Page 31 - The Game March 2006

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, March 2006 31
Special Advertorial Feature
Health & Nutrition 2006
Energy From Where
By Dan Irwin
Without a doubt most feeding questions have to do with energy in one way or another. How can I keep weight on my horse, how can I get enough energy into the horse with less grain, can I get my horse to lose some weight, and how much grain will make Turtle Dancer run like Northern Dancer?
Such was the topic when a group of us common thinkers were sitting in on a lecture by the eminent thinker and potato soup connoisseur Ms.I.M Cloudancing.
"Let me explain this in a way that that relates to how you all arrived here to-day", began the enlightened one. "Let us assume you all arrived via the burning of refined fossil fuel" (I took this to mean gasoline). "The wheels that rotated and rolled you up to the door did so through the transfer of
stored energy in gasoline to mechanical energy which ultimately turned the wheels." (So far I'm a bit in the dark as to how this relates to Turtle Dancer running a little faster.)
“Alright in a similar way the horse takes the stored energy in feedstuffs and converts it to mechanical energy which moves muscles and creates movement"
All right, now I get it: I just need to feed Turtle Dancer "High Test Feed" instead of that low test stuff. This suggestion to Her Worthiness however, caused a shaking of the royal head and a suggestion to listen further.
"The car operates from a single energy source, gasoline. As you burn
more gasoline, more energy is transferred to the wheels and they rotate faster. In a horse however there are different energy pathways depending on the source, supplying energy to 3 different muscle types. Which energy pathway is used depends on the speed of movement, whether oxygen is involved in the production of energy and which muscle type is involved.
The energy value of a feedstuff depends on how much starch (Non Fibre Carbohydrate), fat, fibre and protein is in the feed.
Fibre is an essential energy source necessary for healthy hind gut function. All feeds have some fibre but hay and pasture have more than grains. Some so-called super fibres such as beet pulp are known for the digestibility of the fibre. Fibre is broken down into fatty acids in the lower gut, which are available as an energy source available to the horse all day long.
Starch is the main component of the NFC or Non Fibre Carbohydrate portion of a feedstuff. Cereal grains such as corn (70%) and Oats (50%) have the most starch. Starch is converted to glucose and absorbed into the blood. From there it can be burned in the presence of oxygen to produce energy or used to make muscle glycogen, liver glycogen or stored as body fat. During exercise the horse uses blood glucose directly to produce energy and the liver releases glucose into the blood to produce more energy. This process is considered aerobic because it occurs
in the presence of oxygen.
The same process also produces
energy from the fat and protein in the feed. While fats such as soy oil have 2.5 times as much digestible energy as corn the process of producing energy from fats is slower therefore muscles that support longer duration activities and moderate speeds utilize fat energy best.
Protein that is not required for growth or tissue maintenance can be used for energy but is less efficient, so excess protein should be avoided.
The process of producing energy without oxygen is called anaerobic. Muscles that support high-speed activities such as racing depend in part on anaerobic processes for energy generation. The burning of glycogen stored in the muscles results in the bi-product lactic acid. Lactic acid buildup can lead to fatigue and muscle damage. Consequently the more the horse can utilize aerobic energy from fat and fibre the better for the horse.
Well yes, but don't overlook starch as an energy source. A horse in an activity that requires speed especially over a shorter distance & duration
needs some starch in the ration.
The exact mix of energy sources depends on the length of race, and the horse's condition. The better the horse's condition the more efficiently
it will produce energy aerobically." So ok, I got it. Instead of high test and low test we ride up to the gas station for horses and have pumps
that say:
Starch - essential for most horses
especially where speed is required. Can be an aerobic or anaerobic energy source.
Fat - very useful for horses in activities of longer duration but a benefit to most horses. Too much fat at the expense of some starch may not be advantageous.
Protein - useful mainly for maintenance of tissues and growth but not a particularly efficient energy source
Fibre - an essential source of ener- gy for all horses for basic metabolic processes and for a healthy lower gut.
For the proper mix of fuels refer to your owners guide in the horse's glove box under "What to ask for at the feed store" or consult a nutritionist.
At Woodbine Call “Bob the Feed Man” 416-453-7038
At Fort Erie Call “Kevin” 905-658-7225
Every great finish needs the right start Every great finish needs the right start
Phase III - The right mix of energy sources to put you in the winner’s circle
Pro Sport Plus - A High energy choice for many top trainers Flax Appeal - Omega 3 rich supplement for conditioning winners Un-Ti - Starch reduced formula to keep your champion fit every day
www.brooksfeeds.com
Tri-Acta H.A. with Hyaluronic Acid
H.A.
A comprehensive joint supplement containing, Sodium Hyaluronate
In conjunction with, Glucosamine, MSM and Chondroitin Sulphate.
Elements important for sound joint function.
Call 1 866 825 2838
www.integricare.ca