Horse Health
Purina recognizes just how critical certain nutritional advantages can be in supporting the healthy structural growth and development of horses. That's why after extensive research and field testing, Purina introduces Ultium® Growth horse formula, a premium nutritional feed specially formulated for broodmares and growing horses. Horse owners can learn more about Ultium® Growth and sign up for an exclusive buy four get one free trial through June 30, 2010, online at http://www.purinadifference.com/Ultium/.
"Purina® Ultium® Growth horse formula helps support equine growth and development through all stages of pregnancy for the gestating mare," said Purina Equine Nutritionist, Director of Research and New Product Development, Dr. Mary Beth Gordon. "This formulation specifically helps mares meet the nutritional demands during late gestation, helps maintain ideal body weight and body condition during lactation and also supports steady, consistent foal growth and development."
A historic amount of research and field testing spanning more than four years went into the development of Purina® Ultium® Growth horse formula. Initial research began at Purina's Longview Animal Nutrition Center. The 1,188-acre facility, located in Gray Summit, Mo., plays a critical role in the research and development of all Purina® horse feeds. The science and research behind Ultium® Growth horse formula involved monitoring and measuring growth curves, body condition, joint health, activity levels, blood work and more to ensure optimal nutrient delivery to broodmares and growing horses. Purina also performed detailed feeding trials on broodmares and young horses from multiple foal crops that varied in age, breed and management situations across the country.
"Our research team collected millions of data points, and the results were very exciting," said Dr. Gordon. "We created an industry leading formulation proven to support the development, growth and adaptive physiology necessary to help produce a strong, healthy and athletic horse. We were able to develop, test and deliver a new growth feed that translated into a difference horse owners could see in their horses."
For example, broodmares on the study at Longview Animal Nutrition Center fed Ultium® Growth exhibited more consistent body weights from gestation through lactation when the need for nutrients is highest. Broodmares also maintained optimal body condition scores during lactation.
Foals fed the Ultium® Growth formula during research trials sustained higher body weights than foals on a premium control feed. In addition, these young horses demonstrated steady growth curves, indicating smooth, even growth rates, and skeletal growth curves paralleled body weight curves, showing consistent overall growth. In addition, the young horses on Ultium Growth also exhibited higher wither and rump heights and maintained body condition better during weaning.
Ultium® Growth can be fed to foals and young growing horses, including young horses in training, until they reach skeletal maturity, which is two to four years of age, depending on breed.
The data and findings shared by Purina are based upon controlled tests and field trials. Actual results may vary due to genetics and management practices. For more information on Purina® Ultium® Growth horse formula and the exclusive feed trial offer, visit http://www.purinadifference.com/Ultium/.
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