Equine Nutrition - Ranvet

Question 1

Ranvet

Answer 1

Formulation of nutritional supplements based on scientific evidence and extensive research and field work

Question 2

Ranvet services

Answer 2

1. Diet evaluation and formulation
2. Consultation, advice and recommendations
3. Racing/performance/stud nutrition
4. Pasture and grain analysis service
5. Gastric video endoscopy service

Question 3

Influence of Digestive System design on feeding

Answer 3

• Ideally suited for small forage-type meals
• Works well with continuous feeding
• Large carb meals may induce laminitis or colic
• Forage should be the main diet component
• Concentrate feeds supplemental

Question 4

Factors that influence digestibility

Answer 4

• Type of feedstuff
• Maturity of feedstuff
• Processing of feed
• Quantity fed
• Frequency of feeding
• Rate of passage
• Compounds that influence digestibility

Question 5

Rules of thumb (9)

Answer 5

1. Can consume up to 2-2.5% of body weight daily
2. Body weight determined by weight tape
3. Diet must contain at least 1% of body weight as roughage
4. Must have free access to water and mineral blocks
5. Switch feed type or quantity slowly
6. Feed by weight not volume
7. Avoid “cutting” balanced rations
8. feed on regular schedule at even intervals
9. Ca:P ratio of 2:1

Question 6

Factors affecting nutritional requirements (5)

Answer 6

1. Class of horse
2. Nutrient requirements
3. Type of roughage to be fed
4. Determine how much of the requirements are met by the forage
5. Determine nutrient shortages and select concentrate feeds accordingly

Question 7

Importance of electrolytes for horses in work

Answer 7

1. Osmotic pressure and body fluid balance
2. Nerve and muscle activity
3. Thirst response
4. Maintenance of suitable blood pH

Question 8

Thirst response and electrolytes

Answer 8

Thirst is initiated by low blood volume/high blood electrolyte concentration at which point the horse is dehydrated
- if a horse is dehydrated but has low salt conc in blood, it won’t be thirsty

Question 9

Important electrolytes (5)

Answer 9

1. Sodium
2. Chloride
3. Potassium
4. Magnesium
5. Calcium

Question 10

Importance of sodium (4)

Answer 10

1. Nervous system function
2. electrical charge in muscle tissue
3. acid-base balance
4. osmotic regulation and glucose transport

Question 11

Importance of Chloride (2)

Answer 11

1. Acid-base balance

2. osmotic regulation

Question 12

Importance of potassium (3)

Answer 12

1. acid-base balance
2. osmotic balance
3. neuromuscular excitability

Question 13

Importance of Magnesium (2)

Answer 13

1. Enzyme activator

2. Participates in muscle contraction

Question 14

Importance of calcium (4)

Answer 14

1. Muscle contraction
2. blood coagulation
3. enzyme regulation
4. cell membrane function

Question 15

Implications of excessive electrolyte loss:

Answer 15

1. Tying-up
2. Dehydration
3. Acidosis.alkalosis
4. Suppressed thirst response

Question 16

Muscle fatigue

Answer 16

• Primary cause of poor racing performance

Question 17

Factors contributing to muscle fatigue

Answer 17

• Lactic acid accumulation
• Poor blood volume and O2 carrying capacity
• Insufficient energy provision
• Poor muscle condition

Question 18

Impact of blood volume and oxygen carrying capacity on muscle fatigue

Answer 18

• Aerobic glyolysis is more efficient process than anaerobic glycolysis
• Haemoglobin binds O2 and transports it
• Therefore important to maximise blood volume and O2 carrying capacity of haemoglobin

Question 19

Impact of energy provision and utilisation on muscle fatigue (3)

Answer 19

Energy required for:

1. muscular contractions during exercise
2. growth and development
3. maintenance of body condition

Question 20

Optimising energy provision and utilisation

Answer 20

1. Energy must be provided in suitable levels to meet requirements
2. Energy source must be digestible
3. Suitable adaptation and enzyme production is required for breakdown

Question 21

B-Group vitamins (4)

Answer 21

1. ability to metabolise energy
2. hormone and enzyme production, RBC production
3. Rapidly utilised during intense exercise
4. Insufficient levels will cause a horse to feel flat and increase potential for muscle fatigue

Question 22

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) (3)

Answer 22

1. Various types of lining erosion or ulcerations of the stomach
2. stomach acid build up and irritation/ulceration of the lining
3. highly painful - neg impact on health and performance
4. Not breed or discipline specific

Question 23

Reducing the potential for equine gastric ulcer syndrome

Answer 23

1. Treated with pharmacological therapy
2. Ensure minimum 1% body weight in roughage/day
3. Feed several small meals/day
4. Check teeth regularly to ensure adequate chewing

Question 24

What is tying up?

Answer 24

1. Stiff or reluctant to move due to pain originating from the muscle groups within the back, pelvis and hind=limbs
2. Types: RER and PSSM
3. May be accompanied by excessive sweating, increased heart rate and respiratory rate

Question 25

Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomolysis (4)

Answer 25

1. Common in Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds and Arabians 2. Inability to regulate electrolyte levels in skeletal muscle, affecting muscle contration 3. more prevalent in fillies with alert temperatmets 4. High performance exercise in hot, humid climates can elicit sporadic ER due to fluid and electrolyte loss

Question 26

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy

Answer 26

1. Common in quarter horse related breeds, draft horses and warmbloods 2. Heritable trait - results in insulin sensitivity and the abnormal accumulation of glycogen within skeletal muscle 3. May be identified by muscle biopsy and presence of abnormally high glycogen concentration 4. Accumulation of sugars within the muscle tissue may occur gradually over a period of up to 18 months

Question 27

Indicators of tying up (3)

Answer 27

1. poor performance, reluctance to move 2. blood creatine kinase levels 3. clinical signs usually arise shortly after the commencement of exercise

Question 28

Causes of Equine Gastric Ulcer Sydrome (5)

Answer 28

1. Stress 2. Insufficient roughage 3. infrequent feeding 4. long distance transportation 5. exercise on empty stomach

Question 29

Clinical signs of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (5)

Answer 29

1. Reduced appetite 2. Picky feeding behaviour 3. Loss of body weight and condition 4. dull coat 5. anaemia

Question 30

Recommendations for tying up

Answer 30

1. investigate changes in energy expenditure or routine 2. check electrolytes 3. check energy intake and starch intake '