Purina launches pelleted forage range for horses

USA – Purina Animal Nutrition has launched three pelleted forage products for horses, offering targeted nutritional benefits and a soaking technology that softens pellets into a mash in as little as 15 minutes.

The new Purina Forage range aims to address challenges horse owners face, including inconsistent hay quality, limited pasture access, and the need to tailor forage to individual horses’ nutritional requirements.

Developed by PhD equine nutritionists, the range comprises Alfalfa Gastric Support Pellets, Beet Pulp Plus Pellets and Timothy-Teff Pellets, each formulated for different feeding needs.

Purina Forage Alfalfa Gastric Support Pellets combine pelleted alfalfa with Purina Outlast Gastric Support Supplement, a proprietary seaweed-sourced blend of calcium and magnesium, to support gastric comfort. The limited-ingredient formula contains no grain, molasses or binders.

Beet Pulp Plus Pellets combine beet pulp and alfalfa to support body condition and hindgut health, with rice bran providing additional fat-based calories to help horses maintain weight. 

The low-starch, low-sugar formula is intended for hard keepers, horses sensitive to non-structural carbohydrates and those that struggle to consume long-stemmed forage.

Timothy-Teff Pellets blend timothy and teff grasses to help mimic grazing, with flaxseed providing guaranteed omega-3 fatty acids. 

The product is designed for easy keepers and horses requiring low-starch, low-sugar forage. Its formula excludes soy, grain, molasses and binders.

“Forage should fit the horse in front of you,” said Dr Mary Beth Gordon, senior director of equine technical innovation at Purina Animal Nutrition, explaining that different horses may need support with body condition, chewing or gastric comfort.

Faster soaking, flexible feeding

All three products feature Purina’s EasySoak pellet technology, which lets pellets soften in warm water in as little as 15 minutes. The resulting mash provides an easier-to-chew forage option that can help support water intake.

The range also provides natural vitamin E and options for horse owners managing dietary starch and sugar levels.

According to Jessica Normand, senior marketing manager for horse feed at Purina Animal Nutrition, the technology addresses owner concerns about how long traditional forage pellets take to soak.

Depending on the product’s feeding directions and the horse’s needs, the Alfalfa Gastric Support and Timothy-Teff pellets can serve as partial or total forage replacements. Beet Pulp Plus Pellets can replace up to 50% of a horse’s forage.

Purina advises owners to consult an equine nutritionist or veterinarian before making significant changes to a horse’s forage programme, particularly when considering replacing some or all long-stemmed forage.

The products are available through participating Purina retailers in the United States.

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