VetPro

Equine Athlete Digest-Rite Sport Formula is a nutritional supplement formulated for both sport and pleasure horses whose diets are based on pasture and some hard feed.
 
Digest-Rite provides a combination of scientifically proven pre-biotics, digestive enzymes, toxin binders and rice bran, all enhance digestion and at the same time help maintain a healthy digestive tract. It also helps prevent the absorption of harmful toxins and acids resulting from the digestion of some grasses and grains.
 
Horses are browsing animals with very selective grazing habits. Their digestive systems are well adapted to handling grass and forage based diets. The quality and quantity of pastures that horses have access to in New Zealand are generally quite different from those of a natural habitat. 
 
Fresh or actively growing pasture is most often a problem. Horses often lack enzymes necessary to break down the soluble sugars (fructans) found in young grasses, they  pass undigested into the large intestine (hindgut) where they undergo bacterial fermentation. Excess lactic acid is generated causing Hindgut Acidosis. This acid kills good bacteria, which as they die , give off a toxin that enters the bloodstream and causes Laminitis. Preventing that occurring by proving enzymes that assist the sugars to be digested more effectively before reaching the hindgut, assist the horse to avoid the possibility of those diet based issues.
 
Most sport and pleasure horses are kept in situations where the amount of available grass is not sufficient to meet dietary requirements. A  mix of concentrates is usually fed to provide the necessary extra energy. Oats and barley are ideally suited because of their high starch content; most pre-mixed feeds contain one if not all of these grains, some even contain maize the most energy intensive grain. As they are not part of a natural diet, horses are limited in the amount of grain they are able to digest at one time. Like grass, if too much is fed at once, or if the passage through the small intestine is too rapid, an undigested amount passes through to the hindgut where it creates the same issues as poorly digested grass sugars.
 
These issues can also manifest in the horse’s behavior affecting  both temperament and performance; over-excitability, seemly difficult to handle , also muscle type-up can be aresult. Feeding a product like Digest-Rite that will enhance digestion of grasses and grains has obvious advantages for sport and pleasure horses, especially those prone to these problems.
 
Ryegrass Staggers is another common grass related problem.  It occurs when horses graze pastures containing certain types of perennial ryegrass. As the name suggests, affected horses develop a staggery gait, most noticeable at the walk. The symptoms are caused by the toxin Lolitrem b, released by  a fungus called an endophyte, that is found in the grass stem and mature leaves during the late summer/early autumn. Horses become affected when they ingest these parts of the plant . Other grasses such as Paspalum and Kikuyu can also create toxin type problems.
 
Being able to feed a product that contains a toxin binding agent has obvious advantages for horses grazing problem pastures. The silicate oxides in Digest-Rite have a high capacity for binding harmful fungal and grass toxins . Once bound, the toxins cannot be absorbed and are passed out in the faeces.
 
 
Digest-Rite is more than just a simple digestive additive – (like those containing live yeast cultures).  Digest-Rite contains pre-biotics (mannan oligosaccharides), digestive enzymes (α amylase and β glucanase), rice bran and binding silicated oxides.
 
It has a 4 way action:
 
Firstly by slowing the passage of food through the small intestine, allowing more time for the horse’s own digestive enzymes to work.
 
Secondly, by enhancing digestion through the inclusion of enzymes that break down sugar and starch.
 
The inclusion of the pre-biotics helps maintain a functional gut wall and ensures that nutrients are absorbed efficiently following digestion.
 
Finally the silicated oxides help prevent the absorption of  potentially harmful  toxins .
 
Digest-Rite should be fed to sport and pleasure horses receiving a grass and grain diet or those grazing pastures where conditions are likely to cause nutritional problems such as over-excitability, muscle tye-up, laminitis or are grazing on fresh pasture or containing endophyte rye grass , paspalum or kikuyu.
 
Digest-Rite contains no prohibited substances so can be safely fed before and during competition.
 
