Nutrition for Performance Horses

 

 

 

LESSON EIGHT

 

 

 

FEEDING THE PERFORMANCE HORSE

 

 

 

          Performance horses still require the basic nutrition needed for all horses.  This includes plenty of good quality forage, a balanced concentrate designed to compliment the forage, salt, and fresh clean water. 

 

          After the basic nutritional requirements are met, there are three very important areas of concern to the performance horse.  These are energy, water and electrolytes.

 

 

          Energy:   Muscle movement is created when energy is released from the muscle cells.

          The breakdown of a chemical compound stored within the cells releases energy required for muscle movement.  This compound is called adenosine triphosphate (ATP).  Another compound called creatine phosphate (CP) is needed for the manufacturing of ATP.  Neither is stored in large quantities, nor can be directly obtained from food.

 

          There are three methods of providing energy to muscles:

 

          1.     Breaking down carbohydrates, fats, and protein into ATP using oxygen – aerobic.

 

          2.     Using creatine phosphate to resynthesize ATP without oxygen – anaerobic.

 

          3.     Breaking down glucose or glycogen into usable energy without oxygen – also

                  anaerobic.

 

 

          Production of energy using the aerobic system is beneficial to long-term exercise lasting more than one hour.  Examples of this type of work are trail riding, equitation or pleasure classes, and endurance competition.

 

          The diet for a horse performing aerobic work would be one consisting mainly of forage.  These horses utilize fatty acids from the fermentation of forage (insoluble carbohydrates) in the large intestine and stored body fat. 

 

           Anaerobic exercise is generally short-term and intense effort is given.   Examples of this type work are racing and speed events lasting about 3 minutes.

 

          Glucose and glycogen are the main sources of energy for anaerobic work.  Soluble carbohydrates (grain – oats, corn, barley) break down into glycogen and glucose.  Glucose is stored in the liver and muscle.

 

          Horses use a combination of aerobic and anaerobic energy.  The cutting horse walking from one end of the arena to the other or slowly moving within the herd is using aerobic energy.  Once he begins his work he switches over to using energy anaerobically.

 

          All horses start off using energy aerobically.  The longer a horse can put off using stored glycogen the longer he will be able to perform.  This is called “glycogen sparing”.  It has been discovered adding fat to the performance horse’s diet will help provide this response.  The increased amounts of fat in the diet will be stored and available to be used as energy – sparing the glycogen in the muscle.

 

          Fat contains approximately 2.25 times more energy than carbohydrates.  It is also safer to feed than carbohydrates because if any reaches the cecum it will not upset the microbial balance.

 

          Adding fat to the diet or using a concentrate with a high fat level will require a re-evaluation of the ration.  Fewer pounds can usually be fed to meet the needed energy requirements.  The lower amount will cause a decrease in vitamins and minerals.  A commercially prepared formula will take this into consideration and the nutrients will be adjusted so the diet will be balanced – if the feeding recommendations are followed for that product.

 

          Feeding added fat the day of the event will not achieve the desired results.  Horses will need at least three weeks to adjust to the new diet.  The muscles must be given time to be trained to use this energy source.  

 

          Fat also takes longer to digest.  Added fat, fed the day of the event, will slow the absorption of electrolytes and other nutrients needed.  

 

          Performance horses still need glycogen stored in the muscles and liver.  Adequate amounts of starch must be provided in the diet as well as the added fat.

 

          A process called glycolysis describes the breakdown of glucose and glycogen.  The glucose molecule is essentially cut in half resulting in pryruvic acid.  Pryruvic acid mixes with oxygen and produces the ATP needed by muscle cells to produce energy.  As a horse works, oxygen becomes depleted and a build up of pryruvic acid occurs.  This excess is converted to lactic acid, which leaks out of the muscles, into the blood, and is carried around the body.  This condition causes the body to become impaired and fatigue sets in.  When oxygen becomes available again the lactic acid is converted back to pryruvic acid and then into ATP. 

