The RED MILLS Care Range

Our most popular and nutritionally advanced RED MILLS Care Range has been enhanced with the addition of new ultra-low starch Horse Care ULTRA Cubes. Horse Care ULTRA Cubes have been formulated by our expert team of nutritionists to be cereal-grain free and exceptionally low in starch. This nutritionally advanced formulation has a starch content of just 4%; one of the lowest starch feeds on the market. Horse Care ULTRA Cubes contain the same tried, tested, and trusted RED MILLS Nutrition Care package which has been specifically formulated to provide the horse with optimum nutritional support.

Why the RED MILLS Nutrition Care Package? 

The modern-day horse faces many challenges – the physical and mental stresses of training, frequent travel and the tremendous demands of the breeding season. Key body systems including the digestive system, musculoskeletal system and immune systems are tested daily. Our expert nutrition team have developed the RED MILLS Care package for a scientifically advanced range of feeds, that have been specifically formulated to provide the horse with optimum nutritional support the Care packages includes:

Stomach Care

A variety of factors place the performance horse at risk of gastric ulceration, caused by gastric acid erosion of the epithelial lining of the stomach wall. The RED MILLS Care package has been specifically designed to help support and maintain normal stomach health. All RED MILLS Care products are low in starch and contain a slow releasing, natural gastric buffer to help to buffer excess acid thereby helping to maintain a healthy stomach pH. 

Hindgut Care

Maintaining a healthy and efficient hindgut in high performing competition and stud horses can be challenging. The RED MILLS Care package includes fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), and live yeast, all of which help to promote a healthy hindgut environment.  

FOS, a prebiotic, promotes the development of beneficial bacteria

MOS acts as a pathogen binder to help keep unwanted bacteria from populating the hindgut

Yeast aids fibre digestion and nutrient uptake

Muscle Care

Precise nutritional care is needed to support muscle development, growth and post-exercise recovery. The RED MILLS Care package is formulated to provide high quality protein, rich in essential amino acids. A comprehensive, unique antioxidant package combining Vitamin E, organic Selenium and Vitamin C is also included to effectively support cellular function and muscle recovery.   

Skeletal Care

The RED MILLS Care package has been formulated to help promote bone strength and correct limb development by providing quality protein, vitamins A, D and K, plus essential micronutrients such as elements calcium and phosphorus. Chelated copper and zinc are also included for improved availability. All the feeds in the RED MILLS Care range have also been designed to provide controlled levels of starch to help reduce excessive glycaemic response after feeding. 

Hoof Care

Horse hoof health is determined by several factors including genetics, environment, and

nutrition. The RED MILLS Care package contains elevated levels of biotin to help support improved hoof quality, plus quality protein, a source of sulphur-containing amino acids, chelated zinc and copper all of which play important roles in maintaining hoof health.  

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Red Mills - Fitness and Nutritional Status

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Many National Hunt horses returning from pasture will appear well conditioned, in some cases a little too well conditioned, and giving the appearance of great health following a period of relaxation. Whilst pasture will have provided an abundance of protein and sugars that flesh out a horse nicely, it will in most cases have fallen short in meeting the mineral requirements of a horse even when at rest. When starting back into work it is worth considering improving the nutritional profile of the horse at the same time as building fitness. ​

Whilst the major minerals including calcium and phosphorus along with key electrolytes potassium and sodium are generally well catered for within pasture the micro minerals of zinc, copper, selenium and manganese are often too low to meet requirements. Of these copper is the most easily noted as the horse’s skin colour changes giving a bleached looked and a flat colour.

Unlike the vitamins A,D,E which are fat soluble and can be stored in the body, minerals cannot be stored in tissues and so it is not possible to pre-load a horse before going out to pasture. The only mineral that can be stored is copper, which is held within the liver. Depending on the pasture content and stocking rate a horse may hold enough reserve to match any shortfall or the reserve will run short and a deficiency occurs. In most cases the horse returns to work with a low mineral profile that needs to be lifted in order to withstand the increased workload.

Increasing mineral intake requires a well supplemented diet designed to provide minerals matching the intensity of work and taking into account a dried forage base rather than pasture. When considering which diet to start on the protein level is important but of equal importance is the vitamin and mineral profile. The initial training phase has high demands for adaptation as fitness increases and the requirement for nutrients that support muscle function, such as vitamin E, selenium, magnesium and copper is raised. There is significant variation in mineral levels found within feeds. Choosing a diet with an elevated mineral content will reduce the need for additional supplements and will cater for the variation of minerals found in dried forages.