Equine nutrition

Nutrient requirements of

racing horses

Submitted to: Hussain AhmadSubmitted by: Umar Farooq

Roll No: 43Semester: 5th (M)

Only relevant Questio

ns

will be entertained, but at

the end of presentation

Horse The value of a horse depends on his ability to perform

work.

Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of overall development and management of horses.

The biggest cost of keeping race-bred prospects and racehorses is nutrition.

Digestive System Non-ruminant (post gastric fermentation; hindgut fermenter). Mono gastric with a functioning cecum. The cecum with its large amount of microbial digestion is very

similar to the rumen. The muscles of the esophagus (cardiac sphincter) are so strong

where they meet the stomach that vomiting or belching is almost impossible for a horse.

FOREGUT: Mouth Stomach Esophagus Small Intestine

HINDGUT: Cecum Large Colon Small Colon Rectum

NutrientsSite of: Digestion Absorption

Water ------- Colon

Protein Stomach & SI SI

Lipid SI SI

CHO's

Simple SI SI

Complex

Starch SI SI

Structural LI LI

Racing horse

How to ensure that racehorses can perform at optimum levels?

Trainers need to pay close attention to Nutrition Providing the appropriate amounts and forms of • energy • protein • vitamins and minerals for young prospects as well as for racehorses in training.

Race bred prospectsTo produce and maintain a successful horse,we must begin with Proper feeding Early development of young prospects

Two goals are to achieve To promote early growth Sound skeletal formation

Race bred prospectsIf these goals are to be achieved:

Weanlings cannot be fed the same rations as yearlings.

Long yearlings in training must be given nutrient mixes that are different from those fed to yearlings not being exercised.

Weanling Yearling

Diet proportions for race-bred of varying ages

Recommendations for weanlings Weanlings and yearlings should not be fed identical rations. To develop properly, race-bred weanlings must be given a

concentrate feed (14% CP) that provides at least 0.7% lysine. Need at least 0.7% calcium and 0.5% phosphorus . In feeds containing no more than 1.4 megacalories of DE/lb. A well-formulated balanced feed almost always eliminates

the need for any supplements because the nutrient mix is balanced.

Recommendations for yearlings

The digestive tract of a yearling can process more roughage than that of a weanling. Fed a concentrate with at least 14% CP 0.6% lysine 0.6% calcium & 0.4% phosphorus In a feed that contains 7% or more fiber and not more than 1.4 megacalories of DE/lb.

Feeding Prior to Performance (or exercise)To be, or not to be It depends on what the horse will eat and how it will be exercised.

A grain meal, either with or without hay, fed two hours prior to an exercise bout similar to the endurance and speed phase of a three-day event decreased free fatty acid availability and plasma glucose concentration.

Grain meals fed three hours prior to exercise also decreased plasma glucose and free fatty acid concentrations, which serve as fuels for the horse.

Feeding a grain meal two hours prior to exercise, and ad libitum hay, resulted in decreased plasma volume and elevated body weights, making the blood thicker and the horses heavier. This also could be a detriment to peak performance.

Feeding hay alone did not decrease free fatty acid and glucose availability; therefore, performance will not be limited by the decreased fuels as seen with grain meals prior to exercise.

The hay alone may produce a decrease in plasma volume and elevated body weights, similar to the grain meals.

However, feeding hay in small amounts may reduce the effects, and the consequences of withholding hay to stalled horses (ulcers, vices) may outweigh the effects.

Not only does a grain meal affect fuel availability, but it also may affect heart rate. Higher heart rates during the first five minutes of exercise were found in ponies that had consumed grain meals at 0.7% of their body weight prior to exercise.

However, horses that were fed less than 0.5% of their body weight in grain did not have higher heart rates during an exercise bout.

Higher heart rates at a given speed could have an undesirable effect on performance, as the heart would be working at a faster rate than it should.

Even though research results are inconclusive, the potential for increased heart rate should be avoided by giving the horse forage only (ad libitum or up to 1% of body weight) prior to competition.

If a competition starts early in the morning, it is best to give the horse a last grain meal the previous evening.

If competition starts later in the day, the last grain meal should be given early in the morning.

Forage may be provided throughout the day in small amounts; however, if a grain meal is missed during the day, do not attempt to “make it up” during the next feeding by offering twice the amount. Offer the normal amount at the scheduled time.

Most of these recommendations are applicable for intense exercise of longer duration, such as racing, polo, fox hunting and endurance racing.

Most of the drawbacks to a grain meal prior to exercise. Such as decreased fuel availability or increased heart rates, should not

adversely affect horses in low intensity or short duration exercise, such as pleasure, equitation, or even short, timed events such as barrel racing.

