{"id":270,"date":"2017-05-23T15:35:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-23T15:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/runningcool.com.au\/?p=270"},"modified":"2023-02-01T15:35:53","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T15:35:53","slug":"formulating-your-horses-diet-part-5-carbohydrates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runningcool.com.au\/2017\/05\/23\/formulating-your-horses-diet-part-5-carbohydrates\/","title":{"rendered":"Formulating Your Horse\u2019s Diet: Part 5 \u2013 Carbohydrates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Nutrition is a fundamental part of your horse\u2019s health, wellbeing and performance. In this new series, we discuss the components of correct nutrition to help you formulate a healthy, well-balanced diet for your performance horse or pony.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n In Part 1, we examined two of the most commonly overlooked ingredients that are vital to sustaining performance \u2013 vitamins and minerals. In Part 2, we turned our attention to the importance of fibre. In Part 3, we discussed fats. In Part 4, we explored protein.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, we explain the complexities of carbohydrates.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbohydrates are usually the main source of energy in commercial horse feeds. However, there are several types of carbohydrates, and each are digested So, what exactly are carbohydrates? And, how are they processed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbohydrates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At their most basic level, there are two types of carbohydrates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choosing Carbohydrates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can see, there is a clear difference between structural carbohydrates (fibre) and non-structural carbohydrates (sugars and starches). When choosing However, it\u2019s imperative that you don\u2019t attempt to eliminate certain types of carbohydrates altogether. While NSC\u2019s \u2014 sugars and starches \u2014 Carbohydrates for Energy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Both structural carbohydrates and non-structural carbohydrates are important sources of energy for your performance horse or pony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Typically, sugars and starches are digested and absorbed rapidly by the small intestine, and able to provide your horse or pony with a short burst of energy When formulating the types and amounts of carbohydrates in your horse or pony\u2019s diet, it\u2019s important to consider their body condition and workload to determine
and utilised differently \u2014 with some being safer options than others in your horse\u2019s feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
hay, mature grasses, beet pulp and soybean hulls. Structural carbohydrates cannot be digested in the small intestine and must be fermented in the
horse\u2019s hindgut. They are the better choice of carbohydrates for your horse as your horse\u2019s digestive tract is designed to process fibre.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
carbohydrates as starches and cool season grasses store carbohydrates as sugars. While NSC\u2019s can be reduced by water soaking prior to feeding,
when consumed in large quantities, sugars, starches and fructans can lead to colic and laminitis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
a commercial horse feed for your performance horse or pony, consider a high-fibre, low-sugar option, such as Running Cool<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
are absorbed into the body as glucose, which can pose a problem in large quantities, glucose is essential for brain function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(glucose). In contrast, fibre is broken down slowly by the hindgut \u2014 creating a source of sustained energy (volatile fatty acids).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
their nutritional needs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
ration, such as Running Cool Barley\/Soy Booster<\/a>, to provide essential vitamins and
minerals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
by a concentrate ration, such as Running Cool Leisure<\/a>, to meet their caloric requirements,
and provide essential vitamins and minerals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
concentrate ration, such as Running Cool Sport<\/a>, to support the physical demands \u2014
with energy, fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n