calcium/phosphorous
Gwen Dluehosh (dluehosh@vt.edu)
Thu, 09 Jan 1997 21:44:17 +0500
I guess I'll be the devil's advocate here for a minute... what papers... I
want to read them too. As far as protein goes, it has NOT been proven to be
a problem in kidneys according to all the wonderful stuff the IAMS people
are sending us at Vet school... However, I don't consider 12% protein to be
"high" protein, which is what i assume most endurance riders are probably on
if they are feeding a premixed feed. ( DOn't recall exactly what was in the
post about protein since I wasn't responding to that particular item)
At the tracks I have had my horse at, and been around, most people were
feeding straight alfalfa and or good mixed hay, plus Athlete in Omolene 300.
At this one barn in particular, it doesn;t appear to me to have been a
problem in racehorses- never had a tie up, and it sure didnt' slow them
down- in fact one horse kept winning so much the guys in charge of
handicapping wante d to weigh him down too much (he had a recovered knee
injury) HOrses always look super good too, and never seem to have any problems.
Ammonia is not made out of water... it is a protein by product.
ANd I'd be willing to bet that most endurance horses are on quite a bit of
turn out...
so the stinky stall issue really isn't one...
I wasn't addressing the protein issues in teh first post anyway.
Just the Ca P stuff. Please do help me find info on the Ca:P stuff... it's
interesting!
Gwen
>Yes, however there is some research that suggests excessive calcium may
>be a factor in oseochondrosis and hypercalcitoninism. . Also, excessive
protein has been shown to decrease
>speed of racing Thoroughbreds, while requiring more water intake to get
>rid of all that nitrogen. If a horse is fighting dehydration during a
>ride anyway, I'd rather he didn't have to use that water making ammonia.
>
>Also, more ammonia means more urine, stinkier stalls, more bedding
>costs. Finally, protein is the most expensive nutrient, so feeding
>excessive amounts is not cost-effective, especially if a better, more
>balanced ration can be formulated that provides the same benefits and
>less of the detriments.
>
>Susan Evans
>
Gwen Dluehosh
Desert Storm Arabians
1156 Hightop Rd, #89
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540/953-1792