Modern feeding regimes  are restricting horses to diets that are more and more deprived of bulk fibres (cellulose), unless individually supplemented with a good quality forage (hay).

Unfortunately, most of the people think  best quality hays are very high in protein, when, in fact, feeding horses large quantities of a high protein legume hay, for example, can bring about a cascade of ill symptoms which relate to pancreas and kidney overload!

Originally, the horse digestive  system was not meant to receive large amounts of protein at once. The natural "archetypal" diet of wild horses consisted mainly of small meals and intermittent grazing of various plants, roots, and flowers. At times horses had access to "claylicks". These mineral deposits are very important in terms of mineral supplementation of naturally "chelated" macro and trace elements. Also, they have the property to "bind" potential toxins in the digestive tract. Near the sea shores, equines would graze on sea kelp at low tides.

Generally speaking, putting emphasis on high protein forages creates a situation where minerals and fibers are relatively deficient.

The other problem is zootechnical: equines should be fed more frequently and less at the same meal. A lot of the recent work related to bio-availability of feedstuffs versus frequency or number of meals show that human athletes and equine athletes develop more muscular mass and/or perform better when fed smaller meals more frequently! It seems taxing the digestive system less at the same time improves digestion and fuels more efficiently the metabolism!

The scientific explanation of this phenomenon would be linked to better digestive enzyme secretion and less exocrine pancreas overload! Lack of bulk nutrients also create situations where horses ingurgitate their feed too quickly predisposing to bloating and ultimately colics.

Vermifugation at regular intervals (deworming program) and occasional oral antibiotherapy also greatly disturbs normal gut ecology.

Governing factors for optimal digestion means maintaining optimal gut ecology by controlling pH., digestive enzymes, intestinal micro flora and also ammonia production levels where they should be! Also, controlling the presence of potential pathogens to a minimum is a question of "balance": if the immunity system is strong the pathogens do not have a chance to install (bacteria, virus, fungi,parasites, protozoa, etc...).

Equine Formula #2 is a synergistic blend of herbs, digestive enzymes, micro flora preparation (fermentation solubles), chelated trace minerals, colloidal minerals, vitamins and other nutraceuticals that maximize equines potential to assimilate their food into the blood, the lymph, and ultimately the cells!

                               General List of Ingredients:

A- Herbs: Gentian, ginger, fenugreek, fennel, peppermint.These herbs are either digestive tonics which include "bitters" that stimulate the production and secretion of enzymes, or herbs rich in nutrients such as resins, emollients, fatty acids, essential oils,minerals that regulate peristaltism and reduce gas production. Nettles, caraway, papaya, capsicum and licorice have recently been added!

B- Probiotics include beneficial friendly microflora preparations: Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. lactis, bifidus, S. Faecum, B. subtilis and A. orizae. They produce inhibitory substances against pathogens such as acidolin, hydrogen peroxide, and lactic acid. They also produce a variety of enzymes, both metabolic and digestive in nature which help regulate the pH and absorption of intestinal bolus.

C- Fermentation solubles are the condensed substrate of the fermentation of whey inoculated with lactic-acid bacteria and fortified with specific specific microbial nutrients. They are rich in the metabolites produced by probiotics and therefore act as stimulants for growth and reproduction of beneficial intestinal micro-organisms. These solubles are also documented growth inhibitors for pathogens (e.g. salmonella).

D- Kelp is an excellent source of over 60 minerals that are naturally chelated by the plant, plus 22 amino-acids, 12 vitamins, and some polysaccharides. Kelp is an excellent source of protein bound iodine, which is especially important for endocrine function, reproduction, immune activity, and healthy nervous systems.

E- Chelated trace minerals include iron, copper, cobalt, zinc, manganese, iodine, selenium, magnesium, and potassium. These metal elements are organically bound to amino-acids or choline? citric acid compounds. These forms of micro-nutrients are more biologically available as inorganic minerals and are not antagonistic to vitamins or intestinal flora. Most important, they are devoid of the toxic aspects of inorganic minerals (e.g. sulfates).

This formula is designed to be supplemented at a rate of 30 grams (approx. 1 oz) 2-times/per-head/per-day (60g daily) or (approx. 2 oz daily)

Raw Honey is considered the ingredient of choice (rather than molasses) to have the powder formula stick to the meal, so it does not settle down manger bowl. Molasses are cooked and will create fermentation! - !Not raw, unpasteurized honey, which contains food enzymes!

Equine Formula #2 is definitely our most popular formula since all horses are enzyme deficient and most of equines are under some sort of deworming program.

Horses predisposed to colics and various digestive problems (as chronic recurrent diarrhea or watery feces: very often these horses have an overloaded exocrine pancreas.) should be supplemented twice daily until stabilization occurs. When stool consistency is back to normal the formula should be given at the same rate for at least one more week before reducing supplementation to once daily.

Note: Equines that will manifest chronic watery stools should have their dietary regime (nutrition program) re-examined and re-considered! Check if horse is not getting too much grain for his type of activity and also verify if he is not getting too much protein from the forages.

Horses should be supplemented with Equine Formula #2 one week before vermifugation (deworming) and one week after, so optimal balance of "gut ecology" is maintained!

Vermifuges unfortunately alter normal gut ecology, even though we know they have, most of the time, become a necessity!