 

          Research has proven lactic acid does not cause tying-up (azoturia, chronic exertional rhabdomyolysis, Monday Morning Disease). 

(See https://ker.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Management-of-Tying-Up-in-Sport-Horses.pdf )  It has been shown there is very little lactic acid in the muscles of a horse tying-up.  It has also been documented horses can tie-up during the aerobic stage of exercise – before the horse enters an anaerobic state.   

 

          The most common cause of tying-up in performance horses is the imbalance of calcium ions in the muscle cells.  These ions control muscle contraction.  Excessive loss of electrolytes through sweat leads to the imbalance of calcium and the resulting cramps.

 

         Proper conditioning of horses can delay the onset of lactic acid build up.  The anaerobic threshold must be raised.  The anaerobic threshold is the point when a horse begins to accumulate excessive amounts of lactic acid.  Develop a safe, long-term training program which works slowly toward increasing the stamina of the performance horse.

 

          Feeding excessive amounts of protein to increase energy is not economical or practical.  Some protein is needed for the maintenance and repair of muscles, but an adult performance horse has fairly low protein requirements.  The quality of the protein is very important.   Make sure the hay and concentrates are of good quality, do the math to calculate the total daily protein level, and feed a balanced diet.

 

          Overfeeding protein to the performance horse can cause dehydration.  Excess protein is converted to urea and excreted via the urine.  The fluids lost while trying to flush the urea out of the system may cause dehydration in a horse already losing fluids through sweat.

 

          The diet for a performance horse may need to be adjusted for the type of work he is doing.  A Quarter Horse showing in halter is going to have different nutritional needs compared to a Quarter Horse running a quarter mile race.

 

 

          Halter horses: Halter horses must have the conformation required to show successfully in their event.  They also must be fat and slick, without looking soft. 

 

          Unfortunately the quest to have a successful halter horse results in the overfeeding of young growing horses.  This leads to stress on the developing joints, as the added weight is detrimental.  Developmental orthopedic disease is a common problem with young growing halter prospects.

 

          The most popular diet for the halter horse is alfalfa hay and oats.  Alfalfa provides fiber, protein, some calories, minerals and vitamins.  Oats provide fiber, some protein, a safe form of calories, but are low in minerals and vitamins. 

 

Approximate Values of Alfalfa Hay and Oats

HAY

DE/Mcal lb.

PROTEIN

CALCIUM

PHOSPHORUS

COPPER

IRON

ZINC

SELENIUM

ALFALFA

.98 - 1.10

15-17%

1.29 - 1.75%

.24 - .26%

2 - 30 ppm

30 - 1200 ppm

2 - 35 ppm

.02 - .09 ppm

OATS

1.25 - 1.50

10 - 13%

.05 - .08 %

.35 - .39%

2 - 5 ppm

30 - 80 ppm

2 - 35 ppm

0

 

 

          The values of these numbers can vary according to geographical area, quality of harvest, and maturity.  But, they give a good overall view of the critical calcium to phosphorus ratio.  After the hay is tested a supplement may be needed to balance the diet

 

         A fat supplement may be added to the diet.  When balancing the ration, the nutrients provided by the chosen fat product must be considered.   

 

          Protein requirements for a halter horse are relatively low.  They are not tearing down muscle during training or working.  8 to 10% total protein per day will be plenty.

 

          Be careful when exercising halter horses.  Most are kept in the stall and do not receive much exercise.  Their anaerobic threshold is very low, so lactic acid will build up quickly resulting in fatigue and injury can occur.

 

 

          Flat racing, cutting, gymkhana events: These types of events primarily use energy anaerobically.  

          Properly conditioned horses will not need extra energy prior to the event.  The normal ration can be fed about 5 hours before performing.  Feeding grain or forage within a few hours of the event can inhibit fat utilization, cause excessive insulin production, which leads to hypoglycemia.   A hypoglycemic state lowers the blood sugar.  It will decrease performance and endurance.

 

         Feeding hay immediately before the event and offering water can load up the intestinal tract with unwanted weight.  Make sure the timing of the meal is at least 5 hours before the event.  

