OATS have always been associated as a feed for horses and it is a well-known fact that horses like oats. Why is this?

Oats are very palatable to horses and contain many nutritional benefits. They are a high fibre content grain containing a good source of calories. They also contain a higher oil content than other cereals and have a protein content of 10-12%.

As oats are so easily digestible for horses, they are considered a ‘safe’ feed. Research has proven that oats carry a lower risk of colic when compared to other grains due to the type of starch they contain.

Correct feeding

As oats are low in calcium and high in phosphorus and lack a number of minerals and vitamins it is important to feed an oats balancer with them. For the greatest energy benefit when feeding oats, they should be fed as part of the regular daily diet and not just before race day.

A common myth about feeding oats is that it may make horses fizzy, however this is untrue as oats actually contain the lowest digestible energy of cereals. As with any feed, oats should be fed in proportion to the level of work being done.

Dungar Quality Oats are produced to the highest standard from start to finish. The company was formed over 30 years ago when Tadhg O’Leary started growing and producing oats specifically for the racing yards in North Tipperary.

As a bloodstock producer himself, Tadhg knows the level of quality required by horse owners and trainers and he can proudly trace the standard of quality from the time the oat is a plant in the field to the time it is in a bag on a pallet.

Renowned stud farms like Ballyhimikin and trainers such as Colm Murphy and Sam Curling saw that the level of quality of these oats far surpassed others on the market and started feeding them to their horses.

Customer testimonials

Helen Jones, Stud farm manager, Ballyhimikin Stud, Tipperary

“At Ballyhimikin Stud, we feed Dungar Quality Oats to our stock because the energy content of these oats help with the growth development of young stock and milk production in lactating mares.”

C.A. Murphy, racehorse trainer, Wexford

“I have used Dungar Quality Oats over the years and have consistently found them to be the best quality oats on the market.”

Sam Curling, point-to-point handler, Tipperary

“I include Dungar Quality Oats in my feed programme because they are the best oats and provide that important extra boost when needed.”

For further information, contact Tadhg O’Leary, Dungar Quality Oats at 086-2400 888.