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 Preferred
Energy Source for Tying-Up Syndrome and Metabolic Disorders
Veterinarian-recommended feed formulated for horses
requiring a low-starch diet.
RE-LEVE is appropriate for any health condition
in which a low-starch diet is recommended. Specifically,
a lowstarch diet may be beneficial for horses prone to the
following muscular disorders and metabolic syndromes.
- Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM
or EPSM)
- Laminitis (founder)
- Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis
(RER)
- Cushing's syndrome
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These metabolic problems may be triggered
or exacerbated by the consumption of soluble carbohydrates
found in diets that contain typical concentrates.
Similar Problems, Several Syndromes
Tying-up and exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER)
are terms used to describe the sudden and severe muscle
cramping that sometimes occurs in performance horses. Studies
over the last decade have allowed researchers to identify
several types of chronic exertional rhabdomyolysis. Although
the syndromes are caused by different cellular and metabolic
abnormalities, careful management of the feeding program
can often provide relief and allow an affected horse to
train and perform at a productive level. Polysaccharide
storage myopathy (PSSM) is a type of chronic exertional
rhabdomyolysis that is most common in stock-type horses
(especially those of Quarter Horse, Paint, and Appaloosa
breeding), drafts, and warmbloods. The problem is caused
by an abnormal accumulation of glycogen in muscle cells,
possibly linked to enhanced insulin sensitivity and rapid
clearance of glucose from the blood. After only a few minutes
of mild exercise, horses with this condition may exhibit
stiffness and reluctance to move. Signs in less severely
affected animals include muscle twitching, pawing, and stretching
out as if to urinate. While PSSM has been diagnosed in horses
less than a year of age, the problem often becomes evident
when a young horse is first put into training. Episodes
may also be triggered when a fit older horse has a change
in management such as being kept in a stall or resuming
work after a layoff.
A different glycogen storage disorder, equine
polysaccharide storage myopathy (EPSM), is found in drafts,
draft crosses, and warmbloods. Horses with EPSM show weakness,
muscle wasting, twitching, and difficulty with limb control
when backing or holding up a leg. Some important contrasts
have been found between EPSM and PSSM, but similar dietary
management steps have proven helpful to horses with either
condition.
Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Standardbreds, and
some warmbloods exhibit yet another muscle problem known
as recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER). The cause
of this syndrome is a genetic defect in the regulation of
intracellular calcium. The muscle stiffness and cramping
of RER are commonly manifested when young horses begin race
training and may be seen more frquently as fitness increases.
The signs are reportedly more common in horses of nervous
temperament and are frequently triggered by some type of
stress- or fear-producing incident.
Diagnosis of Specific Syndrome
Although nutritional and exercise history
are important clues, an examination of blood and muscle
cells must be carried out to determine which type of rhabdomyolysis
is the cause of muscle problems in a particular horse. While
there is no cure as such for ER, a carefully designed program
of nutrition and exercise may provide positive results for
many horses. A distinction must be made, and horses diagnosed
with PSSM must not be fed typical grain diets.
Feeding Considerations An
athletic horse needs a forage-based diet with some mixture
of fermentable fiber, fat, and grain-based concentrate properly
fortified to provide vitamins, minerals, and sufficient
energy for the demands of performance. The need for additional
energy is determined by an individual horse's metabolism
and level of exercise. The ration of a horse with any form
of rhabdomyolysis must be designed to meet basic requirements
but avoid loading the horse's system with an excess of any
nutrient that may contribute to muscle problems. These points
need to be taken into consideration:
- Recommended levels of selenium and vitamin
E are usually met by grazing, hay consumption, and minimum
levels of RE-LEVE.
Supplementation of selenium and vitamin E over this level
is not generally helpful, with the exception of draft
horses that may benefit from elevated levels of vitamin
E.
- Electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium,
calcium, magnesium) are quickly depleted as a horse exercises,
particularly in hot and humid conditions. Use of an electrolyte
can help to prevent some episodes of tying-up.
- Chromium supplementation at the rate of
5 mg per day has proven helpful, especially to nervous
horses, possibly by assisting in glucose and glycogen
metabolism. Conversely, because of its influence on insulin
activity, the use of chromium may be counterproductive
in horses with PSSM.
- RE-LEVE,
a concentrate with decreased starch and high levels of
fat and fermentable fiber, is helpful to Thoroughbreds
with chronic RER as well as Quarter Horses and warmbloods
with PSSM.
Horses that suffer from metabolic diseases
that require a low-glycemic diet, such as Cushing's syndrome,
metabolic syndrome, and laminitis also benefit from the
therapeutic effects of RE•LEVE.
