Do you really know who you are getting your horse’s feeding advice from? A new register of equine nutritionists and feed advisors has been launched to give owners confidence that the information they are seeking comes from a trusted source.

The British Equestrian Trade Association’s (BETA) Equine Nutritionist and Feed Adviser Register (ENFAR) aims to “promote the highest standards of evidence-based feeding advice for horse owners and the wider industry”.

The project has been led by Dr Katie Williams, of Dengie Horse Feeds, and developed by BETA’s feed committee.

ENFAR has two categories: feed advisers and equine nutritionists. Each person accepted onto the register has committed to engage in continuing professional development and to ENFAR’s code of best practice.

Both advisers and nutritionists must also complete a series of online assessments before they are accepted.

“The assessment process is designed to ensure that everyone is in the right category and be rigorous enough to ensure a minimum standard of competency and knowledge,” said Claire Williams, BETA’s executive director.

“The assessments include technical skills and knowledge, but are also looking at how effectively someone can communicate. Ultimately, we want to be sure that the candidate can advise effectively.”

A BETA spokesperson explained that currently the profession of equine nutritionist has no protected status, which means anyone can call themselves a nutritionist regardless of their qualifications or experience.

“Inevitably this means a lot of advice is of a very poor quality, which has the potential to be detrimental to equine welfare and damage the credibility of those operating professionally,” added the BETA spokesperson.

Dr Katie Williams said that the idea behind ENFAR is to “recognise those who are doing a good job and who horse owners can trust”.

“What I love about the register is that anyone who is giving advice on feeding and nutrition can apply, so ultimately it will help to raise standards across lots of different equestrian professions including veterinary personnel, bodyworkers and coaches,” she said.

The register is live on the BETA website at https://beta-uk.org/enfar-directory/ and professionals wishing to join can also apply online.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘We’re delighted to bring loyal readers this benefit’: H&H magazine subscribers get free website access

Know your forage: which type is right for your horse?

New study confirms – and champions – the life-changing power of horses

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A horse feed has returned to the shelves, eight weeks after it was recalled as a “precautionary measure” over toxin concerns.

Simple System Horse Feeds announced in March it had recalled two batches of its Red Bag Grass Pellets. At the time the company said it had not had any concerns raised by customers, but had chosen to implement a “cautious approach” while it investigated further after a routine toxin screen had exceeded the company’s action limit.

In a statement today (19 May) Simple System confirmed the Red Bag Grass Pellets are “safe to feed” and adhere to the company’s “strict quality criteria”.

“Red Bag Grass Pellets are tested for mycotoxins throughout harvest by our grower, long before the product reaches our bags. Our routine testing, out of harvest season, allows us to check other potential risks, as well as a confirmation of our grower’s testing routines. After further extensive testing across every batch of Red Bag Grass Pellets, and rigorous re-testing of the original two batches, we simply could not repeat the anomaly result,” read the statement.

“Our investigation included more detailed and time-consuming testing, as well as an examination of the original testing methods. We also conducted an in-depth review with our grower of the harvesting, drying and storage methods used. Their extensive records were as thorough as we have come to expect and reinforce the confidence we have in their product quality.”

Simple System Horse Feeds marketing manager Stacey Lascelles said the Red Bag Grass Pellets are available to order again.

“We thank our customers for their patience and understanding during our investigation. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this has caused and for the disruption to horses’ feeding routines,” she said.

“Simple System is dedicated to bringing you the very best feed for your horses. We pride ourselves on our ethics and quality and will always be honest with our customers.”

You might also be interested in:

Feed recalled as ‘precautionary measure’ following routine toxin testing

Know your forage: which type is right for your horse?

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

An equestrian feed manufacturer has recalled two batches of pellets as a “precautionary measure” following routine toxin testing.

Simple System Horse Feeds announced today (20 March) it had recalled two batches of its Red Bag Grass Pellets. A spokesman said all other products and batches are unaffected.

“While we have had no related concerns raised by customers, we are committed to offering the highest quality feeds. As such we have chosen to implement a cautious approach whilst we investigate further,” said the spokesman.

“Additional testing is required to fully assess the issue. As these tests will take time to conclude, we are asking customers to stop feeding Red Bag Grass Pellets from two potentially affected batches.”

The batches are: SSB-20221006-001 and SSB-202221007-001. The batch number can be found printed at the top of the rear of the bag.

“We have so much more we would like to learn around this issue. What we know at this early stage is a routine toxins screen has exceeded our action limit,” said the spokesman.

“The initial indication is that the cause is natural, happening in the field pre-harvest and drying. A result of the extreme drought in the UK last summer, and potentially the specific species of grass, used only in our Red Bag Grass Pellets.”

The spokesman added that any potential negative effect to a horse would lie with feeding “well in excess” of Simple Systems Horse Feeds’ recommendations and “over a long period of time”.

Anyone who has either of the batches is asked to email redbag@simplesystem.co.uk with their name, postcode, telephone number, and the date and location of purchase. A suitable alternative feed will be offered as a replacement.