 

          The following are approximate recommended levels per day for an 1100-pound horse at heavy exercise:

 

                                 Digestible Energy/Mcals:  26.6

                                 Protein:   862 grams

                                 Calcium:  40 grams

                                 Phosphorus: 29 grams

                                 Sodium: 25.5 grams

                                 Copper: 125 milligrams

                                 Iron: 500 milligrams

                                 Zinc: 500 milligrams

                                 Selenium:  1.25 milligram

                                 Vitamin A:   22,500  I.U.

                                 Vitamin D:     3,300  I.U.

                                 Vitamin E:      1,000  I.U.

 

 

                                      

 

 

          Some trainers use a technique called carbohydrate loading.  It is their goal to load the muscles with extra glycogen prior to the contest.  They will increase the amount of grain being fed about 10-20% over the normal amount.  This diet is started at least 4 days prior to the event.  One or two of these meals is fed after a workout and the horse has completely cooled.  It is thought the muscles will accept even more glycogen at this time.  The day of the event the grain amount is returned to normal and no feed is given 5 hours before the event.

 

          Carbohydrate loading is not recommended.  Anytime a horse experiences increased amounts of grain there is a chance of starch overload in the large intestine.  Horses are meant to eat large amounts of forage – not grain and concentrates.  Properly conditioning the horse takes longer, but is safer.

 

          The use of electrolytes before or during the contest is not usually necessary.  Horses doing anaerobic work do not generally lose large amounts of minerals through sweat.  But, every horse is an individual and each event is different.  Observation of the horse and knowledge of his reaction to competition is important.  Excessive sweating, a hot humid day, or a long show with numerous classes may warrant supplemental electrolytes.

 

          Water is more important and must be offered frequently.  Monitor water consumption so the horse does not load up on fluids right before the competition begins.

 

 

          Pleasure, endurance, trail riding: This type of work is considered aerobic.  These horses are working steady and consistently.

          Horses performing aerobic work depend on energy from forage.  Research has shown feeding 4-5 pounds of grain, free-choice hay, and providing fresh water 4 to 5 hours prior to the event can be beneficial.   By then the insulin levels will have returned to normal, so the hypoglycemia risk is not present.  The fiber and water present in the intestinal tract will be available during the long event – ready to be utilized.

 

             The following are approximate recommended levels per day for an 1100-pound horse at moderate work:

 

                                 Digestible Energy/Mcals:  23.3

                                 Protein:   768 grams

                                 Calcium:  35 grams

                                 Phosphorus: 21 grams

                                 Sodium: 17.8 grams

                                 Copper: 112.5 milligrams

                                 Iron: 450 milligrams

                                 Zinc: 450 milligrams

                                 Selenium:  1.13 milligram

                                 Vitamin A:   22,500  I.U.

                                 Vitamin D:     3,300  I.U.

                                 Vitamin E:      900  I.U.

 

 

                                     

 

          Conditioning the performance horse, prior to the event, both physically and nutritionally is very important – regardless of the type of work he is to perform.  Looking at the recommended levels per day shows the digestible energy amounts needed are quite high.  Meeting these levels is where the challenge occurs when feeding a performance horse.

 

          The general rule of horse nutrition is never feed more than 50% of the diet in grain or concentrates.  This means the quality of hay must be very good.  Let’s use the amount required for a performance horse doing intense work:  26.6 DE/Mcal per day.

 

          The hay was tested and it provides .98 DE/Mcal per pound.  The horse is consuming 17 pounds.  17 times .98 equals 16.66 DE/Mcal being provided by the hay.  We have to come up with 9.94 DE/Mcal more.

 

         The grain being fed provides 1.50 DE/Mcal per pound.  9.94 (the amount of Mcal needed) divided by 1.50 equals 6.63 pounds of grain.

 

          The horse needs 17 pounds of this hay and almost seven pounds of the grain per day to meet the energy requirements.   He is well within the safe limits of consumption.  It is recommended the grain be divided into three small feedings instead of two large meals.  This practice will lessen the chance of starch overload in the large intestine.

