VIRBAC Founder Guard

Founder Guard by Virbac is a feed supplement designed to prevent feed-induced laminitis (founder) in horses. It contains virginiamycin, an active ingredient that helps manage intestinal bacteria responsible for fermenting starches and sugars, thereby reducing lactic acid production in the hindgut. This action helps prevent digestive upsets and reduces the risk of laminitis, allowing horses to safely consume diets with soluble carbohydrates.

Key Features:

• Active Ingredient: Virginiamycin at 10 g/kg concentration.
• Formulation: Palatable lucerne-based pellets that are easy to administer with daily feeds.
• Dosage: Recommended dose is 5 g per 100 kg of body weight daily. For a 500 kg horse, this equates to 25 g per day.
• Administration: Introduce gradually over four days, starting at 25% of the full daily dose and increasing by 25% each day to reach the full dose. This gradual approach can help prevent any mild reduction in appetite upon starting Founder Guard.

Benefits:

• Laminitis Prevention: Controls lactic acid build-up, reducing the risk of laminitis in horses on diets rich in grains or lush pastures.
• Performance Support: Helps prevent subclinical laminitis, which may otherwise impair performance without obvious signs of lameness.

Usage Guidelines:

• Dietary Adjustments: Administer the full daily dose for at least three days before any increase in grain (starch) or pasture (sugar) intake.
• Breeding Horses: The effects of Founder Guard have not been assessed for breeding horses, so it is not recommended for pregnant mares or breeding stallions.
• Withholding Period: The meat withholding period is 63 days.

Available Sizes:

• 1 kg and 5 kg buckets, providing approximately 40 and 200 doses respectively for a 500 kg horse.

Incorporating Founder Guard into your horse's daily feeding routine can support digestive health and reduce the risk of laminitis.