“We pride ourselves in our ethics and quality. We will always be honest with our customers. We value your trust and support. Your horses come first and foremost in everything that we do,” said the spokesman.

“If you have any concerns with your feeding, please don’t hesitate to contact our feed line on 01284 810 043.”

Update 19 May: Simple System Horse Feeds has announced that following rigorous testing, the Red Bag Grass Pellets are “safe to feed” and adhere to the company’s “strict quality criteria”. Read the full update. 

You might also be interested in:

Adding oats — and other myths about feeding competition horses debunked

Know your forage: which type is right for your horse?

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The new owners of horse feed company Pure Feed say they are “incredibly excited” about the opportunities to develop the brand, which has been bought out of administration.

Parakore Limited bought the “goodwill and assets” of the company from administrators on 2 December, and have got production back up and running.

The business had survived the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic but then faced “unprecedented” increases in the cost of raw materials, as well as a shortage in supplies caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the huge rise in energy costs.

Having worked through these issues, a major supplier “imposed a significant change in trading terms, causing critical cash flow issues”, and the company went into administration in November.

A spokesman for the new owners told H&H production was up and running within 10 days of the sale, and that they are “100% focused on allowing this amazing brand to continue to unlock its true potential by bringing their considerable industry experience, increased levels of capital investment and enhanced marketing capabilities to bear”.

Managing director Chris Spratling told H&H he and his fellow directors are “incredibly excited about the opportunities to develop this amazing brand”.

“The outcry from loyal customers, retail and trade alike, was all the evidence we needed to realise just how cherished the brand is and what a great opportunity exists to develop it further,” he said.

“We appreciate just how difficult the production delays caused by the administration were for customers but rest assured, we’ll be working tirelessly to rebuild the brand’s reputation for quality and service and ensure that customers across the UK have access to this fantastic feed range. Wholesalers and retailers across the UK have already been able to order stock to meet pre-Christmas demand and we expect our website to begin taking orders again on 23 December ready for delivery in early January.”

You might also be interested in:

Nicola Wilson ‘delighted’ to take on role mentoring young riders

Popular brand with strong equestrian ties saved in £34m deal

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Horses’ expanding waistlines is a major concern for owners during the coronavirus lockdown, a survey conducted by a feed company has found.

Fizzy horses, obesity and weight-related complications were among the biggest worries reported by respondents.

Spillers ran the online survey in April, which garnered 372 responses from UK horse owners.

It found that more than half (54%) cited their biggest feed-related concern at the time was weight gain, with 41% worried about laminitis.

While 65% of respondents hadn’t changed their routine, 12% said their horses were now on 24/7 turn-out and 9% were using strip-grazing or a muzzle to limit calorie intake.

It also found that 25% of those who had been previously riding had stopped during lockdown. Among the questions about feed-related concerns, 21% of respondents were worried about fizzy or excitable behaviour, whether on the ground or when riding.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Laminitis: how to spot the signs, plus treatments and ways to prevent it

Calls for owners to be vigilant for laminitis

“We organised the survey to see where and how people might need support and guidance for their horses during this very difficult time,” said Clare Barfoot RNutr, marketing and research and development director at Spillers.

“Obesity and laminitis are serious issues, especially now that the grass is growing in abundance and in particular 24/7 turnout coupled with reduced exercise can significantly increase the risks.

“Now that [British Equestrian] has revised its advice and more people are likely to start riding again, excitable horses and fizzy behaviour may also become a bigger concern.”

We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The FEI has warned against using the muscle stimulant Fustex, which may contain the banned substance propoxyphene, a narcotic pain reliever.

Fustex is made by the Argentinian online seller Chinfield S.A.

Propoxyphene was not listed in product information at the time of a doping offence involving Emirati endurance rider Sheikh Hazza Al Nayhan, but was detected in a Fustex sample tested for the FEI by the Horseracing Forensic Laboratory.

Last month, the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced Sheikh Hazza’s 27-month ban to 18 months after being persuaded of his yard’s efforts to avoid this kind of issue.

The FEI said that in future, “lack of knowledge regarding the ingredients of Fustex will not be a valid excuse in any equine anti-doping procedures.”

Earlier this year the FEI tightened up legal loopholes over supplements, highlighted in the Jock Paget and Kevin McNab case where the provider of the herbal supplement LessStressE admitted he made it on his kitchen table with no product controls.

LessStressE was deemed the source of the banned sedative reserpine, to which both riders’ horses tested positive at Burghley 2013.

The FEI says supplements and herbal remedies can contain prohibited substances not mentioned on the label, or in different amounts to those listed, and underlines that accidental contamination will no longer let riders off the hook.

“Persons Responsible [the rider] are responsible for what their horses ingest and they are, therefore, responsible for any substance found in a sample,” said a spokesman.

“A contaminated supplement will not excuse a positive doping test.

“If in any doubt, do not give it to your horse’.”

The first person exonerated of blame by the FEI Tribunal on grounds of contamination was British endurance rider Christine Yeoman, who in 2010 traced the source of pig fattener ractopamine in her over-the-counter supplement to a feedstuffs plant in the US.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Horse & Hound brings you the latest products on the equestrian market. This round-up features Wolseley, Ariat and Bizzy Bites

Wolseley launches new clipper

Wolseley has launched a heavy duty machine for tougher clipping jobs.

