Feeding your horse a balanced and nutritious diet is essential for their overall health and well-being. As a responsible owner, it's important to be aware of the potential inflammatory feeds that could be harmful to your horse. Chronic low-grade inflammation can have negative effects on your horse's health, so it's crucial to avoid feeding them ingredients that could exacerbate this condition. Below we will explore the top 5 feeds found in most every barn which promote inflammation.
Rice bran: While rice bran is often used as a source of added fat in horse feeds, it can also be high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation in the body. Excessive omega-6 fatty acids can lead to joint pain, stiffness, and even insulin resistance, which can be detrimental to your horse's overall health and performance. Additionally, inflammation can increase the risk of injuries and prolong recovery time, making it important to steer clear of rice bran in your horse's diet. (Learn more about rice bran)
Soy/Soy Oils: Soy is a common allergen for horses, and it can also promote inflammation in the body. While soy is often used in horse feeds for its high protein content, it's important to be mindful of its potential inflammatory effects. Soy oil, used for shine and as a fat source, holds the same implications as rice bran and should be avoided to prevent inflammation in your horse.
Sugars/Molasses: These are another common inflammatory ingredient to avoid. Many commercial horse feeds are sweetened with sugars like molasses to make them more palatable, but excessive sugar intake can lead to metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and laminitis in horses. These health issues are often precipitated and maintained by low-grade, chronic inflammation, which can be caused by long-term consumption of feeds high in sugar. To prevent these conditions, it's important to opt for feeds that are low in sugar and free from inflammatory ingredients.
Corn: This is another inflammatory feed to be cautious of in your horse's diet. While corn is a common ingredient in many horse feeds, it is high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation in the body. Additionally, corn is a common allergen for horses and can contribute to digestive issues, among other things. Take a pass on feeds which contain corn. It is a filler and provides no real benefit for the horse.
Wheat Germ Oil: These are also high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and should be avoided to prevent inflammation in your horse and carry all of the same implications as the foods listed above. (Learn more about oils here)
One way to boost your horse's overall health and wellness is by incorporating Twenty Four Carrots' Inner Glow Omega Booster into their diet. Packed with chia seeds, this supplement is a perfect source of healthy fats and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids that can benefit your horse in numerous ways. Chia seeds are known for their omega-3 content, which can help support a healthy inflammatory response and promote healthy skin and coat in your horse. By choosing Inner Glow Omega Booster over traditional fat supplements that contain inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids, you can ensure that your horse is getting the essential nutrients they need to thrive. (Learn more about omega's here)
In conclusion, it's essential to be aware of the potential inflammatory feeds that could be harmful to your horse and to avoid feeding them ingredients that could exacerbate chronic low-grade inflammation. By choosing a balanced and nutritious diet that is free from inflammatory ingredients, you can help prevent inflammation and promote your horse's overall health and well-being. Consult with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to develop a diet plan tailored to your horse's individual needs, and consider incorporating Inner Glow Omega Booster into their diet for added health benefits. By making thoughtful choices about your horse's diet, you can help keep them healthy, happy, and thriving for years to come.
Did you know that internal inflammation can also be visible on the outside? Avoid inflammatory horse feeds
Signs of chronic low-grade inflammation in horses can include:
Lameness or stiffness
Digestive issues, such as diarrhea or colic
Skin allergies or irritations
Poor coat quality
Weight loss or difficulty maintaining a healthy weight
Behavioral changes, such as irritability or lethargy
So, what does one do if they are feeding some of the items mentioned above and/or notice signs of inflammation in their horse? The answer is quite simple..
To minimize the risk of inflammation in your horse's diet, it is important to focus on feeding a balanced and nutritious diet that is low in inflammatory ingredients. It basically boils down to reading labels and, now that you know of ingredients to avoid, opt for a feed which does not contain said ingredients. If you're feeding an inflammatory fat/oil and need to swap that out for another product, look no further than Twenty Four Carrots' Inner Glow Omega Booster. Packed with chia seeds, this supplement is a perfect source of healthy fats and anti-inflammatory omega-3's that can benefit your horse in numerous ways. Chia seeds are known for their omega-3 content, which can help support a healthy inflammatory response and promote healthy skin and coat. By ditching fat supplements that contain inflammatory omega-6's and opting for Inner Glow Omega Booster, you can ensure that your horse is getting the essential nutrients it needs to thrive. Additionally, the Inner Glow Omega Booster promotes a healthy topline as it contains all essential amino acids, lowers the risk of ulcers and soothes the gut among many other benefits. Priced the same as your subpar bag of rice bran, the Inner Glow Omega Booster makes making the right choice easy.
In conclusion, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to develop a diet plan that is tailored to your horse's individual needs. However, by simply flipping a bag over and reading the ingredients you can become mindful of what you feed your horse and stay away from inflammatory feeds which have long been used and even touted as healthy for the horse. With a simple feed change, you can help prevent chronic low-grade inflammation and keep your horse healthy and thriving.
To find out more about the Inner Glow Omega Booster, click here.
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