ridecamp@endurance.net: Feeding Fat in day of Competition.

Feeding Fat in day of Competition.

RALSTON@AESOP.RUTGERS.EDU
Mon, 08 Dec 1997 10:35:22 -0400 (EDT)

We finally agree on something, Tom, though
for different reasons. Don't feed fats during competition.
Fat slows the rate of emptying in the stomach: not good
if you are feedingoconcentratefollow Tom's advice and feeding concentrates
that are highly fermentable to an already stressed horse. Grain trapped
in the stomach will ferment, resulting in discomfort
and possibly colic. Hay or grass do not have the same effect on
gastric emptying, nor do they over ferment if retained longer than usual in the
stomach. Nutrients are not absorbed from the stomach
of the horse-only from the Small and Large intestine, so anything
that delays the delivery of the nutrient sources to these areas
during a competition would be contraindicated. It's
not a problem on a normal training day, only
during the stress of a ride. Plus fats take hours
to be digested before the resultant fatty acids appear in the
blood and are available for use. As Susan said, feed the oils
during training but not at frequent intervals during a competition.

Sarah Ralston, VMD, PhD
Ralston@aesop.rutgers.edu

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