The ingredient list is your most important source of information when evaluating a feed or supplement for your horse. Often times, feed items are clumped together in one term. This is typically the case with added fat. Many manufacturers will list fat content as simply, “vegetable oil,” leaving you, the consumer, with absolutely no idea of the source. The only thing this tells you is that the fat is not of animal origin. But there are so many vegetable oils available — the most commonly added ones are soybean, corn, and coconut oils. Coconut oil is easy to handle because it is solid (due to its highly saturated chemistry), but it is unclear if it is doing any long term harm to your horse. The majority of fatty acids in soybean and corn oils are in the omega 6 variety, which is inflammatory in high amounts when not balanced with omega 3s.
Items within the ingredient list must be presented in a certain order. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the ingredient with the highest percentage of total weight must be listed first with all ingredients listed in descending order. However, under certain conditions, the manufacturer may list ingredients alphabetically, making it difficult to interpret concentrations.
Ultimately, it is your responsibility to know what is in your horse’s feed. Call the manufacturer for clarification. Don’t guess when it comes to your horse’s health.
For More Information: Contact Dr. Juliet Getty at www.gettyequinenutrition.com
