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Cavalor: All about fibers

The right nutrition is very important if you expect the best from your horse. Therefore, after years of research and study, Cavalor has developed the perfect nutritional and care products for your horse in collaboration with veterinarians and specialists in nutritional supplements. Cavalor also tunes each product to a special discipline or function. Thus, they always use high-quality raw materials and ingredients in the right proportions. Besides concentrates, Cavalor also offers various supplements. Cavalor's goal is to keep your horse healthy so he can perform optimally at any requested moment. All Cavalor products are doping-free and suitable for use in sports. In addition to nutrition and supplements, Cavalor also has an extensive range of grooming products for your horse and tack. 

Fibre is the main ingredient in every horse's ration. Fibre plays an important role in the digestion in horses, but also as a source of carbohydrates (energy). Throughout the day, a horse needs energy. Some days a bit more, for instance during intensive training or a competition, and other days a bit less, for instance when sleeping. Every process in the horse's body requires energy and that energy has to come from somewhere. Just like in humans, horses use carbohydrates for that, it is used as fuel for the cells. There are different types of carbohydrates, such as monosaccharides (a simple sugar like glucose and fructose), disaccharides (compound sugars like sucrose and lactose) and polysaccharides (multiple sugars like starch and cellulose). 

A horse not only needs fibre for the necessary energy, but also uses fibre for bowel movements and the immune system. Fibre is a necessary component in the horse's body; through its function, it ensures a well-functioning gastrointestinal tract which, in turn, ensures proper nutrient absorption and immune defence. 

Types of fibre  
There are many different types of fibre but generally fibre comes from plant material, such as grass but also lucerne, beet pulp, cereal chaff and you will also find fibre (sometimes but to a lesser extent) in concentrates. Fibre can be divided into two types: fermentable and non-fermentable fibre. Bacteria break down fermentable fibres in the blind and large intestines. They are then converted into volatile fatty acids that provide energy for the horse's body. The non-fermentable fibres do not provide energy but have an important function in bowel movements. Roughage has a high proportion of fibre that is easily digestible for a horse. A horse gets its basic fibre requirement from the daily supply of roughage. Fibre can also be found in concentrates. Such as in Cavalor FiberForce contains a high proportion of fibre. 

The importance of prebiotics  
There are many micro-organisms in and on the body, such as bacteria, viruses and yeasts. Collectively, these are called the microbiome. The gut microbiome is often encountered in relation to fibre. With a predominance of good micro-organisms, the gut microbiome has a positive influence on the horse's health. Fibre-rich nutrition supports the development of a stable and healthy microbiome. Prebiotics are the food for the good bacteria and fibre is the most natural prebiotic. 

Quality of fibers
It's difficult to make a reliable estimate of the amount of fibre a horse gets. But manure balls can tell you a lot about it. Nice round manure balls that are not watery, stalky or just dry is the starting point. If the structure is still very coarse then that can say something about the horse's teeth but also the health of the intestinal flora. A disturbed intestinal microbiome cannot digest fibre adequately, pre- or probiotics can help here. Colic and diarrhoea complaints are also often related to fibre intake. The solution is a ration with sufficient fibre. The longer the fibre (> 2 cm) the longer the horse has to chew, and the more saliva is produced. This is good for neutralising stomach acid. Long fibre also stimulates intestinal motility which ensures good digestion and less risk of colic. Not only saliva is a benefit of long chewing. It also seals the teeth and ensures that feed is absorbed more slowly. 
 
Fiber-rich feed from Cavalor 
Cavalor Strucomix Original is a high-fibre concentrate feed without oats. It is a good addition to the ration/forage for leisure horses or retired horses. It contains herbs and probiotics to ensure proper intestinal function and natural resistance. With a delicious taste that’s ideal for picky eaters. 

Cavalor FiberForce contains a high amount of Fiber Plus crude fibre, which is derived from high quality fibre sources such as lucerne stalks, spelt, and linseed fibres. These fibres are the engine of every horse’s gut. This long-fibre mix is low in sugar (5%) and starch (3%). to maintain low blood glucose and insulin levels. This also makes Cavalor FiberForce well-suited for horses prone to metabolic disorders. 

Cavalor FiberForce Gastro is a high fibre mix for healthy bowel function. Its high-fibre composition includes a mix of lucerne and teff grains, beet pulp, and 8% timothy stalks, ideal for stimulating saliva production and neutralising stomach acid. Its special blend of herbs protects the stomach wall from irritation and the fibres are softer which reduces the risk of irritation. This helps to maintain a neutral pH value in the stomach. 

Cavalor Silhouette is a fibre/protein mix for maintaining condition or slimming down. Even with a limited energy intake, you horse still needs protein, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. 

Cavalor Strucomash Beet is a high-fibre mash. It contains highly digestible fibre sources, incl. 30% beet pulp flakes to benefit bowel function. The mash is easy to eat and digest, even for older horses or horses with dental problems.