Fasting Before Competition? If feeding grain and hay before exercise (especially in large quantities)

can be detrimental to exercise performance, some might think it logical to conclude that complete withdrawal of food (fasting) is the best strategy.

However, this is not the case--even short periods of fasting can result in a marked decrease in liver glycogen stores.

Prolonged fasting before exercise can limit water intake and compromise hydration. In general, horses should not be fasted more than six hours before hard exercise.

Feeding After Performance If the horse is exercising at high intensities, or for long durations, it is

imperative that it receives forage and grain (if needed) after a bout of exercise, particularly if it is competing for multiple days.

Concentrates should be fed two hours after intense exercise. Feeding forage and grain following an intense or long duration bout of

exercise is essential to restoring glycogen (stored carbohydrate) pools in the liver and muscle.

Horses in race trainingTraining must have Water Adequate energy Protein Vitamins Minerals Overall feeding must be managed well.

Specially Energy

Water

Minerals

Horses in race training

Water

Water The water requirement of working horses is mainly related to

losses in sweat and via the respiratory tract. At maintenance level horses need 4-5L water/100 kg BW/day. The amount required increases proportionally with activity

and sweat production.

Horses in race training

Energy

Energy Racehorses often require twice as much energy (measured in

calories) as do non-working horses.

Must ensure that the racehorses’ diet provides enough energy to complete the assigned work (Table).

A significant challenge in feeding a racehorse is to achieve and maintain ideal body condition for training and racing.

Body Condition Score Another feeding strategy for peak performance is the maintenance

(or achievement) of the optimal body condition score. To answer this, use the Henneke body condition scale, which runs

from 1 to 9, with a score of 1 assigned to a very thin horse and a score of 9 assigned to a very obese horse.

A score of 5 would represent a horse whose ribs are not seen, but easily felt. A score of 5 is optimal for most disciplines.

Ideally, adjust the horse’s ration so that it achieves and maintains a body condition score of approximately 5.

One way to reach a desired body condition score is to adjust the concentrate amount by 20% for each score away from the target score.

For example, if a horse is a score of 6, and we would like it to be at a 5, we would lower its concentrate intake by 20%.

On the other hand, if it was a 3, and we would like it to be at a 5, we would increase his concentrate by 40%.

This is assuming its exercise regime stays the same.

Henneke Body Condition Scoring ScaleCondition Neck Withers Shoulder Ribs Loin Tailhead

1Poor

Bone structure easily noticeable

Bone structure easily noticeable

Bone structure easily noticeable

Ribs protruding prominently

Spinous processes projecting prominently

Tailhead, pinbones and hook bones projecting prominently

2Very Thin

Bone structure faintly discernable

Bone structure faintly discernable

Bone structure faintly discernable

Ribs prominent Slight fat covering over base of spinous processes. Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded.

Tailhead prominent

3Thin

Neck accentuated

Withers accentuated

Shoulder accentuated

Slight fat over ribs. Ribs easily discernible.

Fat buildup halfway on spinous processes, but easily discernible

Hook bones appear rounded, but are still easily discernible.

Henneke Body Condition Scoring Scale

Condition Neck Withers Shoulder Ribs Loin Tailhead

4Moderately Thin

Neck not obviously thin

Withers not obviously thin

Shoulder not obviously thin

Faint outline of ribs discernible

Negative crease (peaked appearance) along back

Prominence depends on conformation. Fat can be felt. Hook bones not discernible.

5Moderate (Ideal)

Neck blends smoothly into body

Withers rounded over spinous processes

Shoulder blends smoothly into body

Ribs cannot be visually distinguished, but can be easily felt.

Back is level Fat around tailhead beginning to feel soft

6Moderately fleshy

Fat beginning to be deposited

Fat beginning to be deposited

Fat beginning to be deposited

Fat over ribs feels spongy

May have a slight positive crease (a groove down back)

Fat around tailhead soft

Henneke Body Condition Scoring Scale

Condition Neck Withers Shoulder Ribs Loin Tailhead

7Fleshy

Fat deposited along neck

Fat deposited along withers

Fat deposited behind shoulder

Individual ribs can be felt with pressure, but noticeable fat filling between ribs.

