Criticism often comes from those who should know better, says ETN editor Liz Benwell.
Horses enjoy eating and owners enjoy feeding them. The feed industry would appear to have an open sales goal…
But no, it’s not that simple - because there’s an equine obesity crisis. And guess who’s getting a big dollop of the blame? The feed companies…
Of course, it’s illogical to accuse the manufacturers of carefully researched products for making horses fat when said animals get most of their calories from grass and hay. Yet it’s a muttering emanating from many so-called experts and even, heaven forbid, a few vets who should know better.
Yes, of course there’s some irresponsible marketing, often via emotionally blackmailing owners into ‘doing their best for their horses’ and subtle digs at other brands. And this is true of some supplements too…
But without exception, the major feed companies act ethically, legally and genuinely care about horses’ health.
They invest in research and product development to meet modern leisure horses’ needs. From yard visits to advice helplines, they are generous with the resources they dedicate to educating consumers for free.
Between them, the big players spend millions of pounds on supporting correct equine nutrition.
In a timely move this Spring – when too many already overweight horses will be heading out onto new grass – the British Equestrian Trade Association’s (BETA) Feed Committee [comprising the major manufacturers] is reminding owners and the trade who sell to them that ‘good doers still need feeding’ to receive a balanced diet.
The main challenges around the equine obesity epidemic appear to be 1. getting owners to recognise it and 2. doing something about it.
Thankfully, the major feed companies are big, brave and bold enough to take positive action on those fronts. It would take a very narrow-minded person who refused to listen to their accumulated knowledge.
So next time you hear anyone knocking the feed industry, remind them that those working in said industry are the very people doing the heavy lifting when it comes to combatting equine obesity.
- How, why and what to feed overweight horses is explained in the March of ETN.
Watch out for A Lifetime Of Feeding, the theme of BETA’s Feed Fact Fortnight across social media from 28 March.
