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Date Posted: 20:08:21 03/26/03 Wed
Author: Cheri
Subject: Tuesday's inspiration..
In reply to: Cheri 's message, "A New Week. Daily inspirations and horse facts..." on 20:47:33 03/24/03 Mon



AT ANY MOMENT

_________________________

Proverbs 3:1-12 (NRSV)

My child, do not forget my teaching,
      but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life
      and abundant welfare they will give you. Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;
      bind them around your neck,
   write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
   in the sight of God and of people.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
   and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
   and he will make straight your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
   fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be a healing for your flesh
   and a refreshment for your body.
Honor the LORD with your substance
      and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty,
      and your vats will be bursting with wine. My child, do not despise the LORD's discipline
      or be weary of his reproof,
for the LORD reproves the one he loves,
      as a father the son in whom he delights.

_________________________

The psalmist wrote, "Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!"

- Psalm 27:7 (NRSV)

_________________________

OUR twin daughters are just learning to walk and are at a stage where they will come to us and cry to be picked up. Almost immediately after being picked up, they will begin to cry because they want to be set back down. They want us to be available at any moment they might happen to need us, but they want their independence too.

Their desire for independence is a good thing. We want them to grow up and eventually have their own homes. This means they will become more and more independent and need us less and less. But for us, as children of God, our growth increases our dependence. Mature saints are those who realize most deeply their total dependence on God.

Too often we find it easier to trust our own judgment than to admit we need God's help, and we yield control to God reluctantly. But we need God's help all the time, no matter how mature we become.


Prayer: O God, help us to trust in you more than in our own strength
and abilities. Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Lifelong dependence on God is a good thing.

-- Norman Styers (Oklahoma, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Families with young children
________________________

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[> Tuesday's horse fact... -- Cheri, 20:16:29 03/26/03 Wed




Shaping Up Your Overweight Horse...


Part 10, and end of series...


Clearly, this horse needs to go on a diet. One approach would be to set the energy intake at 70% of his maintenance needs (at the ideal weight of 450 kg or 1,000 pounds) or about 12 Mcal (12,000 calories) per day. However, we must be careful to maintain the intake of other nutrients at the maintenance level. For example, the simplest approach to a reduction in energy intake would be removal of sweet feed from the diet. However, as shown in the figure on page 90, a diet of only grass hay will not provide adequate protein, minerals, or vitamins. The lack of protein will encourage a loss of muscle mass rather than fat. This situation can be remedied by feeding a small amount of a protein/mineral/vitamin supplement.

The second important step in a weight loss program is an increase in energy expenditure through exercise. For several reasons, an increase in activity level will facilitate weight loss and an improvement in body condition. With physical conditioning, there are metabolic adaptations that encourage fat burning. As well, there will be conservation or even an increase in muscle mass. Over a period of weeks, the horse will become more "athletic" in appearance. As lean tissues such as muscle have a higher rate of metabolism than fat tissue, this change in body composition will raise the horse's resting metabolism.

There are two ways to increase activity level. First, you could provide more turnout time, thus allowing the horse more opportunity for voluntary exercise. Regardless of body condition, adequate turnout is important for the horse's overall well-being.

Unfortunately, access to pasture is not an option for overweight horses as you will lose control of calorie intake. So, turnout must be restricted to drylots, at least until the weight problem is under control.

The second option is to increase the amount of formal exercise, such as longeing and riding. Any increase in exercise must be done slowly, probably no more than a 5% increase in duration or intensity every week or so. If the horse is already ridden two to three times per week, one option is to add one or two sessions per week. Alternatively, if time is a limitation, you might consider an increase in exercise intensity--more trotting and, with time, a little canter work.

As mentioned, overweight horses can be more prone to leg injuries, so close monitoring is required, particularly for the first few weeks of the conditioning program.

You also must be realistic in terms of how long it will take for the horse's ideal weight to be attained. Think months rather than weeks!

In the above example, a five- to six-month time frame is reasonable. Your horse will be unhappy for the lack of grain in his diet, and you might bemoan the extra time required for conditioning, but there is no "quick fix" for this problem. Periodic evaluations also are necessary; perhaps you should assess body condition score (and weight) monthly. Adjustments in feeding can be made once the ideal weight/body condition has been reached. For example, an increase in energy intake might be needed. In the long term, it always will be important to adjust feeding in relation to current activity level. If there are periods of reduced exercise (e.g., because of an injury), energy intake must be reduced accordingly.


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