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Balanced equine protein levels and proper absorption is essential for life, health and growth. Protein 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 equine body and are also involved in metabolic stability by contributing to balance in the body's many enzymatic and hormonal functions.
Jack Grogan, CN, Senior Nutritionist for Uckele Health & Nutrition, has analyzed the metabolic trends and patterns in horses for 20 years. He explains, "We have analyzed several thousand equine through hair mineral analysis, and done many thousands of hay tests. 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."
Grogan continues, "Typically horses get their protein mainly from forage, but to a lesser extent, grain. Most grass hays run about 6 - 12% protein. Legume hays, such as alfalfa, can run as high as 20%. Depending on the individual horse and what it consumes, a protein supplement is often recommended."
If a protein supplement is used, whey proteins are at the top of Grogan's 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.
Hair mineral analysis and/or hay tests are suggested because, as Grogan cautions, "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 processing it. This, in turn, can contribute to health issues in areas of genetic weakness."
Additional Facts:
There are a number of biological situations that increase the protein requirement to achieve and maintain optimal health:
• Young growing 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 protein 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.
Jack Grogan, CN, Senior Nutritionist and VP of Research and Development for Uckele Health & Nutrition, has studied extensively in the fields of biology, biochemistry and nutrition, is an expert in tissue mineral balancing, and has experienced great success in balancing equine mineral chemistry to strengthen the basic metabolism and improve efficiency in horses. Jack is a consultant to numerous physicians, veterinarians, chiropractors, trainers, naturopaths and nutritionists.
Uckele Health & Nutrition is a Michigan-based, family owned business that has built a reputation over four decades formulating and manufacturing nutritional products, also providing private labeling and contract manufacturing for many other companies worldwide. www.Uckele.com
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