Nutrient Requirements for Horses Presentation Part 1: Energy #8895-C

Objectives Identify types of available energy sources for horse rations Distinguish among energy requirements for horses Recognize protein uses and requirements for horses

Objectives List the macrominerals and their requirements for horses Differentiate between fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins for horses Discuss water requirements of horses

Sources of Energy- Carbohydrates & Fats Horses - non-ruminant herbivores – Non-ruminant herbivores - single stomach & eat mainly plant material Carbohydrates - used from horse ’ s diet to produce energy

Sources of Energy- Carbohydrates & Fats Digest carbohydrates in stomach & small intestine before they reach cecum & colon – Where fermentation takes place Starch, maltose, & sucrose broken down & absorbed into smaller forms called monosaccharides near cecum

Sources of Energy- Carbohydrates & Fats Lipids (fats) provide concentrated source of energy – Can be readily used During extreme exercise, free fatty acids oxidized – Free fatty acids - major components of lipids – Oxidize - to combine with oxygen to release energy

Sources of Energy- Carbohydrates & Fats Carbohydrates & fats supply energy Energy content of feeds expressed in many ways Feed manufactures look at amount of digestible energy when preparing rations

Sources of Energy- Carbohydrates & Fats Equine nutritionists measure gross energy (GE), the total energy content, in a bomb calorimeter Bomb calorimeters measure the quantity of heat produced when feed burns in an enclosed compartment

Sources of Energy- Carbohydrates & Fats Digestible energy (DE) = gross energy of a feed minus energy lost in feces The metabolizable energy (ME) consists of the value of digestible energy minus energy lost in urine & gaseous output of digestion

Sources of Energy- Carbohydrates & Fats Net energy (NE) = energy that horses actually make use of – What is left for maintenance and production NE divided into: – Net energy maintenance – Net energy production

Sources of Energy- Carbohydrates & Fats Net energy maintenance includes: – Energy used for metabolism – Activity at maintenance – Sustaining body temperature Net energy production consists of: – Energy stored in milk products – Energy used in work