Frequently Asked Questions

The health of horses is our top priority. All products have been developed from this perspective — to optimally support metabolism and contribute to the horse's health and performance.

We work closely with equine therapists who follow horses over long periods of time, which allows us to maintain this standard.

To this end, we use only raw materials of very high quality. Our products are produced completely without preservatives, hidden flavourings, fillers or other additives that put a strain on the metabolism. We provide an open declaration, meaning we declare everything that's in the product — including additives that wouldn't legally need to be declared under feed law.

Best-before dates differ between products. The best-before date (BBD) is marked on every product. We make sure to only ship products with at least 6 months of shelf life remaining.

Please note that the BBD is not an expiry date. Products are not automatically spoiled when the date passes. The BBD is simply the date until which the manufacturer guarantees the declared properties. For example, in vitamin-containing mineral feeds, vitamins slowly break down during storage; at the BBD, at least the declared amount must still be present. Vitamins don't suddenly disappear after that — they just slowly diminish. Minerals themselves do not spoil if stored dry. The same applies to herbal blends: active compounds slowly degrade during storage. If a herbal blend is "overdue", that doesn't automatically mean it has gone off — the effect is just less pronounced, which can easily be compensated by slightly increasing the dose.

So with feed it's like with food: examine the product, smell it. Spoilage is usually easy to detect — the product smells "different" than usual, the consistency has changed, or there are signs of pests, mould or similar issues. In that case, dispose of the product. If it still looks fine, smells normal and feels normal, there's usually no problem feeding it. When in doubt, please contact us — we're happy to help.

For horses, a sensible basic diet consists of 24/7 access to good-quality hay, plus water, a salt lick and a suitable mineral feed.

Depending on the horse type, questions about ad-lib hay often come up. For very easy keepers, 24/7 feeding is often difficult to implement. However, forced feeding pauses cause significant stress, which in turn negatively affects metabolic function.

For mineral feeds, what matters most is that minerals are in inorganic form, because horses can sensibly "sort" them in the gut and only absorb what their metabolism actually needs. This reduces the risk of over-supply, which often comes with organic mineral feeds.

As a supplement to the forage ration, suitable herbs can be offered. Our Four Season Feeds provide a good basic herbal supply — herbal blends adapted to the seasonal needs of horses, which is why the composition changes every two months. Always offer only one herbal blend at a time. A herbal blend should never be fed for more than 2 months at a stretch, otherwise the horse becomes accustomed to the active compounds.

All herbs contain substances that influence metabolism in one way or another. That's why they have traditionally been used in folk medicine to support health, e.g. for respiratory or digestive issues.

However, these active compounds also lead to habituation over time, meaning the metabolism no longer responds to them. That's why it has proven best to feed herbs only for limited periods. This also matches the natural foraging behaviour of horses — they don't eat the same plants all year round, but vary depending on vegetation, season, climate and soil.

For most single herbs and concentrated blends, feed them for a maximum of 4–6 weeks, then take a break of at least 2 weeks or switch to another blend. Broader herbal blends can be fed for up to 8 weeks before a break. Some herbs should only be fed for very short periods — for example, liquorice extract should never be fed for longer than 3 weeks at a time.

For year-round herb feeding, our Four Season Feeds are ideal. The pure herbal blends change every two months, giving the horse natural variety while still providing healthy, species-appropriate nutrition.

Absolutely. The best way is to put the herbs in a tightly sealed container so no small "uninvited guests" move in. Plastic boxes or well-sealed plastic buckets work best. A clean glass jar can also be used, but should be wrapped in foil on the outside to protect the herbs from light. Store at temperatures between 15 and 20°C, dry and away from light. A dry cellar works well, as does a kitchen or bedroom cupboard. Stored this way, herbs usually keep for up to a year and can still be fed within that time.

Our feeding recommendations are calculated for a 600 kg horse. So if your horse weighs, for example, 400 kg, give 2/3 of the stated amount — for instance 2 measuring scoops instead of 3.

For doping concerns, please cross-check the ingredients with the current doping list (in the UK, refer to the FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List or your competition body's rules). We always provide an open declaration with our products, so there are no hidden ingredients.

However, since the doping list is constantly updated, we cannot give legally binding information on this point. For most single herbs and herbal blends, a 48-hour withdrawal period generally applies, but you should check the current rules for each individual ingredient.

We always provide an open declaration of our products, so there are no hidden ingredients — even those that wouldn't legally need to be declared under feed law. The individual feed materials are listed in descending order by weight in the composition. For recipe protection reasons, however, we don't disclose exact quantitative information for each ingredient.

Our herbs are sourced in German Pharmacopoeia (Arzneibuch) quality from various suppliers. We try to source as regionally as possible to keep our ecological footprint small. Since not all herbs grow in our climate, we sometimes also source internationally. We always pay attention to appropriate quality certifications when purchasing.

Herbs are not usually grown conventionally but are produced extensively with much manual work or come from wild collection. Feed law makes precise rules regarding prohibited contaminants, so our herbs and all other raw materials undergo residue testing and analyses before we use them. This ensures consistent high quality.

Currently, we only have biostickies in organic quality. Depending on demand, we plan to add Vital Cobs, Sainfoin and a mineral feed with organic certification to our range in the medium term. Get in touch if you're interested in organic-certified products and we'll contact you as soon as we expand our range.

OKAPI products contain no preservatives, hidden flavourings, fillers or other additives that strain metabolism. Since many other feed brands work with extra sugary or oily flavour carriers, our feed can initially be unfamiliar to some horses, and they may turn it down at first.

Horses unfamiliar with herbs are usually irritated when the bowl content isn't sweet but tart, bitter or sour. In these cases, you first need to wean the horse off "sugar addiction":

• Mix the familiar sweet muesli with soaked, low-sugar Haycobs at a 1:1 ratio (or more muesli if needed).
• If soaking isn't possible, our Ready-to-Feed Alfalfa pellets can be fed dry — most horses like them.
• Over several weeks, slowly reduce the muesli amount until the horse eats pure soaked Haycobs.
• Then mix in small amounts of herbs to accustom the horse to the new taste.
• Gradually reduce Haycobs and increase herbs.

