Question:

How do I determine the percent protein in my horse’s total diet? It is so confusing.

Answer:

You are not the only one who is confused by this! Let’s see if we can make it easier for you to understand how to determine the percentage of protein in your horse’s total diet. You have to do some math, but it isn’t too hard.

I will use my horse’s diet as an example.

My gelding is fed 20 lb of grass/alfalfa hay. When I had the hay tested, the crude protein came back at 12%.

He eats 4 lbs a day of a commercial feed that contains 10% protein.

Here is how you work the numbers:

First I determine how much total feed my guy is eating. That is pretty easy: 20 lbs of hay + 4 lbs of grain = 24 lbs in the total diet.

Then I determine how many pounds of protein each part of the diet is contributing. I do this by multiplying the total pounds of the particular feed by its percent protein.

The hay portion of the diet consists of 20 lbs of hay that is 12% protein.

20 lbs of hay at 12% protein equals 2.4 lbs of protein per day.

How did I get that number? When doing the math you have two options:

1) You can use this formula: 20 pounds times 12 divided by 100

2) Or you can move the decimal of the percent over to the left two places and simplify the formula to 20 pounds times .12.

Use whichever formula is easier for you to keep straight.

The concentrate portion of the diet contributes 4 lbs at 10% protein.

4 lbs of grain at 10% protein equals .4 lbs of protein.

(The math: 4 lbs x 10 ÷ 100 = 0.4 or 4 lbs x .10 = 0.4)

Add the two numbers together to get the total amount of protein your horse is consuming per day: 2.4 lbs (from hay) + .4 lbs (from grain) = 2.8 total lbs per day.

Next I figure out what percentage of the total diet is protein. To do that I divide the total pounds of protein provided by the total pounds in the diet.

2.8 lbs of protein divided by 24 lbs of total diet = .1166

To convert .1166 into a percent I have to multiply by 100 and I get 11.66%

My horse’s diet provides him 11.66% protein.

If I decide to add a supplement or any other ingredient to the diet, I can use the same calculations to figure out how much protein it is adding to the diet, if any.

For example, suppose I decide to add a vitamin and mineral supplement that is 24% protein. Sounds like a lot of protein, right? Let’s see how it affects the total protein in the diet.

The directions recommend I feed 4 oz per day. That is equivalent to .25 lbs (16 oz in a pound).

.25 lbs of supplement times 24% protein divided by 100 = .058 lbs of protein per day provided by the supplement.

Remember to update your totals:

New amount of feed in the total diet is 24.25 lbs. New amount of protein in the diet is 2.858 lbs.

2.858 lbs protein ÷ 24.25 lbs of total feed = 11.78

Now the percent of total protein in the diet is 11.78%.

Article written by KPP staff.

Copyright (C) 2013 Kentucky Performance Products, LLC.   All rights reserved.

Article sponsored by Ker-A-Form; a blend of vitamins, minerals, and fats that nourishes skin, hair coat, and hooves.

When health issues arise, always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian who can help you choose the correct course of action for your horse. Supplements are intended to maintain healthy systems and support recovery and healing. They are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury.

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

Since 1998, Kentucky Performance Products has simplified a horse owner’s search for research-proven nutritional horse supplements that meet the challenges facing modern horses. KPP horse supplements target specific nutritional needs and are formulated to complement today’s feeds, thus safeguarding against over-supplementation. Each product is scientifically formulated and made with high-quality ingredients at certified manufacturing facilities. Kentucky Performance Products is proud to offer a quality assurance promise backed by a money-back guarantee. Kentucky Performance Products brings you horse supplements you can count on because the horse that matters to you, matters to us.

Article written by KPP staff.

Copyright (C) 2013 Kentucky Performance Products, LLC.   All rights reserved.

Article sponsored by Joint Armor; complete joint supplement at a very affordable price.

When health issues arise, always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian who can help you choose the correct course of action for your horse. Supplements are intended to maintain healthy systems and support recovery and healing. They are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury.

