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Fit Not Fat

June 18, 2019

Fat is not a bad thing. It acts as an energy store, insulates the body and helps regulate insulin. Problems occur when there is an excess. Obesity, for horses as for humans, is a negative condition. Although there may be underlying causes, the most common cause of “fat” is a simple equation; energy intake is greater than energy expenditure.

All nutrients carry an energy value. If intake exceeds output, the excess energy is stored as fat; starch, sugars and fat are the most likely culprits, but both protein and fibre have the potential to be converted biochemically into fat.

But why is fat so bad? After all it is a perfectly natural product and an essential nutrient. The answer is quite simple. Fat stores secrete a range of hormone-like chemicals called adipokines. Some, such as leptins, are involved in appetite control whilst others can promote inflammatory markers. Chronic, low level inflammation has many consequences including impacting on muscle and vascular system integrity, immune function and oxidative systems. At the same time, as adipokines have cortisol-like activity, high fat reserves can induce insulin resistance. IR and associated hyperglycemia can lead to muscle degeneration and fatigue. Although this sounds extreme, even minor shifts can reduce physiological efficiency.

In contrast, a horse with a good condition score, and regularly exercised has many advantages. Exercise improves the circulation, maintains muscle stasis and improves glucose uptake into the muscle and cells. This in turn reduces insulin resistance, improving sensitivity and reducing the risk of hypoxia and cellular damage.

However, feeding also has an important role. Reducing starch, sugar and fat reduces the rate of fat deposition. Replacing it with fibre lowers the potential for fat deposition, even when fibre sources have high energy levels; biochemically, the end product of fibre fermentation – the volatile fatty acids – can generate some components of fat – fatty acids – but this is far less energy efficient than conversion of sugar to fat or, indeed, direct absorption of dietary fat.

So a high fibre, low sugar/starch diet, achieved by using a super fibre, such as a beet product, coupled with regular exercise can produce a horse in good condition and help avoid a number of metabolic/physiological problems.

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  • Evitex Chasteberry for horses 1 Liter Evitex® $44.95 – $135.95
  • formula4feet horse hoof supplement formula4 feet® $87.95 – $199.95
  • beet treats beet treats® $5.95 – $29.25
  • beet pulp for horses Speedi beet® $15.50 – $39.95
  • SUPERMASH™ with Fibre-Beet $6.95 – $59.95
  • Benegest Pro 11.5lb Bucket Benegest® PRO $35.95 – $69.95
  • SantaMash™ with Fibre-Beet $6.95 – $59.95
  • savvymash SAVVYMASH™ with Speedi-Beet $6.95 – $59.95
  • BTB Hoof 2 Liter BTB Hoof $51.95 – $157.95
  • spookymash SPOOKYMASH™ with Fibre-Beet $6.95 – $59.95

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OUR COMMITMENT

Emerald Valley is a member of the National Animal Supplement Council and certified to display the NASC Seal of Quality. Our products and natural horse supplements are manufactured with purified water, under strict batch control and quality guidelines, in a licensed facility. This is the important difference in the quality, effectiveness and reliability of our products. There is no alcohol in our solutions, only the natural herbs, that help invigorate the horse in your life, naturally.

MEET DR. TOM

We would like to introduce you to a very important member of the Emerald Valley Natural Health family, Dr. Tom Shurlock.
Dr. Tom, as he likes to be called, started working for British Horse Feeds in 1997. Armed with a BSc in Agricultural Biochemistry & Nutrition and also a PhD in Animal Physiology & Nutrition, it was very clear from the get go researching new developments in horse nutrition (and natural horse supplements) are Tom’s passion.
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Disclaimer: This information is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended as an endorsement of product. Emerald Valley is not intended to be a substitute for your appointments for veterinary care, either for regular annual exams, dental checkups or necessary treatments when your animal has health problems.

Instead, Emerald Valley offers the animal owner information about animal health care and natural, top quality products that can have dramatic results without the use of drugs, chemicals, harsh pesticides or low-grade ingredients.

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