How is body fat in horses is formed...some science 1. Glucose. NSC (non-structural carbohydrate) is digested in the intestines and converted to glucose. Glucose enters the bloodstream, and the hormone insulin is released to prompt the muscle cells to take up the glucose as an energy source and to maintain acceptable blood glucose levels. The muscle cells are Sensitive to Insulin. Some of the glucose is converted into fatty acids and stored in the fat cells. As the level of NSC increases, the amount of glucose stored as fat will increase, unless the horse is worked harder. Horses tend to store abdominal fat before a noticeable change to the topline. 2. Oil. The horse does not have a gallbladder, and hence secretes bile continuously into the small intestine to enable absorption of fatty acids into the lymphatics. Coconut oil is unique in that it is absorbed directly into the portal blood. Fatty acids are stored in the fat cells as triglycerides. Fatty acids cannot be converted to glucose, and are used directly to produce energy inside the muscle cells. Fatty acids do not increase insulin, and hence are termed “cool energy”. There is a limit to how much oil can be included in the diet. Levels above 15% may reduce fibre digestion. However the energy content at 2.4 times that of carbohydrates means a ‘small amount’ can be the substitute for a large component of the grains in the diet. Importantly, not all oils behave the same in the horses’ diet. Vegetable oils such as canola, linseed, and fish oil have higher ratios of Omega 3 fatty acid, and therefore provide a beneficial balance to the high Omega 6 found in most grains. These are unsaturated fatty acids. By comparison, the tropical oils such as coconut oil are unique in that they are saturated medium chain triglycerides (MCT), do not go rancid, and after absorption are metabolized in the liver. Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, which is converted to monolauren in the body, which may provide antibacterial actions. 3. Digestible fiber. Digestible fibers are complex carbohydrates that are slowly digested and broken down into glucose. These are termed “slow feeds’. Horses are naturally “slow feeders” – meaning most grassy hay, and alfalfa are ideal and necessary components of the diet.
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 19:49:07 +0000
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