 

          Check the hay for digestibility.  Hay having a relative feed value of less than 103 will be course and stemmy.  The nutrition will be poor and the build up of non-digestible fiber in the cecum will cause a “hay belly”.

 

          When feeding poor hay trying to make up the needed nutrients by over feeding grain and concentrates is dangerous.  This practice can lead to starch overload in the large intestine.  Colic and laminitis will be the result. 

 

          If high quality alfalfa hay is available, it is recommended it be fed with good quality grass hay.  An excessive amount of calcium (alfalfa is high in calcium) in the system may cause a depletion of the hormones that regulate the amount of calcium released for the body to utilize.  Then during strenuous exercise when the system needs calcium for muscle contractions the hormone levels are too low to respond to the need.  Mixing the alfalfa with grass hay will help avoid this possibility and also lower the protein level.

 

          Forage quality is the key when feeding performance horses.  If the forage is digestible, nutritious, and fed in amounts needed by the horse everything else will fall into place.  There will be no need to feed excessive amounts of grain.  Make sure the grain compliments the forage.  Keep free choice salt and water available at all times.   Provide electrolytes if needed.  Only offer other supplements if the need has been verified through testing. 

 

 

         Water: We have already learned water is the most important nutrient to life.  Without sufficient amounts of water the performance horse will break down quickly.

 

         A horse sweating heavily and not receiving enough fluids to replace those being lost will become dehydrated.  Severe dehydration can cause muscle and kidney damage or colic.

 

         During heavy exertion, especially in high temperatures and humidity, horses will sweat.  The fluid moves through pores in the skin, spreads over the skin, evaporates and cools the body.  Sweating is the primary method horses use to regulate body temperature.

 

          Hay may help increase water storage in the digestive system.  Feeding hay four or five hours before the event is a benefit.  But do not feed hay to a dehydrated horse until his fluid and electrolyte reserves are replaced.  The digestion of hay requires water, so it will be pulled out of the body and dehydration can become more severe.

 

         Hot horses should be given water, but intake must be managed.  Allow a hot horse to have several swallows of water every five minutes.  Make sure horses at an event are being offered water or have access to water.  It may be necessary to bring water from home or add flavoring to entice them to drink.  Do not administer electrolytes unless they are drinking water.

 

 

           Electrolytes: The minerals lost in sweat are sodium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride.  These are called electrolytes.

 

          Horses do not store electrolytes to use in the future; so administering them far in advance of the expected exertion is futile.  Administering electrolytes one to two hours before the event can be of benefit.  Make sure the horse drinks a sufficient amount of water – about 4 gallons along with the dosage.  Giving electrolytes to a dehydrated horse not drinking water can cause more fluids to be pulled out of the body and into the digestive system - increasing dehydration.

 

          Never add electrolytes to the only water source.  A bucket of clean plain water must be available at all times when administering electrolytes.

 

          Performance horses are still horses.  They have a sensitive digestive system and must be fed as close as possible to the way nature intended.

 

     

 

 Assignment:

 

                  Visit your local feed store (or go online) and examine the tag of a specialized feed labeled for the performance horse.  Good sites are Buckeye Nutrition, Nutrena and Blue Seal.  (Purina does not publish feed tags.)

 

                   Send it as an attachment via e-mail to elblazer@horsecoursesonline.com Remember to put your full name and e-mail address on the attached document - not just in the e-mail.

 

 

          1.  What is the name of the product?

 

          2.  What is the crude fat level?

 

          3.  What is the first ingredient listed?

 

          4.  What are the recommended feeding rates for a 1,000-pound horse at an intense

               workload?

 

         5.  How many feedings per day would this amount need to be divided into for a safe

               feeding program?

 

          6.  How much hay do they recommend be fed with this product?

 

          7.  Does the manufacturer recommend other supplements be fed along with the

               product?

 

          8.  If so, what are they?

 

 

 

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