May have a positive crease down the back

Fat around tailhead soft

8Fat

Noticeable thickening of neck

Area along withers filled with fat

Area behind shoulder filled in flush with body

Difficult to feel ribs

Positive crease down back

Fat around tailhead soft

9Extremely Fat

Bulging fat Bulging fat Bulging fat Patchy fat appearing over ribs

Obvious crease down the back

Bulging fat around tailhead

EnergySystem of anaerobic energy metabolism

A racehorse must perform both aerobic and anaerobic work Aerobic work Anaerobic workIn a race, a horse performs mostly anaerobic work using carbohydrates, but a combination of carbohydrates and fatty acids in the diet can help a horse work harder and delay fatigue.

Energy Depending on the level of activity and the energy concentration of

the diet, a horse will take in forage and concentrate in amounts ranging from 2.0 to 3.0% of its body weight daily.

Race horses performing at intense level have high energy requirements so they require grain-based concentrates and large amount of highly digestible starch.

Energy We can incorporate fat or oil into a grain mix

and increase it to 10% of the concentrate without negatively affecting dry matter or fiber digestibility.

To achieve maximum performance in racehorses, feed them a fat-supplemented, high carbohydrate diet…not a high-fat, high-fiber diet

Feeding some fat to racehorses helps protect them from fatigue even when their body condition is reduced.

EnergyWhen feeding a fat-supplemented diet, consider several factors: Horses need time to become adopted Decrease total feed intake If we plan to top-dress fat or vegetable oil on the feed, begin with a

small amount and increase it gradually

Energy

Energy

Horses in race training

Protein

Protein Overfeed protein because of misconception. They do require a small increase in protein in the diet

for optimum production and work performance. It is important to have a balance of amino acids in the

diet. We should consider protein intake in relation to energy

intake.

Protein For mature racehorses it is enough to provide average-quality grass hay (7 to 8% CP) 12% CP grain or concentrate mixHowever, a higher percentage of crude protein may be warranted in two situations:1. When hay quality is suspect2. When supplemental fat is being top-dressed onto the

concentrate.It is useless to feed high-protein feeds to mature racehorses.

Horses in race training

Vitamins

Vitamins If a horse’s diet is well balanced and contains enough vitamins to

meet its needs, then supplementation is not required.

Vitamin A In an athlete, vitamin A helps maintain normal eating behavior

and respiratory health.

Vitamin A is usually added at about 1,500 to 2,000 (IUs) /lb. feed.

VitaminsVitamin D: Normal exposure to sunlight Fed sun-dried hay Enough vitamin D for calcium homeostasis and mineral absorption Horse require no more than 10% of the concentration of vitamin

A, 150 to 200 (IUs) /lb. feed.

VitaminsVitamin E: Role in reducing tissue damage and as an antioxidant. Vitamin E is need at least 45 IU/lb. feed.Vitamin K:No dietary requirement for it Because adequate amounts are produced in the hindgut. Although vitamin K added to treat or prevent

exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (bleeders)

VitaminsB- Vitamins: Exercising horses may need supplemental vitamin B1 (thiamin)

beyond what they would normally synthesize in the intestine. Track sour: Loss of appetite is one symptom of a thiamin

deficiency. Biotin, is often added to enhance hoof growth & strength. Biotin supplementation reduces the incidence and severity of

hoof wall defects, increases hoof wall integrity. 15 mg of biotin a day or about 1.5 ppm in the diet.

Horses in race training

Minerals

MineralsRace-horses require a balanced supply of minerals for; maintenance of skeletal tissue muscle contraction energy transferThe total diet of horses being trained or raced should always contain at least as much calcium as phosphorus. Diets (like cereal grains) with inverted ratios (more phosphorus

than calcium).

Minerals Ca and P needs of juvenile horses in training appear to be

increased by 30 to 35%, and Mg requirements increased by 80 to 100%.

2 year-old horse requires 130 mg/kg/day of Ca 70 mg/kg/day of P 40 mg/kg/day of Mg Juvenile horses in training (Dietary conc.) Ca of 0.60 % P about 0.35% Mg 0.2%.

Lose significant amounts of electrolytes —sodium, chloride and potassium — in the sweat.

The majority of these increased requirements can be satisfied by balanced diet.

Horses that work hard and sweat profusely will still need about 3 ounces (90 grams) of supplemental salt per day in addition. A total of about 1 percent of the horse’s daily ration. The potassium requirement for heavily exercised horses is 1.2%

of the total diet.

Pre-Exercise Feeding StrategiesRacehorses Gut fill is a prime concern when feeding the racehorse. Reducing hay intake to 1% of body weight for a three-day period

before a race effectively will reduce body weight without causing digestive disturbances.

Timing of grain feeding is not as critical for racehorses as other competitive horses, but pre-exercise grain meals should be small in size (0.5-1 kg) and fed no later than four hours before a race.

