FEED ADVICE – HEALTH
Colic in Horse: Understanding and Prevention Tips
Colic in horses is a term used to describe abdominal pain rather than a specific diagnosis. It can stem from various gastrointestinal conditions as well as other causes of abdominal pain not related to the gastrointestinal tract.
Key Highlights
Colic in horses is defined as general abdominal pain and can encompass various different gastrointestinal conditions.
There are 6 defined types of colic which cover a broad spectrum of conditions.
Common clinical signs include rolling, pawing, frequent glancing at the flank and an increased heart rate.
Rapid veterinary intervention is crucial, as colic can be fatal – early treatment can significantly improve the outcome and may prevent serious complications.
Understanding Colic
Colic in horses can stem from various causes, encompassing diet-related factors, stress, and environmental changes. Some of these factors include:
Dietary Factors: Rapid changes in type of feed or quantity, overconsumption of sugar, or feeding low-quality forage can disrupt the delicate balance of the digestive system, predisposing horses to colic.
Parasitic Infestation: Internal parasites, including tapeworms, pose a significant colic risk. Their presence can lead to inflammation, impaction, or obstruction of the intestines, contributing to colic episodes.
Grazing Management: Abrupt transitions from dry forage to lush pasture or inadequate turnout time can disrupt the horse’s digestive balance, leading to gastrointestinal upset and colic.
Stress and Environmental Factors: Horses are highly sensitive, and changes in routine, transportation, or confinement can induce stress, triggering colic symptoms. Additionally, environmental stressors such as extreme temperatures or social isolation can exacerbate the risk of colic.
Dental Health: Proper dental care is paramount for effective digestion in horses. Dental abnormalities, such as sharp points or malocclusions, can impede chewing and hinder the breakdown of feed particles, predisposing horses to colic.
Hydration Status: Inadequate water intake or dehydration can impair gastrointestinal motility, leading to impactions or sluggish bowel movements, common culprits of colic.
Types of Colic
There are 6 broad terms used to describe the different types of colic:
- Gas Colic: Characterised by the build-up of gas in the intestines, often due to fermentation of feed or sudden dietary changes. This accumulation causes distension and pain in the abdomen, typically manifesting as restlessness and discomfort in the affected horse.
- Impaction Colic: occurs when feed, sand, or other materials block the intestines, preventing normal passage. This blockage leads to severe abdominal pain, dehydration, and reduced appetite.
- Spasmodic Colic: caused by increased intestinal motility and muscle spasms, leading to intermittent and intense abdominal pain. It is often triggered by dietary changes, stress, or parasitic infections.
- Strangulation: occurs when the blood supply to a section of the intestine is cut off, often due to a twist or entrapment. This condition causes severe abdominal pain and rapid deterioration, necessitating emergency veterinary intervention and often surgery to prevent tissue death and further complications.
- Sand Colic: caused by the ingestion of sand or dirt, which accumulates in the horse’s intestines. This can lead to blockages, irritation, and inflammation, resulting in abdominal pain and discomfort.
- Displacement: occurs when a section of the intestine moves from its normal position, often causing a twist or blockage. This displacement can disrupt blood flow and digestion, leading to severe abdominal pain and requiring prompt veterinary intervention.
Recognising clinical signs of Colic
Behavioral changes and physical signs are crucial in recognising colic in horses.
Behavioural Changes:
Restlessness: The horse may appear anxious, pacing or unable to stand still.
Pawing: Repeatedly pawing at the ground is a common sign of discomfort.
Rolling: Horses with colic often roll to try and alleviate abdominal pain.
Sweating: Excessive sweating, particularly in the absence of exercise, is often a sign of distress.
Abdominal Stretching: The horse may stretch out as though trying to urinate, due to pain.
Lying Down and Standing Up: Repeatedly lying down and standing up can be a sign of discomfort and attempts to find relief.
Physical Changes:
Reduced or Absent Appetite: Horses with colic often refuse food or water due to pain.
Reduced or Absent Gut Sounds: A decrease or complete absence of gut sounds may indicate gut dysfunction.
Elevated Heart Rate: A heart rate above 48 beats per minute is a key indicator of colic-related distress.
Tachypnoea (Rapid Breathing): Breathing above 20 breaths per minute can signal pain or shock.
