Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Digestible Energy (DE) vs Protein

> Yes, I would agree with that.  For everyone else (you already know this,
> Heidi), appetite increases with energy requirements, so for a horse
getting
> a lot of consistent and steady work (by our standards, not a show barn's),
> then it's amazing what an endurance horse will hoover down given the
> opportunity.  However, that usual 3-3.5% *is* dry matter, not on an as-fed
> basis, so 4% per day for a thousand pound horse is around 44-46 pounds of
> hay in a day.  Lotta food.

What I find interesting is that my best eater (to whom 40+ lbs of top
quality grass hay was nuthin' when he was running, never mind any grass he
could swipe on top of it, never mind everything else he hoovered at vet
checks on race day, and he didn't quite make 1000#) is now long since
retired, and he will still happily eat well over 30# a day of hay, as well
as his Equine Senior, despite being pretty sedentary.  His compatriots who
never worked at his level would be leaving hay and tromping it into the
ground if I fed them anywhere near what he will eat.  He also had a
voracious appetite long before he ever started working hard, so I definitely
think it is something that they come with, or don't.

>I have seen it, though, as you have, but I have
> also seen it in non older-type Arabians---my Anglo, for one.  He can put
> away food like you wouldn't believe.

Your Anglo may not look like an older-type Arab, but he has a great-granddam
that sure fits that bill.  And just like other traits, when one deals with
mixed-pedigree horses, it is a roll of the dice whether a particular trait
will come out.  Sounds like in his case, he got the right roll for
willingness to eat.

> I do also agree that it seems to be familial, or at least is a consistent
> trait in successful (long term) distance horses.  Granted, I'm biased, but
> if any asked me for the traits to look for in a good endurance prospect,
way
> high on my list would be the ability and willingness to eat like a pig in
> the midst of cannon fire.

Absolutely.  I also love it when I'm hauling youngsters, and they will
willingly drink water in the trailer when offered--that goes down on the
"plus" side when it comes to making future breeding decisions as well.

Heidi


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