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

Since 1998, Kentucky Performance Products has simplified a horse owner’s search for research-proven nutritional horse supplements that meet the challenges facing modern horses. KPP horse supplements target specific nutritional needs and are formulated to complement today’s feeds, thus safeguarding against over-supplementation. Each product is scientifically formulated and made with high-quality ingredients at certified manufacturing facilities. Kentucky Performance Products is proud to offer a quality assurance promise backed by a money-back guarantee. Kentucky Performance Products brings you horse supplements you can count on because the horse that matters to you, matters to us.

Hoosier and I went to our first CIC** at Poplar Place Farm at the end of March. I was very excited and felt more than prepared. That being said, that weekend had its ups and downs. The first down was dressage. Hoosier was fantastic in the warm-up, but when we got in the ring he sucked up and would not go forward. We did not put in the best dressage test I know we could have. Yes, Hoosier does have ornery moments despite how good he is most of the time. Missy described it best by saying “You both have worked very hard on your dressage, and it’s getting better, but today he just didn’t rise to the occasion.”

Our next phase was stadium. It was phenomenal. It was our first double clear round at this level, and let me tell you…that was a good feeling! All of Missy’s hard work on fixing my body and getting Hoosier to jump straight so he can use all of his power and scope paid off.

The last day of course was cross-country, which some might say was the downfall of my weekend, but I won’t write it off as a bad round because to me it wasn’t. We started out great! He was feeling strong and powerful and made nothing of our first real sunken road. He really jumped everything well until we came to the third to last fence, which was a combination to a skinny. I came in underpowered and he went right and I went left at the skinny. It was all my fault and I knew it was, even before I hit the ground. It wasn’t a bad fall by any means, just a silly rider error that caused a minor fall. I thank God that it wasn’t a major mistake that could have gotten one of us hurt.

I did leave Poplar disappointed in myself, but not at all in my horse. I left feeling I am more ready for this level. Missy told me to go ahead and sign up for Fair Hill’s CIC**. I went back up to Pennsylvania and trained with Missy two weeks before the big show so she could put me together.

Our Fair Hill dressage was much better; we shaved almost 10 points off my Poplar score. I struggled with stadium, but Hoosier tried really hard even though we pulled two rails. They were both my fault. I had a hard time getting my rhythm together, going from such a small warm-up area to a bigger jump arena. These are still things I’m learning as a rider.

Last but not least was cross-country. It was amazing! Hoosier got a little stuck at the water. It was a bounce in, to a sizeable jump in the water on a bending line, 4 strides to a maxed-out table. I think the bounce in surprised him a bit. He jumped in powerfully and then I think he thought there was going to be another stride before the drop. He didn’t drop in as powerfully as I would have liked him to. Again, this is something I will keep in mind for next time. I need to keep after him to stay light and powerful. Overall, I was glowing. I had finished my first CIC**.

So where do I go from here? Well, unfortunately Hoosier is going to have his tie-back surgery. I know we can’t go any higher until I have it done. He has too big of a heart to ask any more of him until the surgery is done. I’m a very nervous mother about this and really hope and pray that this is the best thing for him and that he comes out of it a new and improved eventing machine! I will keep you posted on when he has the surgery, hopefully it will be in the next month.

Meanwhile, Zeke is back in work now that I’m home, and the plan for now is Novice at MayDaze. We realized that one year ago, during Rolex weekend, Zeke jumped his first fence.

Until next time, safe rides!

Megan

There is a lot to catch up on in this blog! First, the Youth Rodeo Challenge Series season in Ohio has ended. I am very excited to report I won 3 Year-End champion belt buckles and 2 halters for being the winner of 2 events at the Finals! The buckles are for Dummy Roping (7-9 years), Drag Dummy Roping (7-9) & Drag Dummy Roping (10-12). My favorite buckle is for winning the Drag Dummy Roping in the 10-12 year old division, because I competed against kids older than me and because I had practiced a lot and improved enough to win against the older kids.

