ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Comments on feed supplements

Re: Comments on feed supplements

tetervin@bms.com
Wed, 02 Apr 1997 07:50:55 -0500 (EST)

Just as analogies exist between training human distance runners, and long
distance horses, I think something else has to be taken into account also.
Each human is an individual and metabolizes different nutrients differently
from their neighbor. Some people can't handle a load of sugary carbos, some
people get 'sick' when they eat fatty foods, some people thrive on beans and
rice , etc. So I think that each horse is an individual in the metabolism
department too. SInce we can't ask the horse how he feels after a certain kind
of feedstuff, we have to observe keenly and use our judgement and our
knowledge of that particular horse's behavior in order to know if we have
helped him or hurt him. It takes a bit of time -it's trial and error.I also am
fairly sceptical that any feed supplement is going to make or break a horse's
performance (except for electrolytes- but there again- how much etc depends on
the horse). Baseline general vitamin supplementation is important I believe,
becuase feeds are heated and stored and also becasue the NRC requirements for
vitamins are very low- they reflect the amounts needed to sustain life not to
LIVE it. There's no magic formula that's going to make your horse a winner and
there are no short cuts. -Amy

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