During the initial sugar reduction phase, real withdrawal symptoms can occur: horses may become aggressive or moody, refuse cooperation, become difficult to handle, or even depressive. This phase requires patience — don't be tempted to feed sugary treats (carrots, apples) again. After a few weeks, behaviour normalises and horses are usually more attentive, focused, less spooky, and more willing to perform.

If a horse rejects herbs even though it's never had sugary feeds, undetected gastric ulcers may be the cause. These cause more or less constant abdominal pain. Horses learn to distinguish good feed from intolerable feed by eating it — if they have constant stomach pain, they learn that anything "unfamiliar" should rather not be eaten. Such horses are often picky about hay too, preferring soft, leafy hay and refusing coarse, stalky hay. Other gastric ulcer signs: girthiness, saddle sensitivity, "ticklish" belly, aggression on belly contact, yawning, empty chewing, sand or dung eating, wood chewing, slow concentrate eating, sparse cold-water drinking in winter, or constipation colic in winter. In such cases, the gastric ulcer should be treated therapeutically first.

For horses that need herbs therapeutically but don't like them, mix into a handful of soaked Sainfoin Cobs or Haycobs. Start with a tiny amount and slowly increase — this usually works even with less pleasant tastes.

Our soaked Sainfoin is usually the best to mix with. It contains high-quality amino acids, supports the gut milieu, and has a strong own taste from its bitter compounds, which can mask unfamiliar additives well. Most horses love the intense Sainfoin flavour.

For horses that don't like Sainfoin (causes range from sugar habituation to gastric ulcers to personal preference), our Vital Cobs are a great alternative. They contain a tasty herbal blend with low bitter content and are well-accepted by most horses.

You can also vary the soaking water amount — some horses prefer firmer soaked feed, others almost flowing mash. Sainfoin and Alfalfa are also available as Ready-to-Feed (small pellets, fed dry).

Powdery additives are best taken when mixed into soaked feed like Haycobs or Sainfoin Cobs. If soaking isn't possible, the entire feed ration can be slightly moistened with water so the powder sticks to the rest and is eaten along with it.

If horses at the yard are fed concentrate and your horse needs a "psychological" amount, you can give small Alfalfa or Sainfoin pellets. With dry-fed pellets, the diameter must not exceed 4 mm, otherwise unphysiological chewing can occur. Our Ready-to-Feed Alfalfa and Ready-to-Feed Sainfoin pellets are small enough to be fed dry without problems. Both contain high-quality amino acids; Sainfoin additionally stabilises the gut milieu.

Alternatively, a herbal blend like our Four Season Feeds works as bowl feed.

Soil eating can have many causes — mineral deficiency, disturbed gut, boredom, or feeding pauses are all possibilities. If horses prefer dark soil, they may be trying to absorb humic acids, which support the natural gut milieu and are also contained in our ColoBalance. If they go for clayey soil, this points to gut imbalances. Horses that frequently eat soil should regularly receive Psyllium Husks or Whole Psyllium Seeds to counteract sand deposits in the gut.

The immune system is very complex and ideally should be supported individually. Generally, the immune system can be strengthened by supporting the gut, since most of the immune system sits there. With weak immune systems, stress is often relevant too — particularly stressful for the immune system.

Symptomatically, the immune system can be supported with our Immuno Herbs blend and the minerals zinc and sulphur (MSM). However, this is initially only symptom treatment, since the cause of immune weakness is most likely elsewhere. Best to consult a therapist who knows your horse and history for individual advice.

We deliberately use breathable paper bags for most of our feeds. This protects the herbal content from condensation and lets the products "breathe". Mineral feeds and granular products are sometimes packaged in plastic to prevent moisture absorption and clumping. We're continuously working on more sustainable packaging solutions.

You can store opened bags directly in their breathable paper bags. They should be stored dry, cool and protected from light — for example in a dry cellar. Under these conditions, we expect very little difference in shelf life compared to a closed bag.

For loose herbal blends, after opening, transfer to a sealable container (plastic box, lidded bucket or wrapped glass jar) to keep out pests and moisture. Stored at 15–20°C, dry and away from light, herbs typically keep for up to a year.

For full details on delivery zones, times and costs, please see our Delivery page. UK Mainland orders are typically dispatched within 1 working day and arrive within 2–4 working days.

The maximum weight per parcel is 20 kg. To prevent damage in transit, a maximum of two lick bowls are sent per parcel. All 18 kg packs (including OKAPI Sainfoin) are always sent in a separate parcel due to their weight. Heavier orders are split across multiple parcels and may arrive on different days — this is normal.

We're happy to send up to four free samples for a flat shipping fee. We have samples of almost all products. Lick bowls cannot be offered as samples, but since they have the same recipe as our granulated mineral feeds, you can request those as an alternative.

biostickies are not available as samples, but thanks to the small 125 g pack size, you can affordably try different varieties to find the right one for your horse.

Please contact us at info@okapi-shop.com with your sample wishes and shipping address.

The species-poverty of pastures caused by intensive agriculture and overgrazing means horses have fewer and fewer plant species available in pasture and hay. But horses are not naturally pure grass-eaters — they have a very broad food spectrum in the wild. Alongside grasses, this includes many different herbal plants which are tasty and partly support the metabolism in its physiological balance. Horses are not lawnmowers! They nibble at one herb, pull a few leaves off another, and leave a third herb completely untouched — only to eat it with enthusiasm two months later.

To offer horses a richer herbal diet again, we developed our Four Season Feeds. Each blend is fed for 2 months and matches the horse's needs in the respective season. The short period avoids habituation effects and offers greater plant variety. They are excellent metabolic support and a healthy, grain-free alternative to concentrated feeds, since the Four Season Feeds are free from grain, fruit, vegetables and additives (e.g. preservatives, essential oils).

The wide-ranging herbal mix supports the metabolism appropriately for the season but is not intended as a therapeutic blend for metabolic issues — for that, our targeted herbal blends are more suitable.

