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Managing Carbohydrates for Performance Horses

Learn about carbohydrate sources, metabolism, fiber measurements, and optimizing glucose metabolism for peak horse performance.

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Managing Carbohydrates for Performance Horses

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  1. Managing Carbohydrates for Performance Horses Bill Vandergrift, PhD EquiVision, Inc. EV Farm, LLC

  2. Outline • Understand the basic carbohydrate groups • What their primary sources are • What they are converted to in the horse’s body • What their primary function is in terms of fueling stamina, power or both • Understand how to feed different carbohydrate sources to achieve peak performance • Understand how other dietary components affect carbohydrate metabolism

  3. Evaluating Dietary Response • Adequate Stamina • Temperament • Ability to focus on task at hand • Soundness • Hoof and hair coat quality • Body condition

  4. “Carb” Classification • Structural Carbohydrates: • Fibers • Non-Structural Carbohydrates: • Starches, Sugars, Fructans

  5. Fiber Classification • Structural fiber: • Cellulose (glucose polymer) • Hemicellulose (xylans and mannose) • Lignin (insoluble) • (Major source – forage) • Soluble fiber: • Pectin (beet pulp) • Pentosans (soy hulls)

  6. Fiber Measurements • Crude Fiber (feed tag) • Most of cellulose but only part of lignin • Since grain is low in lignin can and is still used on grain feed tags • Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) • Hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin • Higher NDF = lower intake • Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) • Cellulose and lignin • Higher ADF = lower digestibility

  7. Fiber Measurements • Acid Insoluble Lignin (AIL), Acid Digestible Lignin (ADL) or just plain Lignin • Lignin • Higher lignin = lower intake and lower digestibility • NDF – ADF = Hemicellulose • ADF – Lignin = Cellulose • Lignin = Lignin

  8. Non-Fiber Carbohydrate Measurements • Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) • Sugar, some starch, fructan • Ethanol Soluble Carbohydrates (ESC) • Sugars, some starch • Non-Fiber Carbohydrates (NFC) • Sugar, starch, pectin, fermentable acids • Calculated: = 100% - (CP% + NDF% + Fat% + Ash%)

  9. Non-Fiber Carbohydrate Measurements • WSC + Starch = Non-Structural Carbohydrate (NSC) • WSC – ESC = Fructan • High fructan = bad for laminitic horses • High ESC = high sugar • high glycemic response • Bad for insulin resistance

  10. Hoffman et al, 2001

  11. Fermentation vs Digestion • Sugars and starches are digested in small intestine • Increases blood glucose • Fiber and pectins are fermented in large intestine • Converted into fatty acids

  12. Stamina vs Power • All equine performance activities require some stamina and some power (aerobic vs anaerobic) • Some require proportionately more stamina (endurance) • Some require proportionately more power (jumping) • Some require equal amounts of both (eventing)

  13. Maximum Performance In most cases, it is not the fastest or strongest horse that wins – It is the horse that tires out the least! Maximum Performance = Maximum Stamina

  14. Right Fuel for the Job • Burn fat for stamina • Fatty acids from fiber fermentation • fat from feed • Burn glucose for power • Starches and sugars from small intestine digestion of non-structural carbohydrates

  15. Optimize Glucose Metabolism to Maximize Performance • Ensure glucose is available at cellular level when it is needed • Dietary sources • Some grain is often required • Complimentary dietary ingredients • Glucose sparing effect of fat • Dietary fat and fermented fiber • Proper Conditioning • “Turn On” the enzymes!

  16. Feeding Guidelines to Maximize Glucose Metabolism • Feed at least 1.0 – 1.5% or more of horse’s body weight in forage per day • Feed smallest amount of grain needed for desired body condition and temperament • High quality forage, fermentable fiber, added fat help reduce amount of grain needed • If less than 6 pounds per day you will need supplemental minerals and vitamins!

  17. Feeding Guidelines to Maximize Glucose Metabolism • Do not feed more than 5 pounds of grain at a time • Optimizes enzymatic digestion of starch • Do not feed more grain than forage • Prevents digestive acidosis

  18. Feeding Guidelines to Maximize Glucose Metabolism • Do not work hard between 1 and 4 hours after grain feeding • Facilitates normalization of blood glucose and metabolic hormone levels • Prevents “running out of gas on a full tank”

  19. Troubleshoot • Too Hyper, Too Dull • Evaluate grain intake level • Evaluate mineral and vitamin intakes • Evaluate digestive health (ulcers, acidosis?)

  20. Troubleshoot • No Stamina • Feeding enough forage, grain and/or fat? • Evaluate electrolyte intake • Evaluate mineral intake • Evaluate actual condition level • Heart rate monitor (V200) • Evaluate physical limitations

  21. Summary • Understand the basic carbohydrate groups • What their primary sources are • What they are converted to in the horse’s body • What their primary function is in terms of fueling stamina, power or both • Understand how to feed different carbohydrate sources to achieve peak performance • Understand how other dietary components affect carbohydrate metabolism

  22. Thank you andGod Bless!

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