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Yes, absolutely! Soaking with warm or hot water can help speed up the soaking time on freezing winter days, and it creates a lovely, warm mash which some horses find comforting. Just make sure the feed has cooled down enough before offering it to your horse.

Use your nose! Freshly soaked sugar beet has a sweet smell. If it has started to ferment, it will smell distinctly sour, acidic, or like vinegar/alcohol. If you smell this, discard the batch and rinse your buckets thoroughly before soaking a fresh portion. This goes for any other feeds or forage too. 

Unmolassed sugar beet is highly unlikely to cause fizzy behavior. Because it is extremely low in starch and sugar, the energy it provides is released slowly through hindgut fermentation. Cereal grains, which are high in starch, are typically the culprit behind fizzy behaviour.

Muscle development is a gradual process. Generally, you can expect to see subtle changes in muscle tone and posture within 4 to 6 weeks of starting a consistent exercise program. Significant, structural topline changes usually take 3 to 6 months of dedicated work – remember the horse has enormous muscles compared to us. Racehorses build up large muscles which enable them to run fast, remodeling their frame to work in a totally different way for dressage or showing can easily take a year.

While good-quality forage is essential, it is often low in key essential amino acids like lysine. How much grass and forage your horse has access to makes a big difference, as does the quality of both. A horse at rest on good spring/summer grazing may not require much added protein, seniors, those on restricted rations of grass or forage, getting soaked hay or in work are far more likely to benefit from ensuring those crucial protein building blocks are included in the diet.

No. It is a common myth that protein causes excitable behaviour. Excitability has numerous triggers, from personality, breeding, management, age, training, the weather, the list is long. Nutritionally, an excess of calories (energy) can be an issue but often it’s the type of energy which affects behaviour, with high starch feeds (cereals) being a common starting point. 

A poorly fitting saddle could certainly impact topline development. If a saddle pinches or restricts movement, the horse will alter their posture to avoid discomfort, preventing their back muscles from working correctly. Always seek expert advice from a qualified saddle fitter if you have any doubts.

Yes, standard supermarket vegetable oil (which is typically made from rapeseed) is safe and a very cost-effective option for horses. Just ensure whatever oil you choose is fresh and free from any additives or flavorings.

Absolutely! Oil provides safe, concentrated calories for laminitics who struggle to maintain a healthy weight. Starch and sugar free, it doesn't increase blood insulin levels as seen when feeding cereal-rich feeds. Beware though – as it’s highly calorific it’s not suitable for those prone to obesity! 

Yes, numerous scientific studies have shown horses adapt well to high oil diets. They are highly efficient at digesting fats and oils in their small intestine. Because their natural diet is low in fat, allow a gradual 12-week transition period to ramp up the necessary digestive enzymes.

Many high-quality, well formulated high-oil feeds (such as those specifically designed for weight gain or performance) will already have elevated vitamin E levels included. If you are pouring oil straight from a bottle onto your horse’s feed, check the feed label or call our Care-Line. We can help you calculate if your horse is getting the ideal balance!

A sudden drop in appetite should always be investigated. It could be down to dental issues (like sharp edges or loose teeth), gastric ulcers, physical discomfort, or stress from a change in routine. We always recommend having your horse's teeth checked by a qualified equine dental technician or book a visit from your vet to rule out any underlying health concerns first.

Cubes often have a smaller meal size which means they’re more appealing to those who don’t eat big volumes. Because every cube is identical, it also prevents your horse from selectively sorting out the "tasty" bits, ensuring they receive a fully balanced diet with every mouthful.

Picky horses are highly sensitive to strong-smelling powders, particularly when there’s a lot of it. Instead, switch to SPILLERS tasty pelleted supplement range. The palatable pellets can even be fed by hand, meaning even the fussiest horses tuck in without realising they are eating a supplement!

Yes, in moderation! Grated apples, carrots and bananas are often quickly devoured. However, remember to do your homework to avoid natural nasties: never feed fresh cherries to your horse, as cherry pits contain cyanogenic compounds which are highly poisonous to them.

Not necessarily! While haylage is often cut earlier, a high-quality, early-cut soft hay can be just as conditioning – there are numerous factors which affect the nutritional values. Later cut forages (when the plant is ‘older’ or the field has already been harvested) do tend to have a lower value, but again, it depends on the many environmental factors. Always speak to the farmer and, if possible, get a forage analysis done to see what you are really feeding.

