FatsKaitlin GurgaAlexis Ravert

What is fat? Fat is an energy source, like carbohydrates. The elements found in fat are carbon hydrogen, and oxygen.

Fat is a 2.25 times more concentrated energy source than carbohydrates.

What are the functions of fat in the horse’s body?

Fats are necessary in a horse's diet in order to absorb fat-soluble vitamins

It also provide linoleic acid, which is the essential fatty acid.

The use of fats also improves hair coat

Con’t It increases the energy of a horse

without increasing the amount of feed

Fats have also shown to have an effect on reproduction.

It also provides body heat and carries some vitamins.

How can fats be supplemented to horses?

Fats are supplemented as either tallow which is animal fat.

The fat is more commonly supplemented in vegetable fat, like corn oil.

How are fats absorbed and excreted?

Fats exist in the triglycerides. Triglycerides are broken down into three fatty

acids and one glycerol molecule. The fats are then absorbed into the small

intestine. When carbohydrates are not readily avali, the

body looks for something else to burn. The body moves to the energy provided by the

fats and burns that off.

Examples of fats and how they are fed.

Saturated Fats

2 hydrogen atoms attached to each carbon. Saturated fat is fat that consists of

triglycerides containing only saturated fatty acid radicals

Oxidation or hydrolysis will cause saturated fatty acids to become rancid.

Causing bad flavors and/ or odors in the feed. The bad flavor and/or odor reduces the value

of the feed since it is less palatable.

Con’t Unsaturated Fats

Also known as essential fatty acids (EFA) because they are considered to be necessary for good health.

Rations fed on farms usually have enough EFAs to meet the need of a horse.

Digestion will separate the EFAs from glycerol molecules.

Fatty acids are then absorbed into the bloodstream where it is distributed to parts of the body and combined with glycerol to form fat.

The fat deposits in the muscle tissues, this is called marling.

The fat stored in fatty tissues, or adipose, contains reserved energy that the horse will use to stay alive if the feed supply was cut off.

Toxicity If you feed the horse too much fatty

foods, the horse will become overweight and unhealthy. Making death and illness more likely to occur.

Deficiency

If the horse is not fed enough fatty foods, the horse will become unhealthy. The horse will be very skinny and make death and illness more likely to occur.