During the first lockdown, some of you polished up your horses’ training, others continued their competitions but from home. Some even gave their horses a well-deserved break. Now with the continuing Lockdown and during the winter months, many of us are left with fit horses that are excitable and having limited turn out to release that energy or horses that are still on a break requiring condition. It is important to feed to your horses’ needs. This may be to improve condition over the winter months or to reduce the energy levels for your fit, excitable horse. When looking feed any horse, fibre is the most important component of the diet to help maintain a healthy hind-gut. A high fibre feed will suit most horses in light to moderate work, as it will supply low energy levels. Rowen Barbary have a two specifically designed feeds which will supply low energy levels, suitable for horses in light to moderate work. There is a dry feed called Leisure Plus and feed from our Soft ‘n’ Soak range called Ready Mash. Leisure Plus is a high fibre feed designed to provide low energy levels. It is fully balanced in essential nutrients and contains a variety of ingredients including Linseed and Soya Oil, Calcareous Marine Algae, Chamomile Flower, Spearmint and Nettle. This feed will help keep your horse in great shape. If you currently have a competition horse you are feeding Condition and Performance or Pro Ultra, the Leisure plus is a good step down from the high energy feed without reducing the nutritional content. Ready Mash is also fully balanced and suitable for horses requiring a low energy, high fibre diet. It takes just 5 minutes to soak. This Mash is suitable for horses and ponies at all activity levels and ages. If you have a fit horse you are currently feeding Ready Mash Extra to, this Ready Mash is a step down that will help to adapt to the lower energy levels and provide a lower calorie diet. If you have a horse that requires condition but has health concerns that may not allow for a feed that has medium to high starch or sugar levels we also have suitable feeds to keep your horse in tip top shape. We have a low starch and sugar but high fibre mash to encourage controlled weight gain, called Solution Mash. Solution Mash is a high oil, high fibre balanced feed. The Solution Mash is cereal and molasses free which results in the sugar level being less than 1% and very low starch at just 4.5%. The Solution Mash encourages controlled weight gain through the additional calories from the high oil. This is an excellent source of slow release energy and will not heat-up your horse. It does require soaking for 60 minutes, however will soak quicker with warm water. If you still do not have time to wait, you can soak 24 hours before feeding and it will not ferment or reduce the nutritional value. If your horse is at maintenance levels or retired may require a fibre boost if there are not being turned out and therefore can be fed our dry feed Forage’n’Fibre. This high fibre feed is low in energy and low in sugar and starch. It is fully balanced in essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements so will not require any additional supplementation.