Ridecamp: Re: [RC] B.C.A.A. Complex

Good question Scott, and it's an answer I don't have, for the simple reason
that there just isn't enough research out there on BCAA, yet loads of
research data to support elyte supplementation under race conditions.

Personally, I'll elyte a horse in a heartbeat, because if I'm riding one in
an endurance competition a part of that competition is to challenge the
horse, therefore I'm supposed to push it to a certain degree.  For that
reason, I'm subjecting the animal to a situation where I'm putting it at a
certain level of risk regarding dehydration and elyte loss.  I have an
obligation to not endanger that animal any more than necessary.  May not be
a part of the rules, but it's my personal rule to take the best care
possible of my animal in any situation I put it in.  If challenging the
animal physically is not part of the structure of the competition, then
basically it's just a glorified trail ride.

The BCAA complex is being marketed purely as a performance enhancer--there
is no evidence to support that short-term deficiencies in those particular
amino acids is detrimental to the animal's well-being during that time
frame.  The sad fact about the horse supplement industry is that for every 1
quality product backed by research, there are probably 5 others that are
designed purely to capitalize on the nutritional ignorance of the average
horse owner...if you read the marketing on a lot of this stuff, it's
apparent that they are using the same catch phrases they use with human
supplements.  I'm always especially suspicious of any product that relies
solely on testimonials to back up the claims.

You won't get any argument from me that managing essential amino acids in
the diet is important.  I have absolutely no love for the crude protein
system for balancing for protein, as it's based on nitrogen content of the
feeds, not the real protein values.   But I'd rather see the  horse
nutrition spend more time on elucidating dietary requirements for essential
amino acids that trying to market them as performance enhancers. I think the
paste performance enhancer avenue is the wrong way to go, and is driven more
by the "win at all costs" mentality that seems to pervade human endurance
type of events and is spilling over into horse sports.   I abhor that
mentality.  If people want to take that approach with their own bodies,
fine...but to subject an animal that has no choice in the matter and is
simply trying to please its owner to that sort of behavior is asinine, IMHO
(and I'm certain that particular comment is not going to endear me to some
folks, but so be it.)

Lisa



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