ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: calcium, phosphorus and rice bran (very long indeed)

Re: calcium, phosphorus and rice bran (very long indeed)

Susan Evans Garlinghouse (suendavid@worldnet.att.net)
Sat, 18 Oct 1997 08:41:35 -0700

> When considering the Ca/P ratios, shouldn't we factor in what the horse is
> drinking as well as what he is eating? Many of us have water sources very
> high in Calcium (i.e., limestone--that white stuff that clogs up all the
> faucets). Should we test our water to find out exactly how much calcium
> (and phosphorus) it has and then balance the rest of the diet accordingly?
> Has anyone on the list ever thought about this or tried it?

Hi Karen,

Funny you should ask. I JUST finished a nutritional analysis and report
for someone in an area with very high mineral content to their water.
Based on avaerage water consumption, I cannot imagine a horse getting
more than two or three grams of additional calcium from the water
source. In this particular case, magnesium added another .75 grams.

Although it is a consideration, it's not really one you're going to be
able to control very easily. If you paid attention to the rest of the
diet, managing the overall ca-p ratio and keeping the total amounts of
minerals within a reasonable level, then in my opinion, any additional
minerals derived from hard water isn't going to make a significant
difference and isn't worth losing sleep over.

Very clever of you to think of it, though. Amazing to think that even a
few gallons of water can have even a few grams of minerals dissolved in
it. But then, I'm pathetically easy to amuse.

Thanks for the post.

Susan

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