Factors That Can Influence:
Presented by:
‘Optimal’
Health, Reproduction,
Growth and Performance
t
Donald R Kapper, PAS
Director of Nutrition and Technical Services
Progressive Nutrition
USA
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Breeding and Nutrition
An Update on Recent Research Findings
Nutrition
Today’s Menu
“From a Nutritional Point-of View”
Review Recent Studies on Nutrition's Role:
1) Determining Forage Quality
• What ‘Relative Feed Value’ Means When
Feeding Horses
2) Reduce the Incidence of Skeletal Problems (DOD)
• Prenatal Nutrition
• Analyzing Mares’ Milk
• Scores for Body Condition & Topline Evaluation
• Protein Deficiency Causes Decreased Mineral
Absorption and Utilization
3) Assistance Available
Feeds & Feeding Programs:
Should be based on:
1. Your Forage ‘type’ (Grass vs. Legume)
and its ‘quality’ (Relative Feed Value)
2. Your Horses Physiological Status:
• size
• age
• Young horses: growth rate
• Mature horses: reproduction status or
performance level
Importance of Forage in
the Horse’s Diet
• As horses mature, they become continuous grazers
DETERMINING
FORAGE QUALITY
• Ad-lib forage is necessary to maintain a healthy
digestive system (cecum and large intestine)
• While chewing, saliva is produced:
– Saliva is the best buffer to stabilize intestinal pH
– Horses can produce 25 to 30 gallons per day,
per 1,000 lbs of body weight
• Free choice hay also reduces boredom and vices
– Especially in stressed horses
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FEEDING FORAGES:
FEEDING FORAGES:
•
Horses are herbivores by design and
foragers by nature
•
•
They will graze up to 18 hours per day
when fed ad-lib forage (pasture or hay)
•
The ‘Optimal Ranges’ of Major & Trace Minerals in the
Three Different ‘Types’ of Forage when the RFV is above 103
1) Grass Forage
Analysis
2) Mixed Forage
Analysis
3) Legume Forage
Analysis
Calcium
0.25-0.80%
0.80-1.20%
1.20-1.80%
Phosphorus
0.20-0.30%
0.25-0.35%
0.25-0.35%
Potassium
0.80-1.50%
1.50-3.00%
2.00-3.50%
Magnesium
0.15-0.25%
0.20-0.30%
0.20-0.35%
Sulfur
0.15-0.30%
0.20-0.35%
0.25-0.35%
Manganese
40-70 ppm
40-60 ppm
40-50 ppm
Iron
60-200 ppm
Nutrients
MAJOR MINERALS
TRACE MINERALS
60-200 ppm
60-200 ppm
Molybdenum
1-2 ppm
2-4 ppm
3-6 ppm
Copper
2-10 ppm
4-10 ppm
4-10 ppm
Zinc
12-26 ppm
14-26 ppm
14-28 ppm
Relative Feed Value (RFV)
The higher the RFV score in forages, the more Palatable and
Digestible it is.
The table below lists: a) the Forage Grades, and the nutrient
ranges of b) ADF and c) NDF percentages, with
d) their resulting Relative Feed Value
.
.
.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Forages are consumed:
1. Fresh, as pasture
2. Dried, as baled or cubed hay
3. Preserved, as haylage in silos or
plastic bags
The ‘Type’ of Forage will Affect
its Nutrient Profile
Feeding Forages ad-lib, will:
Decrease the incidence of colic
Improve the horses’ mental state
Increase nutrient absorption
Maximize feed efficiency
Relative Feed Value
Endorsed by The Marketing Task
Force of the American Forage &
Grassland Council:
1.The Acid Detergent Fibers (ADF)
determines palatability of the forage
(hay and pasture)
2. The Neutral Detergent Fibers (NDF)
determines how much can be eaten per day
(rate of passage)
Maturity of the Plant will Effect:
•
Digestibility of the:
1. Fiber
•
Availability of the:
1. protein
2. calories
3. major minerals
4. trace minerals
5. vitamins
Forage Grade (Description): If the ADF is: If the NDF is: Then the RFV is:
Prime
1
2
3
4
5
(Prime)
(Premium)
(Good)
(Fair)
(Poor)
(Reject)
.
.
Under 30
31-35
36-40
41-42
43-45
Over 46
Under 40
41-46
47-53
54-60
61-65
Over 66
Over 151
150-125
124-103
102- 87
86- 75
Under 74
This table is from the veterinary textbook, Equine Internal Medicine,
2nd Edition, ‘Applied Nutrition’ Chapter, p.1543-1605.
