What is the ideal protein level for an endurance horse? Should it be
different then days when they compete?
Maria
Well, you shouldn't get too hung up on strict
percentages, although if you insist, right around 10% is the "ideal" for any
mature, non-lactating performance horse. A better and more accurate way is
to think how many grams of crude protein does an endurance horse need.
Which is between about 700-1300 grams of crude protein per day for the average
weight range we have. And of that 700-1300 grams, at least 25-50 grams or
so should be lysine, the amino acid most likely to be in short
supply.
If you are going to look at percentages, then
you should keep in mind that the *total* ration should average 10%---it doesn't
necessarily mean that the addition of some feeds that are higher or lower than
that aren't appropriate. For example, let's say you have a horse that you
want to feed a ration of 10% protein, but the only hay you have available is
pretty low quality grass hay that's around 5% crude protein. Too
low. No horse could eat enough to supply his protein requirements.
However, it still does supply other nutrients (fiber, if nothing else), so its
useable as long as you supplement the protein. Let's also say that you
only have enough hay to supply 12 pounds a day (it's an equine version of
Survivor)<g>. The grain mixes you have available to you are a 10%
mix, a 14% mix and a 33% mix. Alot of people would assume the 10% mix is
the best, because 10% is the "ideal". But, you would have to feed this
horse better than 16 pounds of the 10% mix to provide sufficient protein.
Lotta grain. Or, you could feed the 14% mix (which alot of people
automatically shy away from because it's 'too high' and supply 11-12
pounds. Better, but still a lot of grain. So your third choice is
the 33% mix, which most people would assume will explode the horse's kidneys or
something. But, the 33% is actually the most appropriate grain, because
you'd only have to feed about 5 pounds a day to provide sufficient
protein. A much more reasonable amount and better way to go, even though
all three mixes potentially provide a 10% and therefore "ideal"
ration.
This was probably totally confusing, but hope it
answered your question, sorta. :-)
susan g