Judges Announced For Spring Jubilee
6 May, 1963
Proper Feeding Essential To Top Horse Performance
By DR. M. E. ENSMINGER Clovis. California
Horses inherit certain genetic possibilities— lor example, growth, body form, speed, and endurance— but how well these potentialities develop depends upon the environment to which they are subjected; and the most important influence in the environment is the feed. Indeed, proper feeding is absolutely essential to lop performance.
Unfortunately, altogether too many horse feeds are based on fads, foibles, and trade secrets; rather than on sound, scientific facts. Less attention is given to balanced feeding of horses than to any other class of farm animals.
Horse Feeds and Feeding Facts The following facts relative to horse feeds and feeding are noteworthy;
1— Grass hay( and this includes timothy) and farm grains are inadequate in quantity and quality of protein, in certain minerals and vitamins, and in unidentified factors.
2— Horses differ from other farm animals because( a) they are kept for recreation, sport, and work, instead of for meat, milk, or wool proproduction;( b) they are fed for a longer life of usefulness than meat animals, the latter are usually marketed for slaughter at an early age;( c) they have a smaller digestive tract, which does not permit as much use of bulk as is possible with ruminants;( d) they should not carry surplus weight; and( e) they are fed for nerve, mettle, animation, and character of muscle, rather than tenderness and flavor.
‘ 3— Artificial conditions have been created in horses; more so than with any other class of livestock. In the wild state, they roamed the plains in bands; with plenty of outdoor exercise on natural footing, feed derived from unleached soils, and unforced production. Today, many horses are stall-fed all or a large part of the year( some horses spend up to 95 per cent of their time in a stall); feeds are often produced on depleted soils; and young stock are forced for early growth and use( as in racing two-year-olds). Under these unnatural conditions,( 1) unsoundnesses,( 2) breeding problems, and( 3) nutritional diseases and ailments have become increasingly common.
4— Feed storage and tabor costs have spiraled, with the result that, for reasons of economy, storage space for feed and labor for feeding and clean-up should be held to a minimum; factors which favor the use of pelleted feeds.
Specific Nutritive Needs
The proper nutrition of horses is a major factor in determining their efficiency and years of service. It is important, therefore, that they receive the following nutrients:
1. Energy is essential for the normal life processes of the horse including body maintenance, reproduction, and lactation. Inadequate energy may cause slow and stunted growth in foals: loss of weight, poor condition, and excessive fatigue in mature horses; and poor reproduction in breeding animals— serious underfeeding results in failure of some mares to show heat, more services per conception, lowered foal crops, and lightweight foals.
2. Protein is necessary for the daily
Judges Announced For Spring Jubilee
Two trainers who have ridden World ' s Grand Champions at the National Celebration are included among the three judges named to preside over the Walking Horse classes at the great TWH National Spring Jubilee at Columbia, Tenn., on May 31— June I.
The spacious Maury County Park will provide splendid facilities for this great show— one of the most important mid-season events on the TWH Calendar of Shows.
Judging will be Carl Edwards of Quincy, Fla., who rode Old Glory’ s Big Man to the title in 1919; Joe Webb of Searcy, Ark., who piloted Rodger’ s Perfection to his greatest triumph at the 1958 Celebration; and James K. Taylor, Huntsville, Ala., long a leading amateur horseman and business man.
The usual class list will be observed with competition for everybody over the 2-night route. The show is sponsored by the Maury County Horsemen ' s Assn.
Show manager is Burton Daimwood, faculty member at Columbia Military Academy. Mail entries to Mrs. Tom Bowman, secretary, Rt. 4, Columbia, Tenn. Phone 388-1599. Show commitbreakdown of tissues of the body, including the growth of hair and hoofs; for the development of Lite fetus and the growth of young stock; and for milk production. A severe deficiency of protein may result in depressed appetite, poor growth, loss of weight, reduced milk production, irregular estrus, and lowered foal crops.
3. Minerals are necessary for that all-important 5 per cent of the horses’ s weight, chiefly the skeleton. There is reason to believe that deficiencies of minerals adversely affect growth, reproduction, and soundness of bone.
4. Vitamins are absolutely essential in horse nutrition, to permit proper growth, development, health, and reproduction. A continuing inadequate supply of any one of several vitamins can produce illness which is exceedingly difficult to diagnose until it becomes severe; at which time it is expensive, if not impossible, to treat.
5. Water is essential for the various physiological processes of the horse, such as the production of saliva.
tee members are James Bailey, Dr. T. H. Reynolds, Les White, R. P. Harmon, Hardin Hill.
There are 12 Walking Horse classes with prize money totalling § 1,740 and six challenge trophies. A juvenile class for riders 18 and under has been added to the schedule this year. Post entries are permitted in all events.
American Walking Horse Assn. Meets May 17-19
A double-header horse show, climaxed with the Quentin Riding Club Spring Show, was scheduled during the annual meeting of the American Walking Horse Assn, at Quentin, Pa. May 17-18-19. The 12th Annual Judges School of the association was programmed during this period.
Scheduled speakers were; Association President Alan Stevenson, Utica, N. Y.; Herman E. Kimsey, Washington, D. C.; Dr. Arthur Mackay-Smith, U. of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine; Fred Black, Broadway, Va.; G. G. Watts, Mogadore, O.; H. Karl Yenser, association board chairman; Phin Horton, Jr., Winston- Salem, N. C.;
James Blackwell, secretary, American Horse Shows Assn.; Hal Hoham, Auburn, Ind., Aurora, O.; and Glen Miller, Quentin, Pa.