Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Digestible Energy (DE) vs Protein

>From Susan : To balance a ration, you'll have to use a spreadsheet program or spend a lot of time with a calculator, and work out a combination of feed that provides both protein and energy at the right level for your needs.

Me : I do have a spreadsheet and it's great!  I can use hypothetical ingredients and see the results without having to actually purchase the stuff.  I can also work out exactly what I have to do for an individual horse.

Susan : It's not that protein directly causes DOD problems, it's that excess protein causes rapid increase in body mass without concurrent growth in mineral deposition (bone tissue), thus the DOD lesions.

Me : At what age can I start relaxing?  I believe the most growing is up to age 3?

Susan : Unless you have an analysis to verify that, you might be surprised.  There's a lot of nutrition even in straw.

Me : I'll have to get a regular source to be able to do the analysis.  Sources are variable and I have to take what I can get.  I will have to go long on bales for next season, so it will then be easier to do an analysis.

Susan : Look at the guarenteed analysis tag (hopefully you still have this info in SA).  It should tell you crude fiber, crude protein, fat content, calcium and phosphorus minimums and maximums (use the max number for calcium, the minimum number for phosphorus) and usually vitamins A, maybe E.  It also has a list of ingredients.

Me : My dream!!!!!

Susan : Most horses at maintenance can't won't eat more than about 2.5% dry matter of their body weight daily total.  Growing horses, lactating mares and hard working horses can eat more, tops is usually around 3-3-5% dry matter.

Me : I showed this to my horses and they laughed a lot!  I made them promise to try and stick to those percentages, but I'll see if they can keep that promise ;-)))

Thank you very much for all the info, Susan, I really appreciate it.

Have a good one
Kristene


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