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Why the protein content of Copra meal is not harmful to horses.

Why the protein content of Copra meal is not harmful to horses.

When evaluating the protein content of a feed, it is essential to consider the entire diet, not just individual components.  

CoolStance copra meal is one part of the total diet. CoolStance is a high-energy feed containing 20% crude protein.  CoolStance copra has a superior amino acid profile to grains.  CoolStance is fed in conjunction with hay/pasture or both, plus balanced trace minerals and vitamins (Vitastance) to create a balanced diet for most horses.

Protein content of Coolstance cannot be considered alone, as a horse does not eat 100% Coolstance.

For example;

A horse is fed 7.5 kg of grassy hay per day, plus 1 kg Coolstance copra meal, plus Vitastance to provide a balanced diet.


After adjusting for the water content, as only the dry matter provides the nutrients, the protein content in the total diet is 9.6%. 

If CoolStance is fed as recommended, your horse's protein requirement will be met. However, if Cool Stance is fed in conjunction with large quantities of lucerne hay or other high-protein feedstuffs, your horse's protein requirement will be exceeded. If protein is fed in excess of your horse's requirements, it will simply be metabolised and used by the horse as a source of energy. Converting protein to energy produces waste nitrogen that must be excreted in the urine. This is a natural process and will not harm a healthy horse in any way. Likewise, excess protein is not capable of causing founder or negatively affecting your horse's behaviour.

Table: The recommended intake of Cool Stance for a 500 kg horse undertaking various activities, and the amount of protein required and received by a 500 kg horse being fed Cool Stance and 9% crude protein (CP) grass hay.

 

Cool Fuel (kg/day)

Grass Hay9% CP (kg/day)

CP Requirement (g/day)

CP Supplied (g/day)

Upper Limit#(g/day)

Spelling

0.5

8.25

656

847

N/A*

Light Work

1

9.00

820

1020

1600

Moderate Work

2

9.25

984

1252

1800

Heavy Work

3

9.50

1312

1485

2000

Pregnant Mare (Late)

1

7.75

866

907

N/A*

Lactating Mare (Early)

4

8.50

1427

1605

N/A*

*If the horse is not stabled, excess protein in the diet will not be an issue for healthy horses.

# Problems associated with excess dietary protein may be experienced at intakes above this level.


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