[Ag-eq] FW: Dr. Getty's New Horses - Forage for Thought - October 2012

Thu Oct 4 21:15:39 UTC 2012

From: Getty Equine Nutrition, LLC [mailto:gettyequinenutrition at gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2012 4:50 PM
To: Liz Lewis
Subject: Dr. Getty's New Horses - Forage for Thought - October 2012

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Forage for Thought

Morsels of information on feeding your horse

October 2012

Article of the Month

Protein - What are your best sources?

by Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.

Protein. The neglected nutrient. With so much attention being paid to low starch diets, horse owners are turning to fat to provide additional calories. Carbohydrates and fats are very important, don’t get me wrong. But do you know if your horse’s protein needs are met, as well?

Protein provides amino acids, building blocks used to create body proteins, such as: 

*	Heart, lungs, liver, and other vital organs
*	Skeletal muscles
*	Blood proteins
*	Skin, hair, and hooves
*	Bones
*	Eyes
*	Connective tissue
*	Enzymes
*	Antibodies
*	Red blood cells

If protein intake is inadequate, one or more of these bodily tissues will suffer. Since your horse’s priority is to stay alive, available amino acids will first be used to feed vital tissues. If there are any left over, less life-supporting tissues will be tended to -– things like skin, hair, hooves, and eyes. The immune system may also take a back seat, leading to a higher susceptibility to infections or the development of allergies.

For these reasons, protein has to not only be in adequate quantity, but also in adequate quality. A high-quality protein source will have all ten essential amino acids in proper proportion to one another. There are 22 amino acids, 10 of which either cannot be produced by your horse or cannot be produced in adequate quantity; therefore, they must be in his diet. If one or more essential amino acids are not available, protein synthesis cannot occur. Animal proteins such as eggs, meat, and fish do meet the definition of high quality, but horses are herbivorous. Consequently, they must rely on eating plant protein sources that complement each other to create a balanced proportion of amino acids.

Horses in a wild environment would eat a variety of feedstuffs – grasses, grains, fruits, flowers, leaves, legumes, and more – creating a balanced diet. For most domesticated horses, this is not the case. They are most likely fed the same thing day in and day out, making it especially important that all nutrients, including protein, are fed in adequate quantity. This means that a diet of strictly one type of grass will not meet your horse’s amino acid requirement – others feedstuffs must be included.

Getting enough protein is generally not the issue. Most grass hay, for example, has 8 to 10 percent crude protein (measure of nitrogen found in protein). Twenty five pounds per day will provide at least 900 grams, the minimum requirement for the average, healthy adult, 1100 lb (500 kg) horse, exercised lightly. Add to this other protein sources and the grams requirement is easily met. Here are the crude protein levels of some common feedstuffs*:

Forages and Fibrous Feeds

Percent Range

Alfalfa (hay, cubes or pellets)

19-23

Beet pulp

7-11

Grass hay, warm (Bermuda, Coastal, Tifton)

8-13

Grass hay, cool (brome, orchardgrass, timothy, fescue)

5-15

Oat hay

5-11

Rice bran

11-19

Straw

3-7

Soybean hulls

12-16

Wheat bran

15-20

Wheat hay

7-14

Wheat middlings

16-21

Concentrates

Percent Range

Barley

9-14

Canola meal

35-44

Corn

7-10

Flaxseed meal

31-35

Oats

11-15

Soybean meal

44-52

Sunflower meal

26-30

Wheat

11-16

*Values obtained from the National Research Council, 2006 and Equi-Analytical Labs

Keep in mind that the above values can vary dramatically based on growing conditions, and are offered as general guidelines. Notice, for example, that cool season grasses can range from 5 to 15 percent protein. This is why is it so important to analyze your specific hay to take the guesswork out of evaluating your horse’s diet.

Commercial feeds

Crude protein levels found in commercially fortified can vary dramatically. Avoid high protein feeds unless you have a horse with a special need for extra protein, such as growth, pregnancy/lactation, performance, surgery recovery, or injury. For the healthy adult horse, I prefer that the overall diet contains approximately 14% crude protein from a variety of protein sources.

Example

Your grass hay tests at 10% crude protein and you feed 25 lbs per day. You also feed 4 lbs per day of a 14% commercial feed. Is your horse getting 14% protein overall?

