Protein is long assumed to function as an energy source for the body of your horse. Nevertheless this component of your horse's diet is there to provide amino acids (the building blocks of bones, muscles and soft tissues). In other words it helps for growth and repair. But what is protein good for, or better what are amino acids good for? Amino acids are involved in the synthesis and the release of hormones, the synthesis of neurotransmitters and enzymes, and the regulation of sleep, appetite, and blood pressure, to name just a few functions. But primarily, amino acids are needed for the formation and repair of muscle tissue and other soft tissues throughout the body. On a fat-free, moisture-free basis, they account for approximately 80% of a horse’s total structure. That is why growing horses and horses used for breeding need more protein than mature horses being used for sports or pleasure. When a horse ingests protein it breaks up into amino acids. These will travel into the bloodstream via the liver. From there, they travel to the 'spots' they are most needed. If you have a young or growing horse it is always important to look at the amino acid profile of the feed. A good quality protein source is a food that provides a sufficient amount of these essential amino acids, particularly the amino acids lysine and methionine. It doesn't matter to the horse whether a particular amino acid comes from a natural source or whether it is chemically synthesized. But can protein serve as an energy source? Well to be short… yes. But metabolically it is an expensive process, producing three to six times more heat than the breakdown of carbohydrates or gate and yielding considerably less energy. The heating factor might be beneficial in a cold environment, but it also might contribute to excessive sweating and possible heat exhaustion during hard work, especially in a warmer climate. And because protein is one of the more expensive ingredients in a feed, it’s impractical to feed higher levels of protein in search of a performance advantage. You’ll do far better by upping the levels of carbohydrates and fats.