Temperature Changes: Normal body temperature ranges from 37.5°C to 38.5°C. A temperature drop below 37.0°C may indicate shock or severe colic.
Diagnosis of Colic
Diagnostic procedures for colic involve thorough examinations by vets. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for providing the correct treatment swiftly.
1. Initial Examination Steps
During the initial examination of a colic horse, veterinarians focus on assessing vital signs such as heart rate and respiratory rate, as well as the hydration status and signs of abdominal pain.
- Heart Rate: An elevated heart rate (over 50 beats per minute) can indicate pain and stress. Severe colic often results in a heart rate exceeding 70 beats per minute.
- Respiratory Rate: An increased respiratory rate can accompany pain and stress.
- Mucous Membrane Colour: Checking the colour and moisture of the gums can provide clues about circulation and hydration. Pale or blue-tinged gums can indicate poor circulation or shock.
- Capillary Refill Time: Pressing on the gums and measuring the time it takes for colour to return helps assess blood flow and hydration status.
A rectal examination is often performed to assess the condition of the gastrointestinal tract. This involves a veterinarian manually examining the horse’s rectum. This can help identify specific types of colic, such as impaction, displacement, or twisted intestines.
2. Diagnostic Tools and Their Importance
Diagnostic tools play a crucial role in identifying the underlying causes of colic in horses. Technologies like ultrasound, endoscopy, and radiography aid veterinarians in assessing the severity and determining the most effective treatment plan. These tools provide detailed insights into the horse’s gastrointestinal tract, blood supply, and any abnormalities that may be contributing to the abdominal pain.
Nasogastric Intubation:
A tube is passed through the horse’s nose into the stomach to relieve built-up gas and fluid. The presence of reflux (large amounts of fluid) can indicate a blockage or severe motility issue in the intestines. This procedure also allows for the administration of medications directly into the stomach.
Ultrasound and Radiography:
Ultrasound: Non-invasive imaging to visualise the intestines, assess motility, and identify abnormalities such as displacements, blockages, or excessive fluid.
Radiography: X-rays can be particularly useful for diagnosing sand colic by showing the presence of sand or other foreign materials in the intestines.
Blood Tests:
Blood tests help evaluate the horse’s overall health and pinpoint specific issues.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): Assesses for signs of infection or inflammation.
Serum Chemistry: Evaluates organ function and electrolyte balance.
Lactate Levels: Elevated lactate levels can indicate poor blood flow to the intestines, a sign of severe or strangulating colic.
Prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and can significantly impact the horse’s prognosis. Veterinary intervention should be sought at the first signs of colic to ensure the best possible outcome.
Treatment Options for Colic
The treatment for colic in horses depends on its severity and underlying cause. There are two main approaches: non-surgical management and surgical intervention.
Non-Surgical Management and Care
Non-surgical treatment focuses on pain relief, addressing dehydration, and managing the condition without surgery. The goal is to support the horse while avoiding invasive procedures when possible.
Fluid Therapy
Oral Fluids: Administered via a nasogastric tube to help rehydrate the horse and soften impactions.
Intravenous Fluids (IV): Used in severe cases to quickly correct dehydration and restore fluid balance.
Gastric Decompression
Repeated nasogastric intubation may be needed to relieve gas and fluid buildup in the stomach, particularly in cases of gas colic.
Controlled Walking
Helps stimulate intestinal motility and assists with the passage of gas or small impactions. However, excessive exercise should be avoided.
Dietary Management
Feed is temporarily withheld to allow the intestines to rest.
Small, easily digestible meals are gradually reintroduced as the horse shows improvement.
Medication Anti-Spasmodics: Drugs like Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide) are used to relax intestinal spasms and relieve discomfort, particularly in cases of spasmodic colic.
Monitoring
Close observation of vital signs, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and mucous membrane colour, is crucial to assess the horse’s response to treatment.
When Surgery Becomes a Necessity: What to Expect
If the horse does not improve with non-surgical management, or if it shows signs of severe distress, surgical intervention may be necessary. This could include:
Exploratory Abdominal Surgery: To investigate the cause of colic.
Intestinal Resection: Removing damaged sections of the intestine, if needed.
