Case Studies

Nutrition through Chemotaxis

Chemotaxis is a movement in response to a chemical stimulation - an organism or cell might be attracted to or repelled away from an area due to its chemical concentration.

Animals display this type of behaviour in nature. There are many reports of horses actively seeking specific herbs and plants in order to self-medicate. For example, a horse with poor liver function may actively seek out nettles and cleavers in our hedges, and a horse in hard work will use a salt lick more than a horse out of work.

Brinicombe Equine’s Licks are designed to encourage this natural behaviour, as they induce a chemotactic motion towards the lick. Rather than using molasses as the base ingredient so that horses enjoy licking them because they taste sweet, we rely on a chemotactic motion towards the lick. Think Complete Lick contains high levels of minerals and salt, but less than 10% sugar. The horse does not lick the tub because it tastes sweet or looks nice, he licks it because his body tells him he needs the minerals. This is why you often see horses taking more when the Lick is first introduced, before settling into a level intake. If the horse has not been given additional nutrients, it is likely that his mineral status is low, and he needs to take larger amounts initially to top up these levels. Once correct mineral status has been achieved, he will naturally ease off the Lick, just taking a ‘trickle dose’ to maintain himself.

Feed your horse by Chemotaxis

This well known biological phenomenon is the latest technique for feeding your horse vitamins and minerals, using nature to ensure that he is receiving a balanced diet. Chemotaxis is defined as a movement in response to a chemical stimulation. Within the body, the way in which white blood cells are attracted to an area of inflammation is by chemotaxis but it can also be used to explain why a horse may choose to eat cleavers, for example, when he suffers from liver damage.

Although nothing new, Chemotaxis is a brand new approach to feeding your horse. Brinicombe Equine have produced concentrated, low sugar mineral and trace element blocks which will encourage the horse’s natural chemotactic instincts – he will be drawn to the product when his body’s mineral levels are low, so despite being free-access he will control his intake by licking the product until the chemical potential is reached.

Traditionally, free access licks have been based on sugar or molasses, relying on the horse’s sweet tooth to take the product, but these run the risk of him consuming unnecessarily large amounts – which could be potentially harmful to him and your pocket! Brinicombe Equine licks however, are mineral based with less than 10% molasses. Rather than using crystallization of boiled sugar to create a solid product (a bit like when making toffee at home) these tubs use binding minerals which form a solid block after approximately 48 hours.

Brinicombe Equine produce several chemotactic tubs:

Think Complete Lick - Very high specification to meet all your horse's needs. Also suitable for youngstock and broodmares

HerbiLIX - Broad spectrum economic all-round lick. Choose from Original or Airways versions with added eucalyptus and menthol

Think Fly Lick - To reduce fly nuisance during the summer. Also contains broad spectrum vitamins and minerals.

Think Laminitix Lick - specially targeted for horses sensitive to spring grass. Maintains healthy hooves and circulation. Ideal for good doers on restricted diets and helps reduce boredom when stabled.

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