The million-dollar question! When people call us, we always want as much information as possible, the main goal of course is to increase the horse’s overall calorie intake. If the horse is under weight and only on grass and/or forage, then a full ration of a lower calorie feed (rather than jumping straight to a conditioning feed) may well be the best starting point. For those already on hard feeds, we will assess the amount of calories they are supplying and recommend a calorie dense diet, this might require the horse to eat three meals a day.

We recommend hands-on body condition scoring (feeling for fat cover over the neck, ribs, loins, and rump) regularly alongside using a weigh-tape weekly to track changes in condition. Keep a record so you can monitor their progress. Feeling subtle changes under your fingertips is the best way to adjust their feed before they lose (or gain) too much condition.

Safe weight gain is a slow, steady journey. Depending on how underweight your horse is, it can take anywhere from 3 to 10 months to reach their ideal condition. Building topline takes longer than simply gaining body fat so a suitable exercise plan should be put in place to help those who need to build muscle too. 

This is a very common point of confusion! Topline is made of muscle (running down the neck, over the back, and to the tail head). Nutritionally, condition simply refers to fat cover. You cannot build topline (or any muscle) without the correct physical exercise to stimulate it. But your horse also needs enough calories and high-quality protein in their diet to support this process.

Modern feeding has mostly moved away from the old-fashioned straight feeding practices we commonly relied on. While traditional cereal grains tend to be calorie-dense, they are high in starch and nutritionally unbalanced. We now know feeding large amounts of cereal can be more problematic and less beneficial than simply selecting lower starch compound feeds which are already nutritionally balanced. Well-formulated products are readily available, with carefully considered ingredients to include quality protein sources, highly digestible fibres and many include extra digestive support offering a more sympathetic way of feeding. 

Horses have incredibly sensitive senses of smell and taste. If you pour a large glug of oil directly onto their feed, it’s common they refuse it. The trick is to introduce it slowly, starting with just a teaspoon or two a meal and build up over several weeks for those aiming for larger amounts. Alternatively, choosing a feed like SPILLERS Ulca Fibre or SPILLERS Digest+ Conditioning Cubes, which are already formulated with high levels of oil blended directly into the recipe improves palatability and offers a simpler solution.

Horses are trickle feeders by nature, and their stomachs are relatively small (about the size of a rugby ball). If you feed large bucket meals, they can quickly feel full or "over-faced". Always keep individual meals to a maximum of 2kgs (dry weight) for a horse - or 1kg for a 12.2 pony. If they still leave food, try splitting their daily ration into three or four smaller feeds spread throughout the day. Some won’t eat much breakfast if they’re keen to get outside so keep this meal small. Also, review their diet to make sure your choice of feeds are all calorie dense so you’re maximizing each mouthful. Try adding tempting flavours as mentioned above.

Look for a high-calorie feed that’s low in starch and sugar, and high in fibre and oil (such as SPILLERS Digest+ Conditioning Cubes or SPILLERS Ulca Fibre). Oil and fibre provide "slow-release" energy, helping your horse gain condition without the unwanted excitability associated with high-starch cereal grains.

While forage can easily supply enough calories (and often too many!) sadly UK pastures are often naturally lacking in key minerals and vitamins like copper, zinc, and selenium. To balance their diet without adding unnecessary calories, we recommend adding a low-calorie balancer like SPILLERS Daily Balancer to make up the shortfall.

Without testing your horse’s forage, it really is a guessing game. UK forage nutrient levels vary depending on numerous factors such as weather, soil, land management and harvesting time. If you would like to know exactly what your horse’s forage levels are, we suggest getting their forage tested by the gold standard lab method known as the “wet chemistry method” for most accurate results.

A 'poor doer' is a horse who struggles to maintain a healthy body condition and often loses weight, especially during the winter months, despite receiving what seems to be an adequate diet. Regular body condition scoring can help you track this enabling you to make changes before it becomes a problem.

Try adding warm water to their feed, or tempt them with small amounts of grated carrot, apple. Try to work out exactly what it is they don’t enjoy eating by serving different feeds in separate buckets and avoid adding unpalatable supplements.

While adding oil provides non-heating calories, it can be unpalatable in large amounts and requires balancing with vitamin E. For most owners, choosing a high-quality conditioning feed which already contains high levels of oil and is fully balanced is a more convenient and reliable option.

