Carbohydrates are the body's main energy source for a variety of functions from breathing to muscle contraction. There are two types of carbohydrates; simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates such as starch are broken down into glucose and absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine. Complex carbohydrates such as cellulose and hemi-cellulose are fermented in the horse's large intestine by micro-organisms to produce volatile fatty acids (VFA's).

Cereals such as maize, oats and barley contain high levels of simple carbohydrates such as sugar and starch. These nutrients are broken down quickly in the horse's small intestine and provide instant 'quick release' energy. This is the same sort of effect as us eating chocolate so feeding lots of cereals in the diet can result in 'fizzy' behaviour and can have a detrimental effect on the horse's health. When large amounts of cereals are broken down rapidly this can increase the acidity in the digestive system leading to problems such as gastric ulcers. Independent research has shown that alfalfa acts as a 'buffer' to regulate the acidity of the digestive tract thereby maintaining a healthy gut.

There are a wide range of chaffs now on the market to cater for the varying nutritional requirements of all types of horses and ponies. The high quality products that make up our Hi-Fi and Alfa-A ranges are more than just chaffs and have been formulated to make a significant contribution to the horse's diet.

Chelated minerals are minerals that are attached to other molecules such as simple carbohydrates or proteins to improve their bioavailability (increasing their affinity for uptake across the digestive tract wall). Chelates also help to prevent excessive quantities of one mineral dominating absorption. Chelated trace minerals such as copper, zinc, selenium, manganese and iron and organic selenium sources are essential for red blood cell production, bone and cartilage formulation, reproduction and enzyme function.

This term means that the product is nutritionally balanced so when fed at the recommended quantities, no further vitamin and mineral supplementation is required. E.g. Healthy Hooves and Hi-Fi Good Do-er.