BTEXT.FORKALKULATOR How to use the feed calculator when designing feeds! The feed calculator gives the nutrient composition of feed mixtures which you formulate yourself. All constituents to be used must be included in the list of available feeds in the programme before you start to work with the calculator. * Start by selecting the feedstuffs you want to use * Provide information on the amounts of each feedstuff You may provide percentages which add up to 100%, or provide relative proportions for each feedstuff. The program will then calculate the formulation of the mixture to 100% * A unique name must be provided for feeds which will be stored as permanent feed mixtures for use in the program. * Provide the amount (kg) you produce in one batch * Use button for a hard copy of the composition of the feed mixture * The default cost per kg of the feed will be calculated from the costs of the ingredients The program does not store information on the feed formulation only the nutritional value. It is therefore strongly recommended that you print a copy of the compostion before information on a feed mixture is saved. Please note that only the last formulation of the feed mixture will be saved if the name for the mixture is reused. ETEXT.FORKALKULATOR -Energia #Your horse does not get enough energy, and may become thin. The daily weight gain in young horses will be reduced and a poor performance in racing horses is to be expected. Thin mares will not breed as efficiently as adequately fed animals. # #Solutions: #Give more feed! Hay contains about 7, concentrates 10 and soybean oil as much as 35 MJ of energy per kg. Examine the rest of the ration before you decide what feed to give in increased amounts. #If the horse is trained and still maintains an adequate condition on this ration you may have used a too high level of training intensity. Select a lower intensity! +Energia #Your horse gets too much energy, and will become overweight (fat). This is particularily bad for young growing horses and for horses used for racing and other competitions. # #Solutions: #Hay contains about 7, concentrates 10 and soybean oil as much as 35 MJ of energy per kg. Examine the rest of the ration before you decide what feed to give in reduced amounts. #You may have to restrict grazing especially in spring. # #If your horse receives considerable exercise and with the present feeding maintains a correct condition you are likely to have selected a too low exercise intensity. Select a higher intensity of exercise -Dig Proteiini #When too little protein is fed, slow growth and poor development can be expected in young horses. Breeding mares will produce small and weak newborn and a low rate of milk production. Reduced muscle mass and achievements in competitions can be expected. #Lack of protein may lead to reduced appetite, weak hooves and a dull coat. When feeds are analysed for crude protein, some non-protein compounds which may have low nutritive value will also be included. Digestible crude protein is therefore better. # #Solutions: #Good sources of protein include fish meal, soybean meal and concentrate mixtures with a high protein content. Study the alternatives presented in your program. Early cut clover hay, young grass, alfalfa and haylage are high in protein. +Dig Proteiini #Expensive and unneccesary. Can be detrimental for young growing horses and lead to reduced performance in competition horses. # #Solutions: #Select feeds (concentrate mixes) with a lower protein content. In particular look out for high protein feeds like fish meal and soybean meal. You may have to restrict grazing especially in spring. -Lysiini #If the ration contains enough protein, but too little lysine, the quality of the protein may be poor. A good protein quality is of particular importance for young growing horses and for lactating mares. #Deficiency of lysine in the diet impairs growth and development. # #Solutions: #Good sources of lysine are fishmeal and soybean meal. Commercial concentrate mixtures with a high protein content may be useful. +Lysiini #Expensive and unneccesary. Surplus lysine will be metabolized and used as energy. Your horse can only grow muscles and other tissues when all the required (20) aminoacids are present in balanced amounts. # #Solutions: #Select feeds with lower protein content. Save money and reduce the stress on the liver of your horse. -Kalsium #Calcium and phosphorous build the mineral