Re: RC: Re: one of your type discussions on ridecamp now

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/15/99 8:38:01 PM Pacific Standard Time, Tivers writes:

<< And we also go overboard trying to prove that they're unique in the 
mammalian world.   >>

Each species is unique in the mammalian world.  There are certainly 
commonalities, but horses and cows don't work the same, either.

 
<< The horse functions much like any other mammal, especially when it comes 
to athletic energetics. Keeping the gut moving in the horse is axiomatic, but 
not critical mass in terms of energy metabolism. I'm not talking about 
feeding sugar as the primary diet, just as a supplement during competition. 
Do you really think that this compromises gut motility? FFA/VFA production? 
All it compromises is the body's preference for fuel type during exercise.>>

I think you are more correct in how the horse USES the energy than in how he 
gets it from the gut in the first place. 

Actually, if you reread my post, I didn't say ANYTHING about the carbs 
compromising the gut.  I was just trying to keep some focus on the fact that 
the gut HAS to work to keep the horse healthy, and that the horse WILL create 
a great deal of energy if that gut is maintained full of good quality 
roughage.  What I'm trying to stay away from here is the impression that 
somehow we can rocket fuel our horses, and that what they eat normally is, in 
your own word, "sludge."  That "sludge" as you choose to call it is an 
important part of the picture in the equine athlete, and the impression that 
we are going to do it all with carbs just isn't so.  Furthermore, to cause 
the body to "prefer" carbs to the VFA's DOES set one up for the 
hills-and-valleys of energy availability.  As you said yourself about 
carbs--"timing is everything."  Hence, since the exercise is ongoing, one 
needs to maintain the steady state VFA production, EVEN if one supplements 
with carbs, and one must supplement with carbs in such a way that they are 
truly a supplement and not a shut-down of that steady production of energy 
going on from the hindgut.

Heidi 
 


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