What is Aquacid?

AQUACID is a complementary feedstuff for horses. It is a completely natural mineral source produced from dried calcified seaweed harvested from the seabed in the pure waters off southwest Ireland. AQUACID is a rich source of calcium and magnesium, and also contains a broad spectrum of natural minerals.

Why feed Aquacid to horses?

Feeding supplements to improve digestion is common-place for horse owners these days. However many owners are unaware of a problem which affects 60% of performance horses, 57% of foals, 50% of ponies fed concentrate diets and 93% of race horses, with 50% of these animals showing no obvious signs! This problem is excess stomach acid, a frequent cause of digestive and behavioural problems in the domestic horse.

The feeding regime of many working horses, together with the stress and intensive exercise many undergo, leaves them predisposed to gastric acidity. In addition the use of pain-killing drugs such as Phenylbutazone can also be a predisposing factor. High levels of stomach acid can cause severe discomfort and lead to a number of associated problems including behavioural vices and impaired performance.

What makes Aquacid different to other seaweed or digestive supplements?

AQUACID has a unique sponge-like structure with a very large surface area that can be seen under the microscope. This makes AQUACID highly porous and able to buffer acidity by absorbing and neutralising acids in the horses’ stomach, all in a completely natural way. Unlike humans, horses are constantly producing gastric acid due to their evolvement as trickle feeders. Saliva produced during chewing is a natural buffer to this but the management of domestic horses mean this balance is often knocked out. Signs of excess stomach acidity can include poor performance, reduced appetite, and difficulty keeping condition. Additionally, research has shown that behavioural problems such as crib-biting and wind-sucking can be linked to excess stomach acid and that feeding a supplement that maintains the natural acid balance of the stomach can reduce the incidence of these behaviours.

Who would benefit from feeding AQUACID?

AQUACID is particularly beneficial to horses fed concentrate diets, horses in medium to hard work, and those with a tendency to display stereotypical behaviours such as crib-biting. It is also useful to feed in stressful situations such as before travelling or competition. The high bioavailability of the minerals, in particular calcium, contained within AQUACID make it an excellent supplement to support bone development and strength. It is also useful for lactating mares to support milk production. However AQUACID is also an excellent natural source of calcium and broad-spectrum mineral supplement for any animal to boost bone strength, hoof and coat condition and digestive health. It comes as an easy to use powder with a palatable apple flavour.