crystals which are responsible for the hardness and compressive strength of the skeleton. Calcium is also required for a normal function of muscle and nerve cells, and for the glands in the body. #Calcium deficiency in young horses will lead to abnormalities and metabolic diseases of the bones, including rickets and loose bone fragments in joints. # #Solutions: #Good sources of calcium are mineral supplements (including calcium carbonate and dicalcium phosphate), alfalfa hay and most commercial feeds (look for mixes with 6-12 g/kg of calcium). Grass hays may vary from 1.5 to 5 g/kg. #It is recommended to insist on a feed analysis for calcium when buying large quantities of hay, especially when it is to be fed to young growing horses. +Kalsium #May give abnormal skeleton development. Too much calcium may reduce the uptake of zinc in the intestines. # #Solutions: #Reduce the amounts of calcium containing vitamin/mineral mixtures. Study the contribution of the different feeds in the ration to the total calcium intake. -Fosfori #Phosphorous is required for mineralization of the skeleton, and for the energy metabolism in all cells in the body. # #Solutions: #Phosphorous-rich feeds include wheat, oats, barley and commercial concentrate mixtures (5-8 g/kg). Grass hay contains 1-2 g phosphorous per kg. +Fosfori #Too much phosphorous impairs the absorption of calcium and may lead to skeletal disease. Too much phosphorous may also interfere with iron uptake. # #Solutions: #Reduce the amounts of vitamin/mineral mixtures with a high phosphorous content and feeds like wheat bran. Study the contribution of the different feeds in the ration to the total intake of phosphorous. -Magnesium #Magnesium is an activator for many cell enzymes and is required for normal function in nerve and muscle cells. Lack of magnesium may lead to convulsions. # #Solutions: #Most concentrate mixtures for horses are supplemented with magnesium and will be valuable supplements to your ration. +Magnesium #Moderate over feeding of magnesium will not lead to detrimental effects. # #Solutions: You should nevertheless try to feed your horse according to the requirements. -Kalsium/Fosfori #The ration contains a surplus of phosphorous relative to calcium, although the absolute amounts of calcium may be acceptable. Diseases in the skeleton may develop if feeding of a ration with an unbalanced Ca/P ratio continues for prolonged periods. # #Solutions: #Use feeds with a high calcium content like alfalfa and calcium carbonate. Reduce the feeding of phosphorous rich feeds like wheat bran and grains. #Be sure that the total contents of calcium and phosphorous are within the recommended range. "No red lines please!" +Kalsium/Fosfori #The ration contains a surplus of calcium relative to phosphorous, although the absolute amounts of calcium may be acceptable. #Diseases in the skeleton may develop if a ration with an unbalanced Ca/P ratio is given for prolonged periods. # #Solutions: #Provide less of feeds with a high calcium content like alfalfa and calcium carbonate. Increase the proportion of phosphorous rich feeds like wheat bran and grains in the diet. # #Be sure that the total contents of calcium and phosphorous are within the recommended range. "No red lines please" -Natrium #Requirement for sodium (Na) or common salt (NaCl) varies greatly according to the temperature and the working intensity of the horse. #PC-Horse estimates the requirements during winter (October - April) to be 60% of summer requirements. # #Breeding mares and young, growing horses should always have access to a salt or mineral lick with a high salt content. # #Horses which are trained or exercised heavily may have problems with regulation of salt intake. Such animals should therefore be given a controlled amount of salt every day. # #Recommended amounts of salt for horses which are trained are 5-6 gram per 100 kg body weight in winter, and 6-10 gram during summer, when they sweat more. +Natrium #Requirement for sodium (Na) or common salt (NaCl) varies greatly according to the temperature and the working intensity of the horse. #PC-Horse estimates the requirements during winter (October - April) to be 60% of summer requirements. # #Breeding mares and young, growing horses should always have access to a salt or mineral lick with a high salt content. # #Horses which are trained or exercised heavily may have problems with regulation of salt intake. Such animals