Look for signs like slow or difficultly chewing (quidding), dropping feed, eating less forage than usual, or a new reluctance to eat. If you are at all concerned, arrange a visit from a qualified equine dental technician or vet to check their teeth.

You should seek veterinary advice if the weight loss is sudden, severe, or unexpected. It's also particularly important to call the vet if your horse is already on a high-calorie diet and continues to lose weight, to rule out any underlying health issues which may be the cause.

Wheatfeed, and oatfeed, are excellent sources of fibre for horses. A product not used by one industry can be really beneficial for another and in a sustainable world it’s more important than ever not waste or discard items or label them a ‘by-product’ when they can be so useful elsewhere. Horses have successfully been fed wheatfeed and oatfeed for decades and they are valuable ingredients.

Although commonly suspected, true feed allergies in horses are in fact very rare and when true feed allergies do occur, they are usually in response to a specific type of protein. Unfortunately, allergy tests in horses are unreliable so if a feed allergy is suspected, an elimination diet is the best option. This involves removing all feed from the diet for at least 4-6 weeks and monitoring the ‘reaction’. If it stops/ disappears, individual feeds or ingredients need to be reintroduced one at a time for a period of 2-3 weeks to see if the reaction comes back; this stage is essential to rule out the possibility of coincidence.

Technically yes of course, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll receive a balanced diet. UK grass and forages are hugely variable in their nutritional content and therefore for most horses and ponies feeding either a full ration of compound feed, balancer or a vitamin and mineral supplement is the best way to ensure they receive all the nutrients they need to thrive long term.

Feed ingredients used today by reputable feed companies have been carefully chosen for their benefits and used effectively for decades. Feed manufacturers in the UK who are accredited to the BETA® NOPS (Natural and Other Prohibited Substances) scheme follow very strict manufacturing processes which ensure that high quality and safety standards are met at every step of the way of your horse’s feed production. These processes are of particular importance for horses competing under affiliated rules but should provide all horse owners with peace of mind we’re voluntarily working under strict industry guidelines. At SPILLERS we are totally transparent about the ingredients in all our feeds and supplements and declare information clearly on our website.

Yes, of course you can! All information on how to can be found here - Adopt A Horse | Redwings Horse Sanctuary Adopt a horse | Redwings Horse Sanctuary  Whether you're keen to adopt a donkey, pony or horse you can see the friendly faces of those on their current Adoption Stars list!

Yes! We have 2 sites in Norfolk and one in Essex where you can meet some of the wonderful herd and have some nose scratches as well as grab a coffee and cake. You can also visit the birthplace of Black Beauty writer Anna Sewell. Head over to the website for more into - Visit Us |Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Visit | Redwings Horse Sanctuary 

Yes! Redwings use a wide range of SPILLERS products across all their sites to keep their 1,000+ horses, mules and donkeys happy and thriving. They've worked together for more than two decades to help advance equine welfare through research and collaborative projects.

Straw is a great choice for many good doers to both reduce their calorie intake and increase eating time. However, ensure it is clean, high-quality, and introduced gradually to give the digestive system and their eating style time to adapt. Avoid feeding straw to horses with poor teeth or those prone to impaction colic.

Smaller amounts of feed can be changed over a few days but for bigger meals aim to changes over 7 to 14 days. Ideally adopt this habit to changes of forage too – risk of colic increases greatly with sudden changes of diet and as forage makes up the majority of their food it can have the greatest impact.

There are many triggers for laminitis and there’s still much work to be done to understand more about it. However, we do know that excess NSC (non-structural carbohydrate – aka sugars) intake is a main driver for laminitis risk. Sugar levels in grass constantly fluctuate, even by the hour, but we know lush grass can be very high in sugars in spring and autumn and there’s plenty of it, meaning horses can easily eat an excess. For many laminitis in prone individuals this is a high-risk time of year and access to pasture should be carefully managed.

More information on our accreditations and quality principles can be found here Quality matters | SPILLERS Feeds on our website.

If your horse is unable to maintain weight on forage and a balancer, look for cubes, mixes, mashes or short chopped fibre feeds (chaffs) with added vitamins and minerals. These feeds will provide additional calories for condition, as well essential nutrients for a balanced diet. Read our blog on balancing the diet here.

You can read more about the SPILLERS Balancer range here. We’ve even got a quiz to help you decide which balancer might be most suitable for your horse - click here to find out more! But for specific advice tailored to your horse/ pony’s individual needs, reach out to our team of friendly nutrition advisors - click on the details below.

