I also typically feed a 13-14% concentrate feed along with forages.It
has
been proven that horses under strenuous exercise can benefit from
a
slightly higher protein level (13-15%).
Hmmm. That would disagree with the research
conducted by Ralston, et al at Rutgers, whose studies demonstrated a
progressively higher incidence of metabolic problems in eventing horses when
total protein levels exceeded 12. Also with work by Glade in Australian
racehorses whose acing times increased (that is, got slower) when protein
levels were increased above NRC recommendations. I would be
interested in seeing the reference of the research you refer
to.
The average protein requirement
for pasture horses or horse under
light exercise is 10%.
True, but people tend to get a bit hung up on
percentages, rather than absolute amounts. So a 13-14% grain mix may be
barely adequate for one horse, while being excessive for another. It all
depends on the protein provided by other feeds, including hay, other grains,
etc.
Horses that are
not being ridden extensively and are on a high protein
ration are just
wasting money, because a lot of it is excreted in its
urine.
All of the excess nitrogen groups will be
excreted in the urine, actually (the amount excreted through sweat is actually
infinitisimal). However, the carbon backbones of the amino acids will be
retained and used as an energy source. However, there are other effects
of a high protein ration that can be detrimental to horses, especially in hot
weather, but may be beneficial in other situations---ie, in cold climates
where the increased heat production helps maintain body heat.
However,if you do see a difference in performance or
you are
concerned, one option is to supplement with beet pulp. It is an
excellent
source of protein,
Well, no. I dearly love beet pulp,
especially for endurance horses, for a multitude of reasons, but as a protein
source isn't one of them. It has an average crude protein content of 9%,
equal or lower than most grass hays. I would actually consider that a
point in its favor, though, as most horses get excessive protein already, and
its low protein content means relatively large amounts can be fed without
providing excessive protein in the total ration.
do. The other nice thing is that beet pulp is relatively high in
fiber,
which will help our horses stay warm through these cold winter
months.
Well, that's another myth, especially about beet
pulp. The fiber in beet pulp is primarily soluble fiber, which is highly
digestible, and so provides almost no heat increment to maintain body heat at
all. If you wanted to rely on fiber digestion for winter heat, you would
have to rely on an insoluble fiber source, such as regular old hay.
Also, while ruminants, such as cattle and sheep, can provide a bonfire of body
heat just from digesting fiber, horses aren't all that good at it. They
can produce some heat increment that way, but if you lived in a really cold
climate, or there was a bad icestorm coming over the pass and you wanted to
jump start the horse's 'furnace', a good protein source will do it better than
anything else. IMO, that's about the best use of alfalfa there is.
Good source of fiber (since that does provide *some* heat increement), plus
plenty of protein to produce metabolic waste heat to bump up the core
temperature for a few hours.
Hope this helps. :-)
Susan G