Nutrition question

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Cocorules

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There is a lot of discussion on here about feeding mineral supplements which I find really interesting. I am trying to find something which sets out the ideal intake of minerals for horses and more importantly sets out what scientific research this is based on. This is prompted by my asking my vet about this in the context of my cushings pony. He pointed out that the suggestions I had found including magnesium and various others were all unproven.
 
Your OP doesn't have a question in it. Sorry, had to be said! :p Are you asking how much of each individual vitamin/mineral should your horse be getting?

If you wanted to know if your forage is deficiant in any nutrients you could get it tested.
 
Sorry on phone and it sent too fast then got interrupted before I could qualify it!

Anyway I wanted to ask where I can find any scientific studies about feeding mineral supplements? I have read nutrition books which by their nature present as fact horse needs xyz but I want to try to work out the extent to which they have been scientifically tested and proven or if it is just by analogy to another species or just a hypothesis. I am not sure where to look for something like this.
 
Cocorules said:
There is a lot of discussion on here about feeding mineral supplements which I find really interesting. I am trying to find something which sets out the ideal intake of minerals for horses and more importantly sets out what scientific research this is based on. This is prompted by my asking my vet about this in the context of my cushings pony. He pointed out that the suggestions I had found including magnesium and various others were all unproven.
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Most of the research in horses and nutrition comes from the 1970s and 1980s or experiements on other species.

Research is one thing - the success found by horse owners is another. It's not scientific, but I've seen the benefit in balancing minerals with my own eyes.

The NRC is the guideline that feed companies work to with regards to nutrition, but that focuses on the minimum amount required to prevent full blown deficiency.
That's not the same as providing enough for good health.

Dr Kellon does courses in this
http://www.drkellon.com/

and this is a good book (which you have just reminded me to buy;))
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Truth-About...TF8&coliid=I3OHL1KOE7HOMP&colid=1DQG3JO3XCPEO

The Yahoo group has many files with advice on it - some with links to research
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/
 
Cocorules said:
Anyway I wanted to ask where I can find any scientific studies about feeding mineral supplements?
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You will struggle, there is a huge amount of anecdotal evidence, as you have seen often stated as 'fact' and quite a few 'studies' with ridiculously small pools of test animals.. The truth is there just isn't enough money to carry out proper independent scientific research, and a lot of what you get from feed companies isn't worth the paper it's printed on IMO.

There is more research regarding mineral supplementation in cattle, which is pretty interesting :)
 
Cocorules said:
Oberon thanks too
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Be warned - once you start...it becomes an obsession
lol.gif


There are copies of people's forage analysis' one here
http://uknhcp.myfastforum.org/about3261.html

and feed ingredients lists
http://uknhcp.myfastforum.org/about1218.html
 
tallyho! said:
Unproven by whom?
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Proven by whom would be a better question.

I would be hesitant to take as gospel the advice internet experts, such as "Dr" Kellon (who, as far as I can see is actually a Vet with no mention of a real doctorate - I'm presuming Americans call their vets Dr by default, like some Europeans) whose "research" is not published in real, peer reviewed journals, opting instead for a horse owners magazine with a misleading name.

I would recommend Google scholar, a lot of patience, trawling through other species, and hoping that any specific questions you have will be covered ;)

eta - the final sentence means I agree with rhino - the actual data simply does not exist in many cases.
 
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