Spurwing Solutions
Heart and Blood The heart enlarges in mass up to 17% in the first two months of training, therefore increasing the demand for amino acids and minerals. During competition conditions, the heart rate increases up to six times the normal, the blood thickens and the resistance in the muscles and lungs increases requiring red blood cell flexibility and strength so as to ensure an adequate oxygen supply.
Spurwing solution? Well balanced amino acid levels combined with the correct balance of vitamins and minerals as well as naturally occurring Omega-3 oils found in the homegrown Soya assist in blood cell flexibility and oxygen delivery.
The Lungs With an increase in speed and lengthening stride, oxygen supply needs to be increased. With a full gut, movement of the diaphragm is restricted thereby reducing the available lung volume. Dust, allergies, ammonia, fungal spores and bacteria can cause structural closing of the lungs during galloping, thereby reducing lung volume even further.
Spurwing solution? Extrusion of Maize and Soya increases the nutrient density thereby reducing the absolute weight of the feed required. This reduces gut fill so as to allow greater movement of the diaphragm. These processing systems also help reduce dust, moisture, and fungal spores allowing for an improved air quality. At Spurwing we add a mycotoxin adsorber and a mould inhibitor to prevent contamination with any moulds. This helps prevent fungal spores entering the lungs and thereby reduces respiratory problems in the sporting horse.
Hooves At full gallop the hooves take tremendous strain from the force imposed and any structural weakness caused by nutritional inadequacies can have a severe impact. Approximately 50% of sport performance horses have sub-clinical laminitis which, when working, the pain and discomfort may prevent full acceleration and reduce speed. High raw grain diets have been linked to reduced hoof strength where blood and muscle acid levels increase.
Spurwing solution? The extrusion process shifts grain digestion from the hindgut to the small intestine thereby avoiding acid production from fermenting raw grains in the caecum. It is that acidity which leads to Laminitis, as well as Colic and Azoturia.
Maximum bone strength is not achieved until approximately six years of age, so there is enormous risk for developing skeletal injuries prior to that age. Poor nutrition management can affect bone density and ultimately the horse’s performance. Diets too high in raw grains reduce body calcium, phosphorous and magnesium levels and long term exposure to such diets can lead to bone demineralisation and skeletal weakening.
Spurwing solution? Vitamins and minerals have been balanced and supplied at optimum levels by a leading premix company to ensure correct bone growth and development. Special attention has been placed on the calcium and phosphorous inclusion levels to provide your horse with the correct amounts in a well-balanced calcium:phosphorous ratio. Our top quality A-grade Lucerne from the Cape supplies an excellent natural source of available calcium.
Muscle Performance of a horse is influenced by lean muscle mass, muscle recovery and “tying up”.
Spurwing solution? The amount of protein, site of digestion and the essential amino acid profile are very important to the ultimate performance of a horse. Horses can only produce 10 of the 22 amino acids required, therefore the remaining 12 must be provided by the feed. If one of these 22 is missing or deficient the remaining cannot be used and are therefore converted to fat. Spurwing provides a well-balanced amino acid profile of the highest quality in all its rations.
Rapid muscular recovery is necessary for optimum muscle response to schooling. By feeding the correct balance of carbohydrates, amino acids and anti-oxidants such as Vitamin E, it will ensure that the horse shows efficient muscle repair and recovery.
Reducing the amount of raw grains included in the diet can reduce the amount of acid in the blood and thereby reduce the incidence of tying-up. The Full Fat Soya used in all Spurwing rations is high in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids which have anti inflammatory properties as well as the benefit of increased energy and reduced heat and acid production.
The weight handicap The “hidden handicapper” of gut fill can be limiting to performance, but fortunately is controllable.
Spurwing solution? Spurwing rations are oil enriched, nutrient dense and highly digestible, which can reduce the weight handicap in two ways. Extruded grains increase the digestibility, so less weight of feed is required and gut fill is thereby reduced. By including Omega-3 oils in the form of Soya in the diet, the weight of the feed needed to meet the energy demands is reduced even further
(1 cup of oil has as much energy as 6 cups of oats and 3 cups of maize).
Fatigue As the body temperature of the horse increases, blood is diverted away from working muscles to the skin for cooling. This reduction in blood flow to the muscles limits the work capacity and results in muscular fatigue therefore increasing the horse’s reliance on ligaments, joints and tendons.
Spurwing solution? Omega-3 oils in Spurwing rations help delay the onset of fatigue and thereby allow performance to be maintained for longer. This ‘cool’ energy provided by the oils and extrusion process, reduces heat production therefore reducing the need to sweat. All Spurwing rations contain brewer’s yeast, which is not only a highly digestible protein-rich concentrate but also a valuable source of B-vitamins, which are vital in maintaining a healthy appetite and preventing anaemia thereby keeping fatigue at bay
Sweat Did you know that a horse’s sweat is 10 times more concentrated than human sweat and that a human’s sweat rate is only 2 – 3 litres per hour, where a horse’s sweat rate can be 10 – 15 litres per hour! Sweating helps the horse dissipate heat when the body temperature rises but heavily sweating horses experience large electrolyte losses as well as large fluid losses. Electrolytes are responsible for the maintenance of the acid-base balance in the body as well as nerve and muscle function. They are also essential for the formation of new body tissues, enzyme function, energy transfer, digestion and healing ability. If the horse is to experience a large loss of electrolytes it can result in neuromuscular and systemic disturbances including tying up, muscle cramps, systemic alkalosis and synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (thumps). Most cell activities require electrolytes: they are the power source for your horse’s cells. Electrolyte concentrations in the horse’s blood may play a role in the horse’s thirst response. When horses sweat heavily they lose a lot of Sodium, which may cause their thirst response to be depressed, and they will not be able to remain adequately hydrated.
Spurwing solution? Spurwing Electrolyte Mix contains all the necessary minerals needed to replace that which is lost during strenuous exercise. Sodium is necessary to balance the body water and maintain blood pressure. Potassium helps balance the fluids inside the cells and is vital for optimal muscle and kidney function. Chloride helps maintain the balance between the acids and bases. Magnesium is a very important co-factor for over 300 enzymes in the horse’s body as without magnesium they cannot function. All of these are found in Spurwing’s Electrolyte Mix; an indispensable addition to your sporting horse’s lifestyle when in work.