Daily Dose Rate:
20gm per Kg of hard feed (grains or pre-mixes) or 50gms per day for horses whose food intake is predominately forage (fibre) and pasture .   Available in 2kg, 5kg and 20kg bags     
 
The science references :
Equine x-Amyase : Richards,N:Choct,M;Hinch,GN;Rowe,JB
Feeding Non Starch Polysacchrides Choct,M.
Yeast Cell walls in animal nutrition; differentiation & specific properties of MOS &beta1, 6-glucans. Detlef Kampf, Marc Rovers, Felipe De Conti Horta
Effects of dietary Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides on the intestinal microflora of horses subjected to a sudden change in diet. F. Respondek, A.G. Goachet, V. Julliand
Dietary fructans carbohydrate increases amine production in the equine large intestine : Implications for pasture-associated laminitis C. Crawford, M.F. Sepulveda, J. Elliott, P.A. Harris & S.R. Bailey.
Dietary supplementation  with short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides improves insulin sensitivity in obese horses. F.Respondek, K.Myers, T.L. Smith, A. Wagner & R.J. Geor
Effects of feeding a blend of grains naturally contaminated with fusarium mycotoxins ….. the efficacy of a polymeric glucomannan mycotoxins absorbent. S.L. Raymond, T.K. Smith, & H.V. Swamy.

Read about carbohydrate digestion and sugars in grasses

Read about behavioural issues, causes and solutions

View our 'Laminitis from Dietary Intake' article here

Equine Supplements ELECTROLYTES - Orange The same full PH neutral formula with palatable orange flavour

VetPro CR3 Chromium Slim

Crested necks and fatty rump pads are signs of obesity which has serious health implications.  

It has been shown that CR3 Slim can reduce the fat deposits (converting them to muscle).

CR3 Slim can be a key part in a range of solutions for overweight horses and ponies.

Daily Dose Rate:
• Performance Horses (500kg): 15gm (1 level scoop)
• Overweight Horses (500kg): 20gm
• Overweight Pony (300kg): 10gm
• Overweight Miniature Pony (150kg): 5gm (1 teaspoon)

Equine Supplements ELECTROLYTES - Cherry Veterinarian formulated PH neutral to replace vital salts & minerals lost in sweat.

Blud Boost

Vetpro Blud-Boost is a hematinic supplement that provides bio-available iron with essential B Vitamins including folate, plus Copper, and amino acids Methionine, Glycine and Lysine. A hematinic is a nutrient required for the formation of blood cells in the process of haematopoiesis. The main hematinics are iron, B12, and folate all provided in Blud-Boost. They improve the condition and quality of the blood, and increase the number of erythrocytes and/or the haemoglobin concentration. Thus assisting the oxygen carrying capacity of the cells of blood.

The iron in Vetpro Blud-Boost is provided as Iron Glycinate which is a Bio-available iron that is readily and safely absorbed by the digestive process of the horse.

When in hard work, the horse needs the maximum oxygen carrying capacity of blood, a hematinic supplement can assist with this work demand to maximise the performance, it does not enhance the result, only ensures no reduction from a possible low haemoglobin state. Again under hard work conditions the horses natural ability to produce B Vitamins in the gut is reduced, so Vetpro Blud-Boost provides a full range of B vitamins to assist the horse up to normal levels. This reduction in internal production also occurs at times of stress, or when subjected to illness, infections, trauma or long distance travel, so using Vetpro Blud-Boost will improve the horses recovery at these times.

The B Vitamins are:

B12 Cobalamin, B2 Riboflavin, B6 Pyridoxine, B9 Folacin, B3 Niacin, B5 Pantothenic Acid, B7 Biotin Choline

Dosage: Ideally a dose of 20gm per day is recommended for 10 days when a blood test shows a lowered haemoglobin level, or for recovery from the situations mentioned above. It can also be given as a pre competition or race boost, or a post event recovery at 20gms per day for 3 days.

Available sizes: Vetpro Blud-Boost is provided in a re-sealable foil pouch with a 20gm scoop and can be purchased in a 300gm or 1 Kg size.

Equine Supplements VITAMIN E Anti-oxidant for horses on low pasture, or breeding stock, or nervous disposition

Two of the active ingredients have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, effective for many minor skin conditions.

Mud fever has a reputation of being difficult to treat due to persistent skin moisture coupled with the infective organism living beneath the exudative crust on the skin.

