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Managing Carbohydrates for Performance Horses

Managing Carbohydrates for Performance Horses. Bill Vandergrift, PhD EquiVision, Inc. EV Farm, LLC. Outline. Understand the basic carbohydrate groups What their primary sources are What they are converted to in the horse’s body

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Managing Carbohydrates for Performance Horses

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  1. Managing Carbohydrates for Performance Horses Bill Vandergrift, PhD EquiVision, Inc. EV Farm, LLC

  2. Outline • Understand the basic carbohydrate groups • What their primary sources are • What they are converted to in the horse’s body • What their primary function is in terms of fueling stamina, power or both • Understand how to feed different carbohydrate sources to achieve peak performance • Understand how other dietary components affect carbohydrate metabolism

  3. Evaluating Dietary Response • Adequate Stamina • Temperament • Ability to focus on task at hand • Soundness • Hoof and hair coat quality • Body condition

  4. “Carb” Classification • Structural Carbohydrates: • Fibers • Non-Structural Carbohydrates: • Starches, Sugars, Fructans

  5. Fiber Classification • Structural fiber: • Cellulose (glucose polymer) • Hemicellulose (xylans and mannose) • Lignin (insoluble) • (Major source – forage) • Soluble fiber: • Pectin (beet pulp) • Pentosans (soy hulls)

  6. Fiber Measurements • Crude Fiber (feed tag) • Most of cellulose but only part of lignin • Since grain is low in lignin can and is still used on grain feed tags • Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) • Hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin • Higher NDF = lower intake • Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) • Cellulose and lignin • Higher ADF = lower digestibility

  7. Fiber Measurements • Acid Insoluble Lignin (AIL), Acid Digestible Lignin (ADL) or just plain Lignin • Lignin • Higher lignin = lower intake and lower digestibility • NDF – ADF = Hemicellulose • ADF – Lignin = Cellulose • Lignin = Lignin

  8. Non-Fiber Carbohydrate Measurements • Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) • Sugar, some starch, fructan • Ethanol Soluble Carbohydrates (ESC) • Sugars, some starch • Non-Fiber Carbohydrates (NFC) • Sugar, starch, pectin, fermentable acids • Calculated: = 100% - (CP% + NDF% + Fat% + Ash%)

  9. Non-Fiber Carbohydrate Measurements • WSC + Starch = Non-Structural Carbohydrate (NSC) • WSC – ESC = Fructan • High fructan = bad for laminitic horses • High ESC = high sugar • high glycemic response • Bad for insulin resistance

  10. Hoffman et al, 2001

  11. Fermentation vs Digestion • Sugars and starches are digested in small intestine • Increases blood glucose • Fiber and pectins are fermented in large intestine • Converted into fatty acids

  12. Stamina vs Power • All equine performance activities require some stamina and some power (aerobic vs anaerobic) • Some require proportionately more stamina (endurance) • Some require proportionately more power (jumping) • Some require equal amounts of both (eventing)

  13. Maximum Performance In most cases, it is not the fastest or strongest horse that wins – It is the horse that tires out the least! Maximum Performance = Maximum Stamina

  14. Right Fuel for the Job • Burn fat for stamina • Fatty acids from fiber fermentation • fat from feed • Burn glucose for power • Starches and sugars from small intestine digestion of non-structural carbohydrates

  15. Optimize Glucose Metabolism to Maximize Performance • Ensure glucose is available at cellular level when it is needed • Dietary sources • Some grain is often required • Complimentary dietary ingredients • Glucose sparing effect of fat • Dietary fat and fermented fiber • Proper Conditioning • “Turn On” the enzymes!

  16. Feeding Guidelines to Maximize Glucose Metabolism • Feed at least 1.0 – 1.5% or more of horse’s body weight in forage per day • Feed smallest amount of grain needed for desired body condition and temperament • High quality forage, fermentable fiber, added fat help reduce amount of grain needed • If less than 6 pounds per day you will need supplemental minerals and vitamins!

  17. Feeding Guidelines to Maximize Glucose Metabolism • Do not feed more than 5 pounds of grain at a time • Optimizes enzymatic digestion of starch • Do not feed more grain than forage • Prevents digestive acidosis

  18. Feeding Guidelines to Maximize Glucose Metabolism • Do not work hard between 1 and 4 hours after grain feeding • Facilitates normalization of blood glucose and metabolic hormone levels • Prevents “running out of gas on a full tank”

  19. Troubleshoot • Too Hyper, Too Dull • Evaluate grain intake level • Evaluate mineral and vitamin intakes • Evaluate digestive health (ulcers, acidosis?)

  20. Troubleshoot • No Stamina • Feeding enough forage, grain and/or fat? • Evaluate electrolyte intake • Evaluate mineral intake • Evaluate actual condition level • Heart rate monitor (V200) • Evaluate physical limitations

  21. Summary • Understand the basic carbohydrate groups • What their primary sources are • What they are converted to in the horse’s body • What their primary function is in terms of fueling stamina, power or both • Understand how to feed different carbohydrate sources to achieve peak performance • Understand how other dietary components affect carbohydrate metabolism

  22. Thank you andGod Bless!

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