The primary surgical procedure is an exploratory laparotomy, where an incision is made into the abdomen to visually inspect the intestines. This allows veterinarians to identify the exact cause of colic, such as intestinal volvulus (twist), displacement, or strangulation. Depending on the findings, surgical corrections may include intestinal resection and anastomosis, where damaged portions of the intestine are removed and healthy ends reattached.
In cases of impaction, surgical decompression is necessary to relieve pressure and restore normal function. Surgical correction of intestinal strangulation is critical to untwist entrapped intestines and restore blood flow, preventing tissue death (necrosis) and further complications.
Post-surgical care involves intensive monitoring, pain management, fluid therapy, and careful reintroduction of food under veterinary supervision to ensure the horse’s recovery. Early detection and prompt surgical intervention significantly improve the chances of a successful outcome for horses suffering from colic.
Preventative Measures Against Colic
Implementing preventative measures is crucial for preventing colic episodes. Key strategies include maintaining a consistent and balanced diet to prevent digestive issues. Avoid sudden dietary changes and ensure access to clean cold water. Regular exercise can also aid in promoting healthy gut function. Routine veterinary check-ups and proper dental care are essential. Additionally, controlling environmental factors such as stress and ensuring a suitable living environment can minimize the risk of colic.
Dietary Management and Feeding Practices
Implementing proper dietary management and feeding practices is crucial in preventing colic in horses. Key strategies include:
- Balanced Diets: Providing horses with well-balanced diets rich in high-quality forage, essential nutrients, and adequate fibre content promotes optimal gastrointestinal health and reduces the risk of digestive disturbances.
- Gradual Diet Transitions: Abrupt changes in feed composition or quantity should be avoided, as they can disrupt the delicate microbial ecosystem within the gut and predispose horses to colic – did you know that all Pure Feed’s complete feeds share the same core ingredients? This means you can switch between all of the complete feeds with no transition time without risking colic!
- Forage Management: Regular access to clean, quality forage supports proper digestion, maintains gut motility, and minimizes the risk of impaction colic.
- Supplements: using probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes can support gastrointestinal health, enhance nutrient absorption, and fortify the gut barrier function – did you know all of our complete feeds already contain pre and probiotics to make sure your horse’s digestive system is supported!
- Hydration Maintenance: Adequate water intake is essential for optimal digestive function and overall well-being. Monitoring water availability and quality ensures horses remain adequately hydrated, mitigating the risk of colic associated with dehydration – Check out our Meadow Mash or ReFuel if your horse needs help drinking!
Routine Health Care and Monitoring
Regular and routine healthcare and monitoring are essential components of effective horse management to prevent and promptly detect colic. Establishing and adhering to a consistent healthcare regimen, which includes regular dental check-ups, deworming schedules, and vaccinations, is crucial. Monitoring vital signs such as temperature, heart rate, and gut sounds on a regular basis facilitates early detection of colic. It’s important to be familiar with your horse’s baseline values to accurately assess any deviations.
Conclusion
In summary, colic poses a serious health risk to horses, demanding proactive care and attentive management from owners. Swift recognition of symptoms, immediate veterinary attention, and consistent preventive measures are crucial for preventing colic episodes. By being consistent with healthcare routines such as worming, ensuring balanced nutrition, and closely monitoring behaviour and vital signs, owners can effectively reduce the likelihood and severity of colic episodes, promoting the long-term health and happiness of their horses.
Featured products for horses prone to colic
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🎄 Holiday Hours Reminder! 🎄
Plan ahead for Christmas to make sure your horse doesn’t miss out:
❄️ Last dispatch for online orders: 17th December
❄️ Office open until: 19th December
❄️ Office closed: 20th December - 1st January
❄️ Office reopens: 2nd January
If your needing Pure Feed while we`re closed, remember to check out our stockist map to find the closed stockist to you!
🎄 Holiday Hours Reminder! 🎄
Plan ahead for Christmas to make sure your horse doesn’t miss out:
❄️ Last dispatch for online orders: 17th December
❄️ Office open until: 19th December
❄️ Office closed: 20th December - 1st January
❄️ Office reopens: 2nd January
If your needing Pure Feed while we`re closed, remember to check out our stockist map to find the closed stockist to you!
Did you know the entire Pure Feed range is completely molasses free?
We never rely on sweeteners to make our feeds tasty. Horses naturally prefer fibre-rich ingredients, and our formulations are designed to work with their digestive system, not against it with added sugar.