The new lightweight Wolseley Kite is an ergonomically designed clipper with a powerful permanent magnet motor.

The Kite has reduced noise and low vibration and “is designed to meet the most challenging equine clipping requirements” said the company’s product development manager, Jane Trowbridge.

The clipper’s weigh 1.03kg, have a blade speed of 2500 double strokes and a slim handle to make clipping easier especially around difficult places.

The air-cooled motor and ventilated head help keep them cool during use. The washable filters are easily removed and there is an easy to use tensioning system.

The clippers can also be used to clip coarse coated or dirty cattle.

They come with a two-year warranty and will be available in early March.

For more information visit www.stockshop.co.uk

New boots from Ariat

The stylish new Monaco Tall Stretch Zip boots from Ariat have a high Spanish cut to flatter the leg.

The boots are made from French baby calf leather to give a soft luxurious feel and have an inner panel made from oiled leather for grip.

The technology used in the boots means riders do not have to spend hours “breaking them in,” said a spokesman from Ariat. The air cell mesh lining on the boot’s shaft allows moisture to evaporate easily.

The boots are designed with an ultra contoured ankle to ensure a closer contact to the horse.

Other features include a simple square toe, black patent leather cuff detail, swagger tab and sterling silver log plaque at the top of the boot.

The boots use patented ATS technology for comfort and have a leather outsole with a Duratread foot overlay for stability.

They are available in ladies sizes 3-8.5 in black only, priced £589.99.

For more information visit www.ariat.com

New teething toy for young horses from Bizzy Bites

A new equine toy is being launched to stop young horses from getting bored.

Bizzy Bites has been created by horse owner and mother Nicola Ramirez.

She saw the parallels between young animals and children of teething age realising they all needed to bite on something to alleviate the symptoms of teething.

The “patent pending” product will be available in March.

The stable teething toy comes in pink or aqua colours and has wings to give equines a mouthing and biting surface.

The Bizzy Bite can be wall mounted on a bracket (bought separately) that enables the toy to spin round.

It can also be hung on a lead rope from an attachment on its top or just placed on the stable floor.

A molasses based edible lick devised by nutrionists is inserted into the middle of the toy.

The licks last for weeks and can also be bought separately.

The Bizzy Bites stable toy costs £35.

For more information visit www.bizzybites.co.uk

An advert that shows “before and after” photos of a horse who was near death has provoked complaints.

The advert for Blue Chip appeared in H&H (6 November) and shows “Hope” lying in a field of mud “before”, and then frolicking in an arena “after”.

The picture is accompanied by the following text from vet Vikki Fowler: “Blue Chip Original is the product that I recommend to anyone who struggles with their horse’s condition.

“I have used Blue Chip for the past 11 years and it is the product I turned to to help Hope, who I rescued from near death and who is now flourishing.”

H&H has received several complaints from readers, including “the horse looks dead”, “the horse looks like it has a plastic bag on its head” and “it’s not the same horse”.

One reader has told H&H she has reported it to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). However, Blue Chip told H&H it had not been contacted by the organisation.

“There is what looks like a dead pony with a polythene bag over its head at the bottom of the page and at the top is a healthy horse,” said the reader.

“Blue Chip is suggesting this is the same animal. Reviving dead animals is a miracle property for any feed to have. Changing a pony into a horse, including its colour and markings, is another.”

Blue Chip countered this, however. “We’ve recently had a couple of emails about our new advert,” a spokesman said.

“We can absolutely confirm that it is the same horse. The conditions that she was rescued from were appalling and very muddy, and we can only put the black appearance of her feathers in the ‘before’ photo down to this.

We always thoroughly check the sources and photographs that we are sent, and as one of the most respected and high profile equine nutrition brands in the UK, we would never compromise our principles in any way.”

Ref: H&H, 11 December 2014

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Nutritional consultant Sally Tobin has launched the Healthy Horse Company to help improve equine diets.

“Horse owners tend to buy hay or haylage without knowing the nutritional or mineral content,” she said.

The company uses accredited labs in the UK and abroad to give a nutritional and mineral profile of hay, haylage and grass.

Samples of 100gms of hay are tested to identify the digestible energy, protein, sugars and range of macro-minerals.

This type of analysis has been used for many years by farmers to help create diets for cattle.

It is now becoming more common in the horse world, believes Tobin, for all types of horses from youngsters to eventers.

The levels of sugars shown are “particularly important for those managing laminitic ponies or horses,” she said.

Owners are advised on any mineral deficiencies in their equine’s forage and how to balance them with additional supplements.

“There’s no point buying supplements until you know what’s in your hay,” maintains Ms Tobin.

The company can provide bespoke feeding plans depending on a horse’s age and work.

Prices for the hay and haylage nutritional analysis start at £25, the bespoke feeding plan is £65.

More information on the Healthy Horse Company

A lawyer involved in high-profile feed contamination cases has called for more leniency in racing and equestrian anti-doping rules in cases where fault is accepted by feed suppliers.