Don Kapper, PAS, author and Stephen Reed, DVM, editor
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Therefore, the Maturity of the Plant
will Effect its Quality (RFV):
• Palatability
• Digestibility
• Availability of its nutrients
a) Which determines the true value of
your forages
b) Using RFV in your forage selection,
can reduce your cost of feeding/day
Using the ‘Relative Feed Value’
Best RFV to Feed
Calorie/Nutrient Need:
1) Highest Need ………………………………. Over 125
– High Performance, Lactating, Sucklings, Weanlings
2) Medium Need ……………………………....103 to 124
– Eng. & West. Pleasure, Low Level Dressage, Yearlings
3) Lowest Need ……………………………….. 75 to 102
– Mature Idle, Lay-ups, ‘Special Needs’ horses, etc.
Avoid feeding hay with a RFV below 74, because there is a
high incidence of ‘impaction colic’ due to the amount of
‘over-mature and indigestible’ fiber
The Reproducing Mare
SPS Komtess V (Riverman X Flora I / Carolus)
Holsteiner Mare
14 years old
Prenatal Nutrition
• If the mare is not provided with adequate
nutrients (amino acids, major & trace
minerals) during pregnancy, she has the
ability to pull them from her body reserves to
supply the fetus.
• Only when her bodies “nutrient reserves” are
gone, will her foals be born with nutrition
related deficiencies. (Contracted Tendons,
OCD’s, Valgus or Varus Deformities, etc.)
Prenatal Nutrition
Research quote from Cornell and Illinois Department
of Veterinary Sciences:
“The nutrients received in the middle
trimester of pregnancy is just as important as
the last trimester.”
Prenatal Nutrition
Other Research completed by:
1. The Ohio State University, USA (Knight D, Gable A,
Reed S, Bramlage L, et al.)
2. University of Guelph, Canada (Hurtig M, et al.)
3. Massey University, New Zealand (Firth, EC, et al.)
This change in knowledge and feeding management
has helped many breeding farms:
1. improve the health of their mares and
2. reduce the incidence of early developmental
problems in their foals.
• Their Nutrient Recommendations are to increase the
levels of Copper and Zinc in: a) prenatal, b) nursing
c) suckling and d) weanling diets because of their
involvement in:
» Cartilage formation
» Transformation of cartilage into bone
» Tendon strength and elasticity
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Pregnant Mares
Prenatal Nutrition
Pregnant Mares
All three universities published their results
showing a higher incidence of Developmental
Orthopedic Disease (DOD) in foals when the
prenatal and postnatal diets of mares and their
foals were fed adequate protein & major
minerals, but fed trace mineral levels below their
suggested Recommended Allowance (RA)
Group A
Group B
Fed R.A. of Trace Minerals
Fed No Added Trace Minerals
Nursing Mares and Sucklings
Group A-1
Group A-2
Group B-1
Group B-2
R.A. of Trace Minerals No Added Trace Minerals R.A. of Trace Minerals No Added Trace Minerals
Compare the Mare’s Recommended Allowance
while: Open, Pregnant & Lactating, on a Dry
Matter Basis, to the Analysis of Your Forage
Foals Evaluated for D.O.D.
Foals Evaluated for D.O.D.
Group A-1
Group A-2
Group B-1
Group B-2
Fewest
Most
Number of Incidences
Nutrient
Dry Matter intake, % body wt*
Crude Protein, %
Calcium, %
Phosphorus, %
Potassium, %
Magnesium, %
Sodium, %**
Copper, mg/kg
Iron, mg/kg
Manganese, mg/kg
Zinc, mg/kg
Cobalt, mg/kg
Iodine, mg/kg
Selenium, mg/kg
Vitamin A, IU/kg
Vitamin E, IU/kg
Thiamine, mg/kg
Riboflavin, mg/kg
Lactation
Lactation
Open Pregnant (1-3 Months) (4-6 Months)
1.5-2.0
1.5-2.0
2.5-3.5
2.0-3.0
8.50
11.50
15.00
13.00
0.30
0.53
0.70
0.50
0.21
0.35
0.40
0.34
0.40
0.50
0.80
0.60
0.10
0.12
0.15
0.12
0.14
0.14
0.20
0.16
15
25
25
25
40
80
80
80
40
60
60
60
40
70
70
70
0.20
0.20
0.30
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.50
0.35
0.15
0.20
0.30
0.20
2,000
3,000
3,000
3,000
50
80
80
80
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
*Feed intake is determined by: Body capacity, RFV of forage, physiological status, activity
level and environment.