Many feeds use molasses as a shortcut: it’s cheap, it binds pellets easily, and it guarantees sweetness. But it also increases sugar levels and can make feeds unsuitable for horses with metabolic or digestive sensitivities.
At Pure Feed, we take a different approach.
Our pellets are bound using linseed and we use carefully balanced fibre and oil sources, not molasses. This means:
• Lower sugar and starch levels across the entire range
• Consistent, gut-friendly nutrition
• No artificial sweetness masking poor-quality ingredients
• Suitable for good doers, laminitics, and horses with EMS or digestive sensitivities
Delicious, nutritious, and naturally palatable - that’s the Pure Feed way 🩵
Did you know the entire Pure Feed range is completely molasses free?
We never rely on sweeteners to make our feeds tasty. Horses naturally prefer fibre-rich ingredients, and our formulations are designed to work with their digestive system, not against it with added sugar.
Many feeds use molasses as a shortcut: it’s cheap, it binds pellets easily, and it guarantees sweetness. But it also increases sugar levels and can make feeds unsuitable for horses with metabolic or digestive sensitivities.
At Pure Feed, we take a different approach.
Our pellets are bound using linseed and we use carefully balanced fibre and oil sources, not molasses. This means:
• Lower sugar and starch levels across the entire range
• Consistent, gut-friendly nutrition
• No artificial sweetness masking poor-quality ingredients
• Suitable for good doers, laminitics, and horses with EMS or digestive sensitivities
Delicious, nutritious, and naturally palatable - that’s the Pure Feed way 🩵
We`ve made feeding easy! Know the right amount to feed your horse by following our simple guide.
Pure Condition Pellets have a high oil content to promote weight gain and maintain condition💜
In their pelleted form, they are designed to help tempt fussy eaters and can be fed dry or mixed with water to form a mash. Pure Condition Pellets include our premium natural balancer with the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals that horses require.
If you`re uncertain about their nutritional requirements, leave it to the pros—claim your free diet plan from our expert nutrition team. Got questions? We`re always here to help!
📞 01458 333 333
💻 www.purefeed.com
💬 Direct Message us
#thepurefeedcompany #purecompetitionpellets #feedingrates #allyoufeedislove #purefeed
We`ve made feeding easy! Know the right amount to feed your horse by following our simple guide.
Pure Condition Pellets have a high oil content to promote weight gain and maintain condition💜
In their pelleted form, they are designed to help tempt fussy eaters and can be fed dry or mixed with water to form a mash. Pure Condition Pellets include our premium natural balancer with the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals that horses require.
If you`re uncertain about their nutritional requirements, leave it to the pros—claim your free diet plan from our expert nutrition team. Got questions? We`re always here to help!
📞 01458 333 333
💻 www.purefeed.com
💬 Direct Message us
#thepurefeedcompany #purecompetitionpellets #feedingrates #allyoufeedislove #purefeed
Supporting your horse`s condition shouldn’t mean compromising on behaviour, digestive comfort, or metabolic support.
Pure Condition Mix, designed as a high-calorie, nutritionally complete feed, which provides slow-release calories from fibre and oil rather than cereals and molasses. That means:
✔ Condition without fizz
✔ Digestive comfort and steadier energy
✔ A genuinely balanced feed with every vitamin and mineral included
Because it’s cereal and molasses-free, and naturally low in sugar and starch, it’s also a smart choice for horses who are metabolically sensitive or who simply feel better on fibre-first nutrition.
Why owners love it:
• Helps build condition and topline with calm energy
• Supports weight and topline through winter
• Gentle on the gut and highly palatable
• No need for extra balancers or feeds
If you’re looking for a feed that delivers condition and keeps your horse level-headed, this is the feed for you!
Supporting your horse`s condition shouldn’t mean compromising on behaviour, digestive comfort, or metabolic support.
Pure Condition Mix, designed as a high-calorie, nutritionally complete feed, which provides slow-release calories from fibre and oil rather than cereals and molasses. That means:
✔ Condition without fizz
✔ Digestive comfort and steadier energy
✔ A genuinely balanced feed with every vitamin and mineral included
Because it’s cereal and molasses-free, and naturally low in sugar and starch, it’s also a smart choice for horses who are metabolically sensitive or who simply feel better on fibre-first nutrition.