Jeremy Dickerson, who recently represented eventer Jock Paget, said new contamination cases in the racing industry highlighted that no-one was “immune.”

Mr Dickerson was commenting on last week’s (21 July) revelations that the Queen’s 2014 Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Estimate (pictured above), trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is among seven racehorses testing positive for the banned substance morphine — at least four having been fed suspected contaminated Dodson & Horrell Alfalfa Oil Plus.

Dodson & Horrell immediately recalled the affected batch and traced the source — presumed to be rogue poppy seeds — to the fibre supplier.

But there is pressure to isolate the cause. Further racing cases are rumoured, and Dodson & Horrell is official supplier to the British equestrian team heading for the World Equestrian Games. Allen and Page also uses the same supplier and says it found low levels of contamination in a raw material, however the company has no involvement with the positive tests outlined.

Alfalfa Oil Plus is aimed at elite horses, who in turn are subject to sophisticated anti-doping sampling by racing jurisdictions and the FEI. Morphine is allowed in training, but not on racedays in racing. In equestrianism morphine appears on the controlled medications list, meaning it is banned in competition, but exceptions can be applied for.

However, even when connections are ultimately exonerated of blame or intent to influence performance, they are still subjected to disqualification from the relevant race or competition. The National Trainers’ Association says it may seek discussions about compensation.

Estimate faces disqualification from this year’s race, forfeiting the £80,625 prize money.

Rigorous testing by feed companies

This is the first morphine contamination case since the Naturally Occuring Prohibited Substances (NOPS) scheme was introduced in 2009 by the British Equestrian Trade Association. Most manufacturers adhere, reducing the risk of accidental contamination in the supply and manufacture chains by rigorous testing.

NOPS followed a lengthy court case after the Willie Mullins-trained Be My Royal was disqualified from the 2002 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. Between that incident and 2009,

45 British racehorses and nine Irish returned positive morphine tests, linked at the time to feed from Dodson & Horrell and Connolly’s Red Mills.

In 2010, Mr Dickerson successfully represented British endurance rider Christine Yeoman at a FEI doping Tribunal, tracing the source of her ractopamine-contaminated supplement to a bona fide US factory.

The FEI Tribunal ruled that feeding supplements to top level equine athletes was not “optional” and that riders and trainers “are not the proper party to bear the risk of supplements contaminated at manufacturer level”. However, Mrs Yeoman still forfeited her Euston Park win.

Mr Dickerson recently represented Burghley winner Jock Paget, whose provisional suspension for reserpine was lifted in June using a similar no-fault, no negligence defence. “The morphine case is still unravelling, but it illustrates that however reputable your supplier, no-one is immune,” said Mr Dickerson. “When the issue of contamination seems rife, it always strikes me as unfair that you can still get your ban.”

All racehorses that have returned positive samples were tested between 19-26 June.

The BEF told H&H that they did not know yet whether any riders “had fallen foul” during its testing, but that all riders using the affected feed had been contacted.

“I am completely satisfied that Dodson & Horell have reacted quickly and efficiently,” said Will Connell of the BEF. “I do not see this having any negative effect on the British teams preparing for Hickstead or WEG. There was a mistake made, it was identified and rectified and this is not a cause for panic.”

First published in Horse & Hound magazine on 31 July 2014

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The world of horse feed is constantly changing thanks to research and investigation by the leading feed companies. If feed is what fascinates you, here’s a look at the latest developments and the research that goes on behind the scenes.

1. Calming

Equifeast have conducted trials with their customers linking behaviour with diet and the levels of magnesium and chelated calcium in the blood. As a result, the team suggest that it is all too easy to provide your horse with too much magnesium, which anecdotally is believed to lead to difficult behaviour.

“We believe we have identified a range for blood magnesium levels,” says research director Malcolm Green.”But getting the blood magnesium into this range is not itself enough to guarantee good behaviour and performance.

“More than half the ‘difficult horses‘ blood tested had magnesium in our ideal range. But it was not until we added chelated calcium to those diets that our customers felt behaviour stabilised. These findings are supported by our database of thousands of horses monitored through the first months of supplementation.

“Similarly, horses with plenty of chelated calcium but too much or too little magnesium also showed unreliable behaviour. It stabilised in 90% of the cases we looked at when both chelated calcium and magnesium levels were appropriate, in our opinion.”

More details: www.youtube.com/equifest

2. Ulcers

The horse’s stomach constantly secretes hydrochloric acid, which is essential for digestion in a trickle-eating animal such as an equine. However, when your horse is fed individual meals, or if he is stressed, there can be a disruption in normal gastric functioning.

“As a result, excess acid is not bound within the food and mucin (glycoprotein) secretion can stop,” says Dr Tom Shurlock of British Horse Feeds. “This exposes the stomach lining and the acid can act directly on it. The rising acidity of the contents of the stomach can encourage specialist bacteria that will digest the stomach wall and ulceration occurs.”

Clinical trials have shown that pectin, at high levels of acidity, forms a gel (in nutritional terms pectins are defined as mucilages) that strengthens and thickens the stomach mucin. The presence of an emulsifying agent — a surfactant — facilitates this process.

