The Horse Report
Natural therapies for performance horses By ANTOINETTE FOSTER
Dip Nut Equine Nutritional Therapist Advanced Diploma Nutritional Therapy and Genetics. Natural Therapy means the use of a group of five nutrients and substances with medicinal action, which are found in Nature. These five groups are vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids and organic herb extracts. These five groups are also found in animal feed, however in natural therapy these groups are often used in doses or concentrations much higher than that found in food. Note that feeds like lucerne and red clover are considered as herbs, and that while some herbs have useful medicinal action, other herbs can also be toxic in high doses. However, one of the major arguments for the advocacy of natural medicine for both animals and humans is the overall safety and low toxicity of natural substances. Supplements... Feed Nutrient Dosage vs. Therapeutic Dosage There has been much argument among doctors, vets, dietitians, nutritionists, trainers, etc. regarding the need for vitamin and mineral supplementation. Some argue that a nutrient dosage as found in a 'good' diet or in a standard 'racing feed regime' is enough because it meets the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) of vitamins and minerals needed for optimal nutrition and health. At the same time, it is generally accepted for example, that mineral electrolyte supplementation is necessary for horses during and after heavy exercise stress and sweating. Often horse owners and professionals are using supplements in an unsystematic way, without a clear understanding of their therapeutic uses.
and circumstance or the individual stress, disease, injury or genetic status. This is known as biochemical individuality and there is a huge number of instances and individuals where an increased dosage, ie. A therapeutic dosage, of a vitamin, mineral or amino acid is efficacious.
is the most poorly absorbed. Iron may be delivered as a specific inorganic salt; as an inorganic salt complex; as an organic salt; or as amino acid chelates. Wherever possible, it is better to choose those quality ingredients, which have been shown to be the best absorbed.
SOME EXAMPLES ARE: Genetic Malabsorption many horses have digestive absorption problems. These problems may be lifelong, during early growth only, or during certain kinds of stress. For example, malabsorption commonly occurs with iron, calcium, and vitamin B12. Often supplementation with a therapeutic dose will help the situation, but also vital is the form of the supplementation. 'Iron is not iron', 'Calcium is not calcium'. This means that how a nutrient is delivered to the equine’s gut is vital. It's not just what is ingested that's important, but how well it it is absorbed and utilized after absorption. For example, iron is difficult to absorb in any form. Often the cheapest available form
Temperament. Both humans and animals display individual temperaments that often predispose them to increased need for therapeutic nutrient dosages. Eg. individuals prone to anxiety, fear or muscle cramps. Such symptoms may be linked together and are often alleviated by therapeutic doses of nutrients such as vitamin B1, B3, B6, magnesium phosphate, amino acids such as glutamic acid and L. tryptophan, and certain nervine herbs. Stress,injury, and disease Many of the five groups of nutrients, which are vital for normal health, become even more essential for optimal recovery from stress and injury. Â continued page 17
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Individual Specific Requirement and Genetic Status/Stress/Injury/Disease Recommended Daily Allowances for horses do not consider the individual specific needs
Recommended Daily Allowances for horses do not consider the individual specific needs of the individual horse.
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