Older Horses appear old as they often lose their top line and muscle mass
The reason for this loss is that an older horse is unable to absorb all the protein that they eat and as well as affecting the visual appearance of the outline of the horse, it is also having a detrimental effect on the internal health of the horse. Protein is needed for muscle , blood, skeleton and organs, hormones, enzymes and antibodies (immune system) – basically most body functions.
Protein is a collection of amino acids, much like bricks in a wall. There are two types, essential and non-essential. The latter can be ingested or mainly created within the body of the horse. The essential ones must be taken up from the diet. There are only two limiting amino acids, these are Lysine and Threonine. Limiting means that if these two are not in the diet, then protein
is blocked. Increasing the amount of protein, (or a protein supplement) is detrimental to the health of the horse. Read more in this article about protein.
Supplementing with Lysine and Threonine is the answer (Graham-Thiers & Kronfeld., 2005). It will not have any negative impact but will help the horse to process all the digestible protein available. To use the wall analogy, without these two important bricks, the wall will break down. Not only will it help the look of the horse, but it will also help maintain the strength and therefore result in a longer useful life where exercise and involvement with others can continue into an older age.
A measure for the daily requirement of lysine per day for a 500 Kg horse is 27 gm (NRC 2007 ) and it has been calculated that threonine is 0.62 of that. So ideally 16-17 gm. ( Mok, Urshel., 2020). It is important to check the amount being fed in premix feeds and adjust the amount being supplemented accordingly, adjusting for the amount of the feed compared to the recommended amount which will show a total amount. For example, if you feed 2 Kgs of premix instead of a recommended 4 Kgs then halve the estimated amount of Lysine and Threonine actually in the horse’s feed.
Another nutritional support is the product Vetpro Muscle Max. Very easily digested, a fat-based supplement with no carbohydrates but provides safe energy and good healthy condition.
Check out the article specifically about the Older Horse …https://vetpro.co.nz/the-older-horse/
Lysine and Threonine are called limiting amino acids because if they are not available in sufficient quantities, the horse cannot fully utilise the protein it eats. This can reduce protein absorption and have a significant impact on muscle development, growth and overall health.
Yes, although it is very uncommon. Excess Lysine must be excreted by the horse, which may result in increased water intake and more frequent urination. An ammonia smell in the stable can sometimes indicate excess protein or amino acid excretion.
Lysine and Threonine help the horse make better use of the digestible protein in its diet. This supports muscle development, including topline, while also contributing to overall health and wellbeing.
Many horses, particularly older horses, can benefit from supplementation. Check the feed label to see how much Lysine and Threonine are already provided in the diet. Good quality lucerne typically supplies around 50% of a horse’s daily Lysine requirement, with the remainder needing to come from other feed sources or supplementation.
Graham-Thiers, P. M., & Kronfeld, D. S. (2005). Amino acid supplementation improves muscle mass in aged and young horses. Journal of Animal Science, 83(12), 2783–2788. https://doi.org/10.2527/2005.83122783x
Mok, C. H., & Urschel, K. L. (2020). Amino acid requirements in horses. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 33(5), 679–695. https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.20.0050
National Research Council. (2007). Nutrient requirements of horses (6th rev. ed.). National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/11653
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