Managing Carbohydrates for Performance Horses. Bill Vandergrift, PhD EquiVision, Inc. EV Farm, LLC

Transcription

1 Managing Carbohydrates for Performance Horses Bill Vandergrift, PhD EquiVision, Inc. EV Farm, LLC

2 Outline Understand the basic carbohydrate groups What their primary sources are What they are converted to in the horse s body What their primary function is in terms of fueling stamina, power or both Understand how to feed different carbohydrate sources to achieve peak performance Understand how other dietary components affect carbohydrate metabolism

3 Evaluating Dietary Response Adequate Stamina Temperament Ability to focus on task at hand Soundness Hoof and hair coat quality Body condition

4 Carb Classification Structural Carbohydrates: Fibers Non-Structural Carbohydrates: Starches, Sugars, Fructans

5 Fiber Classification Structural fiber: Cellulose (glucose polymer) Hemicellulose (xylans and mannose) Lignin (insoluble) (Major source forage) Soluble fiber: Pectin (beet pulp) Pentosans (soy hulls)

6 Fiber Measurements Crude Fiber (feed tag) Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) Most of cellulose but only part of lignin Since grain is low in lignin can and is still used on grain feed tags Hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin Higher NDF = lower intake Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) Cellulose and lignin Higher ADF = lower digestibility

7 Fiber Measurements Acid Insoluble Lignin (AIL), Acid Digestible Lignin (ADL) or just plain Lignin Lignin Higher lignin = lower intake and lower digestibility NDF ADF = Hemicellulose ADF Lignin = Cellulose Lignin = Lignin

8 Non-Fiber Carbohydrate Measurements Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) Ethanol Soluble Carbohydrates (ESC) Sugar, some starch, fructan Sugars, some starch Non-Fiber Carbohydrates (NFC) Sugar, starch, pectin, fermentable acids Calculated: = 100% - (CP% + NDF% + Fat% + Ash%)

9 Non-Fiber Carbohydrate Measurements WSC + Starch = Non-Structural Carbohydrate (NSC) WSC ESC = Fructan High fructan = bad for laminitic horses High ESC = high sugar high glycemic response Bad for insulin resistance

10 Carbohydrate Fractions in Common Feeds Fed to Horses Water Soluble Carbohydrate (%) Ethanol Soluble Carbohydrate (%) Starch (%) Non-Structural Carbohydrate (%) Oats Corn, Steam Flaked Fresh Cool-season grass pasture Fresh Bahiagrass pasture Feed Molasses Rice Bran Legume Hay Cool-Season Grass Hay (Timothy, Orchard, etc) Bermuda Grass Hay (Coastal, Tifton) Beet Pulp Soybean hulls

11 Hoffman et al, 2001

12 Fermentation vs Digestion Sugars and starches are digested in small intestine Increases blood glucose Fiber and pectins are fermented in large intestine Converted into fatty acids

13 Stamina vs Power All equine performance activities require some stamina and some power (aerobic vs anaerobic) Some require proportionately more stamina (endurance) Some require proportionately more power (jumping) Some require equal amounts of both (eventing)

14 Maximum Performance In most cases, it is not the fastest or strongest horse that wins It is the horse that tires out the least! Maximum Performance = Maximum Stamina

15 Right Fuel for the Job Burn fat for stamina Fatty acids from fiber fermentation fat from feed Burn glucose for power Starches and sugars from small intestine digestion of nonstructural carbohydrates

16 Optimize Glucose Metabolism to Maximize Performance Ensure glucose is available at cellular level when it is needed Dietary Some sources grain is often required Complimentary dietary ingredients Glucose sparing effect of fat Dietary fat and fermented fiber Proper Turn Conditioning On the enzymes!

17 Feeding Guidelines to Maximize Glucose Metabolism Feed at least % or more of horse s body weight in forage per day Feed smallest amount of grain needed for desired body condition and temperament High quality forage, fermentable fiber, added fat help reduce amount of grain needed If less than 6 pounds per day you will need supplemental minerals and vitamins!

18 Feeding Guidelines to Maximize Glucose Metabolism Do not feed more than 5 pounds of grain at a time Optimizes enzymatic digestion of starch Do not feed more grain than forage Prevents digestive acidosis

19 Feeding Guidelines to Maximize Glucose Metabolism Do not work hard between 1 and 4 hours after grain feeding Facilitates normalization of blood glucose and metabolic hormone levels Prevents running out of gas on a full tank

20 Troubleshoot Too Hyper, Too Dull Evaluate grain intake level Evaluate mineral and vitamin intakes Evaluate digestive health (ulcers, acidosis?)

21 Troubleshoot No Stamina Feeding enough forage, grain and/or fat? Evaluate electrolyte intake Evaluate mineral intake Evaluate actual condition level Heart rate monitor (V200) Evaluate physical limitations

22 Summary Understand the basic carbohydrate groups What their primary sources are What they are converted to in the horse s body What their primary function is in terms of fueling stamina, power or both Understand how to feed different carbohydrate sources to achieve peak performance Understand how other dietary components affect carbohydrate metabolism

23 Thank you and God Bless!