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Wheatfeed (Fine Bran) fresh |
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Dried Lucerne |
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Heygates Horse & Pony Nuts are made using a blend of traditional raw materials and modern technology resulting in the best possible quality and value for money.
A wide range of raw materials are used so that there are a variety of flavours and nutrients to enhance palatability. The ingredients are carefully chosen and balanced to give a safe non heating feed which is also nutritious.
The raw materials used to make Horse and Pony Nuts are:
WHEATFEED (FINE BRAN) WITH WHEATGERM
The Heygates flour mills are on the same site at Bugbrooke as the animal feed mill so fresh bran products are always available. Wheatfeed is the main raw material used in Horse & Pony Nuts because the nutritional value is ideal for horses and it has the lowest transport cost and environmental impact. Bugbrooke Mill is situated on the edge of the main wheat growing area in East Anglia and the wheat is turned into fine bran on site and conveyed fresh to the feed mill. Most of the starch is extracted into the flour leaving a safe non heating feed which is high in digestible fibre with balanced levels of energy and protein.
When the Heygates flour millers make fine bran for the Horse and Pony Nuts they also add in the wheatgerm so that your feed is full of natural wheatgerm goodness.
OATFEED
When oats are processed for human consumption some of the fibrous parts of the grain are removed and used in animal feeds. Whole oats are too strong to feed to horses unless they are working hard (rolled oats are used in competition mixes) but oatfeed provides digestible fibre in an ideal non heating form.
TREATED STRAW
Straw is another source of digestible fibre. The straw is treated with an alkaline to improve its digestibility and it helps to make a safe non heating feed which is still nutritious and palatable.
SUNFLOWER SEED EXTRACT
Sunflowers are grown to produce oil for cooking. After most of the oil has been extracted the rest of the seed provides a highly nutritious animal feed.
DRIED LUCERNE
Lucerne is cut at the optimum stage to maximise its nutritional value and dried (just like hay). The natural protein, minerals and vitamins are preserved so they are available to your horse.
MOLASSES
A little molasses is added to the ration to aid palatability and provide digestible energy. The molasses level is always restricted so that the sugar level is not too high.
WHEAT FLOUR
Flour, fresh from Heygates flour mills, provides energy and protein and helps to bind the nuts together - just like putting flour in a recipe when you are cooking!
CALCIUM CARBONATE
This is simply a natural ground chalk product which provides essential calcium for strong bones and general health.
CALCIUM LIGNOSULPHONATE
Another calcium compound which is made from plant fibre. A small amount is added to horse and pony nuts as a binder to help make the nuts stick together.
VITAMINS AND TRACE ELEMENTS
The Heygates team of nutritionists constantly review the raw materials being used and balance them with a supplement to provide all the vitamins, minerals and trace elements required. Salt is added to balance the sodium content.
In most circumstances, no further supplementation should be necessary if the recommended levels are being fed.
The target levels for the key nutrients are:
Vitamin A: 10000 iu per kilo
Vitamin D3: 1500 iu per kilo
Copper: 20 mg per kilo
