Supporting our members in their efforts to achieve the highest level of repute, knowledge and profitability.
MAKING SURE YOUR VETERAN HORSE GETS ENOUGH FIBRE
Fibre is the foundation of any equine diet, but for older horses this can sometimes be a bit of a challenge when worn or missing teeth leave them struggling to eat hay or haylage.
Despite these age-related difficulties, veterans still need a regular supply of fibre to support healthy hindgut fermentation and condition, provide a supply of steady energy, help maintain gut function and keep them occupied with plenty of natural chewing and eating behaviour.
Soaked unmolassed beet ticks all the boxes as it is a valuable fibre provider for veteran horses, giving them plenty of digestible fibre a in a form that is much easier for them to eat – and because of the soaking, it can help with water intake during the winter months.
Beet pulp can be used as a useful partial forage replacer. It is low in sugar and starch, but not nutritionally complete, so a vitamin and mineral balancer should be added if the beet is the only bucket feed.
Trigger – This handsome chap is 27-years-old and he lives with EquiGlo Horse Feeds brand ambassador and endurance rider Tanya Southworth in Cornwall.
Thank you to EquiGlo Horse Feeds for sharing expert advice on keeping senior horses healthy, hydrated, and well-nourished.
To help celebrate Feed Fact Fortnight, @equiglohorsefeeds is sponsoring a fantastic giveaway! Stay tuned for full entry details on how you could win.
Meet the Finalists: Coraigh Lynch | BETA Equine Thesis of the Year 2026
Next up in our finalist spotlight is Coraigh Lynch, representing the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (@discovercafre @discovercafreequine )!
Thesis Title:‘An Investigation into the Variation of Equine Parasite Eggs Within a Faeces Sample’
A motivated BSc (Hons) Equine Management graduate from CAFRE, Coraigh brings over 10 years of practical experience caring for and working with horses. Having recently graduated with First Class Honours, he is currently completing a one-year internship at Watership Down Stud, where his daily responsibilities include stud work, foal and yearling prep, and assisting attending veterinarians. His award-winning research focus explores key areas of equine parasitology and modern horse health management.
📅 Watch the Live Final: Catch Coraigh presenting his research alongside our other finalists on Wednesday, 21st October 2026 at 2:00 PM!
🔗 Register to Watch Live: link in the bio
#BETA #EquineThesis #EquineScience #CAFRE #EquineResearch #EquineHealth #HorseWelfare #BETAUK
Meet the Finalists: Fyona Fay Cowan | BETA Equine Thesis of the Year 2026
Next up in our finalist spotlight is Fyona Fay Cowan @fyonaacowan , representing Scotland`s Rural College (@srucnews @sruc_equestrian ) & The University of Glasgow @uofglasgow !
Thesis Title:‘Exploring the Effects of Superficial Localised Heat Therapy on Equine Relaxation’
Having been involved with horses her whole life and coming from a non-equestrian family, Fyona completed her degree in BSc Equine Science and Management. She is now working full-time as a groom while studying towards achieving her Level 6 Veterinary Physiotherapy qualification at The Academy of Veterinary Physiotherapy.
📅 Watch the Live Final:
Don`t miss Fyona presenting her research alongside our other brilliant finalists on Wednesday, 21st October 2026 at 2:00 PM!
🔗 Join the Live Zoom Presentation: link in the bio
#BETA #EquineThesis #EquineScience #SRUC #UniversityOfGlasgow #EquineResearch #VeterinaryPhysiotherapy #EquineHealth #BETAUK
Are your horses just surviving—or are they thriving?
Did you know that although grass in the UK can provide basic nutrition, it usually falls short of providing all the vitamins and minerals that your horse needs? It is important to remember this also includes preserved forages like haylage and hay.
After a very hot, dry summer, pastures in the UK have suffered, thus affecting the quality even more. This will suit those who usually restrict grazing; however, it is important to remember that we do so to reduce sugar and starch (for those susceptible to EMS, laminitis, PPID, e.g.) and so, we are then further reducing what is already a poor nutrient source. It is correct that native ponies survive in the UK with no additional feed whatsoever.