Yes! Every year we are involved with huge amounts of equine research. We’re particularly interested in studies which help us learn more about keeping our senior horses thriving for longer, the complexities of laminitis, diet and other metabolic illnesses, and how obesity affects health.

Simple – give us a call on 01908 226626 if you have any questions! Our friendly team of nutrition advisors love to help make a difference and support you in caring for your horse or pony. We have an extensive website with heaps of helpful information, science backed articles and product information.

We have a super helpful stockist locator on our website HERE – click through to find a list of stores where you can buy our feeds now. We also sell direct via Amazon if you’re looking for home delivery. 

All good feed brands should include the feeding rate information on the bag. If you’re feeding the full recommended amount of that feed to your horse, then they’re likely getting all the nutrients they need for a balanced diet. If you’re feeding less than the amount recommended, then your horse or pony will likely fall short of essential vitamins and minerals. This is where a balancer can help make up the short fall. E.g. If you’re feeding half the recommended amount of their current feed, then feeding half a ration of balancer should make up what’s missing. Of course, if you’re at all confused or unsure, give our experienced Care-Line team a call or fill in the form HERE.

From the SPILLERS range of balancers, as it’s formulated to provide the essentials without premium added extras, Daily Balancer is the cheapest option per daily serving. 

That totally depends on the individual horse or pony. For many good doers, balancers can be fed alone so there’s minimal calories in the bucket feed. Most people like to add a double handful of a low-calorie chaff to bulk out the bucket feed a little and encourage chewing simply for enrichment purposes. 

For horses/ ponies in harder work, some seniors or maybe those lacking topline, we might advise choosing a higher calorie fibre to add a few more calories and protein to the diet. 

For some, a balancer alone isn’t enough for them to maintain their weight so we might recommend a ‘half and half’ diet, where the owner feeds half a ration of a compound feed (for added calories) and half a ration of balancer. Again, should you need individual advice, please contact us on the details below.

Possibly, but it really will depend on the individual joint supplement you’re feeding or thinking of choosing. Please give us a call and we can advise on the best choice for your horse.

Most pelleted balancers are safe to be fed dry, but you can of course add some water if your horse prefers a wet feed. Do check individual instructions on the bag to be sure. 

For many horses, a balancer, such as SPILLERS Lite & Lean Balancer, fed alongside carefully managed forage is the best option. This ensures a balanced diet without adding unnecessary calories.

No. Overweight horses still need fibre and essential nutrients every day. The aim is to reduce calories safely, not remove nutrients which support their wellbeing.

Potentially, yes. Haylage is not automatically higher in calories or sugar than hay, but it is often harder to assess because of its variable water content. Forage analysis is the best way to know what you are feeding.

Feeding up to 50% straw can be a great option for many good doers because it is lower in calories and takes longer to chew but it needs introducing slowly. However, it’s not recommended for those with poor dentition or a history of colic.

No. Balancers are fed in very small quantities and contribute relatively few calories to the diet. Their purpose is to provide nutrients, not promote weight gain.

After the first week, aim for around 0.5–1% of bodyweight per week. Slow, steady progress is safest.

Yes, but in moderation. Treats still contribute calories, so they should be fed sparingly to good doers.

Some horses are more weight-loss resistant than others. Review grazing access, forage amounts, exercise, rugging and general management, and speak to a nutrition advisor if needed.

SPILLERS Ulca Power Cubes and HDF Power Cubes have been proven time and time again to fuel winners on the flat, and over hurdles and fences at the very highest level. HDF Power Mix offers an alternative for those who prefer mixes.

SPILLERS HDF Lay Off Cubes are proven high spec cubes - packed full of nutrients and fibre but with lower energy levels better suited to those on box rest or during the early stages of training. HDF Lay Off Mix is also available.

SPILLERS Ulca Power Cubes carry the BETA® EGUS mark as approved as suitable for horses with gastric ulcers – but still provide plenty of energy to bring your horses home ahead of the field. SPILLERS HDF Power Cubes have been scientifically proven to support horses with gastric ulcers too*.

_{*Luthersson N, Bolger C, et al (2019)}

SPILLERS offer 2 high calorie, soft & palatable fibres which carry the BETA® EGUS mark and make an excellent addition to the bucket feed of high-performance horses. Choose from SPILLERS Alfalfa-Pro Fibre or SPILLERS Ulca Fibre.