Last weekend I had a Kentucky Junior Rodeo Association rodeo in Murray, KY. I actually worked on some homework in the truck on the way there because I was missing school on Friday. But then, I lost my homework somewhere in the truck. My teacher was a little bit mad about that, so we are going to have to find it or I’ll have to redo it, bother it! My Grandma sewed Kentucky Performance Products patches onto my rodeo shirts because they are big sponsors of KJRA!

On Saturday I was 2nd in Dummy Roping (grades 3-5) and 3rd in Goat Tying (grades 3-5). I asked my dad what I did wrong in the Dummy Roping and he helped me figure it out. I was happy with my Goat Tying run. Yogi listened to me and kept loping all the way to the goat and my get-off, flank and tie went pretty good. My time was 24.091 and my hat even stayed on my head! I’m glad I spent a lot of time practicing with my friends.

On Sunday I won the Dummy Roping. And I’m thankful that my dad kept working with me on roping the dummy. Sometimes I can be a little difficult My Goat Tying run didn’t work out too well. The goat was fresh and kicked and strained and ran around in circles and I didn’t get him tied. That’s what I call a bad draw!

My friends Josh, Addey, Tyler, Lucas and Sam all had a good weekend too and we all had fun rodeoing and running around together. I drank Gatorade and ate funnel cakes too. Mom says I spend too much money at the concession stand.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Speaking of goats I finally named my fainting goat…………GARY.

See ya

From Gary, Yogi & Caden.

When is the right time?

Assessing your horse’s physical and mental status isn’t always easy. Horses tend to decline over a period of time; they have bad days and good days. Look for trends in health and behavior, as they will tell you more about your horse’s status then one bad day. Your veterinarian, farrier and trusted trainer are valuable partners in this process. Since they don’t see your horse every day, they will be more likely to notice changes in attitude, gait, weight, and energy levels. The decision may be easy if a horse becomes acutely ill or lame; otherwise, utilize the diagnostic tools available to you to assess the severity of problems as they arise. Consider test results and professional feedback when making decisions, but most of all listen to your horse. Retirement is a period of continual adjustment for both of you.

Signs that it is time to slow down.

Your horse starts aging the day he or she is born. All through life she adapts to the changes in her body and keeps working for you. But at some point the process begins to take a toll physically and mentally, and that is when it is time to make some changes. If you don’t listen to your horse and begin to reduce her workload, it can accelerate the aging process and contribute to serious illness or injury. When accessing your older partner, be on the lookout for signs:

• Attitude changes (depressed, sour, anxious)
• Dry coat or a change in shedding patterns
• Digestive changes: dry or wet manure, recurring mild colic episodes, change in appetite
• Increased number of “off days”
• Less stamina during work or more soreness after exercise sessions
• Loss of athletic ability and flexibility
• Mild, intermittent lameness or shortening of stride
• Poor behavior when ridden: bucking, rearing, kicking out, head tossing, resistant
• Stiffness and soreness that remains even after being warmed up
• Stumbling on smooth footing
• Swayback or other conformation changes
• Swaying or moving as you mount (a sign of weakness or balance problems)
• Shortness of breath, chronic cough or noisy breathing
• Vision impairments: seems more spooky, does not adjust well to changes in light intensity
• Unwillingness to do certain activities he used to be comfortable with
• Weight loss or loss of muscle mass

Adjusting to retirement

A complete shutdown of activity is bad for a horse. Many an older horse is miserable going from an active lifestyle to standing by the pasture gate all day. Inactivity can exacerbate some problems, such as arthritis or metabolic disease. Older horses left turned out in a pasture to fend for themselves rarely do well.

Depending on your horse’s status, his retirement may consist of nothing more than a shorter show schedule or less-strenuous trail rides. Perhaps you change his job. Many older horses have “been around” and make wonderful mounts for beginner riders. Dropping down a few competitive levels may be just what the veterinarian ordered. The key is to monitor your retiree carefully; don’t underestimate how much a horse may miss his old life and old friends.

