ChanvraRen works with farmers throughout South Africa to grow Hemp for nutrition.
These are contract farmers that grow exclusively for us. This means we can control the cultivars, soil preparation and in-growth feeding of the crops.
We do not allow pesticides to be used on the crops. This ensures that we receive a clean product, which although not grown and certified organic, is grown in ‘organic’ conditions.
Protein is not a popular subject. Most “nutrition-talk” revolves around carbohydrates — sugar and starch, to be specific, because they impact metabolic conditions that are a very real concern for many horse owners.
The ingredients tag on your commercial feed says it all. Protein source Likely, soybeans. Fat source Likely, soybean oil. But the love affair with soy is starting to fade. An increasing number of feed manufacturers are coming out with soy-free lines following consumer demand.
A horse lucky enough to graze on pasture will consume enough essential fatty acids to maintain his health. The word “essential” has a scientific meaning in this context – it signifies that the fatty acids cannot be produced by the horse’s body and therefore must be included in the diet.
All horses can benefit from the protein quality hemp seeds provide. Even if your horse is overweight, improving the protein quality will allow the Amino Acids in the diet to be used to produce and repair body proteins.
The quantity of protein in the diet is important but even more so, is its quality. To achieve this, we need to include additional protein sources to a forage-based diet. It all has to do with the way the body digests and utilizes protein.
We all admire the equine athlete, the captivating blend of speed, control, grace and endurance. But the added stress of performance requires an optimal diet, with plenty of energy from carbohydrates and fats, high quality protein, adequate minerals, and vitamins.
Fat is an excellent source of calories – more than twice the calories offered by carbohydrates or protein, making it a great way to help your horse meet his energy needs while in training, working, or performing.
Horses fed a high fat diet are less reactive to startling stimuli, and have lower levels of excitability and anxiety than horses fed a more traditional grain-based diet. Fat is high in calories, so limit the amount you feed based on the horse’s weight and his caloric need.
Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH), often referred to as “lung bleeding,” is a condition in which blood enters the airways of horses following strenuous exercise.
You already know that the answer is supposed to be, “yes.” But over the years, I have found that there is a 50:50 chance that this question will be answered, “no.” Not because of neglect, but simply because many horse owners are not aware of why they’re important, or even what feeds contain them.