We are finally heading out of winter, the sunshine has arrived (for now!) though there is some grass emerging, many horse owners are struggling with their horses condition, having had an extensive cold, wet winter has impacted the grass growth. Ensuring your horses have access to great levels of quality forage is our first point … Continued
Feeding the racehorse is an art as well as a science. When it comes to nutritional requirements racehorses must be prepared for optimum performance and in peak health. Gut health must be considered, and promoted just as significantly as musculoskeletal health as often unbeknown to the eye, it will directly influence nutrient uptake and performance. … Continued
The last week has seen a little promise that Spring is here. We have welcomed some early Keyflow foals already and we look forward to seeing more as we move through the foaling season. Through our advice line we are also supporting owners and breeders with nutrition advice for broodmares and breeding stallions. We are … Continued
As the lockdown is due to ease, many of us are looking forward to taking our horses out and about, whether that’s for some training at a clinic, the first competition of the season, or a fun ride to the beach! Our experienced team of feed technical nutritional advisors are gearing up for a busy … Continued
Managing a veteran horse can be a real challenge. OAP’s (Old Age Ponies, and horses) deserve the very best of care and require a huge commitment and attention to detail. Some horses require extra care and more support than others. We have developed the Keyflow Golden Oldies Checklist- to help you to ensure that the … Continued
The horse’s lungs will inhale and exhale up to 2000 litres of air in a 5 furlong race. Around 70% of the energy production will be anaerobic, whereas in a horse running over a longer distance, up to 90% will be anaerobic. The process of anaerobic respiration is very fast, but inefficient, and it can … Continued
A 500kg Thoroughbred contains approximately 300 litres of water. Optimal hydration will facilitate optimal performance. We know that dehydration can significantly affect performance but we are usually more aware of this in warm weather, and in horses who are worked at a level that induces sweating. We look at the water volume lost, and associated … Continued
The process of digestion can be considered to be mechanical and/or chemical. The first stage of (mechanical) digestion starts as the teeth cut and grind the food. The teeth of a horse are constantly erupting, which means they emerge more from the gum over time. They do not look to get longer as they are … Continued
Even over 30 years ago, research conducted by the NRC (National Research Council) found that broodmares in the last trimester of gestation can have a 50% reduction in their appetite for forage, sometimes consuming as little as 1% bodyweight in hay. Their demand for forage returns slowly after parturition, but is still markedly reduced during … Continued
Due to the constant changes in the current weather, the icy conditions and fluctuating temperatures, the Keyflow team have noticed a significant rise in the number of calls, messages and advice enquiries relating to horses suffering bouts of colic. We have put together a series of colic prevention tips, to support you to keep your … Continued