Check on your horse daily

Is he happy and willing? Is he able to physically handle his current workload? It is helpful to keep a daily journal and look for patterns of change instead of overreacting to a bad day. As aging continues you can make adjustments as needed. When riding is no longer an option there are other ways you can interact with your horse: hand walking on trails, hand grazing, being ponied off another horse while you go for a walk around the fields, long grooming sessions or a bath. Just hanging out together. An old friend can always be enjoyed.

Lots of TLC

It is imperative to interact with your horse every day, even if you aren’t riding him or her as often. A daily grooming session is the perfect time to check your horse over and evaluate his condition and attitude. Make feed and forage changes slowly. Don’t abruptly take an older horse off supplements they have been getting for long period of time. When problems arise, get your retiree checked out immediately; don’t just attribute the issue to “old age” and leave it to get worse. Continue to provide routine veterinary, farrier and dental care. Most of all, cherish the time you have to spend together.

Article written by KPP staff.

Copyright (C) 2013 Kentucky Performance Products, LLC.   All rights reserved.

Article sponsored by Contribute; supports optimal omega-3 fatty acid balance.

When health issues arise, always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian who can help you choose the correct course of action for your horse. Supplements are intended to maintain healthy systems and support recovery and healing. They are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury.

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

Since 1998, Kentucky Performance Products has simplified a horse owner’s search for research-proven nutritional horse supplements that meet the challenges facing modern horses. KPP horse supplements target specific nutritional needs and are formulated to complement today’s feeds, thus safeguarding against over-supplementation. Each product is scientifically formulated and made with high-quality ingredients at certified manufacturing facilities. Kentucky Performance Products is proud to offer a quality assurance promise backed by a money-back guarantee. Kentucky Performance Products brings you horse supplements you can count on because the horse that matters to you, matters to us.

Laminitis occurs when the tissues that connect the coffin bone to the hoof wall, called the laminae, become inflamed and the blood supply is compromised. The sensitive and insensitive laminae separate, damaging the structural integrity of the hoof. There are multiple causative factors that result in laminitis. They range from mechanical stress to digestive dysfunction. Laminitis varies in severity depending on the amount of damage inflicted on the laminae. Mild cases usually result in very little permanent damage to the laminae, while the more severe cases can result in founder, or the sinking of the coffin bone.

Exactly how changes in the digestive tract cause a restriction in blood supply and inflammation of the laminae in the hoof remains unknown, but researchers are actively looking for answers. What we do know is that through smart management you can reduce the risk of laminitis in your horse.

Nutritional factors that can lead to laminitis:

• Consuming too much lush green grass
• Grazing on stressed pastures
• Weight gain and obesity

Use feeding strategies to reduce the risk of laminitis:

1) Limit access to lush pasture in at-risk horses, especially in the spring and fall.

Healthy horses have little problem adjusting to the changing fructan (a type of sugar) levels that occur in pasture grass, especially in the spring and fall of the year. The individuals most at risk for developing laminitis from overgrazing on fructan-rich grass are cresty-necked easy keepers.

Grazing strategies that limit access to dangerous fructan levels:

• Limit grazing or stop it completely when daytime temperatures are warm and nights are below 40° F (spring and fall).
• When days are sunny and nights are warm, limit grazing to the early morning.
• Grazing in the late afternoon or evening on a warm sunny day is risky.

Additional reading: “The Trouble with Fructans”

2) Manage your pasture properly.

When pastures are stressed grasses and weeds tend to accumulate more sugar in their leaves. In drought or overgrazing conditions, what little grass is left in your pasture may likely contain higher than normal levels of fructans. This increases the risk of laminitis in sensitive horses.