should therefore be given a controlled amount of salt every day. # #Recommended amounts of salt for horses which are trained are 5-6 gram per 100 kg body weight in winter, and 6-10 gram during summer, when they sweat more. # #It is of particular importance that the horse is given free access to fresh water of good drinking quality if the diet contains more sodium (salt) than the calculated requirements. # #Animals with free access to water can handle salt intakes which are well above the calculated requirements. -Rauta #Iron (Fe) is required for production of red blood cells and is part of important enzymes which are required for metabolism in all cells. #Iron deficiency leads to anaemia and poor stamina. # #Solutions: #Ordinary roughages and concentrate mixtures normally provide enough iron to cover the requirements. Extra supplements of iron can be provided by concentrate and mineral mixtures. +Rauta #Iron (Fe) surplus may lead to reduced concentrations of zinc in the blood and liver. Large amounts of iron may be harmful for young horses. # #Solutions: #Control the use of iron supplements. Be especially careful if the horse receives iron injections or is fed pure iron supplements in addition to the feeds included in your formulated ration. -Kupari #Copper (Cu) has many roles in metabolism: Copper contributes to enzymes which are used for synthesis of elastic connective tissues, in mobilization of iron from body stores, and in pigment synthesis. #Copper deficiency may lead to osteochondrosis and other skeletal diseases. # #Solutions: #Good sources of copper are usually the commercial vitamin/mineral mixtures, and commercial concentrates produced for horses. +Kupari #Horses can tolerate moderate oversupplies of copper without known negative effects. You should nevertheless always try to formulate rations which provide copper in recommended amounts. "No red lines please!" # #Solutions: #Study your ration to try and reduce the amount of concentrates or vitamin/mineral mixtures with a high copper content. -Mangaani #Manganese (Mn) is important for the utilization of carbohydrates and fats in the body, and for cartilage formation. Manganese deficiency is thought to be connected with poor bone development. # #Solutions: #Common vitamin/mineral mixtures and commercial concentrates for horses contain manganese. Good quality grass hay is usually a good source for manganese (40 - 140 mg/kg). +Mangaani #A surplus of manganese may impair the absorption of iron (and calcium). # #Solutions: #Reduce amounts of concentrates and mineral mixtures with manganese in ration. -Sinkki #Zinc (Zn) is an integral part of several enzymes and also a stabilizer of protein hormones. #Zinc deficiency has been connected to skeletal diseases (i.e. osteochondrosis), and will reduce the mechanical strength of the skin and impair its resistance to infections. # #Solutions: #Provide common vitamin/mineral mixtures for horses which usually contain zinc. +Sinkki #A surplus of zinc (Zn) may lead to impaired utilization of copper and induce copper deficiency symptoms. Skeletal damage may occur. # #Solutions: #Reduce the feeding of concentrates and mineral mixtures with a high zinc content -Seleeni #Selenium (Se) is an important part of the enzyme glutathion peroxydase which takes part in the protection of lipids in cell membranes. #Selenium deficiency may lead to muscle dysthrophy, newborn foals with poor ability to suckle, and many other pathological conditions. #Many areas in the world have selenium deficient soils where selenium supplementation is required for successful animal production. # #Solutions: #Selenium is added to most concentrate and mineral mixes for horses. Look for feeds with a high selenium content in your feed list. +Seleeni #Selenium is very poisonous, and excess intakes over prolonged periods will lead to intoxication and death. # #Solutions: #Reduce the feeding of concentrates and mineral mixtures with a high selenium content -Koboltti #Cobalt (Co) is required for production of vitamin B12. Grasses in coastal areas may contain too little cobalt. # #Solutions: #Cobalt is added to most concentrate and mineral mixes for horses. Look for feeds with a high cobalt content in your feed list. +Koboltti #Moderate overdosing with cobalt (Co) has no known toxic effects. Still you should reduce cobalt intake and "avoid red lines" # #Solutions: Reduce the feeding of concentrates and mineral mixtures with a high