Energy sources and requirements of the exercising horse.

The research article discusses the different energy sources for a horse, how energy from the diet and body stores are used during rest and exercise, and the energy requirements during these times. The study also compares the benefits and drawbacks of the digestible energy and net energy systems, along with a practical guide on determining and achieving this through various diets.

Energy Sources of the Horse

• The study begins with highlighting the energy sources available to a horse. This includes energy obtained from their diet and from their body reserves. These energy sources serve different functions, depending on whether the horse is at rest or is exercising.
• The energy from the diet provides the immediate energy required for functioning. In contrast, the energy from the body reserves often serves as a backup for when the diet energy gets depleted or is insufficient.

Digestible Energy and Net Energy Systems

• The article discusses two principal ways of describing the energy potential of a horse’s diet: the digestible energy and the net energy systems.
• Digestible energy refers to the portion of food consumed that a horse can effectively digest and extract energy from. The net energy system, on the other hand, is a more empirical system and accounts for the energy that can be used for maintenance and work after the energy needed for digestion, absorption, and metabolism is subtracted.
• Each system has its advantages and drawbacks. By understanding and comparing these systems, it’s possible to calculate and maximize the energy available to a horse from its diet.

Energy Requirements for Maintenance and Exercise

• The last part of the paper discusses the energy needs of a horse for maintenance and during exercise. These can be determined using empirical studies and the physiology of the horse’s body.
• By understanding the energy requirements in different states of activity (resting, exercising), it becomes easier to create and adjust horses’ diets to meet these needs.
• These energy requirements also impact the type of diet that should be provided to the horse, with some diets being more suited for resting periods and others for periods of exercise.