The new range of micronized grains is to be available early March. The Microsweet range includes the following;

• Barley
• Naked Oats
• Lupins
• Maize
• Beans

Micronizing

Grains and seeds have always played an important part in balanced nutrition. However in the raw state, cereals and legume grains may contain an inaccessible, and therefore indigestible starch structure and occasionally some anti-nutritional factors.

Infrared micronizing is a highly reliable and consistent "short time high temperature" cooking process that increases the digestibility of most grains.

One of the reasons for the improvement in digestible energy is related to the physical nature of the starch granules. To "open up" the nutrients, the starch is gelatinised.

Micronization uses humidity, temperature and mechanical pressure to achieve high levels of starch gelatinisation and reduces the potential presence of anti-nutritional factors.

The process has advantages over other dry heat or extrusion techniques. Micronizing enables rapid, even internal heating without excessive vapour loss. Infra red energy is used to make the starch matrix swell, fracture and gelatinise rapidly without excessive protein degradation or over-cooking.

This gelatinisation is very important nutritionally as it allows the horses digestive system easier access to the otherwise locked in nutrients. The increased availability of starches as simple sugars improves the energy available to the horse.

The heating process greatly enhances the palatability of the product.

"Horses love the roasted flavour!"

Why does your horse need micronized grains?

• Enhanced digestibility and increased nutritional value.
• Starches are broken down and absorbed mainly in the small intestine as simple sugars.
• Less starch passes to the large intestine and caecum. There is less fermentation of starches in the hindgut, leading to a reduction of lactic acid uptake and lowering the incidence of acidosis and laminitis.
• Less antagonism of normal hindgut fermentation of fibre, hence less colic.
• Extremely palatable flavours, particularly useful when fed as part of a coarse feed mix.