ALL NATURAL HORSE FEED SUPPLEMENT

when only the BEST will do!

BASIC HORSE NUTRITION: To develop a good feeding program, it's important to understand the horse's unique digestive system. *This article covers the basic of the horses digestion system and what is need to maintain balance. Below this article we've listed what POUNDS has in it, all from natural sources.. no synthetic vitamin or minerals are used in POUNDS.

FROM THE TOP

Teeth are important. A horse must be able to chew or food will pass right through. Back teeth should be checked regularly for sharp projection, or hooks, which can interfere with the way the horse chews his food. The hooks can be filed down or floated by a veterinarian. Food is chewed, swallowed and passed into the stomach. The stomach mixes food, starts the digestive process and acts as a reservoir to keep the small intestine continuously supplied. The horse's stomach is relatively small; food moves through it quickly. Because horses don't vomit, overfeeding can cause serious problems including colic and stomach rupture. As a precaution, horses that need a high quantity of feed should be fed three or more times a day.

FROM THE STOMACH

Food enters the small intestine, where enzymes that digest soluble carbohydrates, fat and protein are secreted. Carbohydrates are turned into glucose and other simple sugars that are absorbed and used for energy. Proteins are broken down into amino acids, which are used as building blocks for the body. Bile secreted in the small intestine helps digest fat. Many minerals are absorbed in the small intestine. In the large intestine, large populations of bacteria help the horse digest fiber. These bacteria also help synthesize many B vitamins. Efficient digestion is influenced by a number of factors. Feeding your horse certain rolled, cracked or crimped grains allows the horse's enzymes to work more effectively. However, cooking does not improve digestibility, and feeding large amounts at once can decrease digestibility by increasing the rate at which food passes through the horse's body. The faster food moves through the system the less time bacteria have to act on the fiber. Light exercise has been found to slightly improve digestion by slowing the rate of passage. However heavy exercise can decrease digestibility.

NUTRIENTS HORSE NEED

Energy is supplied by carbohydrates protein and fat. Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy. Protein is mainly used to build body tissues. Any excess protein is used to supply energy or is stored as fat. Fat is a much more concentrated source of energy than carbohydrates or protein. Fat supplies unsaturated fatty acids horses need for healthy skin and coats. Feed supplements high in these fatty acids can help speed springtime shedding and make coats shine.

MINERALS

Horses require at least 22 mineral elements. Seven are considered macronutrients, because larger amounts are needed. Trace minerals, or micronutrients, are required in small amounts.The amount of minerals each horse needs depends on a variety of factors, including the horse itself. Young horses need more than full-grown horses, as do pregnant and lactating mares. Genetics also plays a role; some horses are prone to deficiencies. Bio availability, or how efficiently an element is absorbed and utilized, affects the quantity required. The mineral's chemical and physical form influences its bio availability. For example, iron in ferrous sulfate is readily available, while iron in ferric oxide, or rust, is almost useless Other minerals and nutrients in the diet influence bio availability. Feeding high levels of one mineral can lead to problems. While the best way for horses to get the right balance of minerals is naturally, through their feeds, this isn't always possible. Feeding a multivitamin/mineral supplement can help provide the necessary nutrients within a reasonable balance.

VITAMINS

Vitamins are organic compounds the body needs for normal functioning.The fat-soluble vitamins, vitamins A, D and E, are stored in the body. Excesses of these vitamins can be toxic. Water-soluble vitamins including the B vitamins and vitamin C are flushed out in the urine when the body has too much.
VITAMIN A: Essential for normal vision, skin, hair, nerves, growth and reproduction.
VITAMIN B1 OR THIAMINE: For nutrient metabolism, energy utilization and nervous system function.
VITAMIN B2 OR RIBOFLAVIN: For healthy skin, hair and nerves; energy utilization; and normal healing
VITAMIN B12: For blood building, a healthy appetite, and proper growth.
VITAMIN C: Required to form collagen. Synthesized from glucose in the horse's system.
VITAMIN D: Works with calcium and phosphorous to build and maintain strong bones, joints, and teeth.
VITAMIN E OR TOCOPHEROL: Works with selenium to help prevent tying up and white muscle disease. Promotes healthy muscles, body tissues, skin, coat and reproduction.
VITAMIN K: For normal blood clotting.
BIOTIN: For healthy skin, coat and hoof condition.
CHOLINE: For fat metabolism, cell structure and nerves.
FOLIC ACID: Helps form red blood cells.
NIACIN: For healthy appetite, nutrient metabolism, proper growth, skin conditions, and nerves.
PANTOTHENIC ACID: For healthy skin, coat, appetite and nerves.
WATER: The most important nutrient is water. A horse can live for weeks without food but only a few days without water

ABOUT WATER

Dehydration occurs when water loss exceeds water intake. Inadequate water supplies, severe diarrhea, excessive sweating, or the physical inability to drink can cause this. A horse can be expected to drink 2 quarts of water for every pound of feed. A sedentary, 1100lb horse may drink up to 10 gallons a day. An active, hard-working horse requires much more, especially in hot, humid weather. A lactating mare needs about 5 gallons more water than the average horse. Horses should always have fresh water available and should be allowed to drink all they need. The only time a horse shouldn't be allowed to drink is when it's overheated after exercise. Watering a hot horse shocks the system, and can lead to founder. Once the horse cools down let him drink all he wants.

