b'NUTRITIONfiber, moisture, etc., levels in the grain.Throughout the manufacturing process the feed mills quality assurance proce-dures help maintain the feeds quality. Lattimer says the staff might discard feed if, upon visual inspection, they find foreign material in it, such as unwanted stalks, cobs, husks, or even pests.PAM MACKENZIE PHOTOSLattimer says some manufacturers use magnets as a quality control measure to ensure random metal pieces from harvesting and other equipment dont make it into feeds. Theyll also perform additional testing to ensure feeds meetTo maximize digestibility, many ingredients undergo processing such as pelleting (left) or steam flak-the standards set on the labels guaran- ing (right), before being added to a mix.teed analyses. One of the biggest concerns for horsecall sequencing.methods to create smaller particle sizes owners is ensuring their horse feed doesWith sequencing, the mill produces aor pellets. The purpose is to improve not contain monensin. Manufacturersnonmedicated nonhorse feed betweenthe ingredients digestibility. The most sometimes add this antibiotic to rumi- batches of medicated feed and horse feedcommon types of processing include the nant, swine, and poultry feed, but it isto flush out the manufacturing line.following:toxic to horses. While large feed manu- I would never make a horse feedPelleting involves heat and steam as facturers might have mills dedicated todirectly behind or after a monensin- the already-mixed ingredients are forced medication-free feed production, manycontaining calf feed, he says. through a die with hundreds of small mills dont have that luxury, says Lat- holes to create cylindrical pellets. The timer. So they have to do things to helpThe Manufacturing Process pellets are then cooled and dried before ensure monensin-free feed. One is properCertain ingredients might undergobagging and storage.cleanout of their systems. Two is what wefurther processing using a variety ofSteam flaking involves exposing the Ensuring Equine Supplement Quality providing information about the materials quality, potency, strength, purity, and composition. However, Bookout says the supplement The equine nutritional supplement industry is big business. You canmanufacturer should verify that information independently through its find supplements for hair, coat, hooves, performance, temperament,own testing programs. transportation, and much more. Bill Bookout, BS, MBA, president ofTo produce a consistent, high-quality product, he recommends the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), says theres a bit ofthe manufacturer use a well-documented production process with a misconception that the animal supplement industry is not as well- standard operating procedures that meet the industrys cGMPs. regulated as its feed industry counterpart.Bookout advises consumers look for or ask the following questions The Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) Center for Veterinarywhen choosing a supplement:Medicine regulates animal supplements at the state and federal1. Is the product formulated by professionals who have expertise in level. Additionally, a manufacturer can choose to have its supple- formulating supplements or animal food? What are their qualifica-ments regulated by the NASC. To join NASC a company must qualifytions and background?for membership and agree to follow NASC compliance requirements2. Who can you call if you have questions or need expert advice?and current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs), which are similar3. What cGMPs and standards does the company follow?to those required for human dietary supplements and include Food4. What are its testing and quality standards?Safety Modernization Act requirements. Bookout says the organization5. Have the companys products been independently tested by a reli-represents more than 90% of the industrys supplement manufac- able analytical laboratory?turers and works closely with the FDA, individual states, and the6. Is the company a member of the NASC, and has it passed an American Association of Feed Control Officials. NASC quality audit or been independently audited by a third party?He says its up to the supplement manufacturer to ensure they are7. Does the supplement have the NASC Quality Seal? To display this getting quality ingredients, either through the companys own vendorseal on its products, a company must pass NASCs on-site quality qualification program or through the NASCs Preferred Supplier Quali- audit, says Bookout, and maintain ongoing compliance with NASCs fication Program, which approves raw material suppliers, manufactur- stringent requirements.ers, and testing labs for the animal industry. There is absolutely noNever buy a product without a lot number, says Bookout. He substitute for verifying the quality in the supply chain, says Bookout. emphasizes that companies making claims that sound too good to When a company purchases a large amount of raw material to pro- be true probably are, and cheap products are usually cheap for a duce a supplement, it should receive with it a certificate of analysisreason.Sarah Evers Conrad46TheHorse.comTHE HORSE March 2018'