SVS Equine has been launched in Katesbridge, Co. Down by Timothy Smith.

Timothy is a graduate of both CAFRE (College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise) and Queen’s University, Belfast. Prior to establishing SVS Equine, he worked in both the veterinary and human pharmaceutical industries.

Timothy has significant equine experience in the breeding of Irish Sport Horses and Irish Draughts. Through these experiences and his scientific background, he recognised the need for a platform which brought together both researched and scientifically based equine solutions.

Central to the business is the supply of products underpinned by a scientific and evidence-based approach. The health and well being of all equines is at the core of this business, ultimately enabling horses to realise their full potential.

Science Supplements

Science Supplements is a range of the highest quality nutritional supplements available in the UK and Ireland and have been formulated to meet the specific needs of horses of all ages and working in all disciplines.

Owners can be confident that these products are backed up by real science, real research and proven results. SVS Equine can provide a personalised service to owners and Timothy is keen to listen to owners and help them select the optimum products for their horses using the most up to date scientific research and knowledge.

Equilume

Equilume provides advanced performance lighting technology to influence breeding cycles and enhance equine performance. Equilume Performance Lighting is a unique system that comprises fully automated, smart Stable Lights and mobile Light Masks designed to maximize health, performance and breeding efficiency.

Light is the most important part of a horse’s environment. It affects health, behaviour and performance. Equilume mimics natural light, bringing with it all the benefits of keeping the horses’ natural body clock in time with the light and dark cycles of a normal day.

Many horses spend a large part of their time in stables, away from ideal daylight and disrupted by light at night, resulting in poor growth, poor immunity, unwanted behaviours and poor performance.

Equilume lights mirror nature, strengthening and supporting the horse’s body.

Why supplement electrolytes?

Electrolytes are required for almost all bodily functions, including nerve function, digestion and muscle contraction. It is very common for horses not to be receiving enough electrolytes. This can take weeks or months to become a problem, and also weeks or months to put right.

The major electrolytes are sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium. Naturally horses that are not in work receive sufficient quantities of electrolytes from their environment, however the exception to this is with sodium, and studies have shown that horses do not receive sufficient sodium. Sodium is the most important electrolyte when it comes to regulation of thirst. It is therefore very important that a horse’s sodium intake is supplemented, even if not in active work.

Signs of electrolyte deficiency include;

Supplementing electrolytes only around the time of competition would be considered undesirable for two main reasons. Firstly, it can have a negative effect on palatability (horse not eating). Secondly, it could risk disturbance of the hindgut. The best strategy for feeding electrolytes is to feed the same amount every day and allow the horse to work out naturally what it needs and to excrete what it does not, and not just on harder work day or when competing.

However, if you have not been feeding electrolytes on a regular basis do not try to suddenly load in large amounts (100g-200g). It will not replace bodily deficits and it may cause gastrointestinal upset.

Science Supplements ‘SafeSalt’ and ‘Complete Electrolytes’ have been specifically formulated to deliver the correct balance of electrolytes that your horse will lose in sweat during periods of exercise or in hot weather.

These products are uniquely ‘fat encapsulated’ meaning that they will not dissolve in water and therefore are not absorbed by the horse until they pass out of the stomach into the hindgut, where they are readily absorbed. This is critical for two reasons. Firstly, they are highly palatable and also, they will not irritate the stomach, reducing the risk of digestive upset and irritation for horses with gastric ulcers. This makes Science Supplements SafeSalt and Complete Electrolytes unique in the market.

Contact

For further information on SVS Equine services and supplements contact Timothy on 07743 601777 or 028406 71175 or email svs-equine@outlook.com or visit www.svsequine.co.uk.