Exam 2: Lecture 15 - Equine nutrition 3 Flashcards
what does the national research council (NRC) tell us for horses
represents minimum requirements for nutrients and is based on mature body weight
what is the equi-analytical website
uses type of horse, age, current BW and condition, and physiological state (repro status, exercise/fitness level)
what does the protein requirement of horses depend on
physiological state (ideal AA profile for growth and protein quality les critical to mature horse at maintenance)
what is protein is deficient in young animals
decrease in growth and development
what happens if protein is deficient in mature animals
decrease feed intake, lose body condition score, poor hoof and hair growth
what is the maintenance % of CP for horses
about 8%
what is the maintenance % of CP for pregnant mares
about 10% CP
what is the maintenance % of CP for lactating mares
13% CP for first 3 months and 11% CP 3 months to weaning
what is the maintenance % of CP for weanlings
14% CP
what is the maintenance % of CP for 2-year-old in training
11% CP
what are the AAs that we need to supplement in diet
lysine and threonine
what are the Ca and P maintenance requirements
Ca 0.24% and P 0.17%
what are the Ca and P lactation requirements
about 0.6% Ca and 0.3% P
what are the Ca and P growth requirements
about 0.8% Ca and 0.4% P
T/F: it is beneficial to acclimate horse to fat utilization by feeding fat
true!
what is the time frame to feed fat prior to an event
8-10 weeks prior to event
T/F: feeding trails show benefits of adding fat to diet of endurance horses
true!!
T/F: feeding fat does not reduce risk of grain overload
false, it does reduce grain overload bc fat replaces some of the grain
what is the % of fat in basal hay:grain diets
3% fat
you can include up to ________% fat in diet
10%
T/F: We do not have to acclimate horses to higher levels of fat
false! we must acclimate them
what are the sources of supplemental fat in horse diets
corn oil, soy oil, rice bran
how many gallons of water per 100-lb horse need for maintenance
8-10 gallons
what do we need to increase water % by for lactating horses
50-80%
what do we need to increase water % by for exercising horses
20-400%
T/F: warm water in cold weather will increase consumption by almost 3x
true!!
what are the 3 guidelines for water
- provide free access to palatable water
- during exercise, allow the horse to drink as often as possible
- provide salt to encourage adequate water consumption
T/F: the BCS chart for horses are based on 1-9
true!
what is the ideal BCS for horses
4 to 6 is ideal
T/F: each body condition score is equal to about 50 lbs
TRUE!!
what is the ideal BSC of performance horses
4 to 5
what is the ideal BSC of pleasure horses
5 to 6
what are the 6 things we feel for determining a BSC in a horse
- crest of neck
- withers
- behind the shoulder
- over the ribs
- along the back
- tailhead region
how do we start a starving horse to get them to ideal BSC
start on poor to moderate quality grass or oat hay….
introduce at 50% of maintenance and gradually increase to maintenance level over 10 days
what can we do after 10 days with a starving horse
can gradually introduce grain
how do we reduce nutrient drains in starving horses
deworm, blanket for warmth, stable to reduce exercise, make sure no competition for food
how do we manage general diet changes
change diet over at least 10 days when increasing feed amount
how do we introduce grain to starving or colic horses
add 1.4 of full amount every 2-3 days to achieve 10 day minimum…..
AKA start at 1/4 to 1/2 to 3/4 to full
T/F: laminitis and colic can occur from sudden dietary changes
TRUE!!
T/F: about 70% of geriatric horses have age associated issues
very true
what are the potential problems for geriatric horses
- less disease resistance
- arthritis
- poor dentition
- equine cushing’s disease/PPID
what are the clinical signs we see with equine cushings disease/PPID
delayed shedding, muscle wasting, weight loss, increase thirst and urination, sweating, behavior changes, abnormal glucose and fat metabolism
how do we manage geriatric horse diets
pelleted senior feeds, fat supplementation, limit grain and pasture with high fructans
T/F: many geriatric horses do well on grass/hay and oats diet with regular dental care
very true!
thin geriatric horses with a BCS <4 need what in their diet
specially formulated complete senior ratios (better quality/higher protein, <1% of calcium, increase P, low energy denisty, pellets)
how are small equids metabolism different than horses
- increased lipolysis from adipose tissue in response to decreased insulin and negative energy balance
- much more susceptible to hyperlipemia if fasted
- leads to fatty infiltration of liver overall high TG
what is the treatment for hyperlipemia
- nutritional management is best
- force feed via stomach tube if horse wont eat voluntarily
- IV glucose and AAs
what is the minimum time period over which a horses diet should be changed?
A. 3 days
B. 6 days
C. 10 days
D. 14 days
C. 10 days
what are some of the developmental ortho diseases in horses
bone cysts, valgus/varus, OCD, physitis
what can cause developmental ortho diseases in horses
- too much grain (energy)
- improper amounts of minerals (esp Ca, P, copper, zinc)
what are the mineral requirements for growing horses
- Ca - 0.8 to 1.5%
- P - 0.4 to 0.6%
- Copper - 10 to 20 mg/kg
- zinc - 40 to 60 mg/kg
when do contracted tendons occur in growing horses
- occur at birth due to malpositions in utero
- may occur in rapid growth phase
how can we avoid contracted tendons in growing horses
avoid by ensuring diet will always support growth
how do we dietarily manage obese horses
- reduce feed intake over 3-4 weeks to control body/treat obesity
- do not underfeed lactating animals or those in last trimester of pregnancy
- as a general rule, do not decrease feed intake below 50% of maintenance
T/F: obese horses are susceptible to metabolic syndrome specifically insulin insensitivity
true!!
what is the strategy recommended to decrease intake for obese horses
feed 2% of current body weight for 2 weeks, then 1.5% of current body weight for 2 weeks, then 1.5% of target body weight for 2 weeks
when should we use a grazing muzzle
when pasture access cant be limited
how much can horses consume without a grazing muzzle
can consume 1/2 to 2/3 of recommended daily dry matter intake in about 3 hours
what is the purpose of feeding thyroid hormone in obese horses
you feed 3x normal dosage, wean off once weight loss occurs, especially for easy keepers
what does the supplement of Insulinwise do for obese horses
- supports healthy BW, normal fat distribution, and healthy laminae
- is a blend of polyphenols and AAs
what is exertional myopathy
syndrome of muscle fatigue, pain, cramping associated with exercise
what is recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis
abnormal intracellular Ca in skeletal muscle
how do we manage recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis
decrease trigger factors for excitement and feed high fat, low starch diet (AKA decrease NSC content)