High-grain diets can predispose horses to development of
founder when undigested grain is fermented in the large
intestine. Feeding a low-starch diet minimizes the risk
of laminitis secondary to this mechanism. Horses diagnosed
with Cushing's syndrome often present with clinical signs
that include a long, shaggy hair coat, increased thirst
and urination, increased blood sugar levels, and high susceptibility
to infections and laminitis. A low-starch diet helps in
the control of high blood sugar levels.
The First Research-Proven Feed for Horses
with Low-Starch Needs Studies have
shown that replacing traditional grain-based diets with
RE-LEVE resulted in
significant improvement in horses with RER, PSSM, and EPSM.
"RE-LEVE
has been of tremendous benefit to Thoroughbreds, Quarter
Horses, and warmbloods that suffer from tying-up. Our studies
found that RE-LEVE provided
the best relief from muscle stiffness and soreness when
combined with regular daily exercise."
-Stephanie Valberg, D.V.M., Ph.D.,
Dipl. ACVIM
Professor, University of Minnesota Equine Center
•Effect
of diet on the metabolic response to exercise in Thoroughbred
horses with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER).
1998. MacLeay, J.M., S.J. Valberg, J.D. Pagan,
J. Billstrom, and J. Roberts. Proc. 5th International
Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology, Utsunomiya,
Japan. Equine Vet. J. Suppl. 30:458-462.
Horses with
RER fed RE-LEVE showed
less post-exercise muscle damage than horses fed straight
grains or sweet feed.
The effect of varying dietary starch and
fat content on serum creatine kinase activity and substrate
availability in equine polysaccharide storage myopathy.
2004. Ribeiro W.P., S.J. Valberg, J.D. Pagan, and B. Essen
Gustavsson. J. Vet. Int. Med. 18:887-894. 
Effects of diet
on CK activity in horses with equine polysaccharide storage
myopathy. Affected horses fed RE-LEVE
showed the least muscle stiffness.
Recommendations for Exercise
For optimum results, dietary modifications
must be combined with regular exercise for PSSM, EPSM, and
RER horses. After an episode of tying-up, a brief period
of stall rest is usually sufficient to allow stiffness to
subside. The best results are seen if horses are returned
cautiously to exercise as soon as they are able to move
in relative comfort. Most horses will tolerate a gradual
increase to previous levels of exercise and will benefit
from as much daily turnout as posible. Although individual
results vary, improvement in muscle problems should be evident
starting at one to four weeks after dietary changes and
daily exercise are implemented.
Nutritional Management Replacing
a traditional grain ration with RE•LEVE
and providing regular daily turnout and exercise are key
components in the prevention of PSSM, EPSM, and RER as well
as the management of specific metabolic diseases.
RE-LEVE
is the original high-calorie feed specifically formulated
for horses requiring low-starch diets. RE-LEVE
maintains its energy density by relying on fat and fermentable
fibers rather than starch sources for the majority of its
calories. Alternative energy sources such as high-fat stabilized
rice bran along with super fibers beet pulp and soybean
hulls provide highly digestible and readily available energy.
Distribution of Energy Sources
RE-LEVE
is fully fortified to provide the appropriate levels of
the vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal performance.
RE-LEVE utilizes natural-source
vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant more bioavailable than
synthetic sources, to ensure horses receive the maximum
benefit. RE-LEVE is
enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, specifically the long-chain
forms DHA and EPA, which have been shown to mediate inflammatory
response and improve immune function.
RE•LEVE
Offers Unique Ingredients
- Natural-source vitamin E
- Omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA
- High-fat stabilized rice bran
- Sel-Plex® organic selenium*
- Bio-Plex® organic trace minerals*
- Proprietary equine yeast blend
*Sel-Plex® and Bio-Plex® are registered
trademarks of Alltech, Inc. 06-9213
Different Formulas for Different Needs
Because horses with these conditions
are likely to have a wide range of digestible energy needs,
RE-LEVE
is offered in two different formulas to ensure that appropriate
amounts of vital nutrients are provided.
RE-LEVE Original is formulated to meet the
energy and nutrient demands of horses with moderate to high
energy needs.
Different Formulas for Different Needs
RE-LEVE
Original
Feeding Instructions Feed at a rate
of 2.5-9 kg (6-20 lb) per day depending on the level of
work as well as the size and body condition of the horse.
