8 April, 1962
Horse Nutrition Needs
( Continued from Page 7) horsemen provide ihe foal with a vitamin D supplement such as cod liver oil or irradiated yeast.
Horses seem to require vitamin E, but most practical rations contain liberal quantities of it— perhaps enough except under conditions of stress or where there is interference with its utilization. Rather than buy and use costly vitamin E concentrates indiscriminately, therefore, add them to the ration only on the advice of a competent nutritionist or veterinarian.
Vitamin F Plays Role
Under some conditions, there is evidence that alpha tocopherol succinate( a relatively stable form a vitamin E) is effective in( 1) increasing the conception rate of mares,( 2) improving the breeding behavior, sex drive, sperm quality, and condition of stallions, and( 3) improving the stamina, temperament, feed consumption, and track performance of race horses. Where needed, the recommended daily doses of alpha tocopherol succinate in the feed are: Stallions and broodmares, 600 to 1,000 I. U. beginning a few weeks before breeding; and race horses in training, 2,000 I. U.
A deficiency of riboflavin may cause periodic ophthalmia( moon blindness), but it is known that lack of this vitamin is not the only factor in producing the condition( sometimes moon blindness follows leptosphirosis in horses). Prevent periodic ophthalmia, caused by lack of riboflavin, by feeding green hays and green pastures( feeds high in riboflavin) or by adding crystalline riboflavin to the ration at the rate of 40 mg. per horse per day. A thiamine deficiency has been observed in horses fed on poor-quality hay and grain. Although thiamine is synthesized in the lower gut, the amount absorbed may not always meet the full requirements. Other vitamins of the B complex may be essential. Healthy horses usually get enough of them either in natural rations or by synthesis in the intestinal track, primarily the caecum. When neither green pasture nor highquality dry roughage is available, B vitamins may be provided by adding to the ration distiller’ s dried solubles, dried brewer’ s yeast, or animal liver meal.
Pasturage A Cornerstone Good pasturage is the cornerstone of successful horse production. Great horse-breeding centers are characterized by luxuriant pastures produced on fertile soils. In season, there is no finer forage for horses.
A temporary pasture grown in a regular crop rotation is preferable to a permanent pasture that may be parasite-infested.
Since horses are less likely to bloat than cattle or sheep, legume pastures are excellent for them. Specific grass or grass-legume mixtures vary widely from one area to another according to differences in soil, temperature, rainfall, and other natural factors. Ask your County Agricultural Agent for pasture recommendations suitable to your locality.
Horse pastures should be well drained. Shade, water, and minerals always should be available. Pits, stumps, poles, tanks, and places dangerous to horses should be guarded.
Eliminate Needless Medication
The fabulous days of the“ hoss” doctor have returned! At least, this is true in altogether too many cases. Today, sales of chemical industry products to U. S. livestock and poultry growers are about $ 250,000,000( 14 billion) per year; and this does not include minerals. It is estimated that an expenditure of $ 370,000,000 is made annually for minerals for livestock and p o u 1 t r y—$ 7,000,000 of which is for horses. The Census of Manufacturers reported that, in 1958, the nation ' s commercial feed industry spent $ 36,000,000 for vitamins, $ 24,- 000,000 for antibiotics, and $ 30,- 000,000 for drugs. Most of these drugs are needed and good. There isn’ t any good basis to determine how much of this drug bill is expened for horses, but it is reasonable to assume that horsemen are using more than their share.
In the present era, some horse advisors have become“ peddlers” of minerals, vitamins, tonics, feed additives, and drugs; they are“ hoss doctors’’ in a fabulous era of drugs. Pan of this stems from ignorance, for many of them haven’ t had enough training to cope with modern and rapid developments in nutrition; some are motivated by the profit factor, for the sale of such concoctions is a lucrative business; while others succumb to prescribing needless“ shot gun-type medication,” simply because many horse owners— who are either newcomers to the industry or otherwise unfamiliar with such medication— insist on some kind of treatment.
Those who race or show horses are particularly gullible to any sales pitch that oilers the faintest hope of winning. Like the ulcer patient who had to go to six different doctors before he could find one who would tell him that he could have a drink, they’ ll keep going until they get it.
In the final analysis, research and education are the only way in which to combat needless, and sometimes harmful, medication.
Engineer, 81, Rides
( Continued from Page 6) elixir of an hour or two in the saddle atop a Tennessee Walking Horse. It’ s a great booster-upper.”
Mr. McMullen is Wisconsin-born, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in 1905 with an electrical engineering degree. For many years he was with Fairbanks-Morse Co. and he joined Cummins Engine Co. April 1, 1935 as works manager.
( Editor ' s Note— The Editor of the Voice received a copy of a letter Mr. McMullen wrote to Gilbert Orr, Nov. 29, 1948, who had been general manager of the Celebration at Shelbyville, and writer of magazine articles promoting the Tennessee Walking Horse. Mr. McMullen did not know Gilly had died, and this letter explained just how the running walk gait was performed. This letter will appear in an early copy of the Voice. It will be news to many.)
MORE PARTY LINE
( Continued from Page 5) the breed is the greatest pleasure horse there is. I feel about horses like 1 feel about my religion. I want all other folks to belong to a church, but I really prefer for them to belong to“ my church." Thanks, heaps. BAG.)
To Be“ Big Horseman”
Mrs. Floyd Adkins, Vienna, Mo., says“ I am glad such a magazine is being published and I hope it has information that will help us little horsemen to become big horsemen and give us some needed knowledge of ways in training the Walking( Continued on Page 9)
PLEASURE HORSES— Suitable for Children— That Have a Natural Saddle Gait— Available At All Times
Vic Thompson ' s Stables SHELBYVILLE, TENN. PH. 4-44B1 & MU 4-395B