Lecture 15: Equine Nutrition 3 (Exam 2) Flashcards
Where can you find resources for nutrient req of horses
- National research council (NRC) represents the min req for nutrients
- Equi analytical web
Which amino acids are most commonly lacking in a diet
- Lysine
- Methonine
- Threonine
Which phyiological state req the most crude protein & least amount of CP
- Lactating mares req the most
- Maintenance reqs the least
What will be seen in a young horse w/ protein deficiency
Decrease in growth & development
What will be seen in a adult horse w/ protein deficiency
- Decrease in feed intake
- Lose body condition
- Have poor hoof & hair growth
What should the Ca to P ratio look like in equine
There should be more calcium than phosphorus in the diet
What have feed trials found to be beneficial for endurance horses
Adding fat to the diet
What % fat are basal hay: grain diets
~ 3% fat
How much fat can the diet include
Up to 10% fat
T/F: Horses don’t have to be acclimated to higher levels of fat in their diet
False they need to be acclimated
What are the water req for equine
- Need a clean source
- Need 8 to 10 gallons per 1000 lb horse per day
How does lactation & exercise affect water req
- Lactation increases req by 50 to 80%
- Exercise increases req by 20 to 400%
What are the guidelines for water
- Provide free access to palatable water (cool water is preferred)
- During exercise allow the horse to drink as often as possible
- A hot horse should be cooled off (with cool water) before being put back into the pasture
- Provide salt to encourage adeq water consumption
What is the ideal BCS of a horse
4 to 6
Each BCS = ? pounds
~ 50 pounds
What areas should be looked at when doing an equine BCS
How is starvation managed safely
- Don’t immediately start a starving horse on a high quality diet
- Start on poor to mod quality grass or oat hay (introduce @ 50% maintenance based on ideal BW & gradually increase to maintenance level over 10 D)
- Reduce nutrient drains like parasites, too much exercise, cold/overheated, & no competition for food
How long should a diet change take
@ least a min of 10 D
How should grain be introduced to starving horse or after colic
What are potential problems that can affect nutritional management
- Less dx resistance
- arthritis
- poor dentition
- Equine cushing’s dx
What are sx of equine cushings
- Delayed shedding
- Muscle wasting
- wt loss
- Increase in thirst & urination
- Inappropriate sweating
- Behavior changes
- Abnorm glucose & fat metaobliosm
Describe the nutritional management of geriatric horses
- Many do well on grass/hay & oats diet w/ reg dental care3
- BCS < 4
- Do better on specially formulated complete senior rations that have better quality/higher protein, low ca & increased P, low energy density, & pellet shaped
How does the metabolism of ponies different from horses metabolism
- Increased lipolysis from adipose tissue in response to decreased insulin & negative energy balance
- Much more susceptible to hyperlipemia if fasted
- Leads to fatty infiltration of the liver (overall high TG)
What is the general rule for managing an obese horse & why
- Reduce feed intake over 3 to 4 weeks
- Do not decrease feed intake below 50% of maintenance
