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 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/.
About Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC
Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC (www.landolakesinc.com) is a national
organization serving producers and their families through 4,700 local
cooperatives and independent dealerships throughout the United States.
The company, in combination with its wholly owned subsidiary Purina Mills, LLC,
is North America’s leading feed company, providing producers, cooperatives and
dealers with an extensive line of animal feed, ingredients and services
designed to help agricultural producers, dealers and cooperatives in the global
marketplace.