ESSENTIAL MINERAL ELEMENTS

macro nutrients; Calcium, Chlorine, Sulfur, Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorous

micro nutrients: Iron, Cobalt, Fluorine, Selenium, Tin, Arsenic, Iodine, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum, Vanadium, Nickel, Silicon, Zinc, and Copper.

**This is a list of What POUNDS has in it, the functions and the deficiency that are covered. **No Synthetic ingredients are used in POUNDS!

Lab Analysis of Natural Nutrients	Functions	Deficiency
Vitamin A	Smooth coat, resistance to infection Alfalfa hay (good quality) produces 50,000 IU per pound of pro-VIT. A.	Night blindness, infertility scaly skin & rough coat.
VIT. D2	Calcium absorption, bone and teeth formation.	Rickets, weak & easily Broken bones, bowed legs.
VIT. E	Reproduction increases endurance stamina by allowing muscles & nerves to function with less oxygen. Works against environmental poisons Prevents oxidation of hormones, fats.	Muscular dystrophy, muscle weakness, Synthetic VIT. E is 49% less effective than natural VIT. E.
Vitamin K	Blood clotting	Coagulation time of the Blood is increased & prothrombin level is de creased.
VIT. C	Fights infections, detoxifies environmental Pollutants. Helps maintain collagen.	Supportive evidence indicates hypascorbemia (A deficiency of ascorbic acid in the blood.).
VIT. B1 THIAMINE	Healthy nervous system	Lack of appetite, muscle weakness.
VIT. B2 Riboflavin	Maintains normal function of the eyes Plays a role in a number of enzyme systems that are essential to normal Metabolic processes.	Poor appetite, retarded growth, lack of stamina periodic ophthalmic
VIT. B6 Pyridoxine	Synthesizes protein for muscles, blood, skin & hair. Coenzyme involved in Amino acid metabolism.	Muscle weakness, poor growth rate
VIT. B12 Cobalamin	Methionine metabolism essential for growth maintenance of normal blood composition.	Diminished reflex response, pernicious Anemia.
Panthothenic Acid	Healthy coat & nerves, body enzyme that plays a central role in carbohydrate, fat & protein metabolism.	Loss of hair, scaly skin
Folic Acid	Aids in formation of red blood cells	Anemia, poor growth
Biotin	Fatty acid synthesis. Amino acid metabolism & formation of body Carbohydrates.	Dermatitis, loss of weight.
Carotene	Source of VIT. A, each mg equal to 400 IU of VIT. A.	Night blindness, scaly skin, rough coat & infertility.
Choline	Transmission of nerve impulses, health of liver & kidneys, utilization of fats.	Reduced appetite, slow Lameness & stiffness.
Niacin	Necessary in tissue respiration. Essential component of important enzyme Systems involved in cell metabolism.	Slow growth, poor hair& Skin condition.
Iodine	Constituent of the hormone, Thyrozin which controls the metabolic rate	Reproductive failure, & poor hair & skin condition.
Potassium	Regulates body fluids, nerve and muscle excitability, and carbohydrate metabolism.	Poor reflexes, energy not available to muscles, reduced appetite.
Sodium	Acid base balance works with potassium.	Retarded growth, decreased utilization of protein & energy.
Zinc	Metabolism of vitamins, growth & reproduction.	Prolonged wound healing Fatigue, susceptibility to infection.
Magnesium	Nerve & muscle function, regulation of body temperature.	Nervous irritability, Staggering gait.
Copper	Hemoglobin formation pigmentation of hair.	Anemia, poor growth Muscle un-coordination.
Iron	Builds quality of the blood resistance to stress & disease	Anemia, difficulty in breathing.
Maganese		Lameness & stiffness, Impaired reproduction, dead or weak foals at birth.
Selenium		White muscle disease in foals.
Calcium	Nerve impulses, strong teeth & bones (ideal ratio 1.4 over 1)	Enlarged joints, stiffness, muscle spasms, and slow pulse rate.
Phosphorus	Associated with calcium, strong teeth & bones, healthy nerves	Stiff joints, muscular weakness, and low fertility.
Cobalt.	Requirement is less than.05 ppm. It is an essential metabolic constituent as a portion of the Vitamin. B12 molecule.	A normocytic normochromic anemia may result, concomitant with loss of appetite, retarded growth & general emaciation.

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