and utilisation
• One 10gm daily allowance supplies 50 billion live yeast cells helping to competitively exclude non-beneficial bacteria
• Helps stabilise the hindgut environment, which maintains a healthy microbial population
• An optimised stable pH status can result in a better and more consistent appetite
• Improved digestion can result in a lower feed level needing to be used, making it more cost effective
• Improved diet utilisation can help promote body condition
• When fed to lactating mares, Yea-Sacc helps maintain the optimal nutritional value of the milk produced which transfers to the foal and helps achieve balanced weight gain
