Bulk feed as the basis of your feeding ration

Controlled roughage

The basis of a horse's ration is indeed roughage. No matter how much we like it

and how good it is to provide our horses with the best concentrate and supplements, we have to manage the roughage ourselves.
Even if the stable has a large amount of pasture and we manage the feed ourselves.

Measuring is knowing - EquiFirst recommends:

The saying "measuring is knowing" has a reason. Without sampling
of hay and silage, it will remain an estimate as to the amount of protein, sugars and energy that the grass contains.
The protein, sugars and energy that the horses actually get from their ration.
This year we used different plots for roughage, with different fertilization methods, timing of different fertilization methods, timing of mowing and packaging. Through
the samples, we were able to find that these different grazing management methods actually produce different amounts of protein, sugar and energy values ​​in the roughage. Perhaps a striking conclusion; the feed that looks and smells the best is not always the best for every horse.

Different horses, different requirements

Because not every horse needs the same amount of protein, sugar and energy.
For example, it is very important for sport horses that they get enough protein and energy from roughage.
If you have a horse that is prone to laminitis, you need to take a close look at the amount of sugar in the roughage.

Finally, we took 4 different roughage samples with different amounts
This is the starting point for the entire horse ration. Now we know what the roughage ratios are and from this basis we will supplement the concentrate feed.

What I feed

I use the following types of concentrates in my stable:
Sport Plus Cube, Balance Cube, Breeding Cube, Growing Cube, Recover Mash, Herbs & Fiber Mix and Fiber Mash.
My horses receive either Sport Plus Cube or Breeding Cube as a base. Combined with the roughage they are receiving at the time, I know exactly what they are getting.
When it comes to roughage and the nutritional value of the feed, I know exactly what the horses are getting. Depending on the type of horse and the work they have to do, I add Balance Cube, Growing Cube, Recover Mash, Herbs & Fiber Mix and Fiber Mash.
A few examples: sport horses that have just completed a hard training or competition
we reward Mash extra immediately after work. My pregnant mares receive Breeding Cube during the last 3 months of pregnancy and I give our young horses in growth the Growing Cube extra.
At times when horses need something extra, for example when building up training after a rest period, training for an important/difficult competition, part of the feed concentrate is replaced with an extra treat.
Part of the feed concentrate is replaced with Balance Cube. We use Fiber Mash to help horses that are lagging behind in terms of fitness.
It's a lot of calculation, mystery and also a lot of feeling and perspective on your horse, but if you do it, you will get a lot of results.

My horses deserve the best and I like to do the best for them. Thanks to the good cooperation with EquiFirst, I can further professionalize the feeding rations of my horses, the basis of which is roughage. Old, but new formula.