Thoroughbred blood serum inorganic phosphate concentrations in relation to feeding regime and racing performance.

This research explores the potential links between feeding strategies and racing performance among thoroughbred horses. The study analyses serum inorganic phosphate (SIP) levels in horses and their possible impacts on performance, with a particular focus on the effects of varying feed regimes.

Objective of the Research

The aim of this research was to determine if there is a relationship between the concentration of Serum Inorganic Phosphate (SIP) in a horse’s blood, the feeding regimen, and the horse’s racing performance.

Methodology

• The study’s researchers evaluated the metabolic blood profiles of 303 horses training at the Summerveld Training Centre in Natal over a two-year period. Out of these profiles, 264 were scrutinized for SIP concentrations.
• The horses were on three known feeding regimes (Feed 1–cube feeding plus hay; Feed 2–oats, wheaten bran and greens plus hay; Feed 3–Mixed feeding regime of feeds 1 and 2; Feed 4–unknown regime).
• The variation in the horse’s dry matter intake ranged between 2 and 2.5% of estimated body mass. For those horses on Feed 1, the proportion of cubed supplement in the diet was increased from 30 to 70% as the training programme advanced.

Findings

• A statistical assessment of SIP concentrations revealed that horses on the Feed 1 regimen had significantly lower SIP concentrations than those horses on alternative feed regimes.
• Out of the 303 metabolic profiles, 224 could be associated with actual races. The abstract does not provide further information on the analysis results of these profiles, as the abstract gets cut off after 250 words.

Summary

• This study strengthens the association between a horse’s diet, the SIP levels in its blood, and its performance on the track. By proving that horses on a specific diet (Feed 1) show lower SIP concentrations, it may indicate the influence of SIP levels on performance.
• However, due to the truncation of the abstract, there’s an incomplete understanding of whether a correlation was found between reduced SIP concentrations and improved track performance, necessitating a look at the full study for comprehensive insights.