“Recent research has found that both pectin and beta glucans are readily leached from fibre by stomach acid. About 70% of structural pectin and 50% of beta glucan are released into the stomach. The richest sources of these nutrients are beet pulp [pectin] and oat fibre [beta glucan].

“By feeding thse products daily, you may well be able to maintain stomach function.”

More details: www.britishhorsefeeds.com

Reference: Murray MJ, Grady TC: The effect of a pectin-lecithin complex on prevention of gastric mucosal lesions induced by feed deprivation in ponies. Equine Veterinary Journal: 34(2), 195-108, 2002

3. Micronutrients

A recent survey by Dodson & Horrell collected information on the diet and management of elite performance horses in the UK. Their concentrate fee and forage was weighed and samples analysed to test the nutrient value. Details of their daily exercise, bodweight and fat score were also recorded.

The findings were as follows:

>The average fat score of all disciplines was neck 3.5 (out of a possible 5), middle 3.5 and rump 3, (3-3.5 is an acceptable guideline for a leisure horse), but there was a trend for dressage horses to have higher neck scores. The majority of horses received 2% of bodyweight as forage and all were fed some form of concentrate feed.

>The micronutrient intake of horses competing at lower levels was adequate, but those competing at higher levels were not receiving optimal levels. The main explanation for this was confusion between temperament and the supply of calories.

The authors of the study concluded that continued education was needed to enable horse owners to balance calorie intake correctly, particularly in excitable horses, with optimal micronutrient provision.

More details: www.dodsonandhorrell.com

Reference: www.dodsonandhorrell.com/nutrition-feeding-advice/weight-loss-gain

4. Flavour

Saracen is working with a team of flavouring experts to formulate some unique tastes within its performance horse range. These have been trialled and have been shown to help maintain feed intake in even the fussiest of horses. Watch this space.

More details: www.saracenhorsefeeds.com

5. Hydration

Research by the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition — behind the Spillers and Winergy brands — and Michigan State University suggests that short-chop fibre may positively affect your horse’s hydration levels. Results showed that during exercise, the body mass of horses fed grass hay and short chop was lowest because the rapidly fermentable fibres may have created a greater “pool” of available water, allowing increased thermoregulation via sweating.

More details: www.winergy.com and www.spillers-feeds.com

Reference: Spooner H. S., Nielsen B. D., Schott II H. C.,. O’Connor-Robison C. I, and HARRIS P (2013) Hydration status of horses performing endurance exercise: II. Evidence for a role of dietary fibre type, not oil supplementation Journal Comparative Exercise Physiology (in press)

6. Wet steam extrusion

We asked Dr Catherine Dunnett, consultant equine nutritionist to Keyflow, to explain what this is.

“Poor digestibility of starch in the small intestine, such as that from some straight cereals, pelleted ingredients, or other uncooked raw materials, is economically inefficient [as you have to feed larger quantties to achieve the same energy output],” she says. “It can pose a risk for digestive problems, including colic, laminitis, colitis and can even have a negative effect on immune function.

“Cooking cereals untangles the complicated molecular structure of starch, making it more easily digested in the small intestine. Wet steam extrusion injects moisture and heat into the feed ingredients — so cooking it efficiently.

“It can also make other feed components such as amino acids [proteins] and oils more accessible to digestive enzymes, meaning that overall your horse gets more out of his feed.”

More details: www.keyflowfeeds.com

For more information on how to feed fussy eaters and difficult dieters, don’t miss 13 February 2014 Horse & Hound magazine.

Leading feed supplier TopSpec has introduced a feed balancer designed to promote healthy joint function.

TopSpec Joint Feed Balancer is a non-heating feed, combining the benefits of a conditioning feed balancer with a joint supplement.

It is designed to support the maintenance of healthy joints, promote muscle development and topline, optimise bone strength, improve hoof quality and produce supple skin and a shiny coat thanks to veterinary-recommended levels of glucosamine, vitamins and minerals.

It is rich in the building blocks for hyaluronic acid and chondroitin, which help alleviate symptoms of joint disease and arthritis.

It is available in 15kg sacks; RRP £33.50.

For information, visit www.topspec.com or tel: 01845 565030

Horse owners are being warned to brace themselves for higher feed prices this winter, following the worst harvest for 20 years.

With wheat yields down by as much as 14% in parts of the country, the cost of cereal crops has rocketed. Grain costs have also been driven up by droughts in the USA and Russia.

“It is definitely going to have an impact on riders’ feed bills,” said Emma Penny, editor of Farmers Guardian.

“It has been so wet that quality has been affected really badly. This year’s crops are very light in terms of bushel weight.”

The price of soya — much of which is grown in the American Midwest — has also risen dramatically because of drought. Manufacturers are currently paying about £400 per tonne. This time last year the price was £280 a tonne.

H&H spoke to several British feed manufacturers. All were gloomy about the effects of wholesale prices on their businesses and some warned that further price increases were likely.

