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