EQUINE NUTRITIONHorse Industry Feeding ProblemsFactors affecting requirementsMouthAnatomy of Digestive TractDigestive TractSlide 7Slide 8Comparisons of digestionDifferences in rates of passageWaterGI Tract HealthDigestion of FeedDigestive Categories of HorsesMaintenanceGERIATRIC HORSESTHE GERIATRIC HORSEFeeding The AthleteLevels of Performance/WorkSlide 20Energy SourcesRequired EnergyFAT SUPPLEMENTATIONSources of FatFat GuidelinesGeneral Guidelines For Feeding Working HorsesThe Growing HorsePercent of Mature Body Weight vs... Months of AgeWeanlingsSlide 30Feeding YearlingsMonitoring The Growth ProcessSlide 33Gestation: Nutritional ConcernsSlide 35Average daily milk production in maresFeed Consumption (% BW)Nutrition of the Breeding StallionBody Condition ScoreFEEDING MANAGEMENT GUIDELINESSlide 41Time & Additional Grain Required To Improve BCS by 1 levelSlide 43Slide 44Slide 45Slide 46EQUINE NUTRITIONHorse Industry Feeding ProblemsAge of horses is increasingDiversity of horses increasingEconomy increases demand/value?Willingness to experimentIncrease use of supplementsMinerals/Vitamins/LubricantsFatsFactors affecting requirements Size, body type and weight AgeWork: production stageBreed: temperament Fat insulationEnvironment: climatic conditions External & internal parasitesVices Mouth•Initial breakdown of feeds•Salivary secretions from Parotid gland–Secrete saliva only during eating, ~10 gal/dayMouthAnatomy of Digestive TractEsophagus–Can’t vomit, strong cardiac sphincter muscle in stomach prevents–Digestive upset = Colic–ChokeObstruction within esophagusFast eatersStomach - small, frequent, meals; initiates digestion, like non-ruminant–10% of tract–Limited digestion–Gastric ulcers Digestive TractSmall Intestine - 30% of tractDigestion of–Starch 65-75%–Protein, AA’s 60-70%–Fat 90%–Ca absorption 95-99%–Phosphorous 20-25%Fast rate of passageNo gall bladderDigestive TractLarge Colon–Absorbs–H20–VFA’s–AA–Phosphorus, 50%–NaClSmall Colon–Absorption of H20–Fecal ball formationDigestive TractComparisons of digestion Human Ruminant EquineStomach 30% 70% 9-10%Sm. Intestine33% 19% 30%Cecum 7% 3% 16%Lg. Intestine30% 7% 45%Differences in rates of passageEquine–rush through foregut –time delay in cecum–rush through rectumRuminant–Slow recycling flow of digestaWater Essential for all body functionsTemperature regulationFeed digestionAmount of water intake–Level of exercise–Ambient temperature–Quality of feeds in ration–Proportion of diet that is forageMinimum 1 gallon/100 lbs BW/dayGI Tract HealthForageConcentrate – GrainSupplementsVolatile Fatty AcidsGlucoseFatty AcidsFatGlycogenDigestible CarbohydrateFermentable FiberStomach Small Intestine Large IntestineFatDigestion of FeedDigestive Categories of HorsesMaintenance - basic requirements of lifeGrowth - youngest has highest requirementsGestation - last three monthsLactation - first three monthsWork - depends on activity–light, moderate, intense GeriatricMaintenance Size: body weightEnvironmentIndividual digestive & metabolic efficiency Dry matter intake: 1.5% of the BW Most - energy requirements are met with forage aloneGERIATRIC HORSESFiber digestion decreasesAbility to manufacture or absorb certain vitamins decreaseB vitaminsVitamin CDecreased kidney functionCalcium stones may build upDecreased liver functionJaundice, weight loss, lethargy, loss of appetite, intolerance for fat and protein in dietTHE GERIATRIC HORSEConfinement? No! Turnout with a friend.Weight loss reasons: Poor dentition Reduction in digestion - parasites, microbial constituents, B VitsSelection of Feed–Highly palatable–Easy to chew & swallow–Clean & dust free–Highly digestible pellets or extruded feeds–Contain enough high quality fiber to aid digestion. High quality hay – no alfalfa.–Chopped hay, hay cubes or pelletsSoaked feeds or mashesFeeding The AthleteLevels of Performance/WorkLight - western and English pleasure, trail riding, equitation, hackingModerate - dressage, ranch work, roping, cutting, barrel racing, jumpingIntense - race training, polo, cutting,Muscle GlycogenBlood GlucoseAnaerobic GlycolysisOxidativeMetabolismPyruvateLactateATPFree-Fatty AcidsCreatinePhosphateMyokinaseand CPKReactionsCO2and WaterLipolysisOxygenSOURCES OF ENERGY FOR THE PERFORMANCE HORSEEnergy SourcesHydrolysable CHO–Sugars & starches–Create ↓ intestinal pH & risk of colicFermentable CHO–Beet pulp or soy hulls–↓ glycogen usageFat–3X the energy concentration of CHO–Creates higher energy feedProtein (minimal usage)Required EnergyActivity Examples DE (Mcal/d)Maintenance Pasture 16Light work Pleasure riding 20Moderate work Reining, jumping 24Intense work Racing, endurance 32FAT SUPPLEMENTATIONWhy Use It For Performance Horses?Energy from fat is 90% utilizableFat ↓ heat of fermentationFat glycogen storage prior to raceFat ↓ buildup of lactic acid during intense exerciseFat ↓ fatigueSources of FatNatural horse diets contain < 3-4% fat“High Fat” sweet feeds contain 6-10% fatFat SupplementsVegetable Oil (most common 99% fat)Rice Bran (very palatable 20% fat)Animal tallow (not palatable)Fat GuidelinesNo gall bladder–Max ~20% in total diet–1100 lb horse can digest 17.5 oz of fat (Just over 2 cups)If adding fat to existing diet, need to rebalance other nutrients–(i.e. vitamin E (200 IU/cup of added oil)Add 6-10 weeks before performance.General Guidelines For Feeding Working HorsesHay requirement–Feed at least 50% of total ration as forage (pasture &/or hay)–Preferably high quality grass hay or alfalfa/grass mixExercising horses do not need high levels of protein–More important – quality of proteinHorses should be fed to meet their immediate needs–I.e. cut grain on rest daysIf stalled, overfeeding can stocking up or colicThe Growing HorseGoals–Maximize genetic potential for growth–Sound musculoskeletal system•Nutrient balance is importantNutrient balance is important•Requires higher quality feedsRequires higher quality feeds•Growth rate & age determines requirementsGrowth rate & age determines requirements•Growing till reach 30 monthsGrowing till reach 30 monthsPercent of Mature Body Weight vs... Months of AgeMonths of
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