RE-LEVE Original should
be fed with high-quality hay equaling at least 1-1.5% of
the horse's body weight per day. Replace the horse's current
grain ration with an equivalent amount of RE-LEVE
Original. If a horse requires less than 3 kg (6 lb) of grain
per day, consider using RE•LEVE
Concentrate.
RE-LEVE Original
Guaranteed Analysis
| Digestible Energy (min) |
3.30 Mcal/kg |
| Protein (min) |
12.5% |
| Fat (min) |
12.5% |
| Fiber (max) |
22.0% |
| Starch (max) |
10.0% |
| Calcium (min) |
0.9% |
| Calcium (max) |
1.4% |
| Phosphorus (min) |
0.55% |
| Potassium (min) |
0.85% |
| Copper (min) |
42 mg/kg |
| Selenium (min) |
0.3 mg/kg |
| Zinc (min) |
127 mg/kg |
| Vitamin A (min) |
11,550 IU/kg |
| Vitamin D (min) |
1155 IU/kg |
| Vitamin E (min) |
440 IU/kg |
RE•LEVE
Original Intake Levels
|
Level of
Performance - Amount of Feed per Day (kg) |
Weight of
Horse (kg) |
Maintenance |
Light
Work |
Moderate
Work |
Intense
Work |
Early
Lactation |
Breeding
Stallion |
450
(1000 lb) |
|
|
2.5-4
(6-9 lb) |
3-6.5
(7-14 lb) |
3.5-4.5
(8-10 lb) |
2.5-3
(6-7 lb) |
550
(1200 lb) |
2.5-3
(6-7 lb) |
2.5-3.5
(6-8 lb) |
3-4.5
(7-10 lb) |
3.5-7.5
(8-16 lb) |
4.5-6
(10-13 lb) |
2.5-4.5
(6-10 lb) |
640
(1400 lb) |
2.5-3
(6-7 lb) |
2.5-4
(6-9 lb) |
3.5-5.5
(8-12 lb) |
4.5-8
(10-18 lb) |
5-6.5
(11-14 lb) |
3-5.5
(7-12 lb) |
RE-LEVE Concentrate is designed with greater
nutrient density to ensure that horses with low to moderate
energy needs receive optimal amounts of nutrients.
RE-LEVE
Concentrate
Feeding Directions
Feed at a rate of 1.5-4 kg
(3-9 lb) per day depending on the level of work as well
as the size and body condition of the horse. RE-LEVE
Concentrate should be fed with high-quality hay equaling
at least 1-1.5% of the horse's body weight per day. Replace
the horse's current grain ration with an equivalent amount
of RE-LEVE Concentrate.
If your horse requires more than 3 kg (6 lb) of grain
per day, you may consider using RE-LEVE
Original.
RE-LEVE Concentrate
Guaranteed Analysis
| Digestible Energy (min) |
3.30 Mcal/kg |
| Protein (min) |
12.5% |
| Fat (min) |
12.5% |
| Fiber (max) |
18.0% |
| Starch (max) |
10.0% |
| Calcium (min) |
1.0% |
| Calcium (max) |
1.5% |
| Phosphorus (min) |
0.65% |
| Potassium (min) |
0.90% |
| Copper (min) |
90 mg/kg |
| Selenium (min) |
1 mg/kg |
| Zinc (min) |
260 mg/kg |
| Vitamin A (min) |
22,900 IU/kg |
| Vitamin D (min) |
2,290 IU/kg |
| Vitamin E (min) |
900 IU/kg |
RE-LEVE Concentrate
Intake Levels
|
Level of
Performance - Amount of Feed per Day (kg) |
Weight of
Horse (kg) |
Maintenance |
Light
Work |
Moderate
Work |
Pregnant
Mare |
Early
Lactation |
Breeding
Stallion |
450
(1000 lb) |
1.5-2.3
(3-5 lb) |
1.8-2.5
(4-6 lb) |
1.8-2.5
(4-6 lb) |
1.5-2.5
(3-6 lb) |
2.5-3
(6-7 lb) |
1.8-2.5
(4-6 lb) |
550
(1200 lb) |
1.8-2.5
(4-6 lb) |
1.8-2.5
(4-6 lb) |
2.3-2.5
(5-6 lb) |
1.8-2.5
(4-6 lb) |
2.5-3.5
(6-8 lb) |
1.8-2.5
(4-6 lb) |
640
(1400 lb) |
1.8-2.5
(4-6 lb) |
1.8-2.5
(4-6 lb) |
2.3-3
(5-7 lb) |
2.3-3
(5-7 lb) |
3-4
(7-9 lb) |
2.3-3
(5-7 lb) |
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