Robert Clegg, commercial director of Spillers, said they had seen a 30% rise in wheat prices since the spring. The situation for proteins and soya was “also very tight”, due to global demand for the products.

“Undoubtedly we will experience higher feed prices during the winter, as the higher cereal and protein prices are passed on through the food chain,” he added.

Spillers is not planning to put prices up at the moment.

Paul Ainsworth, founder of Sussex-based Falcon Equine Feeds, said the wet summer had dramatically affected the quality of crops.

“We have been very careful and have bought the quality stuff — and that has an impact [financially],” he said.

Falcon had a small price increase at the start of October, of around 30p on a 20kg bag.

Mr Ainsworth told H&H he was doing his best to absorb costs rather than pass them on.

“We are trying to look after our customers, but this is only going to go one way — all raw materials have gone up and are looking like they will keep going up,” he said.

He is hoping that savvy buying decisions will help to keep the cost to the customer stable.

In early September when the shortages were becoming apparent, he opted for a strategy of buying at a fixed price for the next few months.

“It is always a bit of a gamble, but it’s looking like the right decision,” he said.

Allen & Page also put its prices up. On 1 September a 20kg bag rose by 20p.

“Prices hadn’t changed since February 2011, which is down to good buying decisions,” said marketing manager Clara Baillie-Lane.

“But we may have to have a further small increase, possibly this winter.”

But for smaller feed merchants, the strategy of “buying forward” is not an option.

Balanced Horse Feeds of Chessington, Surrey, sells most of its products locally. Prices went up on 1 September for the first time in 18 months — by around £1 for a 20kg bag.

“We absorbed the increases for as long as we could, until we were almost making a loss on bags of food,” said the company’s marketing manager Becka Foster.

“We are hoping not to have to put prices up again for six months, but we cannot anticipate our suppliers’ costs — and we don’t get a great deal of warning,” she added.

H&H also contacted Dengie and Dodson & Horrell, who did not wish to comment on the likelihood of price increases.

Dengie did, however, stress that the home-grown alfalfa used in its feeds was “hardy and resilient” and could be harvested several times a year — reducing the company’s reliance on imported raw materials.

But with the wet weather continuing into the autumn, concern is now turning to the planting of next year’s harvest.

In many places, the ground is so wet that farmers are having problems drilling wheat.

But Jane Buchan of Baileys warned that a good harvest in 2013 may not halt the spiraling cost of cereals.

“People think maybe next year we’ll have a bumper harvest and wheat prices will plummet,” she said.

“But when oil prices come down, the price of petrol doesn’t drop.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (25 October 2012)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Equestrian feed company Dengie has launched a new fibre feed to promote healthy digestion.

“Healthy Tummy” is made from alfalfa – a natural buffer to acidity in the horse’s gut – and includes oregano, cinnamon and ginger, which are believed to be powerful antioxidants, as well as improving the taste.

“Protexin In-Feed Formula” – with prebiotics and live yeast – has been included to aid digestion. It also contains vitamins, minerals and soya oil for slow-release energy and coat shine.

“There is a lot of evidence to show that low-fibre diets contribute to gastric ulcers,” said Dengie’s Katie Williams.

“But it is becoming increasingly apparent that the stresses of many horses’ lifestyles, even those in light work, are also contributing to the problem.

“Healthy Tummy has been designed so that you can enjoy spending time with your horse doing fun and exciting things, without worrying that you could be compromising their health.”

It can be fed alone to horses in rest or in light work, and alongside other feeds for those in moderate to hard work.

Healthy Tummy is available in 15kg bales and has a launch price of £8.99. It will usually cost £10.99.

For more information visit: www.dengie.com

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Horse feed company HaySoft – which has previously specialised in haylage – has added two types of chaff to its range.

Like its haylage, HaySoft’s new “Hay Chaff” and “Oat Chaff” are both sourced and produced in Essex.

“HaySoft Chaff is produced from closely monitored grown grass and straw, that is cut at a time to provide optimum dietary benefits,” said a spokesperson.

As an addition to your horse’s hard feed the chaff provides high levels of fibre and slows down their rate of eating, promoting a healthy digestive system.

The “Oat Chaff” in particular is low in calories and ideal for good doers.

For more information visit www.haysoft.co.uk

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Mail order feed company Efeed.co.uk is back in business, delivering feed, bedding, supplements and haylage direct to yards and homes across the UK.

The website – run by Simon and Sarah Hughes from their base in Bicester – has been trading for nearly two months.

Sarah Hughes said: “We want to be the UK equestrian’s “go to” place for horse feed, meaning that those who want to spend more time riding and less time collecting heavy feed can do so.

“Equally, for those in more remote locations, or people who just want a range of horse feed, bedding, haylage and supplements delivered with minimal stress, we can do it,” she added.

Efeed.co.uk was set up by its previous owner, but ceased trading in July. Mr and Mrs Hughes took the business on soon after – and say they are getting great feedback from customers.

Rodney Hughes, Simon Hughes’s father, told H&H:

“We are getting customers saying “thank heavens you’re back. We have been delivering all over the place – even to the Scottish islands.”

