Science and nature working together

Article from RD1's 'Straight from the Horse's Mouth', November 2010.

Mitavite® understands the nutritional and physiological interactions horses need and applies this knowledge to develop feeds that meet the requirements and demands of all types of horses.

The previously dominant pasture diet for the horse is no longer sufficient for the workload and increased demands on leisure and performance horses. Diets containing more starch and protein are being fed to improve performance.

The horses digestive system has not been designed to digest high starch and protein feed such as grains. When feeding grain it is important that it is digested in the small intestine and does not pass through into the large intestine (caecum). There is a delicate balance of micro organisms in the caecum (part of the large intestine). If ammonia and lactic acid are produced (by-products of starch and protein digestion in the large intestine) then the beneficial micro organisms die. Once the good micro organisms lose the "balance of power" the bad ones increase in number which can lead to decreased efficiency, behavioural changes, diarrhoea and veterinary emergencies such as colic and laminitis. Early feeding practices added raw cereal grains to the diets of horses to increase the energy and nutrient levels of the ration. This was not an efficient method of feeding because raw grains are poorly digested in the small intestine and provide a poorly balanced ration when fed with roughage. Only 29% of whole corn is digested in the small intestine. The remainder passes to the large intestine where it is fermented, yielding lactic acid and changing the acidity in the gut. Cracking and grinding feeds became a popular attempt at increasing the digestibility of the feed. Although this did slightly increase the digestibility of the feed it had limitations. Cracked and ground grains oxidize and become rancid very quickly decreasing their quality and palatability. It became obvious that unprocessed feeds were not well digested by the horse and the older less efficient methods such as cracking, grinding and pelleting have now been superseded by a superior process known as steam extrusion.

The steam extrusion solution

Steam extrusion is the process where grain and mixes are filled with steam and water and forced under high pressure through a barrel by a large screw. In a short period of time the grain is heated to boiling point. It then passes through a die and is cut into shapes. The extruded nut is then dried, cooled and bagged. By providing a high temperature, high pressure environment the complex structures of starches, proteins and oils are untangled, making digestion and absorption easier for the horse.

Feeding a steam extruded feed has many advantages:

• Steam extrusion improves small intestinal digestibility to greater than 90%, reducing the risk of hindgut acidosis.
• Steam extrusion gelatinizes starches increasing digestibility in the small intestine.
• Steam extruded nuts require more chewing, increasing the amount of saliva produced which decreases the acidity of the stomach and reduces digestive disorders.
• Steam extrusion increases palatability.
• The steam extruded nut reduces the amount of dust in the feed bin improving air quality in the stable, helping to reduce respiratory diseases.
• Steam extrusion destroys natural toxins and bacterial pathogens.
• Steam extrusion reduces the amount of heat, acid and gas produced in the digestion process compared with raw grains and pellets.

Key ingredients in Mitavite feeds

A well formulated complete feed contains a combination of grains and nutrients to produce a balanced ration. Grains are fed to provide an energy source or a protein source in addition to vital vitamins and minerals. Energy is the primary reason for feeding grains such as barley, oats and corn and they combine well when they are fed with high protein sources such as soybean meal, cottonseed meal, lupins and faba beans. A mixture of protein meals will complement each other and give a better balance of amino acids than one by itself and Mitavite use a combination of protein and energy sources.

Maize (corn) is used for high performance feeds due to its high energy level. Digestibility is poor when fed whole and steam extrusion increases digestibility to over 90% in the small intestine.

Barley is a popular cereal grain providing a good balance of energy and fibre. Cooking and rolling and steam extrusion softens the grain and increases digestion in the small intestine.

Oats are well accepted amongst owners and trainers due to their palatability and high energy and fibre level.

Soybean meal is high in protein (44-50%) and has exceptionally high levels of essential amino acids such as lysine to help build muscle and grow out young horses.

Lupins have a good oil and energy level which is complemented by the vegetable protein which contains branch chain amino acids that enhance muscle building.

Faba beans are used to complement other vegetable protein meals, such as soybean meal, to build muscle and top line, enhance growth and improve milk quality.

Sunflower seeds are very palatable and the oil content provides an excellent energy source.

Oil: Mitavite use a scientific blend of vegetable oils and fish oil to achieve the Omega 3 to Omega 6 to Omega 9 ratio making it a 'good' oil.

Mark Todd - supporter of Mitavite feeds

"I use Mitavite feeds for all my horses at home in New Zealand including young stock and thoroughbred racehorses - with great results. I also use Mitavite feeds internationally, NZB Gandolf was fed Vitamite Cool Performer at Beijing and I was extremely impressed with his energy levels and how well he kept his condition throughout a rigorous campaign. Mitavite feeds tend to be of the highest quality, are easy to use and in my experience are simply the best feeds you can get. I am committed to Mitavite and will continue to use and endorse their feeds in any country that they are available. "
– Mark Todd CBE (NZ), FEI Rider of the 20th Century

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