supplements; rather, only the specific minerals thai are deficient in the ration— and in the quantities necessary- should be supplied. Excesses and mineral imbalances are to be avoided.
It is generally recognized that most soils have been leached and depleted with the passing of time. Also analyses reveal that the classical horse ration of nay anu’ f----- grains o-------- is— usually-----------j deficient in calcium sodium, chlorine, and generally
MINERALS FOR THE HORSE
When we think of minerals for the horse, we instinctively think of bones. Rut minerals play a multiple
role in horse nutrition.
At Washington State University, the effect of the phosphorus content of soil on plant composition, thence the effect of those plants on animals, was established. Just one mineral— phosphorus— was studied. Think what is likely happening when all essential minerals
are considered!
Dr. W. W. Heinemann, of the Washington Station, in a classical study, fed generation after generation of rabbits on alfalfa; with one group receiving alfalfa hay produced on low phosphorus soils, and the other group eating alfalfa grown on high phosphorus soils. The rabbits on the low phosphorus soil-alfalfa group( 1) were retarded in growth— with 9.8 percent lower weaning weights,( 2) required 12 percent more matings per conception, and( 3) had a 47 percent lower breaking strength of bones than the rabbits on the high phosphorus soil-alfalfa group. There is reason to believe that soil nutrients affect horses similarly— in growth, conception, and soundness of bone.
In a mature horse, the skeleton is large and heavy, weighing 100 pounds or more. Of course, bones and minerals are most important in the horse, as evidenced by the stress and strain on the skeletal structure of the show horse, especially the two-year-old.
Important development of the skeleton takes place in the fetus, before the foal is born. It is evident, therefore, that adequate minerals must be provided the broodmare if the bones of her offspring are to be sound.
But the role of minerals in horse nutrition is not limited to furnishing structural material for the growth of bones, teeth and tissue. Minerals also regulate many of the life processes. Although acute mineral-deficiency diseases and actual death losses are relatively rare, inadequate supplies of any one of the 15 essential mineral elements may result in lack of thrift, poor gains, inefficient feed utilization, lowered reproduction, and decreased performance in racing, showing, riding, or what not.
The fifteen mineral elements which have been shown to be essential are: calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chlorine, iodine, iron, copper, manganese, magnesium * sulfur, zinc, potassium, cobalt, selenium, and molybdenum. This does not mean that all fifteen of these minerals must always be included in horse mineral
Mare’ s Skeleton Is Mineral Bank
Most 1,000-pound mares will produce an average of two gallons or more of milk per day during the sevenmonth suckling period. That’ s a total of 3,360 pounds of milk. This amount of mare s milk contains as much mineral as the bodies of three 1,000-pound steers at 18 months of age. This means that three steers work 54 months( 3 x 18) to produce as much mineral as a mare produces for her foal in a seven-month suckling
period.,, _
Here’ s how this phenomenon works: The mare’ s skeleton is like a bank. People deposit money in a bank, then draw out or write checks on their reserves as needed. So, when properly fed before breeding, in early pregnancy, and when barren, mineral deposits are made in the mare’ s skeleton. Then at those times when the mineral demands are greater than can be obtained from the feed— the last of pregnancy, and during lactation— the mare draws from the stored reserves in her skeleton.
Of course, if there hasn’ t been proper storage in the mare’ s skeleton, something must " give”— and that something is the mother. Nature has ordained that growth of the fetus, and the lactation that follows, shall take priority over the maternal requirements. Hence, when there is a mineral deficience, the mare’ s body will be deprived, or even stunted if she is young, before the developing fetus or milk production will be
materially affected. This points up the importance of good mineral nutrition throughout the lifetime of the mare.
JEROME RYAN, OUTGOING TWHBA PRESIDENT, PRAISES UNTIRING EFFORTS OF OFFICE STAFF
After all of the day’ s activities at the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ Association office in Lewisburd died down following the annual meeting, outgoing president Jerome Ryan paused to praise the unselfish efforts of the office staff at the Breeders Association.
" When I was elected president two years ago, 1 asked the staff to do just one thing for me. If they could catch the registrations up to a reasonable period of time, I would be thankful.” Mr. Ryan happily
reported to the membership during the day that a of the 1967 registrations had been completed an the 1968 papers were being taken care of at a las pace. This is a truly remarkable accomplishmen in view of the increasing number of registrations an the terrific backlog of papers that were on hand wn
Mr. Ryan made his request.,.
" These girls worked overtime in addition to doing all they possibly could on regular days to meet my
request. I am truly thankful to them as I am sui « all of the membership is,” Ryan said. The basic r son for the Association is to take care of registratioi and it is certainly good news to hear that such gr
progress is being made in this area.
38 Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse