Myth: A high protein diet will make my horse fizzy.
Reality: Protein does not cause hot or `fizzy behaviour in horses. Here`s why...

While protein does provide a small amount of energy, it is not a primary energy source. The main sources of energy for horses are fibre, carbohydrates and fats. Even if protein is metabolised for energy, the metabolisation process is inefficient.

Protein is a critical part of a horse`s diet and is needed for structure, function, muscle building, tissue repair, immunity and so much more. It is often misunderstood and some horse owners shy away from it as a result of this, which can lead to dietary issues or imbalances.

But where has this myth come from? There are two likely origins...

1️⃣High protein diets can have high energy levels too.
If your horse is too `hot` then total dietary energy is likely exceeding daily needs, especially if high in fast-release energy sources. Remember to take into account hay and forage as energy sources too. Some forages (like cereal hays) can be very high in starch and sugar.

2️⃣ Excess protein that can`t be used by the body needs to be burnt and excreted in a process called Deamination. Deamination generates metabolic or internal heat compared to regular digestion and the normal absorption of dietary protein. This can lead to increased sweating and urine production.

💡If protein levels are within requirements but lysine (a limiting amino acid) is too low, deamination can still occur because the proteins can`t be synthesised properly.

In summary:
💡If your horse is showing hot or fizzy behaviour, check their workload and the energy levels and types not just in their concentrates, but their hay, chaff and pastures.

💡Protein isn`t a `hot` or fizzy source of energy and limiting protein can mean essential requirements aren`t met.

💡Excess protein or limited lysine intake can lead to deamination and increased body heat and urine.

REMEMBER: Quality proteins are an essential part of your horse or pony`s diet.

You may have noticed some updates to our equine bags. We`d like to share what`s changed, and most importantly what hasn`t.

✔️Transparency counts.
The updates we’ve been making to our bags and names reflects our commitment to clearer, more transparent branding. This makes it easier for you to confidently choose the right feed for your horse.

✔️While branding evolves, our ingredients remain consistent.
Even though the names and bags for some of our feeds have evolved, their ingredients and recipes remain consistent. In some feeds we’ve made small adjustments like adding extra, functional ingredients like probiotics or Acid Buf, or increased key vitamins and minerals to better meet targets.

- More benefits for horses, better value for you.

✔️Our feeds are set recipe, not least cost.
This ensures consistency from batch to batch, with the same high-quality ingredients in every bag. We source from trusted suppliers, conduct regular testing and maintain full traceability across our supply chain.

Quality is not something we compromise on.

✔️Clearer packaging & transparency for you.
Our updated packaging aims to provide clearer on-bag guidance. While we have condensed some information, we now include QR codes linking to our even more in-depth nutritional analyses and
full ingredient breakdowns on our website, so you know what you’re feeding.

✔️Trust matters to us.
We are privately owned with an experienced, hands-on team that makes sure every product is backed by practical knowledge and technical expertise. Our ingredients are sourced from trusted producers with full traceability across our supply chain. When you buy a bag of T&R feed, you can trust where it comes from, what’s in it and who we are.

We work hard to keep our customers and community up to date, through our stockists and our online channels.

The last two updates to our equine range are for Pony Maintenance Cubes and Pony Cubes, and we`ve created a handy blog post on our website that has a full summary of all the updates.

https://thompsonandredwood.com.au/equine-updates

Remember, we`re here to help. You can always send us a message, an email or pick up the phone.

Myth: Energy is just energy. All calories are equal.
Reality: Not all energy is equal; the source is vital!

When it comes to your horse`s diet, calories or energy is an essential component. They need energy for all fundamental life functions, from digestion through to performance. But 1000 calories from hay, will not be the same as 1000 calories from concentrates. This is because different feeds are digested in different parts of the digestive system, at different speeds, and trigger different responses in the body.

Fibre from hay and pasture is fermented slowly in the hindgut. This creates cool, steady energy that supports gut health, mental calmness, and long‑lasting stamina. Fibre should always be the foundation of a horse’s diet.

Sugars and starches are digested quickly in the small intestine. They are important for horses doing fast paced work as they provide fast-release energy. They cause spikes in blood glucose and insulin, which can affect behaviour and metabolic health.

Fat is a highly energy‑dense, slow‑release energy source. It provides calories without triggering large insulin responses. This makes fat ideal for performance horses or hard keepers that need more fuel without becoming fizzy.

Every horse has different energy needs, and it will change based on their stage of life and daily activity. When you`re looking at the energy in your horse`s diet, don`t just look at the amount of energy, but balance the types and sources of that energy to suit their individual needs.

#tiptuesday #myth #horsefeedmyth #horsefeed