The Science Behind Forage Guard

Leading figures in the equine nutrition industry agree that more research is required into the effects of mycotoxins. All horses encounter mycotoxins on a daily basis and good management practices, such as using quality feedstuffs, careful production and storage of feedstuffs and ensuring a fully balanced diet, can reduce but never eliminate, exposure. Alltech’s European Technical Manager, Dr Helen Warren, explains...

As contamination is unavoidable, one option available to horse owners is to include a mycotoxin adsorbent, such as Alltech’s Forage Guard® in the horse’s diet.

Forage Guard® is a natural feed material produced from yeast cell wall and micro-algae, which specifically binds mycotoxins and removes them from the gut. The active ingredient in Forage Guard has a substantial and broad-spectrum capacity to rapidly bind multiple mycotoxins.

Its binding capacity is related to specific carbohydrates found on micro-algae and on the inner cell wall (glucans) of a selected strain of yeast. Mycotoxins bind to these carbohydrates, reducing absorption of the mycotoxins into the body, and the carbohydrate-mycotoxin complex is excreted from the digestive tract.

The bonds between mycotoxin and carbohydrate are stable across a wide pH range, meaning the mycotoxins remain bound throughout the gut. Additionally, Forage Guard® has a low effective inclusion rate. This means only a small amount of Forage Guard® is required to bind many mycotoxins.

Forage Guard® is supported by over 65 peer-reviewed trials and the active component has been verified by world-renowned research institutes. As such, Forage Guard® is permitted to make claims regarding the control of mycotoxins in horses.   
Horses cannot avoid exposure to mycotoxins but with good management practices and the dietary inclusion of a proven mycotoxin adsorbent it is possible to significantly reduce potentially harmful effects.

A 5kg tub of Forage Guard® retails at £39 and contains a 100 day supply.

For further information visit www.lifeforcehorse.co.uk or telephone 01780 764512.