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Honey - The healthy alternative for horses

Honey has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 4000 years, all over the world. While the numerous health benefits of honey have made it an important aspect of old world medicines, scientists continue researching the benefits of honey in modern medicine.

Honey is an acidic product (pH4) with a variable chemical composition according to the flowers from which it is derived. On average, it is composed of about 80% sugar, 17 to 20% water and 4% of various other substances. The low water concentration of honey helps to prevent the growth of micro-organisms (yeasts, fungi, bacteria).

More than just a sweet additive, honey is a rich source of natural vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B complex, C, D and E as well as bioflavonoids, and propolis enzymes promoting general health and well being. It has potential antioxidant properties. Honey chelates and deactivates free iron, which would otherwise catalyze the formation of oxygen free radicals from hydrogen peroxide, leading to inflammation. The antioxidant constituents in honey help to protect body tissues, particularly cell membranes, enzymes and other intracellular substances, from oxidation-induced damage. Horses with an inadequate reserve of antioxidants might experience poor immunity to disease, muscle soreness or stiffness during an exercise bout and prolonged recovery following hard work. Honey has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and hence it has been used as a natural antiseptic.

Honey is reported to have a healthier Glycemic Index (GI) than sugar. The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly the body can use the carbohydrates in food as energy. Some foods release their energy quickly while others release theirs over a slower period. If the carbohydrate is released too quickly, it may cause disturbances in blood sugar levels. Foods that release their energy slowly can help to keep your blood sugar levels stable. The lower the GI rating, the slower the absorption and infusion of sugars into the bloodstream and hence a more gradual and healthier digestion process. Raw honey can have a GI of nearly half that of sugar or molasses.

Recent research has shown that honey is an excellent ergogenic aid and helps in boosting the performance of athletes. Honey facilitates in maintaining blood sugar levels, muscle recuperation and glycogen restoration after a workout.

Studies have found that honey may be one of the most effective forms of carbohydrate to ingest just prior to exercise. Honey eaten before exercise is digested easily and released into the system at a steady rate for use by the body. Research has also shown that honey may be an optimal source of carbohydrate to ingest post exercise. In addition to promoting muscle recuperation and glycogen restoration, honey-protein combinations sustain favorable blood sugar concentrations after training that may help promote recovery. For performance horses honey may offer some benefits in decreasing recovery times and speeding up muscle recuperation.

These properties have led some to consider honey as a super food that may be a remedy for many health ailments. While limited research has been conducted using honey in equine diets, there is clear evidence in humans and other species of its benefits.

HYGAIN provides the natural alternative HYGAIN HONEY B, a honey coated sweet feed providing a low GI, highly palatable and nutritionally balanced formula.

For more information about honey in horse feed please contact HY GAIN FEEDS on 1300 HYGAIN (494246) or email us.

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