Sludge vs Rocket Fuel

["Beth Glace" <lb@nismat.org>]

Heidi wrote:< What I'm trying to stay away from here is the 
impression that somehow we can rocket fuel our horses, and that what 
they eat normally is, in your own word, "sludge."  That "sludge" as 
you choose to call it is an important part of the picture in the 
equine athlete, and the impression that we are going to do it all 
with carbs just isn't so. >>

I agree fully with what you say Heidi, although I think it is 
possible that carbs provided during exercise may aid performance in 
horses.  Human athletes usually compete in ultramarathons while 
working at an intensity corresponding to about 50-60% of their 
aerobic maximum.  At these intensities fats provide a large amount of 
the energy needs.  To your knowledge, is there research out there in 
horses that looks at substrate use at various relative intensities, 
and do we know what % of maximum horses are able to maintain over 
races lasting 10-24 hours? 
  Thanks,

Beth 

Beth Glace, MS, CDN
Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma
Lenox Hill Hospital
New York, NY


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