International Sports
Partnership with equine performance researchers
The name KER is associated with performance and success in the sport and racing field. The renowned Kentucky Equine Research Institute, located in Lexington, Kentucky, conducts research with the goal of improving the health and constitution of the horse.
The major advantage enjoyed by this internationally-recognised establishment is that the thoroughbred studs located around Lexington and the consequent large number of horses enable representative - i.e. statistically relevant - studies to be carried out. Application-based research is carried out at the institutes own test facility in Kentucky: in addition to the measurement of breathing air and blood parameters during exercise on the high-speed treadmill it is also possible to specify nutrient balance. In addition, the institute also has its own analysis laboratory, which can be used to perform bone density measurements.
Practice-related findings
KER implements the information that it obtains in collaboration with horse owners and partners in the feedstuff sector. In Germany that partner is St. Hippolyt. This a source of pride. After all, KER is the official supplier to the Olympic games and feeds derby winners worldwide.
Scientifically confirmed
For many years now St. Hippolyt has been producing horse feed where the proportion of starch is kept to a minimum, for reasons including improved digestibility. KER has recently proved that this is the correct course to follow: feedstuffs with high levels of starch and a consequently high glycaemic index lead to an unnecessarily high increase in blood sugar and associated insulin-related fluctuations in performance.
The long-term feeding of carbohydrate content feed can not only lead to digestive disorders in the horse, but also to the increased formation of heat and carbon dioxide production. The horse over acidifies. Breathing and sweat production are increased. This may have negative effects on endurance. Further findings show that high levels of insulin release raise the cortisone level and subsequently lower stress tolerance.
In a special process at the Ebert Dielheim mill easily-fermentable fibres from beet, fruit and vegetables are moistened with cold-pressed oils to provide horses with a nutrition that is both high-calorie and yet low-glycaemic. A special, performance-related mineralisation assists the metabolism in achieving regulated energy levels. The products Olympic Claim, Endurance and Racing include natural vitamin E, which is proven to have a significantly higher efficiency than synthetic vitamin E.
International Sports Endurance
Endurance equestrianism has grown in significance in recent years. Endurance is required over many hours. The metabolism works continuously, with high oxygen consumption. The musculature is particularly aligned to the burning of fatty acids. To avoid the over-acidification of the muscles, feeding in the low-glycaemic range with limited carbohydrate intake is advantageous. Consequently, International Sports Endurance is based to a significant extent upon easily fermentable roughage and high quality fat components as sources of energy. The glycogen reserves of the endurance horse as a source of energy is established via precisely-measured cereal components. The dosage of minerals, trace elements and vitamins has been tailored to the specific requirements of the maximum-performance endurance horse, also taking account of the loss of minerals through heavy sweating.
|
