|
performance horse> feeding and diet of the performance horse> performance horse nutrition> performance horse supplement
Mangaement of the Working Horse
Information added regularly
The key to training and development of the working horse from novice through to international Grand Prix is exercises that aim to strengthen the muscles and thereby avoid injury to joints and tendons associated with increases workload. High intensity sports require bursts of intense speed and athletic agility. Energy deficiency and heat build up are the major limitations to performance and the diet and supplementation must address these. Correct feeding and supplementing of the horse can aid performance. Diet manipulations can assist in delaying the onset of fatigue reducing the risk of injury and allowing horses to maintain top speed for longer.
As you keep reading we will be looking at factors such as fatigue, temperament, body composition, feeding strategies and supplementing that have been shown to be beneficial for performance.
Maintaining energy: The single factor most likely to affect performance is lack of hardiness, due to either inadequate fitness training for the level of competition or dietary limitations. The amount of moxie required depends on: the type, speed and amount of work, condition of the horse and skill of the rider and the environmental conditions.
Horses can obtain energy two ways:
- During low intensity work, muscles convert glucose to energy using oxygen – this is called aerobic work. Aerobic work can be sustained for long periods. Such as the cross country phase in Eventing.
- During high intensity exercise, the muscles use energy so quickly that aerobic power supply is exceeded and glucose must be converted to energy without using oxygen. This is called anaerobic work. Anaerobic work can only be sustained for a very short period and results in lactic acid production. Anaerobic energy serves to top up aerobic supply.
- As a rule of thumb in the fit horse, anaerobic work begins to kick in when speed reaches approximately 10 meters per second and heart rate climbs to around 160 to 180 beats per minute. During the roads and tracks phase, heart rates usually reach around 150 – 180 beats per minute, or 70% to 80% of maximum, and blood lactic acid levels may reach 4 mmol/litre.
Glycogen loading: several studies have shown muscle glucose can be increased by dietary manipulation. When the amount of fermentable polysaccharides (raw grains) to the large intestine is minimized, glucose availability is maximized for the performance horse. Steam-extruded and micronised feeds are recommended for horses that require more than 3 lbs of grain per day, those prone to “tying up” and to reduce heat load.
Fatigue: During low-intensity, prolonged work (ie aerobic), exhaustion occurs due to depletion of energy and overheating. Feeding strategies should increase blood and muscle glucose and address heat production. Falling glucose levels and rising lactic acid levels reduce muscle function and this places extra load onto tendons, joints and bones – increasing the likelihood of injuries. If we feed to increase energy, we can delay the onset of exhaustion – because the horse will not have to rely so heavily on the processes that heralds the onset of weariness.
There are several ways to meet the increased demands of training: increasing the feed intake, increasing the energy density of the feed and adding oil to the diet. Relying on raw grains for energy can increase the risk of veterinary emergencies and lead to unpredictable behavior. Both of these unwanted side effects are due to the poor digestibility of raw grains in the small intestine and their rapid fermentation to lactic acid and ammonia in the caecum and large intestine.
Oils are becoming increasingly popular as a high density, cool energy source. They are also an excellent way to increase the weight of a horse. By providing a cool and steady supply of energy oils exert a “glucose-sparing” effect, delaying the onset of weakness so that although horses cannot increase their top speed, they can maintain it for longer. They are primarily digested in the small intestine and contain approximately 2 – 3 times more energy than the same weight of protein or carbohydrates fed. Introduce the oil to the diet gradually over a 3 – 6 week period. Begin with 2 ounces a day and increase it gradually by 2 oz a day until reaching the desired amount. Monitor manure during the change over and if it becomes too soft, reduce the rate of oil increase. A feed containing between 10 – 12% oil should be fed for at least 28 days prior to an event in order for the horse to receive the benefits of reduced weakness and fatigue related injuries.
Because of the abundance of Omega 6 in diets, it is important to provide an Omega 3 supplement. When Omega 3 oils are included in the diet, human athletes report increased oxygen uptake and improved performance times. This is thought to be due to improved circulation, reduced blood pressure and increased flow through narrow capillaries in the lungs and muscles. Human athletes on Omega 3 supplements report less muscle soreness and shortened recovery after athletic events. A recent veterinary review article indicated that Omega 3 oils may be beneficial for treating colitis and enteritis and in preventing arthritis, laminitis, small airway disease associated with stabling and dermatitis. All oils provide energy, only Omega 3 oils reduce inflammation. Horse Moms wellness health and nutritional supplements are formulated with a balanced blend of Omega 3 oil to help correct imbalances in the diet of the light performance horses
Heat: “Heat” also contributes to weakness. To cool itself by seating, the horse must divert blood away from the working muscles, and send it to the skin. This reduces muscle blood flow – hastening the onset of burn out. The heat produced by working muscles can be reduced by feeding oil-enriched feeds and reducing the amount of unusable protein in the diet. Reducing heat produced during metabolism can be achieved by using feeds that are highly digestible in the small intestine, reducing the amount of fermentation in the hindgut. Steamed-extruded and micronised feeds are over 90% digested in the small intestine, compared to only 21% for barley, 55% for oats and 29% for corn.
Temperament: High oil feeds offers enormous benefits for temperament, heat load and performance. To achieve these benefits, the diet must contain 10 – 12% oil. Oils can help to prevent swinging sugar and hormone levels that can cause unpredictable and restless behavior. Steam-extrusion has recently been shown to produce a smaller glycemic response than raw grains – providing steady energy levels and avoiding the large fluctuations in blood glucose and hormone levels that occur on raw grains diets. The heating effect of raw grains is largely due to sugars in glucose and hormone levels that follow a meal.
If protein is unusable or above requirements for the horses’ nutrient needs, it then yields ammonia and urea as waste products for the horse. Ammonia is an irritant to the central nervous system, causing restless, fidgety behavior.
Body composition: whether a horse lays down fat or builds muscle and bone depends on the quality, quantity and digestibility of the dietary protein. In addition, the loss of essential amino acids due to poor digestibility causes the horse to lose muscle strength, tone and condition and favors fat deposition at the expense of muscle and bone development.
Dry-extrusion results in loss of vitamins and destruction of essential amino acids due to friction and shear in the extruder barrel. Studies in Switzerland have shown up to 50% lysine damage when dry extrusion is used, losses during steam-extrusion are negligible (around 5%).
Muscle recovery: certain diet manipulations have been shown to assist in reducing muscle damage and improve recovery from strenuous work or competition. During competition, horses damage muscle tissue through production of high levels of lactic acid and exertion. Short sprints cause more tissue damage than prolonged low intensity exercise. Muscle must be repaired rapidly in order to alleviate stiffness and soreness, maintain improvement and be ready for the next competition. Supplying the correct balance of carbohydrate, specific essential amino acids and anti-oxidants after an intense workout can switch the catabolic state (the consuming of protein and energy reserves) to an anabolic (rebuilding of tissue) state, enabling muscle to recover and respond more quickly to training and competition.
|
