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Date Posted: 18:57:59 03/05/03 Wed
Author: Cheri
Subject: Wednesday's horse fact..
In reply to: Cheri 's message, "A New Week. Daily Inspirations and Horse Facts.." on 17:26:33 03/03/03 Mon



Shaping up your overweight horse..


Part 6 ..


What is the basis for this difference? Are genetics or problems with metabolism involved with a tendency to readily gain weight?

Unfortunately, we do not have the answers to these questions. But, based on recent studies in other species, it is very likely that genetics do play a role.

Several factors likely contribute to our tendency to overfeed horses. First, it is very easy to overestimate actual energy needs. Most literature concerning the maintenance (non-working horse) digestible energy requirements indicates that a 500 kg (1,100 pound) horse requires about 16 megacalories (Mcal) of energy (16,000 calories) per day. This figure is best applied to horses kept outdoors; horses which spend the majority of the day in stalls will have a much lower daily energy expenditure and thus lower energy needs. Therefore, some nutritionists advocate that the maintenance energy needs of the "couch potato" horse are about 30% lower (11-12 Mcal, or 11,000-12,000 calories per day for a 500-kg horse).

Another factor contributing to overfeeding is an overestimation of the amount of "work" the horse is performing. For example, it is common for pleasure horses to be ridden for one hour at a combination of walk and slow trot, perhaps completing two or three of these rides per week. Some owners might feel that this amount of exercise warrants an increase in calorie intake and will adjust their horse's feeding program accordingly. In reality, however, horses do not expend a great deal of energy during this type of exercise, perhaps no more than 1 Mcal per hour of walking/trotting. If these trail rides represent the horse's only form of exercise with no paddock turn-out, it is safe to assume that energy requirements, at most, approximate the National Research Council (NRC) recommendations for maintenance (i.e., 16 Mcal or 16,000 calories per day).

A basic lack of knowledge concerning the amount of energy in different feeds also can contribute to overfeeding. Beyond recognizing that grains contain more energy than hay (on an equivalent weight basis), it is important to understand that there can be wide variation in the energy content of different grains and hays. As examples, high-quality alfalfa hay has up to 30-40% more energy than average quality timothy hay, and cracked corn has about 10% more energy than oats because of the higher starch content.

Tomorrows fact .. Thyroid dysfunction

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[> Thursday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 20:35:34 03/06/03 Thu



CALL ON GOD

_________________________

Psalm 116:1-7 (NRSV)

I love the LORD, because he has heard
      my voice and my supplications.
Because he inclined his ear to me,
          therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me;
          the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
      I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called on the name of the LORD:
     "O LORD, I pray, save my life!"
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
     our God is merciful.
The LORD protects the simple;
     when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest,
          for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

_________________________

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

- Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

_________________________

I was having a particularly troubling morning at work. Things were not going well. There was talk of financial trouble and possible layoffs, and I was discouraged.
It is my practice to close my office door at noon and to devote an hour to studying the Bible, praying, and reading The Upper Room. On this day, the suggested reading was Psalm 116. As I read it, I reflected on what my life was like before I realized that I could not bear the burden of life's troubles on my own, before I called on the Lord. Reading Psalm 116 gave me perspective on the day.

What a blessing it is to call on the Lord and to trust God's will! Often, we feel as if we bear life's troubles and trials alone. But God knows all our needs before we ask. We can call on the Lord to save us and trust that God hears. Remembering that can restore our hope.


Prayer: God, we give you thanks for sharing our burdens. Give us
faith to trust in your will as we pray, "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."* Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
What keeps us from asking God for help?

-- Rowland Lollar (Texas, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Those facing job loss

*Luke 11:2-4 (NIV)
_________________________


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