Three-day event horses As the speed and endurance test normally commences early in the

day, morning grain feeding is not recommended--high pre-exercise insulin and glucose might limit fat oxidation and increase reliance on carbohydrates for energy.

On the other hand, feeding the horse a high glycemic meal (grain) or administering glucose after completion of Phase D might help to restore muscle glycogen more quickly.

More rapid replenishment of muscle glycogen stores can be beneficial to performance during stadium jumping the following day.

Endurance horses Forage intake should be high because of the associated increase in

size of the water and electrolyte reservoir in the hindgut. However, as with other disciplines, large hay meals should not be fed

within four hours of the start of a ride. Similarly, grain meals should be fed four to six hours before

competition. A high glycemic meal the night before a race is warranted to "top up" liver glycogen stores.

Unless the horse is used to receiving the "hyglycemic" grain, there may be a danger of early exercise tie up, especially if training has been reduced and the horse has not been warmed up adequately.

The best rations are "complete" feeds based on beet pulp or other readily fermentable roughage source.

High-quality forage such as alfalfa should be offered at rest stops/check points.

Feeding small grain meals (~1 kg) immediately before exercise or at rest stops might be beneficial--this practice will not disrupt fat utilization and could supply carbohydrates during exercise.

Many top competitors feed a beet pulp or bran-based slurry at rest stops.

Many horses will not consume 1 kg of regular grain at such stops but will eat the slurries (carrots and apple included) to increase water intake in addition to boosting energy.

Strategic Nutrition The simplest part of the ration is the hay. One must don’t count on

much nutritional input from forage. Prefer nice soft (2nd or 3rd cutting) grass hay, free choice. You can go crazy trying to match the nutrient values of rich green hay,

like alfalfa, with the grain ration. Each shipment of hay is going to be different and you can spend lots

of money getting hay analyzed, particularly if it contains clover or other components. Best to stick with plain grass hay, and center your nutritional strategy around the concentrate.

Hay intake should be about 50% of the total feed intake. This keeps the gut and gut flora happy.

The reason you want to avoid first cut hay is that the stems are too sharp and tough—they can poke holes in the gut lining.

You have to watch out for spring pasture, too—very rich and sometimes dangerously rich. You’re not looking for richness in forage because there is really not way to control the precise qualities of the hay from day to day and month to month—certainly not like you can with the concentrate.

What do you want to get into the athletic horse? Something like this: Crude Protein Min. 14% Lysine Min 0.71% Crude Fat Max 4% Calcium Min 0,8% Max 1.30% Phosphorus Min .78% Salt (NaCl) Min .30% Max 0.80% Sodium Min 0.20% Max 0.40%

Copper Min 58 ppm Manganese Min 38 ppm Selenium Min 0.3 ppm Zinc Min 85 ppm Vitamin A Min 2,460 IU/lb Vitamin D3 Min 970 IU/lb Vitamin E Min 145 IU/lb Biotin Min 2.6 mcg/lb

In a feed with this nutritional configuration, typical ingredients used in building the product would include: Cracked corn, cane molasses, oats, soybean meal, wheat middling's,

salt, yeast culture, di calcium phosphate, choline chloride, Vitamin E supplement, Calcium carbonate, Ferrous sulphide, Copper sulphide, zinc oxide, manganous oxide, corn oil, niacin supplement, sodium selinate, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin D3 supplement, Vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, d-biotin, riboflavin supplement„ folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, ethylendiamine dihydroicoxide, cobalt carbonate and lignin sulforate.

Some formulations

Summary Nutrition can play a key role in achieving peak performance. Fat

supplementation may increase the time to fatigue, reduce the amount of carbohydrates needed and help horses get a beautiful, shiny coat that sparkles under arena lights!

Timing of feeding is also crucial to performance since grain meals fed too close to performance can lower necessary fuels and possibly increase heart rates. We must always strive to keep our horses in prime condition.

Perfecting our feeding strategies will help us maximize our training and conditioning programs and keep our horses in peak physical condition.

Summary

Adjustments Ration formulation Feeding management Training regimens for racehorses offer the best opportunity to improve athletic performance delay fatigue reduce injuries to the high performance horse

The End

Reference The Equine manual 2nd Edition Feeding Race Prospects & Racehorses in Training by P. G. Gibbs, G. D.

Potter and B. D. Scott http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/management_and_nutrition

/nutrition_horses/nutritional_requirements_of_horses.html http://www.thehorse.com/articles/10168/pre-exercise-feeding http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.cfm?number=B1365#Pri

or