Secondly, we need to understand that feeding horses
implies providing “energy” according to their specific en- ergy requirements. Feed containing starches and sugars are known to supply “fast energy”; these components in the feed are broken down rapidly by digestive enzymes. High starch intake is associated with a higher risk for laminitis and tying up. Therefore, multiple small meals per day (at least three) are indicated when starch-rich rations are fed in order to lower the starch content per meal. Forage contains fiber, a complex mixture of carbohy-
drates. Fiber is often defined as the indigestible or slow- fermenting component in feeds. Like humans, horses are unable to digest fibers. However, horses have a bacterial population in the hindgut that helps ferment a significant amount of fiber present in the feed. The fermentation of these fibers results in the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) that provide energy to the horse. During this time consuming process, the energy from fiber becomes gradually available. Therefore, fiber-based diets fuel your horse with “slow-release” energy. It has been estimated that non-active/ exercising horses fed a hay-only diet are able to cover about 80 percent of their energy requirement by the en- ergy derived from the production of these VFAs.
Oil is another fuel source that can
be used to provide calories to your horse’s diet. Oil provides almost two-and-a-half to three times more energy than, for example, oats. This implies that small volumes can supply a lot of calories. The energy that oil provides is also used slower than energy from starches and sugars. Normally, the total fat concentration of horse diets varies from three to five percent. Feeding oil to horses is considered safe, and diets with up to 15 percent fat are suitable for horses. Diets containing higher amounts of oil are not palatable and thus not practical. In the past decade researchers have postulated a theory that a higher fat intake may be beneficial for horses, especially those involved in long duration exercises. To sum it all up, fiber and oil are slow-releasing energy
sources, while starches and sugars provide fast energy to your horse. Knowledge about energy utilization and the type of energy that feedstuffs deliver has resulted in general feed- ing strategies both for performance horses and for horses with specific challenges. For this reason, racing and trotting horses (Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds) are often fed starch-rich diets while endurance horses are fed high-fiber/ oil diets. A fiber and oil based diet is also used when horses are sensitive to tying-up or prone to muscle problems (re- lated to glycogen-storage). These nutritional concepts may also be relevant for easy and hard keepers.
Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate,
Fiber and Oil on Behavior Recent scientific studies suggest that the fuel we use to feed our horses may influence behavior. Unfortunately, only a few studies have addressed this question. Research- ers from the University of Bristol in the U.K. have suggest- ed that the common perception that excess energy from concentrate feeds, often high in starch and sugars, may result in “fizzy” or unwanted excitable behavior is perhaps true. This may have a basis in digestive processes. Large starchy meals may overwhelm the capacity of the diges- tive tract and may result in an overflow of undigested starch entering the hindgut. Discom- fort as a result of this phenomenon has been linked with anxiety and aggression in other species but has not yet been confirmed in horse studies. Similarly, it is unclear if low glycemic feeds (feeds low in starches and sugars) result in improved atten- tion as it has been observed in hu- man children. Only small-scale stud- ies regarding the behavioral effect of diets supplemented with either starch and/or sugar or fat and fiber based supplements have been done in foals and horses. For example, German researchers observed less eating of feces (coprophagy) and aggressive behavior when part of a high starch diet (despite high hay in- take) was replaced with oil. Overall,
the current state of knowledge does suggest that fat and fiber based diets may result in calmer behavioral patterns.
Feeding the Easy Keeper Easy keepers are known to be very efficient with energy. These horses are at risk for weight problems associated with obesity, insulin resistance and laminitis. Monitoring the weight and body condition of the easy keeper on a regular basis (every two to four weeks) are es- sential steps to evaluating its dietary energy intake. It is also important to weigh the actual feed and forage intake. Feed your horse by weight and not by volume! If your starting point is an overweight horse, make sure
that a feeding program and training strategy is being ap- plied that steadily moves your horse to ideal body weight. An equine nutritionist or veterinarian may be of help in designing a feeding program that makes certain your horse will lose weight gradually as rapid weight loss strategies are not desirable. Fasting may increase the risk for gastric ulcers. Further,
an increased risk for a life-threatening condition called “hyperlipaemia” may exist for specific breeds (pony, donkey and miniature horses) when a rapid fasting regimen is ap- plied. This may result in such a negative energy balance
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