for the HORSE
The calculations for the amount of energy
in your horse’s diet (and yours) is based on
a platinum-iridium bar made in 1885.
54 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com EQUINE Health
EE
Calories
T hat bar weighs
exactly one kilogram
(1,000 grams or about
2.2 pounds). It is kept at the International Bureau of
Weights and Measures near Paris, France. Copies of the
bar are kept at various governmental weights and measures
agencies around the world.
What does that bar have to do with energy in a diet? It is
the international standard for the metric system. The metric
system is used in nutrition calculations.
When measuring energy in food or feed we measure the
calories. A calorie (spelled with a small “c”) represents the
amount of energy it takes to raise one gram of water one
degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
A Calorie (spelled with a capital ‘C”) represents the
amount of energy it takes to raise one kilogram (1,000
grams) of water one degree Celsius. The Calorie is also
called a kilocalorie. This is the rate of measurement used in
human nutrition. Many times it is not spelled correctly - with
a capital ‘C”.
A megacalorie (Mcal) is 1,000 kilocalories. Megacalorie is
the rate of measurement used to measure
energy in a large animal’s diet, such as the
horse.
How do we know the horse is getting
enough megacalories? The easiest method
is looking at him. If he is thin - he is not getting
enough and if he is fat - he is getting too many. Not real
scientific – but it works. t’s now up to you to adjust his feed
– quantity and quality.
If you want a more scientific approach the hay needs to
be tested and the grain researched. The hay test must be
conducted with the equine digestive system in mind. The
laboratory needs to know the hay sample is for horse consumption.
Horses utilize energy differently than ruminant
animals (cattle).
Once the hay test is completed, the results will show the digestible
energy in the hay. It will appear on the test as “DE,
equine Mcal/lb.” For example, if the test reports a reading
of 0.78 DE, equine Mcal/lb it means each pound of hay will
offer 0.78 megacalories.
An adult 1,100 pound horse that is doing moderate work
needs approximately 24.6 Mcals per day. Divide 24.6 by
0.78 which equals 31.5 pounds of hay. It will be very difficult
for a horse to eat that much hay. Better hay needs to be
used (the best choice) or a concentrate needs to be fed.
Most of the time megacalories are not stated on the feed
tag. A call to the manufacturer might help, but depending
on the company the success of finding out may vary.
A visit to the manufacturer’s web site might give some
insight. But be careful – most do not know the difference
between calories, Calories or megacalories. You may
have to do the math.
The feed tag can give you an idea of the energy level of
the ration. If the product is designed for “adult horses at
maintenance activity level” it will have lower megacalo-
ries than a feed designed for “performance
horses” or “young growing horses”.
Choose the feed designed for your
horse and follow the feeding directions.
It’s amazing that a little bar, in France,
can effect so many.
* Earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Equine Studies
or certification as a Professional Horse Trainer or Riding
Instructor. Start your new career as a riding instructor, horse
trainer, or stable manager. All courses are online. Visit
www.horsecoursesonline.com for information.
THE WAY OF HORSES By Eleanor Richards Copyright @ 2019
/www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
/www.horsecoursesonline.com