Why owners love it:
• Helps build condition and topline with calm energy
• Supports weight and topline through winter
• Gentle on the gut and highly palatable
• No need for extra balancers or feeds
If you’re looking for a feed that delivers condition and keeps your horse level-headed, this is the feed for you!
Even in Winter, horses lose electrolytes through sweat - especially during schooling, jumping or fast work ❄️
Pure Refuel replaces what’s lost, fast, supporting hydration, muscle function and recovery when your horse needs it most!
@swintonequestrian shows us her routine: tack up, train, Refuel 🩵
Even in Winter, horses lose electrolytes through sweat - especially during schooling, jumping or fast work ❄️
Pure Refuel replaces what’s lost, fast, supporting hydration, muscle function and recovery when your horse needs it most!
@swintonequestrian shows us her routine: tack up, train, Refuel 🩵
Have you noticed your older horse struggle with chaff? Our Veteran Pellets deliver all the benefits of a chaff-based feed squished into a pellet! Even better they soak down into an easy to eat mash, perfect for horses who struggle with chewing!
#purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove #equinenutrition
Have you noticed your older horse struggle with chaff? Our Veteran Pellets deliver all the benefits of a chaff-based feed squished into a pellet! Even better they soak down into an easy to eat mash, perfect for horses who struggle with chewing!
#purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove #equinenutrition
Ever wondered how we can save you money? It’s all down to Pure Feed being a complete feed. That means every bag contains everything your horse needs: fibre, energy, vitamins, minerals, and oil. No need to buy multiple feeds or top up with extra supplements to balance their diet! #purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove #equinenutrition
Ever wondered how we can save you money? It’s all down to Pure Feed being a complete feed. That means every bag contains everything your horse needs: fibre, energy, vitamins, minerals, and oil. No need to buy multiple feeds or top up with extra supplements to balance their diet! #purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove #equinenutrition
Pure Veteran Mix is specifically formulated with older horses in mind - low in sugar and starch, medium calorie, and fully nutritionally balanced, it helps keep your horse feeling their best every day. As part of our complete feed range, nothing else is needed! Just one scoop delivers essential vitamins and minerals, fibre, and slow-release energy. Easy to feed, irresistibly tasty, and with soft, chewable chaff, Pure Veteran Mix ensures your horse won’t leave a bite behind 🩵
Pure Veteran Mix is specifically formulated with older horses in mind - low in sugar and starch, medium calorie, and fully nutritionally balanced, it helps keep your horse feeling their best every day. As part of our complete feed range, nothing else is needed! Just one scoop delivers essential vitamins and minerals, fibre, and slow-release energy. Easy to feed, irresistibly tasty, and with soft, chewable chaff, Pure Veteran Mix ensures your horse won’t leave a bite behind 🩵
Looking for Pure Feed in the Chester area? Look no further than Chester Equine Feeds! They stock a range of Pure Feed products from low to high calorie, plus our tasty, healthy treats 💙
Looking for Pure Feed in the Chester area? Look no further than Chester Equine Feeds! They stock a range of Pure Feed products from low to high calorie, plus our tasty, healthy treats 💙
You don’t have to take our word for it, just listen to the people who use it every day!
Our brand ambassadors share what makes Pure Feed different: it’s simple, time-saving, and gives their horses everything they need in one complete feed. No endless supplements, no complicated routines, just proven results and happier horses.
If you’re ready to simplify your feeding routine, start with a free Pure Feed diet plan today and see the difference for yourself 🩵
You don’t have to take our word for it, just listen to the people who use it every day!
Our brand ambassadors share what makes Pure Feed different: it’s simple, time-saving, and gives their horses everything they need in one complete feed. No endless supplements, no complicated routines, just proven results and happier horses.
If you’re ready to simplify your feeding routine, start with a free Pure Feed diet plan today and see the difference for yourself 🩵
Looking for a cosy winter mash? ❄️
Here’s the difference between Meadow Mash and Refuel so you can pick the perfect warm-up for your horse:
🌱 Meadow Mash - Mint-flavoured, high-fibre hay replacer with pre- & probiotics to support normal gut function. Perfect for frosty fields, box-rest horses, or those needing extra fibre and hydration.