• February / March: Spring Awakening (Frühlingsgefühle)
• April / May: Pasture Start (Weidestart)
• June / July: Summer Herbs (Sommerkräuter)
• August / September: Coat Change (Fellwechsel)
• October / November: Autumn Days (Herbsttage)
• December / January: Winter Pasture (Winterweide)

We recommend not feeding a single blend for longer than 8 weeks at a stretch, as a habituation effect to the active compounds otherwise sets in. That's why there are 6 blends — so you can feed them throughout the year.

Grain-free mueslis are usually based on more or less chopped hay, to which other components are added — apple pomace, carrot pieces, vegetable oils etc. for taste enhancement. They are usually fortified with minerals and vitamins for all-round supply.

If herbs are included, you feed the same herbs all year, leading to habituation and loss of metabolic effect. Particularly problematic in most of these structured mueslis are the fibre lengths: between 1 and 5 cm. Such fibres cannot be properly chewed by horses — too short to undergo the normal forage chewing process, but too long to be properly digested. If swallowed, they can alter the peristalsis in the large intestine, meaning feed can remain there for up to a week, promoting fermentation disorders (dysbioses) which cause many metabolic problems.

Our Four Season Feeds use carefully chosen large-intestine-friendly fibre lengths. They contain different herbal blends matching each season — horses in the wild do not eat the same plants all year round but choose precisely. Most horses leave nettles standing through summer but eat them eagerly in autumn (around September) when their kidneys are under more strain during coat change — nettles are traditionally used as "diuretic" plants in folk medicine.

We deliberately avoid sugary flavour carriers like oils, carrots, apple pomace or beet pulp. Horses should taste what they eat and decide whether the feed suits them or not.

Green oat is the oat plant harvested in the panicle-emerging stage, before grain forms — not to be confused with oat grain. This gives high cellulose content with good protein values and low sugar levels. Green oat is a wonderful fibre-rich feed material that horses enjoy.

We use green oat as the base in our Four Season Feeds so that the transition between herbal blends is smoother. Otherwise, you would have to wean off the old blend over several days while introducing the new one. The green oat base makes the transition gentle and well-tolerated. We process German contract-grown, warm-air-dried green oat in fibre lengths that pass easily through the gut without disturbing peristalsis.

We don't routinely have the energy and sugar content tested in lab analyses. As a pure herbal blend, energy content is naturally very low, and sugar content is usually well below that of common hay. Four Season Feeds are not suitable as a concentrate for hard-working horses, but rather as a bowl feed for leisure horses or sport horses where the concentrate is to be supplemented with healthy herbs.

Yes. In addition to the low energy content, there are no hidden sugars, starches, preservatives or flavour regulators. This makes our Four Season Feeds particularly suitable for metabolically sensitive horses with no additional energy needs.

Four Season Feeds are pure herbal blends and contain no ingredients that would irritate gastric ulcers. They are therefore suitable for horses with stomach issues. However, they are not a therapy for gastric ulcers — this should be discussed with a competent therapist or vet.

Sainfoin and alfalfa both belong to the legumes, a family of particularly protein-rich plants. Both have a very favourable amino acid profile for horses, since the essential amino acids are present in larger quantities than in many other feed materials. Sainfoin additionally has a stabilising effect on the natural gut milieu through its bitter compounds (condensed tannins).

Through its high nutritional value, Sainfoin is well suited for putting weight on emaciated, hard-keeping or older horses. It also has a positive effect on the gut milieu, e.g. for horses with sensitive or sluggish digestion, which often contributes to poor feed conversion.

During grazing season, pasture grass already contains plenty of protein, so supplementation with Sainfoin should be moderate. Towards the end of grazing season, you can slowly increase Sainfoin and use it through winter as a protein source.

Our Sainfoin Cobs consist of pure sainfoin only, while Vital Cobs are a blend of plants that are also protein-rich and low in sugar. Vital Cobs include alfalfa among others, plus many tasty herbs and protein-rich plants.

Vital Cobs are useful when horses don't like Sainfoin. Sainfoin is usually well-accepted, but due to its bitter compounds, some horses don't like it — for those, Vital Cobs are a good alternative. Vital Cobs are also useful for older horses as a supplement to Sainfoin when you need to keep weight on. Older and hard-keeping horses sometimes have a very high need for easily digestible nutrients like proteins, especially when there are dental problems.

Always adjust the amount flexibly to your horse's condition. Start with a small amount and gradually increase as needed. Consider both the protein content of the basic forage (grass and hay) as well as training load and age. The more protein already in the basic feed, the less Sainfoin should be added.

Pasture grass contains very high amounts of protein, so on good pasture with long grazing time, Sainfoin can sometimes be omitted entirely in summer. If you have grazed-down pasture or only a small grazing area, Sainfoin can be added in summer too.

The maximum amount of 3 kg per day for an adult (600 kg) horse should not be exceeded. If too much protein is fed, the surplus has to be broken down and excreted via the kidneys, putting additional strain on the detox systems. Many horses also tend to gain weight on excessive protein.

As a rule of thumb: if the initially thin horse gains weight, keep the amount of Sainfoin until the normal weight is reached, then reduce to a maintenance level. For horses that are mainly given Sainfoin to mix in other feed, 100–200 g (dry weight) is usually enough.

In principle, there's nothing against feeding Sainfoin permanently. It provides essential amino acids and supports the gut milieu through its bitter compounds. Since it's not a herbal blend, the habituation effect on active compounds isn't relevant here. Just always pay attention to the overall protein content of the feed ration.

We don't separately analyse the sugar content of Sainfoin. As a natural product, you have to expect variations — like with hay — so the exact sugar content can vary from batch to batch. Generally, the sugar content of Sainfoin is relatively low, comparable to low-sugar hay. The average is 5–8%. There may be batches outside this range.

Soaking time depends on the press density of the batch and the water temperature. With lukewarm water, they should be fully soaked within a few hours, often within an hour. With cold water, they can stand overnight in winter. In summer with warm nights, this should be avoided, as the cobs — like hay cobs — can "tip" and unwanted microbial growth can occur.