**Under average conditions .35% to .50% Salt (NaCI) is recommended in the total diet.
Digestible Energy, Mcal/day is determined by: Body si ze, metabolic rate, reproductive
status, dry matter consumption and Body Condition Score.
Prenatal Nutrition
• Management may look at the Body
Condition Score of pregnant mares on
pasture and elect not to feed them because
they are fat and shiny
The Lactating Mare
Milk production is influenced by:
• This is the ideal time to
feed ‘Diet Balancers’,
a concentrate
containing protein,
minerals & Vitamins
(NO Cereal Grains)
•
•
•
•
•
Maiden vs. 2nd lactation
The month of lactation (peak 4-6 weeks)
Genetic potential (quality & quantity)
Nutrient input vs. output per day
Foals intake per day
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“Suspect Mare”
The Lactating Mare
Definition: Mares that have had a foal with any
form of DOD in the past.
Managers must watch the nursing mare’s
nutrient input – output relationship:
1. If calories are in short supply, her fat
stores will be used up and she will lose
body weight
Mineral Density in mares milk is:
1) one of the “genetic” components of DOD, but
2) could be lowered by feeding less then optimal
minerals in the mares diet.
2. If protein (amino acids) is in short supply,
her muscle mass will be sacrificed
Suggested Management:
Analyse her milk:
• On day seven after foaling
• Then every thirty days and compare her milk
mineral density to the 2007 NRC’s chart. That
would be on weeks 4, 8 and 12 after foaling.
3. If major & trace minerals are in short
supply, her bone and liver stores will be
compromised
Mare’s Milk Composition, by
Week, Dry Matter & As Fed Basis
Milk Sample from “Suspect Mare”
1.
2.
3.
4.
Collect a minimum of three ounces and put into a small
plastic water bottle container, with a screw on lid.
D ry Matter B asis
Mail over-night to:
Holmes Laboratory, Inc. (1-800-344-1101)
Test ‘B’ costs $28.00 USD, per sample
Birth
---------
536
75.79
2.75
18.25
2.86
0.34
0.16
0.19
0.45
0.21
3.93
25.40
5.2
12 hrs.
---------
557
33.04 20.87
41.74
4.35
0.68
0.35
0.12
0.84
0.32
7.22
24.40
8.26
24 hrs.
---------
544
28.95 21.93
45.61
4.65
0.85
0.39
0.1
0.74
0.30
6.4
31.60
9.21
1 -4 w k.
---------
542
25.23 16.82
57.94
4.91
1.12
0.68
0.08
0.65
0.21
4.21
23.36
7.99
5 - 8 w k.
---------
505
20.95 16.19
60.95
3.81
0.95
0.57
0.06
0.48
0.18
2.48
19.05
6.29
9-12 w k.
---------
500
18.00 14.00
65.00
3.00
0.80
0.5
0.05
0.4
0.15
2.00
18.00
4.9
Provide the lab with your email and they will send you the
results three days after they receive your milk sample
Tell the lab to cc Progressive Nutrition and we will help you
compare this milk sample to the norm and make
recommendations, if necessary.
% Total
Energy %
%
Solids kcal/100m g Protein Fat
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
mg/kg mg/kg mg/kg
Lactose Ash (b) Calcium Phosphorus Magnesium Potassium Sodium Copper Zinc Iron
As Fed Basis
Birthb
25.2
535
19.1
0.7
4.6
0.72
0.085
0.039
0.0473
0.11
0.052
0.99
6.4
1.31
12 hrs. b
11.5
64
3.8
2.4
4.8
0.50
0.078
0.040
0.0138
0.10
0.036
0.83
2.8
0.095
24 hrs. b
11.4
62
3.3
2.5
5.2
0.53
0.097
0.044
0.0110
0.08
0.034
0.73
3.6
1.05
1 - 4 w k.a
10.7
58
2.7
1.8
6.2
0.53
0.120
0.073
0.0090
0.07
0.023
0.45
2.5
0.86
5 - 8 w k.a
10.5
53
2.2
1.7
6.4
0.40
0.100
0.060
0.0060
0.05
0.019
0.26
2.0
0.66
9-12 w k.a
10.0
50
1.8
1.4
6.5
0.30
0.080
0.050
0.0045
0.04
0.015
0.20
1.8
0.49
a NRC
1989, Nutrient Requirements of Horses, Summary pg. 95
b Ullrey, DE., Struthers, R.D., Hendricks, D.G., and Brent, B.E., 1996 Composition of Mare’s Milk, Jan-Sci.25:217
cUllrey, DE., Ely, W.T., and Covert, R.L., 1974. Iron, Zinc and Copper in Mare’s Milk, J. Anim. Sic. 38:1276
A Mares Milk Analysis at 16 Days
postpartum from ‘Suspect Mare’
Rejuvenaide - Analysis
-
Average Recommendation is ‘5cc liquid solution’ or
‘2cc paste’/100 lbs body weight/day
-
This chart shows the trace mineral & vitamin
concentration in 5 cc liquid solution/drench & 2cc
paste.
