[PeggySue]

we also need to remember to look at the quality and digestiablitiy of the protein source as well something alot of people tend to over look

if a feed is say 14% but it is not a digestable source then what are you really getting

[PeggySue]

The NRC is a bit pricey and a bit hard to understand but once you firgure it all out it really helps

I was not stupid before I got it I had a good grasp of it but WOW I felt stupid realizing all I was missing when I started reading it LOL

[Blistering Winds]

how many ouches in a pound????


**snickers**


AND if you are trying to convert Grams into "volumetric" ounces.....you will not get there with that conversion.

[PeggySue]

I am waiting on you to firgure that for me Michelle

[Blistering Winds]

Figure what? volume? You won't. There is no conversion from "weight" to "volume" universally.



Ah, now I see what you were looking at...


shoot, make it easier for me. 1000 g in a kilogram. 2.2 lbs per kilogram

forget all that other set of numbers.!!!

[PeggySue]

that is prob why they don't use volume to firgure this stuff

[Dawn]

To change grams to lbs, you divide by 453.4 (that is rounded obviously but is definately close enough for all intents and purposes). Lbs to grams, multiply by 453.4.

I'm not saying that the 'main purpose' of protein in the equine diet isn't to be utilized for cell regeneration. But even though that is the 'main purpose' of it, it does still provide calories. Yes horses can digest different sources of proteins, carbs, and fats than some other animals (or humans). Or might not be able to digest some sources that others can. But assuming that the source is something that is digestable, then it will provide calories (it's just a matter of what those calories are going to do within the body from then on). I actually read a really good article about this not two weeks ago. But I can not for the life of me remember where it was.

Even though there are some marked differences in equine and human nutrition, you can take the basic principles of human nutrition and apply it directly to equines. And since there is a lot more research readily available in relation to humans, that can be one of the best learning tools.

[Blistering Winds]

Most of the differences in human vs horse nutrition stems from the types of carbs available. More is available in horses than humans which was the part I was mentioning since we were talking about carbs at the time.

[Dawn]

Yes, I'd have to agree with that.

[harp918]

Originally Posted by Dawn

To change grams to lbs, you divide by 453.4 (that is rounded obviously but is definately close enough for all intents and purposes). Lbs to grams, multiply by 453.4.

I'm not saying that the 'main purpose' of protein in the equine diet isn't to be utilized for cell regeneration. But even though that is the 'main purpose' of it, it does still provide calories. Yes horses can digest different sources of proteins, carbs, and fats than some other animals (or humans). Or might not be able to digest some sources that others can. But assuming that the source is something that is digestable, then it will provide calories (it's just a matter of what those calories are going to do within the body from then on). I actually read a really good article about this not two weeks ago. But I can not for the life of me remember where it was.

Even though there are some marked differences in equine and human nutrition, you can take the basic principles of human nutrition and apply it directly to equines. And since there is a lot more research readily available in relation to humans, that can be one of the best learning tools.

I agree 100%. I used to be a competitive bodybuilder. EVERYTHING I have read here from Dawn's posting rings true in the bodybuilding world. Especially, when we start talking about protein. The quality of the protein is important in so far as the digestibility. With nutrient dense foods you need far less volume to get the same nutritional value. With less nutrient dense foods you are getting more calories, too. The problem with that is generally the calories have to come from somewhere and usually they are in the form of fillers which have to be made up of carbs and fat. As someone stated already there are only three macronutrients--protein, carbs, and fat. As with humans, fillers are usually not good nutritionally. For example, carbs in the form of a plain baked potato for humans = good food choice. Carbs in the form of candy bar = bad food choice. They are both carbs. Yet one is utilized by the body in a better way, contains vitamins and minerals and is more easily digestible and has a low glycemic index. The candy bar has little nutritional value and has a very high glycemic index and is equally high in fat. Likewise, protein from a plain grilled chicken breast is better for humans than protein from bologna. Both have protein. Obviously, one is better. Also, not always, but most of the time the chicken breast is gonna cost you more than the bologna.

On a side note, the glycemic index is how quickly the carbs are metabolized and whether they are fast acting, like simple sugars, or release slowly as foods like oatmeal. Glycemic index is related to insulin. Many studies have been done concerning the effects of insulin on muscle-building, etc. I believe as equine nutrition is more closely looked at you will eventually see the same principles being applied to horses feed. This is a prime example why some horses get "hot" on sweet feed.

Good discussion.