However, our aim as horse owners should always be for our horses to thrive, not just survive. Whether you have a paddock companion or performance horse, correct, balanced nutrition is vital to get the best out of them. Be that in achieving optimum performance or just general Joie de Vivre and longevity.
Balanced nutrition not only supports every system in the body, it is the foundation of overall health and immune function. If calorific content is a major concern then then a powdered supplement may offer the best solution, these are easily added to a handful of dampened chaff or soaked speedibeet. Pelleted balancers offer the convenience of being able to be fed as a sole concentrate feed, many are low calorie and include other nutrients like sources of protein and essential fatty acids to support and repair muscle and connective tissues. Further advice can be sourced by contacting any of the feed advisors or nutritionists on the BETA ENFAR register.
Thank you to Nina MacDonald-Lewis (BETA ENFAR Feed Adviser, @MDL Equine ) for sending in this fantastic piece of advice for Feed Fact Fortnight 2026!
Body Condition & Weight Tracking with NAF
Managing a healthy weight is one of the biggest challenges in equine care, especially for good doers like Georgette!
In this video, Kate Hore (Head Nutritionist at NAF) breaks down the best ways to monitor your horse`s weight and condition at home:
🙏 A huge thank you to NAF for sharing this fantastic, practical advice for Feed Fact Fortnight!
Understanding Laminitis with Pure Feed Company
Laminitis is a serious and painful condition that requires constant vigilance, no matter the season. As part of Feed Fact Fortnight, we’ve teamed up with Pure Feed Company to share key advice on recognising, managing, and reducing the risk of laminitis!
Thank you to Pure Feed Company for sharing this essential guidance to support horse health during Feed Fact Fortnight!
If you ever suspect laminitis or need tailored dietary advice, always consult your vet first and your farrier and ENFAR nutrition advisor.
Nutritional Principles for Senior Horses with @dodsonhorrell
Feeding older horses is all about supporting healthspan, not just lifespan! Swipe through to discover key feeding principles for keeping senior horses happy and healthy.
Thank you to the team at Dodson & Horrell for sharing these brilliant expert tips for Feed Fact Fortnight!
COMPETITION ALERT! Stay tuned—we have an exciting competition with a fantastic prize from Dodson & Horrell coming very soon! Keep your eyes on our page so you don`t miss out!
Welcome to the Autumn Edition of BETA Feed Fact Fortnight (FFF)!
As we head into the colder months, here is why you should follow along and what we have ready for you.
Whether you`re an owner, rider, or equine professional, here is why you should follow along over the next two weeks, what we have in store, and some exciting extras!
Why Follow Us?
Unbiased Advice: Get reliable, evidence-based guidance on equine nutrition.
Actionable Insights: Practical tips via engaging videos, infographics, and webinars.
Industry Standards: Learn more about trusted BETA schemes like NOPS, ENFAR, and EGUS approval marks.
Continuing with our theme of "A Lifetime of Nutrition," we`ll be tackling key seasonal challenges:
Forage Management & Replacers: Following a challenging summer and dry weather, we’ll look at products and alternative options that can be used as partial or complete forage replacers.
Balancing the Diet: The importance of supplementary feed when using poorer quality forage or alternative sources like straw.
Supporting the Veteran Horse: Winter can be tough on older horses. Tips on weight gain, easier-to-consume feeds, and digestive aids for older horses.
Weight Management & Good Doers: Laminitis and weight management are year-round priorities. Look out for our dedicated tips and guidance tailored specifically for owners of good doers.
We have some fantastic competitions lined up with wonderful prizes donated by our members. Make sure you`re following along so you don`t miss your chance to win.
🙏 Thank you to our incredible members for your continued support, expertise, and dedication to equine welfare.
Do you have any specific nutrition questions as we head into winter? Let us know in the comments below!