____________________________________________________________________
Nutrient
Dry Matter
Crude Protein
Units
%
%
MAJOR MINERALS:
Calcium
(Ca) %
Phosphorus
(P)
%
Magnesium
(Mg) %
Potassium
(K)
%
Sodium
(Na) %
TRACE MINERALS:
Copper
(Cu) ppm
Zinc
(Zn) ppm
Iron
(Fe) ppm
DM Basis
9.72
24.01
1.39
.76
.08
.69
.183
2
23
6
Expected
1st month
10.70
25.23
1.12
.68
.08
.65
.21
4.21
23.36
7.99
% of Need
90.8%
95.2%
124.1%
111.8%
100.0%
106.2%
87.1%
47.5%
98.5%
75.1%
Copper
3.20 mg
Zinc
9.40 mg
Selenium
0.25 mg
Ascorbic Acid
100.00 mg
Vitamin A
3,500 IU
Vitamin D
350 IU
Vitamin E
100 IU
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IF PHYSITIS, ANGULAR or FLEXURE
DEFORMITIES OCCUR (DOD) :
The Suckling
Rafaella OBX (Rousseau X Brimming / Banter)
Hanoverian filly
3 months old
1. Check rations of the pregnant and nursing mare for
nutrient adequacy or imbalances
2. Analyze the mares milk for quality
3. Administer Rejuvenaide or Rejuvenaide ‘Plus’, at an
appropriate amount per 100 lbs of body weight per day
4. Wean the foal, if over 4 months of age
but
DO NOT STARVE THE MARE OR FOAL
Here is the Growing Horse’s Recommended
Allowance (RA), on a Total Ration Dry Matter
Basis (includes forage plus grain mix)
Weanling
Nutrient
Weanling
Yearling
Long Yearling
2 Year
(4-6 Months) (6-12 Months) (12-18 Months) (18-24 Months) Old (Mature)
Dry Matter intake, % body w t.
2.25-2.75
2.75-3.25
2.25-2.75
2.0-2.5
1.75-2.25
18.00
16.00
14.00
12.00
11.00
Calcium, %
0.90
0.80
0.70
0.60
0.53
Phosphorus, %
0.65
0.55
0.45
0.40
0.35
Potassium , %
0.90
0.80
0.70
0.60
0.53
Magnesium , %
0.20
0.19
0.18
0.15
0.12
Sodium, %
Copper, mg/kg
0.10
35
0.12
30
0.14
25
0.14
22
0.14
20
Iron, m g/kg
100
90
80
70
60
65
60
55
50
45
Zinc, mg/kg
100
90
80
70
60
Cobalt, mg/kg
0.20
0.20
0.20
0.20
0.20
Iodine, m g/kg
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
Selenium, m g/kg
0.30
0.30
0.25
0.25
0.20
Crude Protein, %
Manganese, m g/kg
Body Condition Score (1 to 9) and
Topline Evaluation Score (A to D)
Fat Thickness
Muscle Development
Back Loin Croup
Evaluate Your Horse’s
Current Diet & Fitness by
Looking into 3 Areas
1. Top line: muscle
development: from amino
acids, genetics & work-load
2. Fat thickness: crest, behind
their shoulder, over their ribs
and around the tail head:
from calories
3. Distended belly: larger than
normal from:
a) eating indigestible forage
(fiber) causing a hay belly
b) lack of physical fitness
Topline Evaluation Scores (A to D):
Developed by Progressive Nutrition
•
Asses the horse’s overall muscle development:
‘TES’ is a visual and hands-on assessment of a horses’ topline (back,
loin and croup) and hindquarter muscles.
Since the body is a reflection of their nutritional status, this system
can be used to evaluate the amino acids (protein) in their diet.
Tailhead
Hindquarters
•
Horses with a grade of ‘A’ = Mature horses should be able to
perform well using their muscles easily and effectively.
•
Horses with grades ‘B or C’ = Fitting a saddle to these horses
Crest
Behind
Shoulder
Ribs
Body Condition Score (BCS)
Calories
may be difficult. They may have back soreness issues due to
‘muscle atrophy’. These are muscles needed for them to carry and
lift while performing.
