Ever looked at an ingredient list and wondered what each item is and what benefit it provides? This is a library of ingredients used at Bluebonnet® Feeds. Our goal is to make feed you can trust, and we believe the first step is having an ingredient list you can understand.
Active Dried Yeast
A yeast which has been dried in such a manner to preserve a large portion of its fermenting power. Fermentation is an anaerobic process in which glucose is ultimately turned into energy (calories) for use within the body.
Amino Acids
Amino acids make up a large proportion of cells, muscles and tissues within the body and are essential for muscle development and healing and rebuilding tissues. While ruminant species such as cattle, sheep, goats, and deer are capable of making their own amino acids through microbial protein synthesis, this is not the case for non-ruminants. Horses, rabbits, poultry, and swine all require amino acids in the diet. Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein and should be the main concern when formulating a diet for non-ruminant species. Crude protein percentage is not an adequate depiction of how much protein the non-ruminant will actually absorb. Instead, look at the amino acid content.
Aspergillus oryzae
A specific strain of Aspergillus oryzae is used to improve digestive breakdown and absorption of nutrients within the digestive tract. This unique strain has been shown to reduce the amount of weight loss of mothers during lactation, improves weaning weight, and allows for better body condition with less feed. Also see prebiotic.
Aspergillus Niger
See prebiotic.
B-Vitamins
There are eight vitamins within the B-complex. All B vitamins help convert food into fuel for the body to use. They are also essential in metabolic processes within the body such as fat and protein conversion. B vitamins benefit the skin, hair/feathers, eyes, and central nervous system. All B vitamins are water-soluble meaning the body does not store them.
Bacillus Licheniformis
See Probiotics.
Bacillus Subtilis
See Probiotics.
Bifido bacterium Thermophilum
See Probiotics.
Biotin
Vitamin B7. Biotin has been shown to be especially helpful in improving hoof wall integrity and growth in horses.
Beet Pulp
Beet pulp is an excellent source of easy-to-digest fiber that provides a good source of calories without high levels of starch or sugar.
Beta-Glucan
Beta glucan activates white blood cells in the immune system to increase resistance to bacterial, fungal, parasitic infections and tumor growth. Essentially, it promotes optimum health and function of the immune system. Beta-glucans are being used as an alternative to antibiotics in animal production systems because of their ability to help the animal fight off disease naturally.
Cool Calories
Cool calories come from fat sources. Fat is 2.25 times more calorie dense than starch and is a safer way to provide calories to a horse without making them hot-headed and excitable. Cool calories have also been shown to improve endurance.
Condensed Grain Fermentation Solubles
This ingredient enhances digestive efficiency and benefits the health of the microbial populations in the gut. We know, it is a rather odd ingredient name, however this is the term required by the American Feed Control Officials. It is the product left after removing a considerable portion of liquid which was a result of the fermentation process.
Cysteine
See Amino Acids.
Enterococcus Faecium
See Probiotics.
Enzymes
Digestive enzymes break down food into nutrients that the body can absorb. Certain enzymes are required for unlocking certain nutrient bonds. By providing additional enzymes in the diet, we help the animal unlock more nutrients that can then be absorbed and utilized. This is one way to get more nutrition into the animal without feeding more.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek seeds are a natural flavoring agent with antioxidant properties.
Flax Seed
Flax Seeds are high in beneficial omega 3 fatty acids which act as a natural anti-inflammatory and help in nerve and brain function. Flaxseed contains ALA omega 3’s which must be converted by the body to DHA and EPA first to be utilized.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is more effective at providing omega 3 fatty acids than flax seed. Fish oil contains DHA and EPA (omega 3 fatty acids that the body needs). Flaxseed contains ALA omega 3’s which must be converted by the body to DHA and EPA first to be utilized.
Folic Acid
Vitamin B9. Folic acid helps the body make new cells. Folic acid is especially important for proper brain function, and in times where cell and tissues are growing rapidly (such as pregnancy). See B Vitamins.
Hydrolyzed Yeast
A natural ingredient derived from whole Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells which contains high concentrations of mannan oligosaccharides and beta-glucans. This ingredient is helpful in improving weight gain, digestive efficiency and overall health.
Kelp Meal
Kelp Meal is a concentrated source of more than 90 minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and beneficial phytonutrients, including polysaccharides which have prebiotic properties. We use only premium kelp harvested from the cold pure waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
See Probiotics.
Lactobacillus Casei
See Probiotics.
Lysine
See amino acids.
Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS)
Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) provide protection from pathogenic organisms present in the environment. MOS has the ability prevent bacterial attachment in the intestinal tract and prevent colonization of Salmonella and E. coli. This is especially important for foals, poultry, pigs, and calves. MOS also boosts the immunoglobulin content of colostrum which is highly critical in passive transfer of immunity.
Methionine
See amino acids.
“Microbe Fuel” (proprietary ingredient)
A proprietary ingredient designed to fuel the microbes in the hind gut. A healthy population of good bacteria in the gut ensures a healthy horse with a fully functioning digestive tract and stable mind.
Niacin
Vitamin B3. See B Vitamins.
Organic Minerals
Organic minerals are better absorbed and utilized within the body than inorganic minerals. There are a lot of different organic minerals out there, but the source used by Bluebonnet Feeds has over 225 peer-reviewed published research studies to support the effectiveness. Learn more about the benefits of these specific Organic Minerals.
Pantothenic Acid
Vitamin B5. See B-Vitamins.
Peptides
Peptides are small chains of amino acids. There are many different peptides and they serve many different functions within the body. Some act as neurotransmitters, others like hormones for example. They also influence how the body reacts to diet and exercise.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are unique fibers that bring about positive changes in the digestive tract. They serve as food or nutrient sources for the beneficial bacteria (probiotics) that live within the gut. Prebiotics are not live organisms, therefore they easily withstand the manufacturing process.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for the digestive system. We usually think of bacteria as something that causes diseases. But the body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called "good" or "helpful" bacteria because they help keep the gut healthy. We have carefully selected unique strains that are resistant to heat and storage, while other strains undergo a specialized microencapsulation technique to ensure their stability through the manufacturing process.
Proprietary Lactic Yeast Strain
A unique strain of yeast that acts as a probiotic. Since it is a yeast rather than bacterial strain it is not susceptible to antibiotics, therefore animals undergoing antibiotic therapy will see benefits from this digestive aid.
Pyridoxine
Vitamin B6. See B-Vitamins.
Riboflavin
Vitamin B2. See B-Vitamins.
Selenium
Selenium in the form of organic selenium yeast is thought to be better absorbed and utilized by the body than inorganic selenium. Selenium plays an essential role in metabolism, orchestrating normal growth, launching reproductive efforts, neutralizing free radicals and supporting the body’s normal defense mechanism against infection. One should not add additional selenium to already fortified feeds because selenium can easily reach toxic levels. Horses are especially susceptible to selenium toxicity. Signs include apparent blindness, colic, lethargy, hair loss (especially in the mane and tail), and cracking of hooves along the coronary band.
Thiamine
Vitamin B1. See B-Vitamins.
Threonine
See Amino Acids.
Toxin Binders
Aluminosilicates such as bentonite and zeolite are helpful in binding aflatoxins. Other binders such as mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) are natural additives derived from the cell wall of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Trichoderma Longibrachiatum
See Probiotics.
Tryptophan
See Amino Acids.
Vitamin A
The classic function of vitamin A is its role in night vision. Vitamin A also functions in cell differentiation, therefore it plays a critical role in reproduction. Additionally, vitamin A is important for maintaining innate and adaptive immune response to infection. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin meaning excess amounts are stored within the body and not excreted, therefore over-supplementation should be avoided.
Vitamin B-12
See B Vitamins.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant. It has many functions within the body and is particularly helpful in stressed horses. Researchers show that stressed horses supplemented with vitamin C recover quicker from travel stress than those given a placebo.
Yeast Culture
Yeast culture is the dried product of a yeast such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae that has been handled in such a manner as to preserve the fermenting activity of the yeast. Yeast cultures contain mannan oligosaccharides and beta-glucans which are beneficial to animal performance, immunity, and digestive health.
Yucca Schidigera
Yucca Schidigera is useful in controlling ammonia levels. Ammonia sets up inflammatory conditions in the airways, increasing mucus, reducing the immune response, and interfering with the action of cilia (microscopic hairs) lining the airways--these cilia serve as a natural defense, preventing dust and debris from entering deeply into the respiratory tract. High levels of ammonia inhalation can reduce athletic performance in horses and reduce growth performance in poultry and rabbits.
Yucca Schidigera works within the digestive tract to decrease intestinal ammonia so there is less nitrogen (ammonia) excreted in the urine and feces. This contributes to better air quality in stalled animals and better digestive health. Yucca Schidigera also has natural antibiotic and anticoccidial properties which is helpful in young or stressed animals.