Sweetbulk Original is a fully balanced, economical, total ration for mature and lightly exercised horses.
It is a cool, moist, palatable ration with NO dust and is an ideal replacement for oaten and wheaten chaff.
Sweetbulk contains Omega 3 Oils and optimum vitamins and minerals as well as ingredients that are attractive to horses such as molasses which increases the appetite of fussy eaters. It also contains a portion of non-digestible roughage. This helps prevent the build up of sand in the gut and reduces the risk of colic when fed continuously at the recommended rates.
It is a cool, moist, palatable ration with NO dust and is an ideal replacement for oaten and wheaten chaff.
Sweetbulk contains Omega 3 Oils and optimum vitamins and minerals as well as ingredients that are attractive to horses such as molasses which increases the appetite of fussy eaters. It also contains a portion of non-digestible roughage. This helps prevent the build up of sand in the gut and reduces the risk of colic when fed continuously at the recommended rates.
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Origin and Product History
Sweetbulk was developed by Barry Johnston from Baradine, a small farming community in Central West NSW. After years of experimental research the vision of providing a low cost, high quality alternative to oaten and wheaten chaff was realised. Sweetbulk is a unique formulation based on oat hulls and molasses combined with highly beneficial nutrients including Biotin and specialised vitamin and mineral mixes. Originally, Sweetbulk was developed out of a desire to replace regular chaff with a more convenient, healthy and cost effective alternative. However during the early experimental trials, Sweetbulk was found to greatly improve digestion, reducing the risk of colic by preventing the build up of sand in the gut. Sweetbulk was first used commercially in 1999 when it was trialled at one of Queensland's Largest thoroughbred studs, Glenlogan Park. Following these trials, Sweetbulk was adopted as the preferred roughage diet component at Glenlogan Park. Sweetbulk is now being used by several studs, many prominent trainers and local pony club members alike. Continued and increasing popularity has seen Sweetbulk become the favoured alternative to regular chaff. As testament to the success of and increased demand for Sweetbulk, a second manufacturing plant has been established in Wagin WA. Sweetbulk is a great tasting horse feed! Let your horse be the judge! 
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Frequently Asked Questions
HOW SHOULD I INTRODUCE MY HORSE TO SWEETBULK?
Any changes to any animals diet should be made gradually. Blend Sweetbulk with the old feed for the first 4-5 days, increasing the amount of Sweetbulk each day. Ensure horses have access to fresh water at all times.
Recommended introduction rates:
DAY 1 : 20% of Sweetbulk into existing diet
DAY 2 : 40%
DAY 3 : 60%
DAY 4 : 80%
DAY 5 : 100%
IMPORTANT! Sweetbulk must be introduced gradually into horses diet, particularly in sandy areas. The high roughage content in Sweetbulk clears the digestive system and if there is an excessive sand build up prior to the introduction of Sweetbulk then the build-up must be cleared gradually.
HOW DO I FEED SWEETBULK AFTER THE INITIAL START PERIOD?
Sweetbulk should be fed at approximately 2-3% of body weight, depending on the required level of exercise expected of the horse. Reduce Sweetbulk portion as concentrates are added to the heavy diet. They say 2% Sweetbulk 1% concentrated for a 3% body weight the diet for medium to heavy work load.
CAN I MIX SWEETBULK WITH OTHER PRODUCTS?
HOW SHOULD I STORE SWEETBULK?
IS SWEETBULK FULL OF SUGAR?
No. There is definitely some sugar in Sweetbulk but less than 5%. This sugar is derived from the molasses, as used in Sweetbulk. Most of the sugar is stripped out in extra processing to provide extra yield for sugar mills. Molasses is one of three liquids and oils used in the manufacture of Sweetbulk to provide the dust absorbing moisture. These other liquids have little or no sugar present and are used to provide additional non carbohydrate energy, and in addition, keep the product soft and friable.
Indeed, Sweetbulk has far less sugars than some other popular horse feeds. Some good quality lucerne chaff, lucerne, cereal and pasture hays if cut at the correct stage, have up to 13% sugar.
DOES SWEETBULK HELP PREVENT SAND COLIC?
Sweetbulk has been manufactured for over 15 years to date. During that time there have been literally 100's of anecdotal reports of Sweetbulk removing sand from horses intestines.
The first reports, within a couple of months of commencement of manufacture in 1997,were from the La Perouse and Kernell areas (very sandy soils) of Sydney. Horse owners from these areas were travelling to western Sydney to purchase Sweetbulk for the purpose of preventing sand colic. The product was not designed to do this, but was a welcome additional benefit of the product.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY HORSE HAS SAND IN ITS GUT ?
