horse feed question
- Thread starter NuttyMare
- Start date
bran is low calcium but high phosporus, i don't use this but some people may do.
it should never make up more than 10% of the diet.
Calcium and phosphorus are the most abundant minerals in the body, making up 70% of the total mineral content. Calcium has several important functions in the body. Most people are familiar with calcium being necessary for strong, healthy bones. In fact, 99% of the calcium in the body is contained in the bones and teeth. A horse which is asked to perform athletically must have optimally strong bones to withstand the rigors of training and hard work, whether it be for racing or other performance. In addition to bone formation/strength, calcium is important for several vital metabolic functions in the body including:
Muscle contraction ("calcium pump")
Skeletal muscle for locomotion
Heart muscle to pump blood efficiently
Smooth muscle, such as within the gastrointestinal tract for normal "gut motility" and digestion
Nerve conduction
Other specific metabolic reactions (blood clotting, normal cell membrane function, glandular secretion, temperature regulation, regulating activity of many enzymes, and cellular activity)
The importance of calcium to the performance horse includes normal functioning of metabolism, the conduction of impulses along the nerves to muscle, the contraction of leg and body muscles for exercise, the contraction of the heart muscle for pumping blood, the contraction of the diaphragm for breathing, the functioning of the GI muscle for digestion. Calcium also plays a vital role in maintaining strong and healthy bones, cartilage and joints for peak performance without injury/breakdown
it should never make up more than 10% of the diet.
Calcium and phosphorus are the most abundant minerals in the body, making up 70% of the total mineral content. Calcium has several important functions in the body. Most people are familiar with calcium being necessary for strong, healthy bones. In fact, 99% of the calcium in the body is contained in the bones and teeth. A horse which is asked to perform athletically must have optimally strong bones to withstand the rigors of training and hard work, whether it be for racing or other performance. In addition to bone formation/strength, calcium is important for several vital metabolic functions in the body including:
Muscle contraction ("calcium pump")
Skeletal muscle for locomotion
Heart muscle to pump blood efficiently
Smooth muscle, such as within the gastrointestinal tract for normal "gut motility" and digestion
Nerve conduction
Other specific metabolic reactions (blood clotting, normal cell membrane function, glandular secretion, temperature regulation, regulating activity of many enzymes, and cellular activity)
The importance of calcium to the performance horse includes normal functioning of metabolism, the conduction of impulses along the nerves to muscle, the contraction of leg and body muscles for exercise, the contraction of the heart muscle for pumping blood, the contraction of the diaphragm for breathing, the functioning of the GI muscle for digestion. Calcium also plays a vital role in maintaining strong and healthy bones, cartilage and joints for peak performance without injury/breakdown
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