🍒 Refuel - Cherry-flavoured recovery mash with electrolytes, antioxidants & amino acids. Supports muscle recovery, hydration, and overall system balance after work or competition, or if your horse needs an immune system boost!
🐴 Tried either of these? Share on your story and tag us!
Looking for a cosy winter mash? ❄️
Here’s the difference between Meadow Mash and Refuel so you can pick the perfect warm-up for your horse:
🌱 Meadow Mash - Mint-flavoured, high-fibre hay replacer with pre- & probiotics to support normal gut function. Perfect for frosty fields, box-rest horses, or those needing extra fibre and hydration.
🍒 Refuel - Cherry-flavoured recovery mash with electrolytes, antioxidants & amino acids. Supports muscle recovery, hydration, and overall system balance after work or competition, or if your horse needs an immune system boost!
🐴 Tried either of these? Share on your story and tag us!
Seeing as it`s a bit chilly this week, you might reach for the kettle to make your horse a delicious warm mash. But avoid using boiling water!
All our complete feeds contain live yeast, a beneficial microbe that:
🩵 Supports a balanced gut microbiome, keeping helpful bacteria thriving
🩵 Aids the digestion of fibre and nutrients
🩵 Helps maintain overall gut stability
As yeast is a living organism, exposing them to high temperatures (around 100°C) denatures their proteins and disrupts their cell membranes, effectively killing them. Once the yeast is dead, it can no longer support digestion or gut health, so all the benefits in your feed are lost.
✅ Tip: always use warm or cool water to soak your feed. This keeps the live yeast alive, ensuring your horse gets the full digestive and gut-supporting benefits of their Pure Feed!
Seeing as it`s a bit chilly this week, you might reach for the kettle to make your horse a delicious warm mash. But avoid using boiling water!
All our complete feeds contain live yeast, a beneficial microbe that:
🩵 Supports a balanced gut microbiome, keeping helpful bacteria thriving
🩵 Aids the digestion of fibre and nutrients
🩵 Helps maintain overall gut stability
As yeast is a living organism, exposing them to high temperatures (around 100°C) denatures their proteins and disrupts their cell membranes, effectively killing them. Once the yeast is dead, it can no longer support digestion or gut health, so all the benefits in your feed are lost.
✅ Tip: always use warm or cool water to soak your feed. This keeps the live yeast alive, ensuring your horse gets the full digestive and gut-supporting benefits of their Pure Feed!
Well, it finally feels like winter might be on its way! With the cold snap increasing calorie demands, now is the perfect time to make a change with your horse`s diet. Our winter favourites help keep weight on, support topline and shine, and provide balanced nutrition 🩵
Well, it finally feels like winter might be on its way! With the cold snap increasing calorie demands, now is the perfect time to make a change with your horse`s diet. Our winter favourites help keep weight on, support topline and shine, and provide balanced nutrition 🩵
Is your older horse:
🐴 Quidding hay
🐴 Losing muscle or condition
🐴 Struggling to maintain weight
…even though everything else hasn’t changed? These are classic signs it’s time for a veteran feed! Feel like you aren`t sure which of our feeds is the best choice for your horse? Simply fill out our diet plan quiz and we`ll send you free, personalised plan! Use the link in our bio to get started 💙
#equinenutrition #purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove
Is your older horse:
🐴 Quidding hay
🐴 Losing muscle or condition
🐴 Struggling to maintain weight
…even though everything else hasn’t changed? These are classic signs it’s time for a veteran feed! Feel like you aren`t sure which of our feeds is the best choice for your horse? Simply fill out our diet plan quiz and we`ll send you free, personalised plan! Use the link in our bio to get started 💙
#equinenutrition #purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove
Why does every Pure Feed contains salt?
Salt might sound simple, but it plays a vital role in keeping horses performing and feeling their best. Sodium and chloride, the two minerals that make up salt, are essential electrolytes. They help maintain hydration, muscle function, and nerve signals, and are lost every day through sweat, urine and even breathing.
Every Pure Feed includes salt to replace these daily losses and help support your horse’s natural electrolyte balance. It also helps stimulate thirst, encouraging horses to drink enough to stay hydrated which is especially important after work or during colder months when water intake can drop.
By including salt in every Pure Feed, we make sure your horse’s basic electrolyte needs are met without you needing to add table salt or a separate supplement to the bucket.
