On October 17, 2017 the Jaeckle Centre in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee hosted a free Equine Nutrition Seminar featuring Dr. Amy M. Gill, an independent equine nutrition consultant and owner of Equi-Force Equine Products, Inc. Dr. Gill spoke about the importance of Amino Acids and Omega 3 Fatty acids in the equine diet. These two nutrients, along with many others, are needed to optimize and fortify the diets for all horses, but especially horses in heavy physical training, being used for breeding, growing and aging horses.
Some key talking points of her talk included:
Proteins are comprised of chains of linked Amino acids (individual molecules) that are formed into Peptides (short chain of amino acids).
Protein is a major component of most body tissues including:
· Muscle
· Bone
· Cartilage
· Tendons and Ligaments
· Hair and Hooves
· blood
· Enzymes, hormones, and antibodies
The dietary requirement is for amino acids, not crude protein, and it is important that feed products and supplements guarantee amino acids at sufficient levels to optimize the equine diet. Soybean meal is the best vegetarian source of amino acids that compliments the equine requirement the closest.
Omega-3 fatty acids also must be provided by dietary means. Fresh grass contains Omega-3 fatty acids, but the equine diet is largely void of Omega-3 Fatty acids and contains much higher amounts of processed Omega-6 Fatty acids. Other vegetarian sources of Omega-3 Fatty acids are Flax, Chia and Hemp seed oils. Only the oil form these seeds contains Omega-3 Fatty acids; the rest of the seed is fiber.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been clinically proven in several species to be very helpful in:
• Reducing inflammation in the body, particularly the GI tract, lungs and joints
• Increasing immune response
• Reducing oxidative damage during exercise
• Increasing oxygen carrying capacity of the blood
• Improving hormonal balance
Specifically for the horse, Omega-3 Fatty acids can help:
• Prevent colic by reducing gas production and inflammation in the hind gut
• Reduce inflammation in the airways thereby reducing bleeding
• Improve stride length which is directly related to oxygen uptake
• Reduce joint inflammation
Dr. Gill is available for consultation as needed. She has formulated a line of nutrient targeted therapies to help restore health and balance to horses afflicted with exercise, growth, metabolic and immune disorders. These products are formulated to give the horse therapeutic levels of nutrients it needs to correct the disorder and return to good health, as opposed to using pharmacological agents to treat the clinical symptoms of the disorder. She can be reached at 859.229.2447 or drgill@equiforce.com. Website: www.equiforce.com
About Dr. Gill: Dr. Gill received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Maryland in 1983. Dr. Gill conducted her graduate studies at the University of Kentucky, receiving a Master of Science degree in Equine Nutrition in 1989 and a Doctorate in Equine Nutrition and Exercise Physiology in 2000. Prior to completing her doctoral degree, Dr. Gill spent many years breaking and galloping racehorses and working on the racetrack as an equine physical therapist. Currently, as a consultant, Dr. Gill works extensively with several feed manufactures writing technical bulletins and articles, presenting educational seminars and performing on site farm consultations.
The Jaeckle Centre extends a special thank you to Franklin Horse Supply and Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. for their support of the Equine Nutrition seminar with Dr. Amy Gill.
Some key talking points of her talk included:
Proteins are comprised of chains of linked Amino acids (individual molecules) that are formed into Peptides (short chain of amino acids).
Protein is a major component of most body tissues including:
· Muscle
· Bone
· Cartilage
· Tendons and Ligaments
· Hair and Hooves
· blood
· Enzymes, hormones, and antibodies
The dietary requirement is for amino acids, not crude protein, and it is important that feed products and supplements guarantee amino acids at sufficient levels to optimize the equine diet. Soybean meal is the best vegetarian source of amino acids that compliments the equine requirement the closest.
Omega-3 fatty acids also must be provided by dietary means. Fresh grass contains Omega-3 fatty acids, but the equine diet is largely void of Omega-3 Fatty acids and contains much higher amounts of processed Omega-6 Fatty acids. Other vegetarian sources of Omega-3 Fatty acids are Flax, Chia and Hemp seed oils. Only the oil form these seeds contains Omega-3 Fatty acids; the rest of the seed is fiber.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been clinically proven in several species to be very helpful in:
• Reducing inflammation in the body, particularly the GI tract, lungs and joints
• Increasing immune response
• Reducing oxidative damage during exercise
• Increasing oxygen carrying capacity of the blood
• Improving hormonal balance
Specifically for the horse, Omega-3 Fatty acids can help:
• Prevent colic by reducing gas production and inflammation in the hind gut
• Reduce inflammation in the airways thereby reducing bleeding
• Improve stride length which is directly related to oxygen uptake
• Reduce joint inflammation
Dr. Gill is available for consultation as needed. She has formulated a line of nutrient targeted therapies to help restore health and balance to horses afflicted with exercise, growth, metabolic and immune disorders. These products are formulated to give the horse therapeutic levels of nutrients it needs to correct the disorder and return to good health, as opposed to using pharmacological agents to treat the clinical symptoms of the disorder. She can be reached at 859.229.2447 or drgill@equiforce.com. Website: www.equiforce.com
About Dr. Gill: Dr. Gill received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Maryland in 1983. Dr. Gill conducted her graduate studies at the University of Kentucky, receiving a Master of Science degree in Equine Nutrition in 1989 and a Doctorate in Equine Nutrition and Exercise Physiology in 2000. Prior to completing her doctoral degree, Dr. Gill spent many years breaking and galloping racehorses and working on the racetrack as an equine physical therapist. Currently, as a consultant, Dr. Gill works extensively with several feed manufactures writing technical bulletins and articles, presenting educational seminars and performing on site farm consultations.
The Jaeckle Centre extends a special thank you to Franklin Horse Supply and Kalmbach Feeds, Inc. for their support of the Equine Nutrition seminar with Dr. Amy Gill.
