McKenzie, E.C., Valberg, S.J., and J.D. Pagan. 2003. Nutritional management of exertional rhabdomyolysis. In: Current Therapy in Equine Medicine. Edited by N.E. Robinson, Saunders. St. Louis, MO. Access the text.

he metabolic responses to low and high intensity exercise were compared in 5
Arabian (AR) and 5 Thoroughbred (Tb) horses. The higher aerobic and anaerobic capacity of the Tb horses likely contributed to their superior high intensity exercise performance. Conversely, the AR may be better adapted for
endurance exercise as evidenced by the greater use of fat. These metabolic differences may reflect breed variation in muscle fiber types.

To determine whether plasma, urine, and fecal electrolyte and mineral concentrations differ between clinically normal horses and Thoroughbreds with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) after consumption of diets varying in cation-anion balance.

This study was designed to determine the effects of fat adaptation on carbohydrate and fat oxidation in conditioned horses during low-intensity exercise.

Hinchcliff, K.W., Geor, R.J. and J.D. Pagan. 2002. Proceedings of 6th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology, Lexington, Kentucky. Equine Veterinary Journal, Suffolk, UK. Proceedings from ICEEP symposiums serve as definitive reference tools for equine exercice physiology researchers worldwide. Each paper in the proceedings undergoes careful screening and editorial review prior to publication to ensure […]

One of the most frequently asked questions regarding feeding the performance horse is when to feed before a competition. Several studies have evaluated how feeding grain before exercise affects plasma concentrations of nutrients.
and hormones and substrate utilization during exercise. A series of
experiments was conducted to first evaluate how feeding forage along with grain
influences plasma variables and water intake and then to determine whether these
changes affect exercise performance.

Every equine practitioner appreciates the delicate nature of the equine gut. Problems related to the
small intestine and large intestine are well understood and routinely treated. What may be surprising to many is how often the stomach is affected.

Minerals required in minute amounts by horses are specified as microminerals. These nutrients play an important role in a wide range of biochemical systems which affect virtually every metabolic function in the horse. With the exception of selenium, little attention has been given to microminerals in horse nutrition until shortly before the publication of the current NRC Nutrient Requirements of Horses in 1989.

Little is known about voluntary salt intake in horses. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to
measure the voluntary intake of loose versus block salt over time and evaluate how salt intake affects water consumption.

Mineral requirements for horses are usually calculated using information about
the horse’s body weight, age, weight gain, physiological status (pregnancy, lactation,
etc.) and level of activity.This paper will review some of the most important factors affecting the
digestibility of minerals in horses and will use data from a series of digestion trials
conducted by Kentucky Equine Research to illustrate how relevant nutrient interactions
are in typical horse rations.