Every horse is an individual which is why we have a comprehensive range of balancers to suit varying needs. Use our Interactive Decision Tree(open in new tab) to help you select the best balancer for your horse or call our Care-Line for help tailoring your horse’s diet (see below).

All SPILLERS balancers are low in calories, sugar and starch making them suitable for laminitics. If your horse is severely insulin dysregulated, we recommend you speak to us in person via our Care-Line (see below).

Horses and ponies should be fed a minimum of 1.5% of their bodyweight in forage in dry matter - this includes grazing. If your horse is stabled 24/7 this means weighing out 9kgs of hay for a 500kg horse or 4.5kgs for a 250kg pony. Check out our Slimmers hub(open in new tab) for more information on managing a good doer.

Due to the small amounts of balancer fed each day they provide minimal amounts of sugar, starch and energy meaning they are very unlikely to cause excitability.

Every horse is an individual but practically you should notice they're gaining weight within 4-6 weeks. Be patient, don't forget to feed them plenty of forage and if you need to build topline too don't forget exercise is essential for building muscle!

• SPILLERS™ Ulca Fibre is an ideal choice for horses who need a diet high in calories but super low in sugar and starch, perhaps those who are prone to ulcers, laminitis or over excitability.
• SPILLERS™ Digest+ Conditioning Cubes also offer a high fibre, low starch option for those who would also benefit from a feed with added digestive support in a cube format.
• SPILLERS™ Shine+ Conditioning Mix is a better choice for horse who could do with a little sparkle or those who prefer the wholesome flavours of mix.
• Our high calorie, high oil fibres all include a blend of short-chopped, soft palatable fibres which horses not only love but also benefit their digestive health.
• Use our Interactive Decision Tree to help you select the best product for your horse's specific needs.

Each product page includes the list of the key nutrients as well as the ingredients we use in their recipes. If there's anything else you need to know, simply give us a shout - see below.

Although we commonly consider 16 and over as senior, with modern veterinary knowledge and better care many horses are still thriving in their 30s. You know your horse best so look for signs of ageing or speak to one of our nutrition specialists for more specific advice.

SPILLERS senior feeds are designed to be extra tasty, be easier for them to eat as their teeth start to age and all support digestive health. SPILLERS Supple & Senior Balancer and both senior mixes include joint supporting ingredients, have added respiratory support and elevated levels of immune support.

SPILLERS Senior Super-Mash would be our top recommendation for horses who start to struggle with eating traditional feeds and for those who can no longer eat much forage and fibre it can be used as full or partial hay replacer too! For good doers choose the lower calorie SPILLERS Speedy-Mash Fibre.

Use our Interactive Decision Tree to help you select the best product for your horse's specific needs.

Both SPILLERS Senior Super-Mash and SPILLERS Supple & Senior Balancer are low in sugar and starch and therefore are suitable for horses and ponies prone to laminitis.

Each product page includes the list of the key nutrients as well as the ingredients we use in their recipes. If there’s anything else you need to know, simply get in touch with our friendly nutrition team. 

Not necessarily. Horses with dental issues or a history of colic may not be suitable candidates for straw. Always consult your vet or equine dental technician if you’re unsure. 

In once recent study, there was no increased association between feeding straw and gastric ulcers. For horses who need to avoid long periods of time without food straw ideal for extending eating time.

• Oat straw – usually the most palatable.
• Barley straw – palatable, but can sometimes have awns (beards) which may cause irritation.
• Wheat straw – generally less palatable but often more widely available.

Ultimately, the most important factor is quality – clean, bright, and mould-free.

There’s no need to soak straw for sugar reduction as its water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content is already low (around 6–7%). However, a short soak can help reduce dust and spores, or improve palatability for fussy eaters.

Yes! Steaming straw can improve its hygienic quality and palatability, and reduce respirable dust, mould spores, and bacteria – making it particularly useful for horses with respiratory issues.

30–50% of the total forage ration can be replaced with straw for horses with no dental problems. Always introduce gradually and monitor droppings and condition closely.

Oil can be added a rate of up to 100ml per 100kg bodyweight per day (up to 500ml) for horses that need to gain weight. Add any additional gradually (approximately 100mls per week) and ensure the diet provides an additional 100iu of vitamin E for every 100mls of oil fed – contact the Care-Line for more advice on this.