Our Ready-to-Feed Sainfoin and Ready-to-Feed Alfalfa pellets are pressed with an extra small diameter. This ensures the chewing process is approximately normal and there are no unphysiological changes to teeth or jaw, which would negatively affect the entire musculoskeletal system. Because they can be properly chewed and salivated — unlike larger pellet diameters — the risk of choke is also lower. For very feed-greedy or hasty eaters, however, we'd still advise against feeding dry, as they may not be sufficiently salivated and could get stuck in the oesophagus.

Originally we tried to pellet Ready-to-Feed Sainfoin without adding any other components. But that didn't work — the pelleting machines clogged up. So we add a small amount of oil so the pelleting works smoothly. Since it's only about 3%, the total fat amount a horse takes in with a Sainfoin meal is manageable and shouldn't cause digestive problems. For comparison: hay normally contains 1.5–2.5% crude fat, and horses eat much more hay than Sainfoin per day.

It's normal for saliva to become slightly dark — noticeably darker than with hay. This effect is due to the high chlorophyll content in Sainfoin. When soaking Sainfoin, you'll also see the water turn dark green. This is completely harmless.

Yes. Since Sainfoin is a natural product and we source from various contract farmers, properties may vary from batch to batch. Each harvest turns out a little differently depending on soil, harvest time, climate and many other factors. However, we ensure through our quality controls that the Sainfoin always meets our high standards, even if it occasionally varies in colour or soaking behaviour.

No, the binding of nutrients is not relevant when feeding Sainfoin in the recommended amounts. On the contrary, the condensed tannins in Sainfoin stabilise the digestive milieu and improve protein utilisation. There are many myths around Sainfoin — the recommended quantities of Sainfoin alongside good basic feeding are entirely unproblematic.

An adult (600 kg) horse should receive a maximum of 3 kg of alfalfa per day, due to its elevated protein content. For horses currently not in training, a much smaller amount makes more sense — usually 100–200 g (about two handfuls), if it's just to provide something at feeding time. Horses with pasture access are usually well-supplied with protein.

If horses tend to lose muscle mass on smaller amounts, or if they only get hay with low crude protein content (under 6%), the amount can be increased even with little or no training. The key is to observe your horse and how it reacts to the current dosage.

All horses (including those with PSSM) get their energy from the fermentation of fibres (cellulose) from hay. The volatile fatty acids produced — mainly propionate, butyrate and acetate — can be channelled directly into cellular energy metabolism without the liver having to convert them to sugar first.

Horses with PSSM also benefit from species-appropriate 24/7 hay feeding (with sugar content under 6%), a salt lick and a suitable mineral feed. Supplementation should be clarified individually based on symptoms with the help of a metabolic therapist.

There is no scientific evidence that alfalfa would be problematic for horses with PSSM — on the contrary, in some parts of the world, alfalfa hay is recommended when normal hay is too sugar-rich for horses with this predisposition.

Alfalfa, like hay, contains a high calcium content with a rather low phosphorus content. Horses are evolutionarily well adapted to this — they can not only block calcium uptake in the gut but also excrete calcium very efficiently via the kidneys (the urine of horses is always slightly milky due to the calcium compounds in basic feeding). At the same time, they can retain phosphorus highly efficiently in the kidneys to set the right calcium-phosphorus ratio in the various tissues.

Alongside the relatively high calcium content, alfalfa also has a high content of oxalic acid (oxalate). This can bind calcium, so a large part of the calcium in alfalfa cannot be absorbed in the gut and is excreted bound to oxalate. With normal alfalfa quantities and species-appropriate basic feeding, this is not a problem — horses usually have a clear surplus of calcium in basic feed, so the loss of bound calcium can easily be regulated.

However, due to oxalates, large amounts of alfalfa — especially combined with reduced water intake (often associated with gastric ulcers) — can promote enterolith (intestinal stone) formation.

For most horses, alfalfa supplementation in our recommended amounts is unproblematic. Dramatic descriptions sometimes heard about alfalfa usually come from very dry, southern countries where the entire forage ration is replaced with alfalfa — this is not a problem when alfalfa is fed alongside hay in our latitudes. So the high calcium content in alfalfa is unproblematic regarding the calcium:phosphorus ratio, provided you stick to the maximum of 3 kg per day for an adult horse.

Vital Cobs do contain a greater herbal variety than our Haycobs Sugar Light. However, they also contain a very high proportion of legumes such as alfalfa or various clovers. So Vital Cobs have a significantly higher protein content than Haycobs Sugar Light.

Protein is important in nutrition, but you also need to make sure horses don't get too much. Excessive protein in the ration is very stressful on the kidneys, because excess amino acids must be broken down and excreted via urine.

With protein-rich hay, additional Vital Cobs (or other strongly protein-containing feeds) should be avoided. With protein-poor hay, Vital Cobs are a great addition. They're also useful for older horses or those with dental problems — mixed with Haycobs — to enrich the cobs ration with herbal variety and protein. However, they may only be fed at a maximum of 3 kg per day to an adult (600 kg) horse, while Haycobs Sugar Light can in an emergency replace the entire hay ration.

Vital Cobs come from guaranteed organic agriculture, because this blend is only grown by organic farmers who use it as a cover crop to enrich the soil with nitrogen. We have now finally received our organic certification and will certify Vital Cobs as organic in the next step. We just couldn't sell them as organic before because we lacked the certification.

We don't have starch and fructan content tested for Haycobs Sugar Light because both are largely irrelevant. The starch content in hay or hay cobs is so low that it can be completely neglected in the overall ration — starch is mainly relevant when feeding grains or compound feeds.

The fructan content is of minor importance in hay or hay cobs since the weather conditions during hay harvest are normally also associated with low fructan values. Fructan rises in plants when night temperatures fall below 10°C with simultaneously sunny days, or when grass is heavily stressed by being grazed down. So high fructan values are mainly found on grazed-down pastures and in late autumn / early spring on meadows — times when no hay is made.

Fructan is metabolised differently from sugar: sugar is absorbed in the small intestine and raises blood sugar directly. Fructan, on the other hand, is fermented in the large intestine. A healthy large intestine milieu can easily compensate for the small amounts of fructan in hay (or in our Haycobs Sugar Light).

The sugar content from our lab analyses includes monosaccharides (e.g. glucose, fructose) and disaccharides (e.g. maltose, sucrose). Fructans — like soluble pectins — belong to the short to medium-chain polysaccharides and are not captured by the sugar test we use.

