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Protein
By Jack Grogan
Proteins are in the class of essential nutrients for horses, and are comprised of both essential and non-essential amino acids. The quality of any given protein source is determined by the amount and balance of the 10 essential amino acids.
Protein is essential for life, health and growth. It is utilized to support lean mass; muscle, bone, joint, tendon, organ, hormone, enzyme, hoof and connective tissue health. Proteins aid in maintaining the structural tissues of the body and are also involved in metabolic stability by contributing to balance in the body's many enzymatic and hormonal functions.
Typically horses get their protein mainly from forage, but to a lesser extent, grain. Most grass hays run about 6 - 10% protein. Legume hays, such as alfalfa, can run as high as 12 - 14%.
Protein requirements can vary significantly depending on activity level, age, stress and workload. For a maintainence horse with no particular special-need, protein intakes of 7 - 10% are more than adequate. Excessive protein intake in a horse with no increased need can be stored as fat and increase the amount of stress the metabolism has to manage in its processing. This, in turn, can contribute to health issues in areas of genetic weakness. For that reason, hair mineral analysis and/or hay tests are suggested to examine each individual horse's needs.
If the need for a protein supplement is assessed, whey proteins are at the top of the list because of their protein quality. Very high levels and well-balanced essential amino acids occur naturally in whey protein. The branched-chain amino acids Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine support muscular integrity and contribute to blood-sugar control. Lysine supports immune function and is the most important amino acid in horses. Glutamine protects lean muscle mass, including connective tissue, and supports brain and nervous system health.
Other components of good quality Whey Protein support gut health and integrity, which is vital to balancing immune function and inflammation.
There are a number of biological situations that increase the protein requirement to achieve and maintain optimal health:
• Young grooming horses, sucklings, weanlings and yearlings all have an increased protein need to help in the development of their rapid lean mass growth, especially muscle and skeletal growth.
• Performance horses also have increased protein needs, though these increased needs can be relatively small, 1 - 2%. Increased protein in performance horses can support muscular activity, improve recovery, reduce muscle breakdown from training and events, and support the joints and connective tissue. Too much of a protein increase, however, can actually decrease performance by stressing the metabolism.
• Pregnant mares have a substantially increased need for protein, especially during the 9th - 11th month, because of the enormous demands on the body during that time and to support a healthy birth. The period of lactation also significantly increases the protein requirement, especially for the amino acids Lysine and Threonine.
• Broodmares given increased proteins 30 - 40 days before breeding have shown improvements in becoming pregnant and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
• Accidents, injuries, surgeries and substantial increases in physical, mental or emotional stress can also increase protein requirements for optimal recovery and adaptation.
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