By Dr. Martin Adams, PAS
Equine Nutritionist for Southern States

Sandy Rose (left), Loundoun County
Southern States employee.

Southern States Legends® and Triple Crown® horse feeds have many benefits to consider when selecting an effective feeding program for your show or performance horse.

Controlled Soluble Carbohydrate Levels Triple Crown beet pulp based horse feeds have been formulated with low levels of soluble carbohydrates (sugar and starch) for many years. Triple Crown Low Starch was one of the first low starch feeds in the country. Also, the Legends line now features horse feeds with lower levels of soluble carbohydrates due to the addition of Controlled Carbohydrate Technology™ in all Legends Feeds. Legends Performance Pellets is high in fat (12%), yet has the lowest NSC level of any of the feeds in the Legends line. An independent laboratory has tested the levels of soluble carbohydrates in all Southern States premium horse feeds.

Equine nutrition research has shown that lower dietary levels of soluble carbohydrates reduce lactic acid production and lowers the incidence of colic and ulcer formation. It also provides lower post-feeding blood levels of glucose and insulin that result in calmer behavior. Many horses involved in show or performance activities will benefit from a feed with a lower level of soluble carbohydrates.

Added Fat

Fat is the most energy dense nutrient, containing 2 ¼ times more calories than protein or carbohydrate energy sources. Using a fat-added feed will allow you to meet the energy demands of your horse with a lower feeding rate. Benefits of feeding less grain or concentrate can include decreased risk of digestive upset, reduced formation of gastric ulcers, lower daily feed expense and calmer behavior.

Legends horse feeds are available with fat levels of 6%, 8% and 10%. There are Triple Crown horse feeds with 6% and 10% fat, and new Triple Crown Training Formula contains 13% fat. Also, fat supplements are available including Triple Crown Rice Bran (20% fat), Legends Fortified Pelleted Rice Bran (18% fat) and Triple Crown Rice Bran Oil Plus (98% fat).

Yeast Culture

Yeast culture added to the equine diet has been shown to increase fiber breakdown in the hindgut, enhance availability of phosphorus and magnesium, improve hair coat, reduce digestive upset, and lower lactic acid levels. All Legends and Triple Crown horse feeds contain yeast culture to provide these beneficial effects.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

For many years we've known that adding rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids to the horse's diet will improve hair coat. An improved appearance is especially important for show horses, but omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to reduce inflammatory processes in the horse. Benefits from reducing the inflammatory process include: improvements in joint function with increased stride length, better immune system response, faster recovery time in post exercise muscle tissue and changes in red blood cell composition to allow faster blood flow during exercise.

The highest concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids are found in flax seed and fish oil. All Triple Crown horse feeds contain flax seed. New Triple Crown Training Formula Horse Feed also contains fish oil. In addition to rice bran, Legends Performance Textured and Pelleted horse feeds also have added flax seed. Triple Crown Rice Bran Oil Plus contains a combination of rice bran oil, flaxseed oil and corn oil to provide a high level of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.