Efeed.co.uk can supply products to single horse owners as well as large yards. Items are delivered by courier and a bulk discount is available if more than 40 items are ordered.

Mrs Hughes said: “You can place your order whenever you like as we’re online, so you’re not restricted to working hours. So you can make the most of the reduced daylight hours this winter, spending as many as possible on your horse.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A new “Non Tip Feeder” has been launched – designed to save “time, money and food”.

“The Non Tip Feeder ensures that horses and ponies are eating from a natural position allowing their jaws to work properly,” said a spokesman for the company. “This means their teeth wear evenly, thereby producing more saliva to help digest food better.”

The company also claims the feeders help to guard against cases of colic in horses as the horse can’t pick up dust, mud or stones.

It is lightweight and easy to carry and has no rough surfaces so is easy to clean.

The Non Tip Feeder costs £39.99.

For more information visit: www.nontipfeeder.com

Online feed merchant Efeed.co.uk, based in Newbury, Berkshire, is closing down and will cease trading on Friday (22 July).

Managing director Stuart Fitzgerald said he is closing the business to focus on his bedding brand (White Horse Bedding Ltd) and domestic solid fuel business, White Horse Energy.

He said: “Despite attempts to move Efeed.co.uk onto a new owner we have been unable to find a suitable buyer for the business and will be closing the online store in order to concentrate our energy on our core and fastest growing divisions.

“We will ensure that existing orders are fulfilled with our normal high level of customer service and are offering the remaining stock to customers at a phased discount over the course of this week, ending Friday 22 July.”

The company website, domain name and trademark are being sold on eBay, in an auction that ends on Monday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Sugar beet prices are expected to rise sharply in coming months following the 15 per cent loss of the British crop and a rising demand for commodities such as beet on the world market.

Much of the British sugar beet harvest was lost after sharp frosts in November and December caused it to rot in fields before it could be processed.

British Horse Feeds, which produces Speedi-Beet, has increased its price for a 20kg bag by 50p from £8.90 in December to £9.40 in January.

And the firm’s Simon Parker could not rule out the possibility of a £10 bag.

He said: “We have a contract for beet pulp supplies and prices have consistently been going up, not just because of the recent harsh weather, but also because of the rise in demand for all raw commodities.

“We anticipate we will have to pay more and this will have to be passed on, though we seek to minimise increases given our buying power.”

Dodson & Horrell, the manufacturer of Kwikbeet, has held prices at £9.50 per 20kg bag since the autumn.

Technical director Chris Gordon said: “We are not contemplating [price] increases at this stage and, if there is a shortfall in British beet, our suppliers will bring it in from other parts of Europe.

“What we cannot foresee, however, is the demand for raw materials on the world commodity market.”

The price of mollassed sugar beet, which is combined with nuts or coarse mix in horse feed, is about £7 per 20kg bag and it is possible the price of this raw product may be forced up.

Claire Williams of the British Equestrian Trade Association said it was keeping a watch on prices.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (3 March, 2011)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A new fibre feed for older horses and ponies has been produced by Spillers.

Spillers Senior Fibre aims to supply older equines with the extra nutritional support they need to help them stay healthy.

The feed is a balanced blend of natural fibres containing short chopped alfalfa and straw together with mint, garlic and soya oil.

Older horses may also have stiffer joints, be less effective at digesting certain nutrients and they may have compromised immunity.

Spillers Senior Fibre contains glucosamine to help support joint function, live yeast to support fibre digestion and maintain gut health and vitamin E and selenium to help support the immune system.

The short chop and soft texture is also designed to make it easier on the mouth for older horses who have worn or fewer teeth and are struggling to chew and grind properly.

Clare Barfoot, registered nutritionist and research and Development manager for Spillers said: “Horses and ponies are living longer and longer and many continue to lead active lives well into their 20s and 30s. This is in no small part down to improved nutritional support. Adding a purpose-designed fibre to your senior feed can help support overall health, condition and general wellbeing.”

Spillers Senior Fibre costs £11.99.

For more information visit: www.spillers-feeds.com

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Spillers has created an exciting new range of cereal-free balancers, to help ensure every horse has a perfect diet.

Each balancer has been designed to provide enhanced daily balanced nutrition and can be used alone or in addition to your compound feed without the concern of over-supplementation.

Spillers Original Balancer is suitable for all horses and ponies and gives the flexibility to feed a variety of horses and ponies across a yard.

Spillers Lite Balancer is for the specialist needs of all ‘good doers’ and overweight horses and ponies, providing a truly balanced diet without unwanted calories. It is also suitable for horses and ponies prone to laminitis.

Spillers Senior Balancer offers unrivalled nutrition and joint support for the older horse or pony to help keep them in optimal condition.

Spillers Performance Balancer delivers additional essential vitamins and minerals necessary to support the equine athlete.

Spillers Gro ‘N’ Win Stud Balancer meets the increased nutritional needs of foals, youngstock and pregnant or lactating mares.

For further feeding advice telephone the Spillers care-Line on 01908 226626 or email careline@spillers-feeds.com.