Our Haycobs are pressed without binders. There's no molasses or anything similar. We provide a completely open declaration for all products — even auxiliaries that wouldn't legally need to be declared. So you always know exactly what you're feeding your horse.

For Haycobs Sugar Light, we don't analyse the mineral content because they don't make a substantial contribution to mineral supply. Unlike some other manufacturers, we don't add minerals or trace elements to our hay cobs. Their mineral values are therefore roughly in the range of hay, and given the typically modest amount fed, the mineral content can be neglected. We recommend offering one of our mineral feeds regularly to ensure your horse's mineral supply.

Calcium, like other minerals, is not analysed by us. Haycobs Sugar Light, like normal hay, naturally have a high calcium value relative to phosphorus. Horses are adapted to these ratios and can excrete calcium very efficiently via the kidneys (which is why horses' urine is always slightly milky). They can also reduce uptake in the gut very efficiently. These mechanisms allow horses to easily regulate fluctuating calcium values.

Every good basic feed — hay or pasture grass — naturally contains significantly more iron than horse metabolism needs, due to the high chlorophyll content. Plants need iron to build chlorophyll, so they tend to accumulate it. This iron is in inorganic form in plants, and horses are adapted to this. In the gut, very efficient regulatory mechanisms ensure this inorganic iron isn't absorbed at all when the body's stores are full — instead it stays in the gut and is excreted with the dung. So you don't need to buffer or counteract the iron surplus that's naturally found in hay or hay cobs.

The problem is only with organic iron variants (iron chelate), which some feed manufacturers have introduced. These cannot be recognised as iron in the gut, and the body absorbs them even when already more than adequately supplied. Long-term feeding of iron chelates can lead to elevated iron levels in the blood and to liver failure, since excess iron cannot be excreted via the kidneys but accumulates in liver cells.

That's why with mineral feeds it's especially important to ensure no organic iron is included. Our mineral feeds use only inorganic iron, which can be "sorted out" by the horse's gut if there's no need.

Our Haycobs Sugar Light are grown on low-yield meadows in Germany and come from a horse-appropriate late first cut. Through analyses, we ensure a very low sugar content of 4% and impeccable hygiene. So our Haycobs are also particularly suitable for horses with metabolic problems, very easy keepers and horses with metabolic issues.

Soaking time can vary by batch, since hay cobs are a natural product subject to variations. Soaking time also depends on the press settings, over which we have no influence. Our hay cobs contain no pelleting aids, so settings have to be individually adjusted for each batch.

Soaking goes much faster with warm or hot water than with cold water, and the cobs usually fall apart fairly quickly. With cold water, plan more time. Try it out — once you can no longer feel any solid pieces, they're ready. Usually it's enough to pour hot water over them when you arrive at the yard, then they're ready to feed when you've finished riding. Always make sure they're not fed hot, only at most hand-warm.

We source our Haycobs from various contract farmers cultivating different soils. Since hay cobs are a natural product, there are natural variations and slight differences in appearance, taste and smell. This depends on the weather during growth, the exact plant community on the field, harvest conditions and many other factors. The grass and herb composition can vary slightly between years or batches, just as it does with normal hay bales. This doesn't affect quality. These natural variations are unavoidable. See our tips in Common Feeding Issues on how to encourage acceptance.

In principle, rose hips are suitable for every horse. They are not only rich in vitamins but also contain valuable fatty acids in their seeds in digestible form, which benefit metabolism. They are also a good low-calorie treat. Scattered on the paddock, they're an entertaining occupation. Since not every horse likes rose hips, it's recommended to test first — we're happy to send a free sample.

The amount should not exceed one handful (about 30–40 g) per day. Through winter, it's a good idea to give a handful of rose hips every few days as a healthy addition or occasional low-calorie treat.

Horses react very individually to rose hips: some are crazy about them, others spit them out in disgust. You just have to try whether your own horse likes them. We recommend ordering a free sample first, or — depending on the season — simply picking some on a walk and offering them. If your horse doesn't like rose hips, you could try our other healthy treats as an alternative.

Bark & Leaves provide horses with bitter compounds and minerals, similar to what they would naturally get from nibbling branches and twigs in the wild. Many of our modern pastures lack the variety of trees and shrubs that horses would naturally browse, so this product is a way to recreate part of that lost foraging behaviour.

Bitter compounds support the gut milieu and stimulate digestion. The minerals contained in bark and leaves complement those from grass and hay in a natural way.

The best way is to mix Bark & Leaves into soaked Haycobs Sugar Light or slightly soaked Sainfoin Cobs. We recommend a weekly or bi-weekly rotation with our other Healthy Base products (Wild Berries, Wild Seeds, Rose Hips), as this comes closest to the natural foraging behaviour of horses.

An adult (600 kg) horse can be given roughly 30–50 g per day on rotation days. Don't feed continuously — the natural rotation gives variety and avoids habituation.

Yes, you can occasionally combine them — but not too much at once. The natural foraging behaviour of horses involves variety over time, not lots of different things in one bowl. We recommend a rotation: one product for a few days, then switch to another. This keeps things interesting for your horse and reflects the way horses naturally browse different plants on different days.

Wild Berries are our blend of dried wild fruits and berry-like fruits, providing horses with natural vitamins — just as horses in winter would naturally pick dried raspberries, blackberries or rose hips from the wild.

They are particularly valuable through winter when fresh forage is limited, and complement the natural diet in a way that modern pastures often can't provide.

Mix Wild Berries into soaked Haycobs Sugar Light or slightly soaked Sainfoin Cobs. An adult (600 kg) horse can be given roughly 30–50 g per day on rotation days. Use them as part of a weekly or bi-weekly rotation with our other Healthy Base products.

No. Our Wild Berries blend contains only berries and berry-like fruits. They naturally contain — alongside valuable vitamins and secondary plant compounds — sugar. During drying, this sugar can come to the surface and appear as a white, crystalline coating on the (usually dark) berries. This is not a quality issue but normal for this natural product. You can rinse the berries under warm running water to remove the sugar crystals if you prefer — but then feed them immediately, as they may go mouldy if stored damp.