Most common weeds are more drought-resistant than grass, so they remain in the pasture when the grass is gone. The higher sugar levels make these weeds more palatable to bored and hungry horses looking for something to chew on. Stressed weeds can also contain higher than normal levels of toxins, making them more dangerous when consumed.

Grass and weeds that are rebounding after a drought can be dangerous for the same reasons, which is why many veterinarians report an increase in colic and laminitis cases when rain follows a period of drought.

When your pastures are stressed, use these feeding strategies to reduce the risk of laminitis:

• Continue mowing to keep the weeds under control
• Don’t overgraze your pasture, especially during a drought
• Fertilize with care to reduce nitrate poisoning
• Give your pasture a chance to recover after the drought is over
• Supplement your pasture with hay and a balanced vitamin and mineral pellet

When pastures are healthy and growing:

• Clip your pasture between four and eight inches in height.
• Don’t allow pastures to become overgrazed, since stress can increase fructan levels in grasses.
• Rest each pasture every two months.
• If climate allows, consider seeding with warm-season grasses that are lower in fructan, such as Bermuda grass, bluestem, or switchgrass.

3) Don’t allow horses to become overweight, but don’t starve them!

Generally when a horse becomes overweight it is because the owner is overfeeding calories, more than likely in the form of concentrates. Overweight horses are at risk for multiple metabolic diseases and digestive disorders. Maintaining a healthy weight is extremely important to your horse’s well-being.

Many owners have been told that they must starve their easy keeper, but nothing could be further from the truth. Starving your easy keeper only serves to slow his metabolism more. Extended fasting can lead to a dire ailment known as fatty liver disease. It is important that your easy keeper receives adequate nutrition even when they are relegated to the dry lot or living in a grazing muzzle. Forage (hay or limited good-quality pasture) will meet an easy keeper’s energy requirements and a concentrated vitamin/mineral supplement should be offered to meet his body’s nutrient requirements.

Horses that tend to be on the “heavier” side are at greater risk for laminitis caused by hindgut imbalances. Keeping the GI tract balanced by offering a complete digestive support supplement lowers the risk of both laminitis and colic, while ensuring that all the nutrients in the diet are effectively absorbed.

The following feeding strategies will help reduce laminitis in easy keepers:

• Cut out completely or feed limited amounts of concentrates (sweet feed or pellets) that are high in starch/sugar.
• Provide at least 1.5% to 2% of your horse’s body weight in fiber each day (15 to 20 lbs for a 1,000 lb horse).
• If weight gain is an ongoing problem, feed a low-quality, clean grass hay.
• Add alternate fiber sources such as beet pulp and soybean hulls to support gut health and replace starch- and sugar-laden concentrates.
• Provide a balanced vitamin and mineral supplement to fill in nutritional gaps.
• Support a balanced digestive tract by providing a complete digestive supplement with probiotics and prebiotics.
• Supplement with natural vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids if grazing on green grass is limited.

Keep in mind that exercise can do wonders for these horses. A little bit of exercise in an easy keeper can go a long way to increasing his metabolic rate.

Article written by KPP staff.

Copyright (C) 2013 Kentucky Performance Products, LLC.   All rights reserved.

Article sponsored by Micro-Phase, which provides essential vitamins and trace minerals missing from forages and unfortified diets in an easy-to-digest form.

When health issues arise, always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian who can help you choose the correct course of action for your horse. Supplements are intended to maintain healthy systems and support recovery and healing. They are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury.

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

Since 1998, Kentucky Performance Products has simplified a horse owner’s search for research-proven nutritional horse supplements that meet the challenges facing modern horses. KPP horse supplements target specific nutritional needs and are formulated to complement today’s feeds, thus safeguarding against over-supplementation. Each product is scientifically formulated and made with high-quality ingredients at certified manufacturing facilities. Kentucky Performance Products is proud to offer a quality assurance promise backed by a money-back guarantee. Kentucky Performance Products brings you horse supplements you can count on because the horse that matters to you, matters to us.