Visit the Spillers website at www.spillers-feeds.com.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The first cold-pressed rapeseed oil for horses has just come onto the market as a collaboration between a fledgling Yorkshire business and established equine wholesaler Battle, Hayward & Bower Ltd.

North Yorkshire food manufacturer Breckenholme Trading Company Ltd launched Omega Gold For Horses at BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association) trade fair earlier this year, attracting the attention of the national wholesalers.

Omega Gold will be integrated into the well-established Lincoln brand — as Lincoln Omega Gold — and launches this month.

Breckenholme’s Adam Palmer said: “The benefits of feeding oil to horses are well documented and there has been a huge influx of high oil content feeds to the equestrian market.

“Historically, many vegetable oils have been produced using a heat extraction technique that, although cost effective, destroys the oil’s goodness and only provides the horse with calories, not health benefits.

“Lincoln Omega Gold however is cold pressed to retain the essential fatty acids omega-3 and 6 and the antioxidant vitamin E.”

Omega Gold has been researched by independent equine nutritionist Dr Catherine Dunnett who said: “Supplementation of the equine diet with rapeseed oil offers many potential advantages ranging from effects on behaviour to those on performance and health. Rapeseed oil appears to be readily accepted by horses.”

If you are interested in stocking this product, would like to find your local stockist or are interested in finding out more about the benefits of feeding cold pressed rapeseed oil to horses, visit www.Lincoln-OmegaGold.co.uk

Would you like to receive the latest trade news direct to your inbox every Tuesday? Then sign up for Horse & Hound’s free trade e-newsletter now

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A major horse feed manufacturer is offering 50 horse owners, whose horses may have digestive or niggling health problems, the opportunity to participate in a free health trial.

The manufacturers of WINERGY Equilibrium (WE), a fibre-based feed which it claims requires no extra supplements, would like horse owners to participate in the trials if their horse is suffering from any digestive difficulties.

A spokesperson for WINERGY Equilibrium said: “WE is looking to work with 50 horse owners nationwide to share the difference WE can make to a horse or pony. So if you are concerned about your horse or pony’s digestive health — perhaps you have noticed he or she has loose droppings, crib bites, lacks condition or is aggressive or irritable, then get in touch and join the trial.”

The trial will be conducted over four weeks in September. To sign up either email helen.walker@effem-equine.com or go to www.winergy.com and register as a trialist.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The term GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) describes seeds and crops which have been manipulated by enhancing or inserting genes to produce characteristics – often linked to disease or pesticide resistance – that are not preset following normal plant breeding and crossing (hybridisation).

GM technologies are widespread, with the most frequently grown crops being soya, maize, rapeseed and cotton. In 2003, GM plants were produced in 18 different countries, covering a land area of 70 million hectares (the vast majority in the Americas). In fact, 80% of American and Canadian – and 95% of Argentine – soya bean crops are GM.

The situation in Europe is very different: only a small amount of GM yellow maize was grown before a recent ruling which approved the growing of forage maize in the UK. Forage maize is commonly used for feeding dairy cows, but is extremely rare as a horse feed.

Changes to the way human and animal feeds are labelled within the EU with respect to GMOs have also been made recently.

Feed products and additives now have to be labelled as containing GMOs if they contain, consist of or were produced from a GMO. Products with traces of GMOs below a defined threshold – set at 0.9% – do not have to be labelled if it can be shown that the traces were technically unavoidable, for instance from cross-contamination.

To guarantee this, a complex paper trail of traceability, known as “identity preserved”, has to be in place, but it is estimated that only about 5% of soya imported into the EU meets these criteria. As a result, feeds made with soya and maize products are increasingly likely to come from a GM-sourced crop.

Get to grips with GM

• Non-GM or GM-free? It is virtually impossible to claim a feedstuff is GM-free, as even with tight quality control, accidental contamination of a non-GM crop cannot be ruled out. Non-GM describes products from ingredients where every effort has been made to exclude GM material
• What is in UK horse feeds? Many of the main brands source non-GM material, even where the soya is from the Americas. Flaked maize is usually European, but some maize by-products can be from the US
• Can feed still be non-GM under the new legislation? If manufacturers adhere to the above guidelines, they can continue to state non-GMO on the packaging
• Does it matter? The issue usually arises only when owners wish to sell manure to organic farms. To maintain organic status, farmers need an assurance that the feeds being used are non-GM

This article was first published as part of H&H’s regular feed forum column.

As the weather turns chilly, owners of horses that lose condition during the winter will be considering changes to their feeding regime.

Although striking the balance between boosting condition and maintaining rideability is always difficult, Dodson & Horrell’s free “conditioning pack” may help. It includes advice on “feeding with condition in mind”, which may help owners decide on an ideal feeding plan for the coming months.

The pack also contains a condition score card to help owners monitor weight loss and gain, a guide to herbs, a guide to Dodson & Horrell’s products, a complimentary feed voucher, a sample of Build-Up, and a helpline card.

For your free Dodson & Horrell conditioning pack or for expert advice on your horse’s diet, call the Dodson & Horrell helpline (tel: 0870 442 3322).

For more information on the Dodson & Horrell range of feeds visit: www.dodsonandhorrell.com