Wild Berries naturally contain sugar in the form of fructose. They are not zero-sugar, so for horses with insulin resistance, EMS or laminitis history, they should be fed cautiously and only in small amounts. For most horses, the modest portion sizes (30–50 g) and the rotation principle make them unproblematic. When in doubt, consult your equine therapist.

Wild Seeds are our blend of oily wild seeds, providing horses with high-quality fatty acids in a natural form. Wild horses naturally seek out oily seeds from various plants over winter, and our Wild Seeds blend recreates this part of their natural diet.

The fatty acids support skin and coat condition, are particularly valuable during coat change, and help maintain a healthy metabolism through the colder months.

Freshly ground, the fatty acids in the seeds are best made available. It's important they're freshly ground so they don't go rancid — a small electric coffee grinder works well. Alternatively, you can let the seeds swell with hot water and feed lukewarm.

An adult (600 kg) horse can be given roughly 20–40 g per day on rotation days, freshly ground or soaked. Use them as part of a weekly or bi-weekly rotation with our other Healthy Base products. Particularly recommended during coat change (spring and autumn) and through winter.

No — once ground, the oils in the seeds are exposed to oxygen and start to oxidise (go rancid). You should feed ground seeds within a day or two. The simplest approach is to grind only the daily portion before feeding. If you grind larger amounts, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and use within a week.

biostickies are crafted to be not just delicious but, above all, healthy treats in certified organic quality. Our focus is on the horse’s well-being, while we also embrace an environmentally conscious approach.

The base of our natural biostickies is consistently organic, low-yield, herb-rich organic meadow hay without mineral fertiliser. All herbs and fruits used in our herbal biostickies come from controlled organic cultivation and are gently processed — the highest quality and a strict no to genetic engineering are our standard.

Our diverse range is specifically developed to support your horse’s health, making biostickies suitable for metabolically sensitive horses and ponies. They are free of starch, added sugar, artificial flavours, colourings, preservatives and other unnecessary additives.

Horses receive a maximum of 500 g of biostickies per day. Ponies receive about half, depending on their size.

Our 1 kg bags contain approximately 500–550 rewards for your horse. The Clickerli variety contains roughly twice that, thanks to its slimmer shape. You could even break Clickerli pieces in two to double the number of healthy rewards available for training.

Our Natur Pur and Clickerli varieties contain 90% meadow hay* and 10% linseed cake* (ground). The herbal varieties contain 80% meadow hay*, 10% linseed cake* and 10% of the respective herb — all in organic quality (* = certified organic).

What biostickies do not contain:

• Starch
• Added sugar
• Artificial flavours or colourings
• Preservatives
• Other unnecessary additives

Thanks to these clean ingredients, biostickies are well tolerated by all horses — including allergy-prone horses, young horses or seniors. Free from starch and added sugar, they’re ideal for metabolically sensitive horses. The extra-long, low-crumb shape makes them perfect as a precise reward for clicker training, groundwork or everyday handling.

For us, “organic” means more than just the contents — it also applies to the packaging. Instead of plastic boxes or buckets, we use breathable, recyclable paper bags. Our medium-sized packaging is lined inside with a compostable bio-polymer that processes easily through paper recycling. When the bag is empty, simply put it in your paper recycling bin.

We produce regularly to keep storage times short and ensure maximum shelf life. But honestly — our biostickies are so tasty, they’ll never reach the best-before date if your horse has any say in the matter.

Store the unopened or opened bag in a dry, cool place protected from light. Once opened, keep the bag tightly closed.

OKAPI Pasturemineral Balance (formerly OKAPI Mineral Pur G) is a granulated mineral feed providing pure minerals and trace elements without added synthetic vitamins. It is designed for adult horses in species-appropriate husbandry who don’t have elevated performance demands.

This mineral feed contains no added vitamins because a horse with a balanced diet usually doesn’t need additional vitamin supplementation. The body produces vitamins via its own synthesis or through gut flora, and the basic forage often already provides sufficient vitamins (e.g. A and E). The Pasturemineral Balance therefore avoids the risk of vitamin oversupply.

For horses whose basic feed comes from calcium-poor sandy or peat soils, we recommend switching to OKAPI Pasturemineral Balance +Calcium (also vitamin-free, but adjusted to lower-mineral soils). For horses without pasture access — e.g. those significantly overweight or with special needs — a vitaminised mineral feed like our Wintermineral Balance is more suitable.

Granulated mineral feeds (G) only contain a minimal amount of molasses, so horses generally consume them only when there’s an actual mineral need. If the feed remains in the bowl, you can pause feeding for a few weeks and offer it again later.

This complementary feed may not be fed in amounts greater than 120 g per animal per day, due to higher trace element content compared with complete feeds.

Feeding recommendation: horses receive 2–3 measuring scoops daily (1 scoop = 25 g). Ponies receive about half, depending on their size.

Pasturemineral Balance can generally be combined well with other feeds. It’s important to keep the overall ration in mind to ensure your horse’s nutritional needs are optimally met.

When supplying minerals to horses, mineral feeds and single-mineral preparations (such as Zinc Plus or Sulphur Plus) should not be fed in the same meal. Many minerals are regulated in the body in relation to one another, and simultaneous intake can disrupt metabolic processing.

For example, additional zinc supplementation cannot be optimally absorbed if copper from the mineral feed is being taken up at the same time. Ideally, feed one of the products in the morning and the other in the evening. If that’s not possible logistically, allow at least a 2-hour gap between feedings.

OKAPI Juniormineral is a special granulated mineral feed concentrate for young horses, sport horses and breeding horses. It contains essential amino acids such as lysine, methionine and threonine, which are important for muscle development and growth.

The product supports horses across different life phases — especially young horses, pregnant and lactating broodmares. It has a moderate protein content, which reduces metabolic load. The vitamin A and D levels are deliberately reduced to minimise the risk of bone mineralisation disorders in growing horses.

Juniormineral is suitable for young horses from weaning through to broken-in remounts, as well as for sport and breeding horses. Horses in these categories benefit from the included essential amino acids that are important for muscle building and growth.