Grass hay: 25 lbs X 454 grams/lb X .10 = 1135 grams protein
Commercial feed: 4 lbs X 454 grams/lb X .14 = 254 grams protein

Total grams of protein in 29 lbs (same as 13166 grams)** of feed: 1135 + 254 = 1389 grams.
Percent: 1389/13166 X 100 = 10.55%

You are far away from providing the 12% crude protein desired. Let’s replace 10 lbs of grass hay with 10 lbs of alfalfa at 20% protein…

Grass hay: 15 lbs X 454 grams/lb X .10 = 681 grams protein
Commercial feed: 4 lbs X 454 grams/lb X .14 = 254 grams protein
Alfalfa: 10 lbs X 454 grams/lb X .20 = 908 grams protein

Total grams of protein in 29 lbs (with added alfalfa): 681 + 254 + 908 = 1843 grams
Percent: 1843/13166 X 100 = 14%

Bottom line

Protein needs to be fed in large enough quantity and at a decent level of quality to provide the amino acid pool necessary to keep body tissues healthy. To ensure both of these, feed several protein feedstuffs, or check for variety on your commercial feed’s list of ingredients. Items such as alfalfa meal, soybean meal, beet pulp, distiller’s grains, brans, and flaxseed meal – all add up to a high quality protein. Plenty of grass forage (pasture and/or hay) fed free-choice, along with approximately 30% as a legume (typically alfalfa) -- depending on your horse’s weight and condition – and your horse will have all the building blocks needed to maintain all of the necessary body proteins.

** To convert pounds to grams, multiply pounds by 454 grams/lb.

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The above article offers insight into meeting your horse's protein needs. For more details, please refer to Feed Your Horse Like A Horse: 

*	Chapter 4 – Fundamentals of Protein and Amino Acids. Entire chapter.
*	Chapter 8 – Fundamentals of Forages. Pages 112-116.
*	Chapter 9 – Fundamentals of Concentrates and By-Products. Pages 131-139.
*	Chapter 18 – Breeding, Pregnancy, and Lactation. Pages 331-337.
*	Chapter 19 – Growth and Growing Old. Pages 351-352; 367-371.
*	Chapter 20 – Athletes. Pages 382-383.

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Helpful supplements: If your horse is requires additional protein, consider the following: 

*	Nutra Flax <http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/products/nutraflax.htm>  (Horsetech) is pure, stabilized flaxseed meal that provides high quality protein (along with valuable omega 3s).
*	BCAA Complex <http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/products/bcaa.htm>  (Peak Performance Nutrients) provides branched chain amino acids for muscle development.
*	Body Builder <http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/products/bodybuilder.htm>  (Equiade) offers concentrated gamma oryzanol, extracted from rice bran, to promote muscle development.
*	SuPer Muscle Builder <http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/products/supermusclebuilderpowder.htm>  (Gateway) combines branched chain amino acids with gamma oryzanol.

For permission to reprint this article, in part or in its entirety, arrange for a private consultation or schedule Dr. Getty as a speaker, please contact her directly at  <mailto:gettyequinenutrition at gmail.com> gettyequinenutrition at gmail.com.

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Forage for Thought is privileged to have such excellent sponsors!

Forage for Thought is honored and delighted to receive the support of its sponsors. Welcome them by visiting their websites to truly appreciate their products and services.

Forage for Thought aims to provide horse owners with up-to-date, scientifically-based information, in an easy-to-understand format.

If you find this monthly publication to be helpful and and would like to have your product or service featured, please consider showing your support through a sponsorship. More details are available by  <http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/forageforthought/sponsorships.htm> clicking here.
Or email Dr. Juliet Getty at:  <mailto:gettyequinenutrition at gmail.com> gettyequinenutrition at gmail.com

Continuing sponsors! 

*	 
*	 <http://thehaypillow.com> The Hay Pillow -- Effective, durable slow feeding hay bag. Take comfort in knowing your horse is eating more naturally with the Hay Pillow.
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*	 <http://www.nibblenet.com> The NIBBLENET® -- a healthy and safe slow-feeding system with a unique design and high quality construction that allows horses to slow down and "graze" in a natural way.
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*	 <http://www.porta-grazer.com> The Porta-Grazer - Let your stabled horse graze like a pastured horse. This new feeding system is going to make it much easier for you!
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*	 <http://www.freedomfeeder.com> Freedom Feeder -- a natural solution for a healthy horse. Small mesh hay net slows a horse's eating and simulates the more natural grazing environment horses evolved to thrive in.

Teleseminars Make Smart Holiday Gifts

Give the gift of knowledge this holiday

There are currently 13 teleseminars available in the series, "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You."

Each recording is available for gift giving -- choose as many as you'd like. There are two ways to give: 

*	Teleseminar only - your gift recipient will receive instructions on how to listen to the teleseminar or download it to the computer or mp3 player.
*	Teleseminar plus Audio CD -- in addition, your gift recipient will be mailed the audio CD of the teleseminar to be played in any CD player or the car. The Audio CD is preferred by many because it is divided into tracks, making listening easier. You can go back to where you left off instead of listening to the whole recording to find your place.

Gift certificates are also available for both options.

Go to  <http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/teleseminars/registration.htm> the Teleseminar Page and scroll down toward to bottom to order.

Dr. Getty's New Horses

  <http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/images/photohorses.jpg> 

Meet Topper and Chester

Autumn in southern Ohio is glorious and while I miss the majestic mountains of southwest Colorado, I now have plenty of land to enjoy my horses in my own back yard. What a blessing! And here are my two new precious friends -- Topper (on the left) and Chester.