Vetpro Fungal Cleansing Shampoo softens the crust, allowing them to be gently lifted off the skin and Aloe Vera and Kerasol leave the skin moisturized.

Girth rash and cover rubs also respond well to treatment with Vetpro Fungal Cleansing Shampoo.

Vetpro SUNBLOCK POWDER Easy application, non-sticky, blocks all UVA & UVB rays

3 Horses Virex is a 100% natural therapeutic product for horses to aid in the relief of symptoms associated with viral respiratory infections.

Viral respiratory infections are extremely common in horses. They are a major cause of respiratory disease and poor performance. They cause irritation and inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract, leading to the symptoms of nasal discharge, persistent cough and louder than normal respiration during exercise (‘thick winded’).

Early recognition and treatment is important to ensure a fast, uncomplicated recovery. Two important parts of the treatment program are the avoidance of stress (which means keeping the horse rested and warm) and the alleviation of the symptoms.

3 Horses Virex works in three ways:

• By reducing the viscosity of the mucus that block the airways.
• As an expectorant.
• By soothing and relieving the respiratory tracts.

The Liquorice Extract contains Glycyrrhetinic Acid, soothing the airways and thereby reducing the frequency and intensity of coughing.

Potassium Iodide and Anise Oil are both good expectorants, while Ammonium Chloride breaks the thick mucus secretions down, allowing them to flow up the ‘respiratory tree’ and out the nostrils.

3 Horses Virex can also be used when other factors such as dust, allergies or bacterial infections produce irritation of the respiratory tract.

3 Horses Virex contains no prohibited substances so it can be used before and during competition. It is palatable and easy to administer via an oral dosing syringe. Continue for 10-12 days or until horse shows signs of recovery. If the condition persists consult a veterinarian.

Ammonium Chloride 18.5%
Potassium Iodide 6%
Liquorice Extract 5%
Anise Oil 1.5%

0.1mL per Kg LWT
Adult Horse – 60mLs twice daily
Yearlings – 40mLs twice daily
Weanlings – 20mLs twice daily

For maximum relief use with 3 Horses Nasal-Eze

Vetpro Gamgee UNDER-BANDAGE PADDING Combo Super Size 45cm x 3m 750g

Vetpro NATURAL FLY REPELLENT

A natural deterent to flies & biting insects that annoy horses & pets

Vetpro Activ Anti-Bac Scrub

Ideal for cleansing areas prone to mud fever or rain scald, removing dirt and contamination.

Antibacterial scrub and cleansing wash. Can be used diluted as a mild antibacterial cleansing wash to remove dirt and contamination.

Contains Chlorhexidine digluconate

Topical use: Apply 25ml (5 pumps) to affected area.

General wash: Dilute 100ml (20 pumps) into a bucket of clean water

Hand wash: Apply 5ml (1 pump) to hands and wash.

Conveniently sized. Available in 500ml pump.

Can be used on multiple applications. Suitable for both human and animal use.

Effective in seconds. Tested to EN1276, EN1650 and EN13727

Manufactured in the UK.

VetPro Equine Athletes Muscle Max

Muscle Max is a feed supplement formulated to maximise the efficiency of muscle metabolism. It does this in two ways, by improving lean muscle mass and by reducing the effects of post exercise muscle fatigue. A large part of the daily energy requirement of the equine athlete is used by the skeletal muscles to power the contractions that give the horse its attributes of speed, endurance and strength.

The energy from feed is stockpiled in the muscles in the form of glycogen. Through a chain of biochemical reactions within the muscle cells, the glycogen is oxidised to release Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) the chemical energy source used to power the muscle cells. The oxidation process requires large amounts of oxygen, hence the need for an efficient blood supply.

The waste products from this energy burning process include water, carbon dioxide, ammonia, lactic acid and free radicals, all of which have the potential to reduce muscular efficiency. Free radicals can cause serious damage to the muscle cell membrane. It is these free radicals, in conjunction with the waste ammonia and lactic acid, that many equine sport scientists believe are responsible for muscle fatigue and post exercise muscle soreness.

