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NUTRITION
What we learned from the Equine Science Society While the wheels turn slowly in the world of equine nutrition research, the annual or biannual nutrition conferences usually present some interesting work that either stimulates some new thoughts, or helps refute some previously held beliefs. The Equine Science Society holds an annual conference in the U.S. which is a good sounding board for much that is new in the world of equine nutrition. This article has handpicked those presentations of interest and relevance to racehorse trainers and their associates as discussed on May 30-31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. WORDS: CATHERINE DUNNETT BSc, PhD, R.Nutr
Traditional sources of calcium may suffice The traditional source of calcium in a racehorse ration is usually either from a natural source such as alfalfa and/or from minerals added to fortified feeds in the form of calcium carbonate (limestone), or occasionally calcium gluconate. Calcium is of great relevance to horses in training due to its impact on bone strength
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and density and also its intimate involvement in muscle function. Any ingredients therefore that offer a potential improvement in the availability of calcium may be of interest. Researchers from Texas A&M (Douglas-Fuller et al 2011) presented work on the effectiveness of an organic or chelated source of calcium and/or magnesium in the diet upon
parameters of bone density. Chelated mineral ingredients typically present the mineral, in this case calcium or magnesium, attached to an amino acid or protein fragment. Despite 120 days of supplementation in this study, bone density measurements did not indicate any remarkable effect of calcium or magnesium proteinates.