They are both Thoroughbreds with different backgrounds. Topper was recently retired from eventing. He is 22 years old and lived the life of a performance horse -- traveling, stalling, intermittent hay, with some pasture grazing. This new life of being outdoors 24/7 with all the hay and pasture he wants, is unfamiliar to him but, oh so nice! With extra supplements to fill in those nutritional gaps, his hair color is beginning to turn to more of what it was intended - pure black. He is a calm, affectionate fellow and loves to be loved.

Chester was rescued from a situation where he was one of the crowd, in an overgrazed pasture. He raced as a youngster and has an old racing injury in his ankle, making him favor it every now and then. He's not very assertive, which accounts for all the bite scars he had when he got here. He is only 14 -- lots of colt-like curiosity in him, eager to try new things. He's been helping Topper brave the unknown, like the round bale feeder that I recently acquired (used for square bales, not big round ones). Topper wouldn't go near it until Chester said, "Come on, it looks like fun!" Topper tip-e-toed behind Chester, toward the feeder only to discover it filled with yummy hay!

My daughter is trained in hunter/jumping and works with Topper. He enjoys showing off his skills and is graceful beyond words. Chester, always close by, offers moral support and applause.

Topper and Chester have bonded like brothers and seem to take care of each other. They offer daily horse hugs and there is nothing better than a kiss on a velvety nose and a whiff of the wonderful smell that all horses owners truly appreciate. They have certainly eased my transition to this part of the country and keep a smile in my heart.

 <http://www.jmgetty.wordpress.com> Click Here to comment. Dr. Getty has a NEW Blog where you'll find this posting.

Teleseminars

Feeding and Behavior

Dr. Getty's October Teleseminar

A horse's body and mind cannot be separated. Physical health—or lack of it—is manifested in susceptibility to illness and infection, proper weight maintenance, and hair and hoof quality, but also in behaviors. Short attention span, spookiness, reluctance to work—these can be normal personality traits, or they can be outward signs of illness, pain or nutritional deficiencies.

The seminar will cover key nutrients as well as the overall diet needed for horses to become their natural selves. “The horse’s good health makes interacting and working with him more joyful and gratifying,” says Dr. Getty. “And proper nutritional practices are fundamental to assuring the horse’s health and behavior.”

The teleseminar will emphasize: 

*	Feeding the way nature intended
*	Equine digestive physiology
*	Stress response
*	Digestive tract motility in response to various nutrients
*	Immune system and behavioral responses
*	Sugar and starch’s effect on hormonal levels
*	Effect of increasing fat in the feed
*	Protein's effect on blood glucose
*	Are all grains the same?
*	Key minerals
*	B vitamins
*	Calming supplements
*	Serotonin

Details:
Date: Thursday, October 25, 2012
Time: 8:00 to 9:30 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (7 pm Central; 6 pm Mountain; 5 pm Pacific)
Cost:$15. Audio CD also available for additional $12.

 <http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/teleseminars/registration.htm> Click Here for more details, teleseminar descriptions, and to register.

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Currently available topics:

*	Feeding and Behavior (upcoming)
*	Preparing for Winter
*	Supplements - Making the Right Choice
*	Ulcers - Prevention and Cure
*	Laminitis - The Latest
*	The Hard Keeper can be Helped
*	Making it Easy to for your Easy Keeper to be Healthy
*	Making Sense of Ingredient Lists, Feed Tags, and Hay Analysis Reports
*	Understanding and Avoiding Colic
*	Joint Supplements - So Many Choices!
*	Nutritional Management of Equine Cushing's Disease
*	Helping Your Horse Grow Old with Dignity and Health
*	Things You Need to Know about Water, Salt, and Electrolyte Supplements

Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

 <http://feedyourhorselikeahorse.com> 

Dr. Getty's comprehensive reference,

 <http://feedyourhorselikeahorse.com> Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

continues to enlighten horse owners to ways of feeding

in sync with their horse's instincts and innate physiology.

 <http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/forageforthought/bookreviews.htm> Recent Book Reviews

 <http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/forageforthought/testimonials.htm> Unsolicited Testimonials

Textbook and wholesale inquiries welcomed.

Email:  <mailto:gettyequinenutrition at gmail.com> gettyequinenutrition at gmail.com
or call 740-663-2333.

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Saddle And Stirrups Magazine specifically for your iPad,
is available for a free, 3-month trial!

To celebrate reaching 25,000 facebook followers, Saddle and Stirrups Magazine developers created a 3 month trial voucher available for horse owners and horse lovers to enjoy. There are no strings attached. It is free for 3 months. At the end of 3 months, if you wish to continue, you can take out a subscription plan or purchase individual future issues.

Follow these steps: 

*	 <http://saddleandstirrups.com/3-month-voucher> Click Here
*	Read the instructions on the page on how to download the app to your iPad
*	Use the Voucher Code: horselover (case sensitive)

This voucher will be valid until October 14th. So be sure to use it before then.

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Contact Information:
Getty Equine Nutrition, LLC
3828 Blain Hwy
Waverly, OH 45690
740-663-2333
Fax: 740-663-2334
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