ABC's of Protein

The horse industry often gets hung up on protein, often focused or worried about being too high. Well in reality looking at protein itself is not relevant. The important part of your horse's diet is the amino acids that make up the protein.

Proteins are chains and combinations of amino acids--so in effect proteins are like the words of the dictionary and amino acids are the letters that make up the alphabet. Certain amino acids are more vital than others-they are called Essential Amino Acids. Essential Amino Acids would be like the vowels in our alphabet A-E-I-O & U. The last time I checked you can not make a word in the English language without a vowel, thus they are Essential. Similarly you cannot make good quality protein for horses without Essential Amino Acids present like Lysine, Methionine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine, Histidine, etc.

Quality proteins that deliver maximum results for your horse contain proper levels of these essential amino acids. Progressive Nutrition focuses on supplying these essential amino acids to your horse in all of our feeds. This is what we call our Top-Line Advantage--We take the guesswork out of meeting these needed nutrients--so you can get the most out of your horse.

Leg Problems--Rejuvenaide Them

Many foals show signs of different leg problems, including physitis and tendon contractions. Keeping in mind that some of these issues can be genetically and environmentally induced, nutrition plays a large role, and supplemental nutrition can bring relief.

With nursing foals the roadblock to getting nutrition into them is that their food source is the mare's milk, and we have little influence on its content. Progressive Nutrition has solved this problem with Rejuvenaide. This product comes in 3 forms, that can be dosed to the foal daily--supplying essential nutrition.

The paste form is very easy on newborn foals as it is premixed in a dosage tube. The 32 oz liquid form is also very easy to use on a larger numbers of foals, just draw up the correct amount into a syringe. The powder is the easiest to ship, but does require some additional mixing.

The next time you see some growth issues in a foal, don't hesitate to give Progressive Nutrition a call and check out Rejuvenaide.

Russell Mueller M.S. PAS

How to Post a Question/Comment

Several of you have emailed me directly with questions after reading the blog. A couple of people would have posted to the blog, but were unsure of how to do so. Here are some tips.

• If you want to post a comment or question to the blog just click on the words "X Comments" at the bottom of each post. There will be a number that appears in front of the comment to say how many questions or comments are posted.
• You are more than welcome to take the topic to anywhere you want related to Equine Nutrition
• We appreciate your input and will make every effort to help you make your horse's life better.

Russell Mueller M.S. PAS.

A Common Question

Just finishing up with a tradeshow in Colorado, a common question was coming up. “Isn’t 30% protein a lot?”. As you may be aware, the crude protein content of ProAdvantage Grass is 30% and this may seem high. But two things must be kept in mind. First, the feeding level of ProAdvantage is very low compared to other grain mixes, thus the concentration or level of each nutrient will be higher to get the adequate nutrition.

Secondly, the protein, or for that matter any nutrient, quoted on feed tag, means little, until it is combined with forage to get the actual Total Dietary Intake of protein (or other nutrient). To calculate this, you can use the following equation.

lbs of hay/day x % Protein of hay / 100 = lbs of protein in hay (# 1)

lbs of grain/day x% Protein of Grain / 100 = lbs of protein in grain (# 2)

# 1 + # 2 = Total lbs of protein / Total lbs Hay & Grain x 100 = Total Diet Protein %

Sample

18 lbs x 8% / 100 = 1.44 lbs of protein from hay (#1)

1lb x 30 / 100 = 0.30 lbs of protein from grain (#2)

1.44 + 0.30 = 1.74 lbs / 19 lbs of food per day X 100 = 9.15%

You can use this equation for any nutrient just plug in the number and go from there. This is the true representation of the nutrient intake for the horse, because they eat more than just the grain—the forage MUST be factored into the picture. Happy Calculating!!!!!!!

NO Mare--NO Problem

Having to deal with an orphan or rejected foal is never fun. So as foaling season gets into full steam ahead, keep Progressive Nutrition's Foals First Milk Replacer in mind.

A young foal will nurse from a mare 7-10 times/hour. If you have an orphan are you prepared to bottle feed 7-10 times/hour. I know I'm not. Foals First Milk Replacer is designed to be fed free choice--allowing the foal to mimic mother nature. Feeding the Foals First way also reduces the chances digestive upset and long term scours.

Foals First Milk Replacer frees up your time, and allows the foal to grow and develop to its full genetic potential. Raising an oprhan has never been Easier!!!!!!!!

How Progressive Nutrition Ulcer Formula is Different

Unfortunately, gastric ulcers are a major health and economic impact on the horse industry. With this impact there are more and more products on the market for Ulcers. There are several types that have different modes of action.

Antacid based products (using calcium or magnesium sources) work by buffering or offsetting the acid levels in the stomach. For best results, they need to be eaten almost continuously throughout the day, so that the antacid effects works around the clock.

Other very popular products work by decreasing acid production in the stomach, thereby reducing the possible cause or irritant of the ulcer. Sometimes the cost of these products can be almost prohibitive.

Progressive Nutrition Ulcer Formula--works on the symptoms of horses with ulcers. Progressive Nutrition Ulcer Formula's propriety nutrient blend known as Gastric Tract Technology (GT squared) works on the symptoms caused by ulcers. These symptoms include lack of appetite, poor training, and bad attitude. Gastric Tract Technology is designed to fight infection, improve immunity, encourage eating and improve overall performance.

Progressive Nutrition Ulcer Formula is an easy to feed pellet, that is just added to the current diet. Check it out today.

Great News for Horses with Symptoms of Ulcers

Here's the Scoop!

Progressive Nutrition knows how many horse owners are dealing with ulcers in their horses. Treatment is costly and requires a great deal of labor. Progressive Nutrition is preparing to launch an ulcer product that helps horses eat better and train better.

Progressive Nutrition Ulcer Formula is a pelleted product that is fed with grain, twice a day. Our field studies have shown great results in helping horses that display signs of ulcers.

Progressive Nutrition Ulcer Formula will be available in February.