Topline Evaluation Score (TES)
Amino Acid Balance,
Genetics and
Work Load
•
Horses with grade ‘D’ = Mature horses will lack strength and
stamina to sustain performance and will tier easily and will become
muscle sore when trying to lift and drive forward.
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More Common Today
Evaluating Muscle
BSC ‘5’ and TES ‘C’
1. Muscle Contains 72% Protein (dry matter basis)
2. A diet lacking in amino acids (protein) will result in
the horse breaking down their own muscles to
meet their daily needs
a) Seen first: as concave topline (back, loin,
croup) and hindquarters
b) Seen second: as poor hoof quality, hair coat
and appetite
c) Seen third: unthrifty condition and poor health
Obvious ‘muscle atrophy’ over the topline of the horse
Note: Ribs are not visible, but the back and loin are
extremely ‘concave’ and weak
Poor Topline
(Concave Back and Loin)
100 Day Stallion Performance Test
Day 1 vs. Day 100
(BCS “5” & TES “B”)
(BCS “6” & TES “A”)
BSC ‘5’ and TES ‘C’ (at least)
Horse Industry Does Not Correlate
Poor Toplines with Nutrition
(Low Protein Diet)
Royal Princess OBX (Royal Prince X Brimming / Banter)
Hanoverian filly
4 Month Old Suckling
EXAMPLE OF ADVERTISEMENT:
‘Correction’ Saddle Pads Available to Solve:
1.
Muscle Atrophy of the Back and Loin
2.
Older Horses with Higher Withers and a
Diminishing Topline
3. Muscle Loss Causing an Ill-Fitting Saddle
********************************************************
Rather Than Address Amino Acid (protein)
Deficiency, as a Potential Cause of the
Problem
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Dr. Ed Ott’s Research, from
the University of Florida:
Dr. Ed Ott’s Research, from
the University of Florida:
Two groups of Weanlings were fed the 2007
NRC for Horses recommended amount of
minerals and vitamins, with one group fed
less then recommended amount of protein.
In the ‘low protein’ group, they found:
1. Decrease in bone density
2. Decrease in tendon strength
When the protein levels were raised to meet
their needs, without changing the amount of
minerals in their diet:
1. Their bone density increased
2. Their tendon strength improved
Increasing the minerals in their diet had no affect
on bone density or tendon strength, as long
as the protein remained deficient
Dr. Ed Ott’s Published Research
As long as the amount of protein fed was below
their requirement:
1. increasing the amount of minerals fed had no
affect on the bone density or tendon strength in
young, growing horses
Dr. Ed Ott’s Conclusion
If the amount of protein is fed below their needs,
it can affect the utilization of minerals in their
diet, potentially causing DOD, even when
the required amount of minerals and vitamins
are provided
But when the protein level was raised to meet their
requirement:
1. the bone density increased and their tendon
strength improved, on the same mineral diet
Today’s Take Home Message:
Feeding less amino acids (protein) then needed:
1. Can be seen in the horses ‘Topline’
development (Topline Evaluation Score)
2. Dr. Ott’s Research: Can cause a decrease in
bone density and tendon strength
Conclusion:
1. Young, growing horses with a ‘poor’ topline
caused from inadequate amino acids (protein)
in their diet, may be predisposed to
Developmental Orthopedic Disease (DOD)
Congratulations to the
British Equine Federation
• In 2010, they used the BCS and TES scoring
system at all their Futurity Evaluations
• It did not affect the over-all scoring. It was
presented only to the owners, to help them
assure their young horse diets were adequate
and will meet their needs for growth and
development
• The recommendations were very well
received by the owners
8
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The Weanling
The Yearling
Currituck (Contucci X Casa Blanca / Cabaret)
ISR/Oldenburg N/A colt
12 months old
Davi’s Danseur OBX (Davidoff Hit X Casa Blanca / Cabaret)
ISR/Oldenburg N/A colt
7 months old
Putting it all together
Harmony’s Rousseau and Scott Hassler
Hassler Dressage, Inc.,
Chesapeake, MD.
Progressive Nutrition’s
“Answer Lines”
To assist you in North America:
• Progressive’s Technical Service Help Line:
Lisa Jones- Phone: 1-888-239-3185 (Inside the US)
00-1-712-835-3185 (Outside the US)
• Website: www.ProgNutrition.com
To assist you in Europe:
• Baileys Horse Feed, in England:
Liz Bulbrook- Phone: 1-371-850-247 (option 2 for Nutrition)
00-44-1-371-850-247 (Outside the UK)
• Website: www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk
Thank You ‘WBFSH’
Breeding and Nutrition
An Update on Recent Research Findings
presented by Progressive Nutrition, USA
9
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