Soya, vegetable, rapeseed and corn oil all contain similar levels of energy (calories) and can be added directly to the horse’s feed. However ,simply adding oil over the top of the horse’s current feed may unbalance diet so you may wish to consider moving to a feed that already contains a higher level of oil and is suitably balanced with additional vitamin E. Contact the Care-Line for more advice on this.

When horses sweat they lose electrolytes, the main ones being sodium, potassium and chloride. For those sweating regularly, some of these losses should be replaced through the diet. However the level of electrolytes lost is directly proportionate to sweating and consequently, free access to an equine salt lick is sufficient for horses at rest or in light work. If your horse is sweating on a regular basis call the Care-Line for advice on feeding a specialist electrolyte supplement or adding salt to his feed.

All SPILLERS feeds can be fed dry although adding a small amount of water to mix/ dampen your horse’s feed if you prefer will not cause any harm. Alternatively, all SPILLERS cubes can be soaked in warm water to make a mash for horses and ponies with poor teeth. Some feeds such as those containing sugar beet do need to be soaked before feeding so always check the manufacturer’s feeding instructions.

Although sugar beet is high in calories and provides an excellent source of highly digestible fibre, the increase in volume after soaking makes it easy to overestimate how much you are actually feeding. Consequently, sugar beet is often not fed in large enough quantities to contribute a significant level of calories to the diet. In fact, a scoop of low energy cubes (such as SPILLERS Horse and Pony Cubes) could be 5 times higher in calories than a scoop of soaked sugar beet!

Feed a maximum of 2kg per meal (dry weight) for horse horses over 400kg, less for ponies. Horses and ponies prone to certain clinical conditions may benefit from smaller meals; speak to a nutritionist for more advice on this.

All dietary changes should be made gradually, including changes in forage. As a general guide, replace 500g of old/ current feed for 500g of new feed every other day (less for ponies). However if your horse/ pony is prone to any clinical conditions such as colic, tying up or laminitis, always seek advice from a nutritionist before changing his feed. Ideally, new hay, haylage and pasture should always be introduced gradually too.

The most suitable way of balancing your horse/ pony’s diet will depend on his condition. Balancers are the ideal option for those able to maintain weight on forage alone, whilst compound feeds will provide additional energy (calories) as well as vitamins, minerals and quality protein required for a balanced diet provided they are fed at the recommend ration.

Unfortunately calories and energy are exactly the same thing which means it is impossible to feed more of one without the other. If your horse is already in good or overweight condition, any lack of energy under saddle is not caused a lack on in the diet, so avoid the temptation to increase his feed. Where necessary, slimming your horse down a healthy body condition score and improving his fitness may also help to improve his natural energy levels.

Yes, although compound and fibre feeds generally contribute very little sugar to the total diet when fed at the recommended ration. In fact, forage is the largest source of sugar in any horse’s diet, even in horses without access to grazing. However, high levels of energy and sugar in spring grass may well contribute to more exuberant behaviour in some horses and ponies!

Although diet is just one of many factors that can affect behaviour, feeds high in cereal starch can certainly exacerbate excitable temperaments. Start by avoiding all mixes and look for fibre based feeds containing less than 15% starch initially. When additional calories are required, feeds high in oil provide a sympathetic alternative to cereal starch.

True feed allergies in horses are rare and unfortunately, allergy testing (skin and blood tests) in horses is unreliable. If you do suspect your horse/ pony has a genuine feed allergy, an elimination diet is the best course of action. Please contact the Care-Line for more information.

Yes, although true feed allergies in horses are very rare and when they do occur, are in response to a specific type of protein (normally a cereal protein), not the amount of protein or sugar as commonly thought. It is notoriously difficult to find the root cause of skin complaints such as itching, lumps, bumps and hives (one of the most common reasons that feed allergies are suspected) although changes in temperature, flies, mites in forage or bedding, shampoos or other topical solutions, clipper oil, pollen and detergent used to wash rugs and numnahs are all common culprits!

Yes; just don’t feed them by the bucketful! Carrots contain approximately 85% water and therefore each carrot you feed contains very little sugar. Equally, 1 SPILLERS treat contains just 1.4g (less than ½ a teaspoon) of sugar so one or two carrots/ treats per day will not cause any harm – remember everything in moderation!

