1. Energy
EQS 125

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Energy is required for all life processes and when it comes to the racehorse, energy is key
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Role of Energy
Why is Energy Needed?
Supplying Energy
Deficiencies & Excesses
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3. Role of Energy

4. Why is energy needed? Energy is required for all life processes…
When we start to ask more from our horses, whether it be through exercise, pregnancy, or breeding, energy needs will increase
The amount of energy needed rises in direct proportion to how fast, how long, and how hard you expect him to perform

5. The horse’s weight is also considered when determining energy needs
Why is energy needed?
Energy is required for all life processes…
When we start to ask more from our horses, whether it be through exercise, pregnancy, or breeding, energy needs will increase
The horse’s weight is also considered when determining energy needs

6. Amount of Energy Needed
Why is energy needed?
Lets look at energy on a scale…
Heavy Exercise
Lactating Mares
Light Exercise
Pregnant Mares
Idle
Racehorses
Growth*
Moderate Exercise
Amount of Energy Needed
And the racehorse will need more energy than those at moderate exercise
As we move up the scale, different classifications will fall into place
Horses at light exercise will not need as much energy as lactating mares
On the right end, we have the most amount of energy needed, these would be our racehorses
On the left end, we have least amount of energy needed, these would be our maintenance horses
Growth is an exception because in our industry we are often exercising the horse during growth, which will greatly increase energy needs
A two year old at very heavy exercise will need as much energy as the mature racehorse

7. Lactating mares have lower energy needs than horses in light exercise
Knowledge check
Lactating mares have lower energy needs than horses in light exercise
True
False
Incorrect
Lactating mares have very high energy needs while horses only lightly exercise have lower energy needs
Correct!

8. How else is energy impacted
Other factors that will raise a horse’s energy requirement are…
As you saw on the scale, exercise wasn’t the only activity that increased energy needs
Growth
Breeding
Pregnancy
Lactation
Physical fitness
Illness
Size
Individual characteristics
Breed and temperament
A horse that is not fit is going to burn through a lot more energy than those that are fit – it is about being efficient and those that are not efficient will go through more nutrients
Energy requirements of a horse are proportional to bodyweight – a 500 lbs pony will have less or about ½ the energy requirement of a 1,000 lbs horse
Horses that are anxious and nervous will burn through energy quicker than a calm horse

9. Supplying Energy

10. How do we supply energy? Proteins Fats Carbohydrates
There is no single nutrient called “energy”…
Energy is supplied by 3 nutrients that are found in forage and/or grain
Carbohydrates
Fats
Proteins
The majority of energy is going to come from carbohydrates, followed by fats, and lastly protein
The horse needs 80 – 90% of ingested feed just for energy requirements!
The remaining 10% goes to meeting specifically protein, mineral, and vitamins needs

11. Which nutrient does not provide energy?
Knowledge check
Which nutrient does not provide energy?
Minerals
Fat
Protein
Carbohydrate
Incorrect, Try Again
Correct!
Incorrect, Try Again
Incorrect, Try Again

12. Different classes of horses will have different energy requirements
Determining Energy
Determining a horse’s energy requirement is a key part of meeting nutritional needs
If we are providing a diet that is too low in energy, that can greatly affect performance, while too much can result in obesity or hyperactivity
Different classes of horses will have different energy requirements

13. Determining Energy
When discussing energy in the diet, the value we use is called digestible energy (DE)
Feedstuffs will differ in how much DE is provided, but grains provide higher concentrations of energy, which is why they typically make up the bulk of the racehorse’s diet

14. Determining Energy
When discussing energy in the diet, the value we use is called digestible energy (DE)
We will discuss digestible energy and how you would go about calculating DE requirements in Assignment #3!

15. DE requirements will vary among horses.
Knowledge check
DE requirements will vary among horses.
True
False
Incorrect
DE (Digestible Energy) requirements will vary among horses based on their activity level and weight
Correct!

16. Deficiencies & Excesses

17. Too much or not enough
When given the opportunity and good health, horses will choose to consume enough feed to meet their energy needs
If a horse is ill, not being provided a sufficient quantity of feed, or is being feed poor quality feed he may not meet DE requirements
1st sign of inadequate DE intake is a depressed attitude…
Over time, hormonal changes will decrease energy utilization, loss of body condition will occur
The body starts to use stored fat, carbohydrates and then protein as a last resort, even pulling it from bone, ligaments and tendons

18. Too much or not enough
When given the opportunity and good health, horses will choose to consume enough feed to meet their energy needs
Too much energy tends to be a more common issue than a deficiency
This can lead to obesity and increased physical activity, ie. bucking and being high-spirited and difficult to handle
In the young horse, too much energy can increase growth rates too quickly and create developmental issues

19. Finish

20. End of Lecture
You have finished Lecture 4.1 – Energy. Continue on to Lecture 4.2 Carbohydrates and then complete Homework 4 prior to taking your Homework quiz in Blackboard