It’s one of those simple, clever details that keeps things easy for you and balanced for your horse
Why does every Pure Feed contains salt?
Salt might sound simple, but it plays a vital role in keeping horses performing and feeling their best. Sodium and chloride, the two minerals that make up salt, are essential electrolytes. They help maintain hydration, muscle function, and nerve signals, and are lost every day through sweat, urine and even breathing.
Every Pure Feed includes salt to replace these daily losses and help support your horse’s natural electrolyte balance. It also helps stimulate thirst, encouraging horses to drink enough to stay hydrated which is especially important after work or during colder months when water intake can drop.
By including salt in every Pure Feed, we make sure your horse’s basic electrolyte needs are met without you needing to add table salt or a separate supplement to the bucket.
It’s one of those simple, clever details that keeps things easy for you and balanced for your horse
Why Veteran feeds are different 👴
As horses age, their bodies change, and so do their nutritional needs. That’s why our Veteran range is formulated differently from our standard feeds:
🔬 Fibre: softer chaff in the Mix, and pellets that soak into a mash, making them easier to chew and digest.
🔬 Protein: higher levels to support muscle maintenance, as older horses can lose muscle tone more easily.
🔬 Balancer: extra vitamins and minerals to compensate for reduced digestive efficiency.
Why Veteran feeds are different 👴
As horses age, their bodies change, and so do their nutritional needs. That’s why our Veteran range is formulated differently from our standard feeds:
🔬 Fibre: softer chaff in the Mix, and pellets that soak into a mash, making them easier to chew and digest.
🔬 Protein: higher levels to support muscle maintenance, as older horses can lose muscle tone more easily.
🔬 Balancer: extra vitamins and minerals to compensate for reduced digestive efficiency.
Did you know we make a pelleted feed specifically for older horses? Pure Veteran Pellets make it easy:
🌾 Soft & soakable so easy on worn teeth
⚡ Slow-release energy from fibre & oil
🧪 Built-in vitamin & mineral balancer specifically for older horses
💚 Gut-friendly for maximum nutrient absorption
✅ Complete feed, so no extra supplements needed
Did you know we make a pelleted feed specifically for older horses? Pure Veteran Pellets make it easy:
🌾 Soft & soakable so easy on worn teeth
⚡ Slow-release energy from fibre & oil
🧪 Built-in vitamin & mineral balancer specifically for older horses
💚 Gut-friendly for maximum nutrient absorption
✅ Complete feed, so no extra supplements needed
Ever wondered what the Pure Feed team use with their own horses? Meet Tara, Elise (Head of Nutrition ) Irish Sport Horse.
Since arriving three years ago, Tara has been fed on Pure Balance. She’s a classic good doer with plenty of natural energy, so Pure Balance provides everything she needs without unnecessary calories or any fizz. Elise always jokes that the only part of Tara that’s ID is her ability to gain weight … and the mountain of hair she grows each winter!
Despite being in full work and competing up to BE Novice and BS Foxhunter, Pure Balance supplies all the vitamins and minerals Tara needs. It’s a great reminder that the label on a feed bag is a guide, not a rulebook - the right choice depends on the horse in front of you!
Wondering which Pure Feed is the right choice for your horse? Our free diet plan tool can help! Click the link in our bio to start 🌱
#purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #equinenutrition #allyoufeedislove #dietplan
Ever wondered what the Pure Feed team use with their own horses? Meet Tara, Elise (Head of Nutrition ) Irish Sport Horse.
Since arriving three years ago, Tara has been fed on Pure Balance. She’s a classic good doer with plenty of natural energy, so Pure Balance provides everything she needs without unnecessary calories or any fizz. Elise always jokes that the only part of Tara that’s ID is her ability to gain weight … and the mountain of hair she grows each winter!
Despite being in full work and competing up to BE Novice and BS Foxhunter, Pure Balance supplies all the vitamins and minerals Tara needs. It’s a great reminder that the label on a feed bag is a guide, not a rulebook - the right choice depends on the horse in front of you!
Wondering which Pure Feed is the right choice for your horse? Our free diet plan tool can help! Click the link in our bio to start 🌱
#purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #equinenutrition #allyoufeedislove #dietplan
What people say about Pure Feed