Antioxidants are substances that have the ability to inactivate the free radicals within the cell. There are many nutritional antioxidants, mostly found in plants. Muscle-Max is an antioxidant supplement that contains stabilised rice-bran. Rice bran is a rich source of glycerides, free fatty acids, phospholipids and glycolipids. Its principle antioxidants are the tocopherals, tocotrienols and gamma oryzanol, as well as inositol, phytic acid and choline. Vitamin E is one of the Tocopherols found in Muscle-Max, but it is the tocotrienols that are 50 times more potent than Vitamin E, that makes rice branl such a potent antioxidant formulation.

Gamma Oryzanol is a natural component of rice bran and as well as acting as an antioxidant, it has also been shown to reduce muscle fatigue and improve appetite.

Muscle Max also contains chromium picolinate, which is  is not an antioxidant but is an active chromium salt used as a natural nutritional supplement. Supplementing horses with low levels ensures sufficient chromium is available to the horse to ensure it can maintain muscle homeostasis.

In summary Muscle-Max combines the antioxidant properties of stabilised rice bran and along with chromium picolinate helps to reduce muscle fatigue and post exercise muscle damage. It is a 100% natural product that can be used right up to and during competition. It is formulated with an apple flavour that horses find palatable.

Available Sizes: 2kg, 5kg, 20kg

Dosage:
60gm (150mg/kg LWT) Ponies
80-100gm (160-200mg/kg LWT) Dressage, Show and Sport Horses, Yearling Prep
160gm (320mg/kg LWT) Racehorses, Eventers and Endurance horses in training, also horses in light condition

Adjust the dose to suit the horse as his condition or work level changes.

Equine Performance Electrolytes

Supplementing horses with electrolytes is vital to the health and welfare of the horse. A horse that develops sweat will need replacement of the salts lost in that sweat. The harder a horse is working, or the hotter the conditions – the greater the loss of salts and minerals.

The highest levels lost in sweat are sodium, chloride and potassium. Small amounts of calcium and magnesium are also expelled and smaller amounts of other trace minerals. These losses can result in the horse not being able to maintain the correct cellular fluid levels.

Imbalanced and low fluid levels can result in ineffective transmission of nerve impulses and also muscle contractions. Insufficient electrolytic levels will result in early fatigue and reduced stamina. In extreme cases a horse will lose the desire to drink water, thus compounding the detrimental effects on their health and more severe symptoms such as unco-ordinated movements, muscle weakness and sometimes trembling.

Vetpro has developed a specialist pH neutral electrolyte formulation with higher levels for horses in hard work such as racing and endurance and eventing. Or horses working in very hot conditions.

Vetpro Performance Electrolytes are a neutral pH composition. The idea of acid and alkaline electrolyte supplements is now regarded by equine physiologists to be unnecessary. Horses can develop a mild metabolic acidosis after intense exercise and may develop a metabolic alkalosis in situations of heavy sweat loss. In both these cases so long as there is sufficient chloride in the DEB then the horses kidneys will sort out its own acid/base balance.

Active ingredients per kg:

Carbonate 60g

Magnesium 8.82g

Potassium 208g

Calcium 40g

Sodium 156g

Sulphate 34.84g

Chloride 430.7g

Daily dose rates:

One scoop of 45g.

Vetpro Acid Protect

Vetpro Acid Protect is a nutritional supplement formulated to help neutralise excess stomach acid in horses during periods of increased ulcer risk, including exercise, racing, transport, stabling and restricted grazing. Its scientifically developed multi-magnesium complex has been shown to neutralise stomach acid for at least six hours, helping protect the sensitive stomach lining from acid splash and supporting long-term gastric health. Acid Protect is designed to complement good feeding and management practices and may be particularly beneficial following veterinary treatment for gastric ulcers when horses remain exposed to the conditions that promote excessive stomach acid.

Lysine-T

Vetpro Lysine-T is an amino acid supplement which contains the essential amino acids Lysine and Threonine. Scientific research has shown that young horses show improved growth, and older horses can show improved muscle mass, plus horses in work (particularly low carbohydrate/high fat/low forage diets) benefit from Lysine and Threonine supplementation.

In summary where to use Vetpro Lysine-T:

• In the young growing horse to maximise growth rates.