Also available as OKAPI Juniormineral Lick for open stables, pasture and group housing.

Like our other granulated mineral feeds, Juniormineral contains only a minimal amount of molasses. Horses therefore tend to consume it only when they actually need minerals. If the feed remains in the bowl, simply pause for a few weeks before offering again.

This complementary feed may not be fed in amounts greater than 120 g per animal per day due to higher trace element content.

Feeding recommendation: horses receive 2–3 measuring scoops daily (1 scoop = 25 g). Ponies receive about half depending on their size.

Juniormineral can generally be combined well with other feeds. As with all our mineral feeds, the key principle is: do not feed mineral feed and single-mineral preparations (such as Zinc Plus or Sulphur Plus) in the same meal. Many minerals are regulated in the body in relation to one another, and simultaneous intake can disrupt absorption.

For example, additional zinc cannot be optimally absorbed if copper from the mineral feed is being taken up at the same time. Ideally, give one product in the morning and the other in the evening, or allow at least 2 hours between feedings.

OKAPI Seniormineral is a specially developed granulated mineral feed for horses aged 20 years and older in whom age-related reduced nutrient absorption in the gut (malabsorption syndrome) is suspected.

To meet the increased nutrient demand of older horses, this mineral feed contains significantly higher levels of minerals and trace elements. It also contains essential amino acids to support nutritional needs in old age, plus selected vitamins for targeted supply.

For older horses, it’s especially important to ensure adequate intake of high-quality forage. If horses can no longer eat enough hay due to dental issues or stress, alternative roughage such as soaked hay cobs should be offered. Seniormineral can be mixed into the soaked hay cobs to ensure proper nutrient supply.

Granulated mineral feeds contain only a minimal amount of molasses, so horses generally consume them only when there’s actual mineral demand. If the feed remains in the bowl, you can pause feeding for a few weeks before offering again.

This complementary feed may not be fed in amounts greater than 120 g per animal per day due to higher vitamin and trace element content compared with complete feeds.

Feeding recommendation: horses receive 2–3 measuring scoops daily (1 scoop = 25 g). Ponies receive about half depending on their size.

For older horses with reduced appetite, mixing the mineral feed into soaked hay cobs or soaked sainfoin pellets often helps with consistent intake.

Yes, Seniormineral can generally be combined with other feeds. Always pay attention to the overall composition of the ration to ensure your horse’s nutritional needs are optimally met.

When supplying minerals to horses, mineral feed and single-mineral preparations (such as Zinc Plus or Sulphur Plus) should not be fed in the same meal. Many minerals are regulated in the body in relation to one another, and simultaneous intake can disrupt metabolic processing. For example, additional zinc cannot be optimally utilised if copper from the mineral feed is being taken up at the same time.

Ideally, feed one product in the morning and the other in the evening — or allow at least 2 hours between feedings.

OKAPI Mineral Bricks are a palatable biscuit-style mineral feed based on the OKAPI Pasturemineral Balance recipe. They are particularly suitable for horses living in open stables or on pasture, providing a practical way to feed minerals by hand without the risk of being jostled while using a feed bucket.

Mineral Bricks are ideal for horses that may not readily accept the granulated OKAPI Pasturemineral Balance, since the included herbal mixture improves taste. However, they should only be fed in the recommended dosage and not made freely available, to ensure proper mineral intake.

Because the herbal mixture makes them very palatable, Mineral Bricks should not be offered freely.

We recommend offering Mineral Bricks daily for a period of 4–6 weeks, followed by a 2–3 week break. Alternatively, they can be given every second or third day, particularly if you cannot visit the stable daily. This intermittent feeding approach helps maintain and support the horse’s ability to regulate its own mineral stores.

This complementary feed may not be fed in amounts greater than 100 g per animal per day due to higher trace element content.

Feeding recommendation: horses receive 2–4 bricks per day. Ponies receive about half depending on their size. Pack sizes:

• 1,000 g — sufficient for approximately 2.5–5 weeks
• 2,000 g — sufficient for approximately 2–3 months

Mineral Bricks can generally be combined well with other feeds. It’s important to keep the overall ration in mind to ensure your horse’s nutritional needs are optimally met.

When supplying minerals to horses, mineral feed and single-mineral preparations (such as Zinc Plus or Sulphur Plus) should not be fed in the same meal. Many minerals are regulated in the body in relation to one another, and simultaneous intake can disrupt metabolic processing.

For example, additional zinc cannot be optimally absorbed if copper from the mineral feed is taken up at the same time. Ideally, feed one product in the morning and the other in the evening — or allow at least 2 hours between feedings.

OKAPI Mineral Pellets (formerly OKAPI Mineralkonzentrat P) are a pelleted mineral concentrate specially developed for adult horses kept on average-quality soils with limited pasture access. They were designed to ensure balanced mineral supply and are ideal for horses living in active stables or fed via automated feeders, since the pellets dispense reliably.

The pellets use grape seed meal as a carrier material, with wheat bran added as a pelleting aid for consistent pellet structure. However, due to the wheat bran content, this product is not suitable for horses on a strictly grain-free diet. We consider Mineral Pellets a compromise alternative to our grain-free granulated mineral feeds.

The pellets are particularly suitable for automated feeders, which often struggle to dispense granulated mineral feeds reliably. They’re an ideal choice for active stables or facilities where granule feeding is impractical, and a practical alternative for horses that don’t accept granulated mineral feed.

Mineral Pellets are not suitable for free-choice feeding — they should only be given for targeted supplementation in the recommended dosage.

This complementary feed may not be fed in amounts greater than 120 g per animal per day due to higher trace element content.

Feeding recommendation: horses receive 2–3 measuring scoops daily (1 scoop = 25 g). Ponies receive about half depending on their size.

For automated feeders, set the dispensing portion to align with the daily target.

Mineral Pellets can generally be combined well with other feeds. As always, keep the overall composition of the ration in mind to ensure your horse’s nutritional needs are optimally met.

Mineral feed and single-mineral preparations (such as Zinc Plus or Sulphur Plus) should not be fed in the same meal. Many minerals are regulated in the body in relation to one another, and simultaneous intake can disrupt metabolic processing.

