Nutritionists have been telling the public they are what they eat for years. Horses are no different and a balanced diet can be the difference between a lack luster and a stellar performance. Family owned and operated Fiber Fresh Feeds has been supplying feed to some of the top horses in the world for the last 25 years.
“It gives me great joy to be able to bring the Fiber Fresh range of feeds to America,” says Michael Bell, president of Fiber Fresh Feeds. “Although these amazing feeds were developed at the bottom of the world in New Zealand, the connection with America goes way back to when I met my wife Mary Ellen and convinced her to come and live with me in New Zealand.”
Although Fiber Fresh Feeds has only recently released its products in America, its feeds have a well established history throughout the Asia Pacific and the Middle Eastern regions. Bell says Fiber Fresh Feeds have helped improve the condition and aided in the outstanding performances of renowned race horses, Vengeance of Rain, Silent Witness and Deep Impact. These successes have led Fiber Fresh Feeds to capture up to 90 percent of the markets it has entered.
“It is not by chance that these horses have achieved the kind of success most people only dream about and that they have broken long standing records in the process,” says Bell. “The Fiber Fresh range of feeds are truly revolutionary in the way they can build better horses through natural nutrition and consequently better overall well-being.”
In June, Fiber Fresh Feeds introduced FiberPlus and FiberPro to Southern California. Naturally moist and 100 percent forage based, both FiberPro and FiberPlus can be used as a supplement or can make up the bulk of the feeding ration.
Their secret is in the “Fiber Fresh” process; all feeds are vacuum sealed within 24 hours of harvest. This locks in all the vital vitamins and nutrients that are usually lost during the drying process and maintains an optimum level of moisture for improved digestion, explains Bell.
“I always relate it to cooking vegetables,” says Sharon Bell, Michael’s daughter-in-law and director of sales for the United States. “When vegetables are boiled they lose a lot of their nutritional value. The same is true when you dry out hay. You lose up to 25 percent of its nutritional value. Our products are packaged at the optimum level of moisture to retain all the nutrients in the plant; it is then vacuum sealed to provide a long shelf life.”
Once vacuum sealed, the company says Fiber Fresh feeds will maintain the same level of high, nutritional quality whether they are opened one week or two years after production.
The “Fiber Fresh” process allows for just the right amount of fermentation to occur, creating natural yeast and breaking down the plant cellulose. This creates a feed that aids the horses’ digestive system. When fed correctly, Bell says that Fiber Fresh Feeds can actually lower stomach acidity levels.
“It can help reduce incidences of colic and stress or feed related ulcers,” says Sharon Bell. “Because the product improves the digestive process it is possible to reduce the amount of hay and concentrates owners need to feed.”
Over 10 percent of horses have a common allergy to hay or mold spores. Manufacturers say when fed exclusively, moist Fiber Fresh Feeds will eliminate these spores that can result in respiratory problems. The airtight packaging that seals in the moisture also protects the Fiber Fresh feeds, keeping them free of dust and other contaminates.
“Not only are Fiber Fresh Feeds superior nutritionally, it’s also highly consistent,” says Sharon Bell. “With hay you can get inconsistencies from bale to bale because in essence you’re only getting a small patch of that field. With Fiber Fresh Feeds we harvest up to 70 acres at a time so you don’t just get a small patch of the paddock.”
Soft and succulent, both FiberPro and FiberPlus are covered in a light sprinkling of molasses to assure horses lick their buckets clean every time.
“Both of our feeds make an excellent base to any ration,” explains Sharon Bell. “The 100 percent alfalfa in the FiberPro makes for a great conditioning product. The 50/50 blend of alfalfa and ryegrass in the FiberPlus has the same conditioning qualities with a little extra natural energy found in the higher sugar levels of the ryegrass.”
A hearty appetite, improved health and vibrant body sheen are just a few of the obvious results of a healthy diet; a healthy diet Fiber Fresh Feeds prides itself on providing. After all, a healthy coat is just visible proof that true equine health is built from the inside out.
For more information about Fiber Fresh Feeds call 800-925-0577 or visit them on the web at www.fiber-fresh.com.