• In the active horse used for moderate to heavy work.

• In horses where the increase of protein may result in the horse blowing, overheating and producing high ammonia in the urine.

• In the older horse to maintain its muscle mass, where increasing protein in the diet is often not appropriate due to digestibility being difficult in the aged horse.

Vetpro Therapeutic Hoof Oil has four components to provide therapy for common issues affecting the sole of the hoof as well as combatting moisture loss on the outside of the hoof.

• Anti-biotic and Anti-Fungal
• Kills bacteria around the frog, sole and white line
• Prevent cracking and reduce moisture loss
• Provides a Protective Barrier against contaminates

Hoof oils and creams generally help to reduce moisture loss and provide a cosmetic for appearance.  Vetpro Therapeutic Hoof Oil has four components to provide therapy for common issues affecting the sole of the hoof as well as combatting moisture loss on the outside of the hoof.

Infections in the sole area are common, in the white line around the wall border, fungal around the frog and clefts, potential infection after an abscess has been opened up or the sole has been penetrated by a foreign object.

With Thymol, Neatsfoot oil, Linseed Oil and Stockholm Tar all actively helping to resolve such issues:

• Thymol is a natural powerful antimicrobial and antiseptic active that can reduce oxidative inflammatory damage
• Neatsfoot Oil is well known for moisturising brittle hooves, preventing them drying out and cracking. It nourishes the hoof wall, particularly when applied to the coronet band. The high gloss finish on the hoof wall creates a glossy finish for showing
• Linseed Oil (Flaxseed) provides essential Omega 3 fatty acids which can improve hoof quality by reducing brittleness and cracking. It is rich in ALA which improves the strength of the hoof horn and supports faster quality growth.
• Stockholm Tar is the classic well known hoof support treatment. It is naturally antibacterial and antiseptic and also provides a waterproofing cover . Ideal for sealing cracks and minor wounds and can provide a protective barrier against environmental damage such as bacteria, mud and manure, also excessive water.

 Apply daily to the outside of the hoof from the coronet band down. Twice weekly apply to the cleaned sole. In cases of infections, damage to the sole or after abscess removal, apply daily.

For the full resolutions of damaged or poor hoof structure combine with feeding Vetpro Four Feet daily to provide the actives that will grow new healthy hooves .

Nasal-Eze is an effective product for horses showing  upper respiratory tract problems.

It is a 100% natural product and contains Menthol and four volatile oils in an anhydrous base.

The Menthol gives a cooling sensation to irritated nasal membranes and also helps clear the airways and bronchial passages.

Eucalyptus Oil is a useful expectorant, increasing the amount of respiratory secretions.

Tee Tree Oil properties are well known. It is able to maintain its activity in the presence of nasal secretions. It also has a soothing action on the nasal membranes.

Oil of Thyme contains Thymol known for its influence on spores.

Pine Oil possesses mild antiseptic properties.

These oils are formulated in a non-irritant anhydrous base that makes application to the inner nostril, easy and safe.

A liberal amount should be applied twice daily to the base of each nostril.

It is also useful to reduce the possibility of transfer whenever horses are exposed to other horses that have respiratory infections. It should be used before transportation and anytime a horse is exposed to dusty or spore condition.

Available Sizes: 3 Horses Nasal-Eze is available in 250gm and 500gm sizes.

Apply liberally to the base of each nostril,
Before and after exercise
Before transportation
Any time the horse may be exposed to other horses, dust or spores

Vet Naturals Fly Repellent Cream

The Fly Repellent is the first product in the range and has filled the need for a natural deterrent to flies and biting insects. A chemical free environment is the desire of most horse owners around their animals. This formula is safe for you and your horse.

Can also be sprayed on surfaces, covers and even humans.

Made into a cream for horses who don't like sprays.

Equine Thiamine B1

B Vitamins are generally created in the gut of the horse by its own physiology, and under normal circumstances are not required to be supplemented. However this internal manufacture can be disrupted when the horse is on a high carbohydrate and/or low fibre diet, or stressed by – travel – performance pressure – change of environment – or by illness. Signs of low Thiamine can be distracted, spooky behaviour, edgy and difficult manner.