For example, additional zinc cannot be optimally absorbed if copper from the mineral feed is being taken up at the same time. Ideally, feed one product in the morning and the other in the evening — or allow at least 2 hours between feedings.

OKAPI HoofCool forte is suitable for horses that need support for hoof metabolism. This includes horses during turnout or in changing weather conditions, particularly in autumn, as well as those already showing signs of hoof discomfort or changes in their gait. It is also beneficial for horses recovering from acute hoof issues, and can be used prophylactically in horses with an increased risk of hoof problems.

The product supports:

• The physiological balance of the hoof corium
• Natural hoof metabolism
• Horses with sensitive hooves — e.g. under stress on hard surfaces
• Horses whose hooves require special support during sensitive feeding phases

It’s essential to consult a competent therapist or veterinarian to address hoof concerns. Only a healthy horse can stand on healthy hooves. In many cases, the actual problem stems from imbalances in the digestive tract, or disruptions in liver or kidney function, which often manifest visually as hoof issues. HoofCool forte can be used in combination with other products to optimise metabolic support.

To calculate the appropriate dosage:

1. Determine your horse’s weight — using a scale, weight tape, or apps like the BCI App from our partner Sanoanimal (free on Google Play and Apple Store).
2. Follow the feeding recommendation — the general recommendation is based on a 600 kg horse: 3 mL, three times a day (1 scoop = 12 g). For ponies or horses with chronic issues, the dose should be roughly halved according to size.
3. Adjust the dosage — if your horse weighs 300 kg, calculate as: daily dose (36 g) ÷ 600 kg × weight of horse (300 kg) = daily ration (18 g).

Divide the daily amount as evenly as possible across three meals, or at least administer it morning and evening.

OKAPI HoofCool forte contains:

• Ground herbal mix: Willow bark, Meadowsweet, Plantain, Lapacho bark, Ginkgo
• Frankincense
• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
• Ling Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Technological additives per kg: 340,000 mg Clinoptilolite (sedimentary: 1g568 340,000 mg).

Analytical constituents: Crude fibre 17.50%, Crude protein 5.60%, Crude fat 2.70%, Crude ash 38.90%, Calcium 1.28%, Phosphorus 0.08%, Sodium 0.06%.

Complementary feed for horses. Store in a cool, dry place. Best before: see label.

OKAPI GasterCare forte is specifically developed to support the natural balance of the stomach mucosa. It is useful for horses with a sensitive stomach, those recovering from gastric issues, or as preventive support during stress phases such as transport, competition, stable changes or veterinary procedures.

Important: GasterCare forte supports the natural balance but is not a therapy for diagnosed gastric ulcers (EGUS). Suspected gastric ulcers should be properly diagnosed by a vet, ideally with a gastroscopy. Treatment usually combines veterinary medication (e.g. omeprazole) with feeding management changes:

• 24/7 hay access — no feeding pauses
• Eliminate grain mueslis and concentrates
• Reduce stress (review group dynamics, training, transport)
• Use mucus-forming feeds (linseed, psyllium)
• Support with GasterCare forte

Once a gastric ulcer has healed, the underlying cause must be addressed permanently to prevent recurrence.

Yes — GasterCare forte is well-suited for use before predictable stress phases such as transport, competitions, stable moves or veterinary procedures.

A typical preventive course is 7–14 days before the stressful event, continued for a few days afterwards. This supports the stomach mucosa during the period when stress would otherwise increase ulcer risk.

For preventive use around stress events, a course of 1–2 weeks before and a few days after the stressor is typical.

For ongoing support of horses with sensitive stomachs, a cure-style approach works well: 4–6 weeks of daily feeding, then a 2–3 week break. This avoids habituation effects and allows the metabolism to use the support effectively.

For chronic issues, work with an experienced equine therapist to develop an individual feeding and management plan, rather than relying on long-term product use alone. Stomach issues almost always have an underlying cause — usually feeding management or stress — which must be addressed for lasting improvement.

OKAPI HeparKPU forte is specifically developed for horses with KPU (Kryptopyrroluria) — a metabolic disorder where the liver’s detoxification pathways no longer function properly, often due to disrupted gut flora.

The product supplies activated B6 and B12, zinc and sulphur — the key micronutrients that horses with KPU lose excessively through urine and which the liver needs for proper detoxification.

KPU symptoms vary widely — from chronic coughing to mud fever, faecal water syndrome (FFWS), eczema, or general poor performance — because KPU underlies many seemingly unrelated conditions. Diagnosis is by a urine test (indican and kryptopyrrole values) at www.sension.eu. If positive, treatment focuses on:

• Stabilising gut flora through optimised feeding (no grain, no haylage, 24/7 hay)
• Supporting micronutrients with HeparKPU forte (activated B6/B12, zinc, sulphur)
• Reducing stress and addressing related symptoms

KPU treatment typically takes months to years for full recovery, depending on how long the imbalance has been present.

HeparKPU forte is a powdery supplement and is best taken when mixed into soaked feed like Haycobs Sugar Light or Sainfoin Cobs. If soaking isn’t possible, the entire feed ration can be slightly moistened with water so the powder sticks to the rest and is eaten along with it.

The dosage depends on your horse’s individual situation and is best discussed with an experienced equine therapist who knows your horse’s history. KPU treatment is highly individual — please don’t self-medicate based on symptoms alone. Get a urine test to confirm the diagnosis first.

HeparKPU forte should not be fed in the same meal as Prodic, as Prodic can affect the uptake of the minerals. Feed at different times of day for best results.

KPU usually develops over years, when the gut microbiome is repeatedly disturbed by:

• Inappropriate feeding: grain-based concentrates, haylage, sugary treats, structural fibre lengths between 1–5 cm
• Stress: feeding pauses, group instability, training stress
• Antibiotic courses: which can deeply alter gut flora
• Toxin exposure: e.g. mould-contaminated hay or haylage

Prevention focuses on a stable, healthy gut: 24/7 hay (low sugar), no grain, plenty of movement and social contact, plus regular use of gut-supporting products like ColoBalance.

For a comprehensive KPU treatment plan, work with a competent equine therapist. The Sanoanimal partner network can help you find one in your region.