Horses and ponies prone to laminitis need a high fibre, low starch and low sugar diet which also provides a balanced supply of vitamins, minerals and quality protein. Use the following tips as a guide but seek advice from a nutritionist to ensure that the feeds you choose are suitable for your individual horse or pony:

Choose fibre based feeds that are low in starch and sugar

Avoid all cereals and mixes

Remember feeds to do need to be molasses free or sugar free

The most suitable option for your horse/ pony may not be approved by The Laminitis Trust or mention laminitis on the bag – speak to a nutritionist for more advice

SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF, HAPPY HOOF Molasses Free, Speedy-Mash Fibre and all SPILLERS balancers are ideal for good doers prone to laminitis. If your horse or pony is normally a poor doer or has recently lost weight, please contact the Care-Line for more advice.

In general yes, although turnout on frosty grass, particularly in conjunction with bright sunlight should be avoided for horses prone to colic or laminitis.

Research has shown that soaking hay for 12-16 hours in tepid water can reduce water soluble carbohydrate content by up to 50%. However, it is important to remember that results are variable and soaking alone cannot guarantee suitability for laminitics. Reduce soaking to a maximum of 6 hours in hot weather.

Research has shown that soaking hay for just 10 minutes causes the majority of dust spores to swell so that they are ingested rather than inhaled. However, remember to feed soaked hay immediately after soaking as the spores may become airborne again once dried.

No. In fact you need to feed approximately 1.2-1.5 (20-50%) more haylage than hay by weight to account for the higher moisture content. Remember – nutrients are diluted in water!

No. In truth the nutritional value of both hay and haylage varies considerably and haylage is not automatically higher in energy (calories), protein or sugar as commonly thought. The only way to determine the nutrient content of any forage is to have it analysed.

Ideally hay/ haylage should be fed ad-lib, particularly for stabled horses or those with limited grazing. For good-doers, total forage intake (including grazing) should not be restricted to less than 1.5% bodyweight (DM) per day. In practice:

Ignore grass intake in horses turned out for only a few hours

Feed a minimum of half the horse’s minimum daily forage ration as hay/ haylage for horses stabled for 12 hours i.e. 4kg for a 500-550kg horse

Feed 1.2-1.5 (20-50%) more haylage than hay by weight to account for the higher moisture content

Good doers may winter out on grazing alone except for in the coldest of weather or when the grass is covered in snow

No. All balancers (except stud balancers) are formulated to provide a negligible level of energy (calories) when fed at the recommended ration. Although some balancers contain functional ingredients to support digestive health and a higher level of protein to support muscle and topline, a balancer will not provide the additional calories required by horses unable to maintain weight on forage alone.

All of them! SPILLERS balancers contain a negligible level of starch and sugar when fed at the recommended ration.

All of them! All SPILLERS balancers contain a negligible level of starch and sugar when fed at the recommended ration.

Unlike broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplements, balancers also provide additional protein and amino acids often lacking in UK forage. Depending on the manufacturer you may also be able to choose a balancer tailored towards your horse’s age and workload such as ‘Stud’ balancers for growing horses or ‘Performance’ balancers for competition or race horses. Some balancers also contain added functional ingredients such as live yeast and glucosamine.

Balancers are small, nutrient dense pellets formulated to provide a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals and quality protein, alongside a negligible level of calories when fed at the recommended ration. Some balancers also contain added functional ingredients such as live yeast or glucosamine. Balancers are ideal for horses and ponies that maintain weight easily on forage only diets or less than the recommended ration of feed.

No. Glucose is vital for life and the primary energy source utilised by cells in the body, including the brain. Even if sugar levels in the diet are low, the horse’s body converts other nutrients to glucose to meet demand.

No. In fact it is virtually impossible to find a sugar free feed as many of the ingredients included will contain a natural source of sugar, even if the feed is molasses free. However, horses and ponies prone to clinical conditions such as laminitis require a ‘low sugar’ not a ‘sugar free’ diet. In fact, glucose is the primary energy source used by body cells, including the brain so some sugar in the diet helps to keep your horse or pony healthy, even if they are prone to laminitis.

Yes! SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF Molasses Free, Fibre Lite Molasses Free, Speedy-Mash Fibre, Senior Super-Mash, Digest+ Conditioning Cubes, Stamina+ Cubes and Perform & Restore Mash are ideal for owners that are concerned about the inclusion of molasses. However for horses and ponies prone to conditions such as laminitis, it is the total amount of sugar in the diet that is important and not the inclusion of individual ingredients such as molasses. Many feeds containing molasses are in fact low in sugar.