During the 20^th Century, the art of feeding horses didn't change all that much. We pretty much still use many of the same ingredients, just in different proportions to maximize the efficiency of the horse's digestive system. Higher fat levels and more use of digestible fiber products, such as shredded beet pulp, are examples of recent trends. The use of organic minerals, probiotics, and yeast are other examples of feed ingredients that have been improved over the years and are making their way more and more into feeding programs. But these ingredients themselves still are not necessary new but improvements on older models. As we enter the 21^st Century, can we expect new technology in improving equine nutrition? The answer is yes.

Recent research in derivatives of the cell wall so yeast have yielded two new advances in improving the quality of feed products and the health of the horse. These two new products are called BioMos and MTB-100. Both have proved effective in attracting and neutralizing bacteria and mycotoxins in the digestive system.

Horses are constantly exposed to pathogenic bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella. When they are exposed to a high enough dose of these bacteria or the immune system is not functioning properly, they become infected. BioMos is a proprietary mannanoligossacharide (MOS) with the unique ability to bind to gram-negative bacteria such as E-Coli and Salmonella.

We can take advantage of the fact that these mannanoligossacharides are not absorbed through the digestive tract. By including them in the horse's diet, they bind with pathogenic bacteria and simply carry them out of the horse's body, preventing them from causing infection. BioMos has also been shown to increase the horse's immune system activity, thereby making it less susceptible to other forms of disease as well. In Europe, where traditional antibiotics have essentially been banned from livestock feed, BioMos is being used to support herd health with results similar, or superior, to antibiotics. BioMos provides a particular advantage to young horses, old or geriatric horses, and horses under stress.

A recent study at the University of Florida has shown that inclusion of Bio-Mos in the broodmare diet has increased Immunoglobulin levels in colostrum by 30% to 50%.

Much like pathogenic bacteria, horses are almost constantly exposed to mycotoxins. One of the best known horse diseases caused by mycotoxins in Equine Leukoencephalomalcia (ELM), or moldy corn poisoning. Once infected, there is no cure and death is almost certain. The horse suffers a rather painful demise and may act in a manner similar to a mad dog as brain cells deteriorate beyond repair. Corn that is used by Southern States and Triple Crown is routinely tested for the presence of the mycotoxins that causes moldy corn poisoning, and other mycotoxins, so horses remain safe. However, we can only test for some of the mycotoxins that are present in the horse's environment.

Recent University research has demonstrated that mycotoxins are also found in about 80% of the hay sampled. These levels are capable of triggering a colic episode or simply robbing the horse of condition and performance. It is the presence of low levels of mycotoxins that can be so damaging because you probably don't know they are there. Many times we do not realize that the slight decline in our horse's appearance, condition, or performance is a result of low levels of mycotoxins ingestion. Like BioMos, MTB-100 can be added to the horse's diet and not get absorbed into the digestive tract. The MTB-100 binds to a broad spectrum of mycotoxins and are excreted via the feces. It helps your horse remain safe, healthy and able to perform at optimal levels.

BioMos has always been a part of the Southern States Beginnings feed and BioMos and MTB-100 are now part of every Triple Crown formula. The addition of these cutting edge ingredients allow these feeds to help protect your horse and give them an additional chance to perform and look their best.