Assume all horses have some sand when starting to feed Sweetbulk. Adhere to the feeding regime indicated, of blending and increasing the proportion of Sweetbulk to the previous diet, gradually.
Animals at high risk of sand :
SWEETBULK DOES NOT CONTAIN RESTRICTED ANIMAL MATERIALS.
Any changes to any animals diet should be made gradually. Blend Sweetbulk with the old feed for the first 4-5 days, increasing the amount of Sweetbulk each day. Ensure horses have access to fresh water at all times.
Recommended introduction rates:
DAY 1 : 20% of Sweetbulk into existing diet
DAY 2 : 40%
DAY 3 : 60%
DAY 4 : 80%
DAY 5 : 100%
IMPORTANT! Sweetbulk must be introduced gradually into horses diet, particularly in sandy areas. The high roughage content in Sweetbulk clears the digestive system and if there is an excessive sand build up prior to the introduction of Sweetbulk then the build-up must be cleared gradually.
HOW DO I FEED SWEETBULK AFTER THE INITIAL START PERIOD?
Sweetbulk should be fed at approximately 2-3% of body weight, depending on the required level of exercise expected of the horse. Reduce Sweetbulk portion as concentrates are added to the heavy diet. They say 2% Sweetbulk 1% concentrated for a 3% body weight the diet for medium to heavy work load.
- Sweetbulk should be fed on a daily basis to avoid the product drying in the feed trough.
- Molasses and other ingredients within Sweetbulk are very palatable and horses can often consume more to satisfy their increased appetite. Ensure the above feeding recommendations are followed, especially when introducing a horse to Sweetbulk.
CAN I MIX SWEETBULK WITH OTHER PRODUCTS?
- Sweetbulk can be safely mixed with the other horses feeds, ideally, concentrates when higher levels of nutrition are required due to increased activity, breeding, growth and adverse weather conditions.
- Sweetbulk is a low cost, ideal, replacement for wheaten or oaten chaff.
- Sweetbulk, when added as a roughage component to dry mixed ration, provides moisture to the entire diet absorbing dust and giving it a pleasant aroma.
- Sweetbulk increases palatability of dry feeds and more user friendly for staff to feed out.
- The addition of extra molasses, to the above mixed rations, is normally not required.
HOW SHOULD I STORE SWEETBULK?
- Sweetbulk should be stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Keep bag or container closed to prevent drying out.
- Sweetbulk contains mould inhibitors that prevent the growth of mould for moisture levels up to approximately 18%. If the moisture level exceeds this, mould may start to develop.
- DO NOT feed Sweetbulk if you are concerned about MOULD.
IS SWEETBULK FULL OF SUGAR?
No. There is definitely some sugar in Sweetbulk but less than 5%. This sugar is derived from the molasses, as used in Sweetbulk. Most of the sugar is stripped out in extra processing to provide extra yield for sugar mills. Molasses is one of three liquids and oils used in the manufacture of Sweetbulk to provide the dust absorbing moisture. These other liquids have little or no sugar present and are used to provide additional non carbohydrate energy, and in addition, keep the product soft and friable.
Indeed, Sweetbulk has far less sugars than some other popular horse feeds. Some good quality lucerne chaff, lucerne, cereal and pasture hays if cut at the correct stage, have up to 13% sugar.
DOES SWEETBULK HELP PREVENT SAND COLIC?
Sweetbulk has been manufactured for over 15 years to date. During that time there have been literally 100's of anecdotal reports of Sweetbulk removing sand from horses intestines.
The first reports, within a couple of months of commencement of manufacture in 1997,were from the La Perouse and Kernell areas (very sandy soils) of Sydney. Horse owners from these areas were travelling to western Sydney to purchase Sweetbulk for the purpose of preventing sand colic. The product was not designed to do this, but was a welcome additional benefit of the product.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY HORSE HAS SAND IN ITS GUT ?
Assume all horses have some sand when starting to feed Sweetbulk. Adhere to the feeding regime indicated, of blending and increasing the proportion of Sweetbulk to the previous diet, gradually.
Animals at high risk of sand :
- Sandy soils, especially in low rainfall areas.
- Hand fed animals on earth floors. Bored animals pick at short vegetation such as couch and pull out from the soil. Couch has sand retained on the roots of the plant being consumed by the animal.
SWEETBULK DOES NOT CONTAIN RESTRICTED ANIMAL MATERIALS.
