NEW TopChop Zero Low-Calorie Forage from TopSpec
New TopChop Zero from TopSpec is designed for horses and ponies that are overweight and need an exceptionally low-calorie source of mature forage. Horses and ponies can pick away steadily at TopChop Zero when they no longer have access to grass or hay or even haylage.
By doing this they will ensure a supply of fibre to the microflora in their hindgut during periods when otherwise there would be no forage supply e.g. from late evening until morning stables. This will be of huge benefit to the horse’s digestive health.
The formula for TopChop Zero was tested and developed at the Middle Park Equine Research Unit and has been approved by the nutritional team for use in most horses.
It is made from British chopped oat straw with added apple flavour and mint to enhance palatability. An extremely low level of soya oil is sprinkled on to reduce the ‘fly-away’ nature of the product while limestone is added to improve calcium levels.
TopChop Zero has an exceptionally low Digestible Energy (DE) at 4MJ/kg and does not contain any molasses or other sugar coating.
‘Non-Heating’ and dust-extracted, it is exceptionally low in sugar and starch including fructans.
TopChop Zero (DE 4MJ/kg) is much lower in nutritional value than even very late-cut meadow hay (DE 7-8MJ/kg).
This makes it ideal for: –
- Overweight horses and ponies.
- Horses and ponies that have to eat haylage that is too ‘rich’ for them, often resulting in loose droppings.
- Overweight horses and ponies prone to, being treated for or recovering from laminitis.
TopChop Zero can be considered an ‘empty calorie’ fibre source to extend forage and reduce overall nutritional intake.
If either weight control or a reduction in overall forage nutritional quality is needed, the best way to feed TopChop Zero is to place a suitable amount (usually between 200g and 1.2kg) on its own in a feed bucket or trug and damp lightly (350mls water/200g chop) . If this is left in the stable most horses and ponies will pick away at it after they have eaten their forage (often hay).
When fed to bulk up a feed and lessen the risk of horses and ponies bolting their feed, approximately 1 level Stubbs scoop of TopChop Zero per feed is sufficient. However it is quite acceptable to feed as little as a handful of chop if your horse or pony has access to ad-lib forage in the form of grass, haylage or hay.
The RRP for a 12.5kg bag is £7.50.
For free nutritional advice please contact the TopSpec Multiple Award-Winning Helpline on (01845) 565030 or visit www.topspec.com
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.