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Effect of molassed sugar beet pulp on nutrient utilisation and metabolic parameters during exercise
C Palmgren Karlsson1, A Jansson, B Essén-Gustavsson
1Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.
Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement
|October 31, 2002
Summary
Replacing oats with molassed sugar beet pulp in horse diets improved metabolic response during exercise. Horses showed lower lactate and higher muscle glycogen, indicating this dietary change is beneficial for athletic performance.
Area of Science:
- Equine Nutrition
- Animal Metabolism
- Sports Science
Background:
- Traditional diets for exercising horses often rely on oats.
- Molassed sugar beet pulp (MSBP) is a potential alternative carbohydrate source.
- Understanding the metabolic impact of dietary changes is crucial for athletic horses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of partially replacing oats with MSBP in horse diets.
- To assess nutrient utilization and metabolic responses in exercising horses fed different diets.
- To determine if MSBP can be a suitable substitute for oats without compromising performance.
Main Methods:
- A change-over experiment was conducted with 4 Standardbred geldings.
- Horses were fed a hay/oat diet and a hay/MSBP diet over 21-day periods.
- Nutrient digestibility, urinary excretion, and exercise tests were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Crude fat digestibility was lower with the MSBP diet.
- No significant differences were observed in other nutrient digestibilities or nitrogen/energy excretion.
- Horses on the MSBP diet exhibited lower plasma lactate and higher muscle glycogen post-exercise.
Conclusions:
- Partial replacement of oats with MSBP in exercising horses' diets did not impair nutrient utilization.
- The MSBP diet resulted in a more favorable metabolic response, with reduced lactate and increased muscle glycogen.
- Dietary carbohydrate composition influences glycogenolysis and lactate production during exercise.