Baileys Meadow Sweet with Turmeric 15kg

Product Information

PPID is a common neurodegenerative endocrine (hormonal) disease associated with the ageing horse, although has been reported in horses as young as 7. In the healthy horse, hormones exist in a fine balance and play an important role in maintaining and controlling bodily functions. Those with PPID have an imbalance of these hormones. Alternatively, Lo-Cal or Performance Balancer may be fed to provide quality protein, vitamins and minerals without the starch or calories associated with a mix or cube. “Safe” calories can then be added to the balancer in the form of Outshine, Fibre-Beet or Alfalfa Plus Oil.

The overriding factor when managing diets for equines suffering from PPID is the increased risk of laminitis due to the hormone imbalances. Whilst this may be reduced for those being managed with Pergolide, it should always be considered, whether you are trying to promote weight gain/maintain condition or encourage weight loss/avoid weight gain. Decisions about the diet may also be dependent on whether the horse or pony has suffered from laminitis in the past. Time at grass will need to be carefully managed to control fructan (sugar) intake. Turning out very late at night, when grass fructan levels are lowest, and ensuring they are brought in by mid-morning, is safest. Avoid turning out onto pastures during cold, bright conditions, such as frosty mornings, when the fructan levels increase. Pergolide, especially at higher doses, can affect appetite, with horses going off their food and eating something for a while before going off it. Rather than constantly changing the overall diet, it is worth adding extras to tempt them, like cinnamon, fenugreek, mint, apple juice or blended or grated apples, carrots or bananas. It may also be wise to give medication separately from their main concentrate feed.

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Some low energy mixes still have a high cereal content, which can be a bit much for excitable types. Meadow Sweet with Turmeric’s digestible fibre sources and soya oil provide slow release calories to maintain condition while encouraging a calm temperament. Light Chaff or Speedi-Beet may be fed as low calorie alternative or additional fibre sources as long as overall fibre/calorie intake is controlled. Meadow Sweet with Turmeric is a low starch, low sugar, high fibre feed that’s fully balanced and suitable for those prone to laminitis, excitable temperaments and sensitive stomachs. Formulated to provide moderate calorie levels, Meadow Sweet can support horses in up to medium work and will help maintain condition while encouraging a calm temperament.

The hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which sit at the base of the brain, are the command centre for the production of hormones. In horses that show signs of PPID, neurons (nerves) in the hypothalamus undergo progressive degeneration and produce insufficient quantities of a nerve transmitter called dopamine. Dopamine is important in controlling the secretions of a part of the pituitary gland called the pars intermedia, which in turn is responsible for controlling the secretion of hormones including ACTH (adrenocorticotrophin hormone) and cortisol, which results in the symptoms of PPID.

Year-round high fibre nutrition

The best known, and probably the easiest to spot, is a long or curly coat that fails to shed fully. Providing these precautions have been taken, forage may be fed ad lib to provide fibre calories and support gut health. Meadow Sweet with Turmeric’s low starch and sugar contents make it ideal for those prone to laminitis or who need to control their starch intake for other reasons(We would always recommend talking to our Nutrition Team, when feeding the laminitis-prone or thosewith other clinical conditions.). Its calorie content means that overweight horses or good-doers would be better suited to Baileys Lo-Cal Balancer, however.