content of cobalt -Jodi #Iodine (I) is required for the formation of thyroid hormones (thyroxine) which control the metabolic rate of all animals. Iodine deficiency gives goiter and reduced metabolic rate. #Foals born to mares with iodine deficiency or a deficient supply of iodine may be weak or stillborn. # #Solutions: #Good sources of iodine are seaweed, fishmeal, commercial concentrates (where iodized salts are commonly used) and common mineral mixes. +Jodi #Over feeding of iodine (I) may cause fetal damage or lead to weakly or stillborn foals. # #Solutions: #Reduce the feeding of mineral mixtures with iodine, avoid iodized salt and avoid supplements which contain marine algae (seaweed). -A-vitamiini #Vitamin A is required for normal vision, for the skin and other epithelia, and bone formation. #Vitamin A deficiency may lead to poor vision at dusk and during darkness, runny eyes, weak and scaly skin, loss of appetite, reduced growth rate, poor conception rates and general weakness. # #Solutions: #Concentrates and most vitamin/mineral mixtures for horses contain ample amounts of vitamin A. Cod liver oil, carrots, green grasses, haylage and well cured hay are all good sources of vitamin A. #Grasses and haylage also contain beta-carotene which forms vitamin A in the body. +A-vitamiini #Vitamin A if found in two forms: retinol and betacarotene. Betacarotene is a precursor for vitamin A and is present in grasses and other feeds which contain red or yellow pigments. #During normal feeding conditions the risk for toxicity from betacarotene is low, since it is not all absorbed from the diet. # #Grasses, haylage and carrots are feeds which contain high amounts of betacarotene. When using such feeds you may experience red lines for Vitamin A. #If a major part of vitamin A in the diet comes from such betacarotene-rich feeds you can accept the ration even when the line showing vitamin A is red. #The center window on the help screen gives an analysis of the relative contribution of the different feeds to the total intake of vitamin A. # #Prolonged over feeding of vitamin A will lead to intoxication resulting in weak or abnormally formed bones, hair loss and abnormal skin. # #Solutions: #Give supplements which contain less vitamin A. Substitute commercial (vitamin-fortified) concentrates with grain. Be careful of giving more than one vitamin/mineral mix as many will contain vitamin A. #Do not give cod liver oil if the ration already contains a lot of vitamin A. -D-vitamiini #Vitamin D is a precursor for hormones which regulate calcium metabolism in the body. Vitamin D deficiency leads to abnormal development of the skeleton (rickets), poorly mineralized bones and reduced appetite and muscle strength. # #Solutions: #Vitamin D is produced in the skin when horses are exposed to sunlight. Sun-cured hay, cod liver oil and most concentrate and vitamin/mineral mixes are good sources of vitamin D. +D-vitamiini #Over feeding for prolonged periods vitamin D will lead to intoxication characterized by abnormal bone development (hypermineralization), calcium deposition in blood vessels and heart and kidney, and other organs damage. #Stiff gait, loss of appetite and a generally poor condition may be symptoms. Blood samples show abnormally high calcium levels in plasma. Some plants contain vitamin D analogs which may lead to vitamin D toxicity. # #Solutions: #Provide less vitamin D rich vitamin/mineral mixtures. Substitute commercial (vitamin-fortified) concentrates with grain. Be careful of giving more than one vitamin/mineral mix as many will contain vitamin D. #Do not give cod liver oil if the ration already contains a lot of vitamin D. -E-vitamiini #Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant for lipids in cell membranes. Vitamin E has a samilar functions as selenium. Deficiency leads to muscle dystrophy (white muscle disease) and to uncoordinated movements and lameness. # #Solutions: #Concentrates and most vitamin/mineral mixtures for horses contain vitamin E. Special vitamin/mineral mixtures for vitamin E and selenium are marketed in most countries. +E-vitamiini #Moderate over feeding of vitamin E has no proven detrimental effect, in fact recommendations for vitamin E intake have increased over the last two decades. #Too much may however affect the utilization of other lipid soluble vitamins (A, D and K). # #Solutions: #Provide less vitamin E rich vitamin/mineral mixtures. Save