Introducing the New, Improved Line of Legends® Horse Feeds


By Dr. Martin Adams, Equine Nutritionist for Southern States


Legends Horse Feeds

The Legends® line of horse feeds was introduced in 1993 and has fed thousands of successful horse farms. Recently, Legends horse feeds have been reformulated using the latest Cooperative Research Farm and University research findings. There are six basic reasons why Legends feeds have been so successful and how they have been improved.

1. Quality, fixed-ingredient formulas. Grains and other feed ingredients are inspected and tested for harmful mold toxins. Feed formulas are set with specific ingredients, and those ingredients remain the same. Keeping the same ingredients in the formula allows the amounts of sugar and starch to remain constant. This allows the horse’s digestive microbes in the hindgut to maintain a balanced population and reduces the risk of colic. A fixed-ingredient formula also provides greater palatability and consistent consumption for faster growth rates, increased milk production, maintenance of body condition and steady performance.

2. Feed additives such as yeast culture and organic trace minerals. Equine research studies with yeast culture added to the diet have shown improved growth rates in young horses, improved milk production in mares, and improved hair coat for all horses. Organic trace minerals in the horse’s diet have shown improved bone growth in young horses, improved conception rates in mares and increased antibody concentrations in mares and foals. An increased level of antibodies is important in maintaining immune system function and prevention of disease.

3. Controlled Carbohydrate Technology™. This refers to research-based formulas that include the addition of digestible fiber sources (beet pulp and soy hulls), added soy oil, and exact grain selection to achieve low levels of soluble carbohydrates. Horse feeds that contain low levels of starch and sugar have less risk of insulin resistance, colic and founder, and allow for proper bone development in growing horses, and increased muscle performance and calmer behavior.

4. Biotin. Biotin is a B-complex vitamin that has been shown to increase hoof and hair growth. Equine research shows biotin increases hoof condition in long-term feeding studies of horses with cracked hooves. Biotin is added at a guaranteed amount to insure quality hair coat and hoof condition.

5. Protein. Protein is made of amino acids and essential amino acids must be provided in the diet to insure adequate protein quality for normal growth rates in young horses. Legends® horse feeds now have guaranteed levels of four essential amino acids to improve protein quality and provide for optimal growth rates, maximum milk production, good hoof and hair quality, and proper muscle growth and repair.

6. Vitamin E. This is a fat-soluble vitamin that functions in all body cells as an antioxidant. It is needed by the horse to repair muscle damage from exercise and keep the immune system functioning for good health. Vitamin E is added at a high level (now 100 IU/lb) to Legends® horse feeds at a guaranteed amount to insure good health and performance.

There are ten new and improved Legends Horse feeds and Legends® Pelleted Rice Bran. Here are brief descriptions of the new feeds.

• Legends Mare & Foal Horse Feeds are textured and pelleted formulas with 16% protein, 6% fat and 12% fiber for pregnant and lactating mares, nursing foals and growing horses. There are 19 guaranteed nutrients.

• Legends Grow & Perform Horse Feeds are textured and pelleted formulas with 14% protein, 6% fat and 12% fiber for growing and performance horses, pregnant and lactating mares. There are 19 guaranteed nutrients.

• Legends Show & Pleasure Horse Feeds are textured and pelleted formulas with 11% protein,6% fat and 12% fiber for mature horses in show, pleasure and performance activities. There are 19 guaranteed nutrients.

• Legends Racing Horse Feed is a beet pulp-based textured formula for mature horses in moderate and intense performance or show activities. There are 19 guaranteed nutrients and three different regional formulas.

• Legends Performance Horse Feeds include textured (11% protein, 10% fat and 12% fiber) and pelleted (12% protein, 10% fat and 18% fiber) formulas for mature horses in moderate and intense performance or show activities. There are 19 guaranteed nutrients and these feeds also contain Legends Pelleted Rice Bran and flax seed for increased omega-3 fatty acid content for increased muscle performance and improved hair coat.

• Legends Maturity Horse Feed is a pelleted formula (12% protein, 6% fat and 18% fiber) for the special nutritional needs of the older horse. There are 20 guaranteed nutrients.

• Legends Pelleted Rice Bran is an extruded rice bran supplement (18% fat) in pelleted form for increasing weight gain, improving coat and hoof condition, or reducing grain feeding in horses. Legends Pelleted Rice Bran has balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus and its small pelleted form mixes well into grain or pellets and won't sort out.

For more information about the new, improved line of Legends horse feeds, please ask for a brochure at your Southern States store or dealer, or use the new Legends Horse Feed Selector.