money! -B1-vitamiini #B1 (Thiamine): Microorganisms in the large intestine (colon and caecum) will under normal conditions produce sufficient quantities of the different B vitamins. #Reduced production of vitamin B has been observed when rations contain too much concentrate and little roughage. Be careful that your roughage to concentrate ratio is correct. #Extreme exercise or stress may have similar effects and supplements should then be given. # #Solutions: #Concentrates and most vitamin/mineral mixtures for horses are supplemented with vitamin B1. Bakers yeast and brewers grain are good sources of B1. +B1-vitamiini #B1 (Thiamine): Moderate over feeding of vitamin B1 have no known negative effects. # #Solutions: Reduce the use of vitamin/mineral mixes - save money! -B2-vitamiini #B2 (Riboflavine): Microorganisms in the large intestine (colon and caecum) will under normal conditions produce sufficient quantities of the different vitamin B species. #Reduced production of vitamin B2 has been observed when rations contain too much concentrate and little roughage. Be careful that your roughage to concentrate ratio is correct. #Extreme exercise or stress may have similar effects and supplements should then be given. #Solutions: #Concentrates and most vitamin/mineral mixtures for horses are supplemented with vitamin B2. Bakers yeast and brewers grain are good sources of B2 +B2-vitamiini #B2 (Riboflavine): Moderate over feeding of vitamin B2 has no known negative effects. # #Solutions: Reduce the use of vitamin/mineral mixes - save money! -B6-vitamiini #B6 (Pyridoxine): Microorganisms in the large intestine (colon and caecum) will under normal conditions produce sufficient quantities of the different vitamin B species. #Reduced production of vitamin B6 has been observed when rations contain too much concentrate and little roughage. Be careful that your roughage to concentrate ratio is correct. #Extreme exercise or stress may have similar effects and supplements should then be given. #Solutions: #Concentrates and most vitamin/mineral mixtures for horses are supplemented with vitamin B6. Bakers yeast and brewers grain are good sources +B6-vitamiini #B6 (Pyridoxine): Moderate over feeding of vitamin B6 have no known negative effects. # #Solutions: Reduce the use of vitamin/mineral mixes - save money! -B12-vitamiini #Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobolamin) is normally produced in sufficient amounts in the digestive tract of the horse. #To aid in its absorption Vitamin B12 needs a carrier protein produced by the stomach wall. Diseases of the gastric mucosa (gastroenteritis, parasitics infestations) may give secondary anaemias due to vitamin B12 deficiency. # #Solutions: #Provide feeds supplemeted with vitamin B12. (Also ensure that a correct worming programme is strictly observed) +B12-vitamiini #Over feeding of vitamin B12 (Cyanocobolamin) has no known side effects. # #Solutions: None -Niasiini #Deficiencies not shown, since requirements are not well defined. #Solutions: +Niasiini #Over feeding does not occur under normal conditions. #Solutions: None -Foolihappo #Deficiencies not shown, since requirements are not well defined. #Solutions: Extra supplies +Foolihappo #Over feeding does not occur under normal feeding conditions. #Solutions: None BTEXT.MORENUTRIENTS Kalium, C-vitamiini, Biotin Kalium Potassium (K) deficiency is very rare in herbivorous animals like the horse. Although requirements for potassium are known, we have chosen not to include this mineral in PC-Horse, because in normal circumstances roughage provides a large surplus of potassium. Under conditions of extreme physical activity (e.g. three day events and other endurance tests) special electrolyte supplements with potassium are advised. Sugarcane molasses is a very good source of potassium. C-vitamiini The vitamin C requirement of horses has not been defined yet and for this reason we have not included it within the programme. Although generally the horse will produce sufficient vitamin C many concentrate mixtures and supplements contain it. Biotin As with vitamin C the biotin requirement for horses has not been defined and hence it is not included within PC-Horse. Normally sufficient biotin will be produced through bacterial synthesis in the horses' gut. Many concentrate mixtures and supplements have biotin added. Biotin is reported to be beneficial to normal and reperatory hoof growth. ETEXT.MORENUTRIENTS