"Consider the enormous stress on the racing thoroughbred
at full pace."

Speeds of up to 16 metres per second, heart rate is forced to 240 beats and pumps 350 litres of blood per minute. Red blood cell volume doubles and blood flow to muscles increases 70 fold. Oxygen consumption is twice as much per kilogram of body weight as an elite human athlete and stride lengthens to 6 metres every 0.4 of a second. Force through cannon bones and tendons increases to a massive 4,500 kilograms.

To contend with the enormous and complex stresses placed on equine physiology, trainers work hard to achieve and maintain peak fitness and nutrition's role in this process, is of vital importance. Inherited traits may determine the ultimate limit to performance but the combination of training and nutrition determines how closely horses approach the limit. Mitavite XLR8 is a unique complete feed purposely formulated to provide specific nutritional support to each of the critical and interdependent body systems of the racing equine athlete.

HEART & BLOOD. The heart enlarges in mass by around 17% in the first 2 months of training, increasing the demand for amino acids and readily metabolised minerals. In race conditions heart rate accelerates 6 fold, blood thickens and resistance and pressure in muscles and lungs increase ~ because of this, red blood cell flexibility and strength is paramount in ensuring oxygen and fuel delivery to working muscles.

THE XLR8 EFFECT. A new standard in balanced amino acid levels combined with chelation of minerals, aids absorption. The inclusion of Omega 3 oils in XLR8, at essential levels, assists in blood cell flexibility and oxygen delivery.

THE LUNGS. With increasing speed, stride lengthens and to match oxygen supply to demand there is a one:one coupling of respiration to stride. However, a limit is reached in the cycle when the horse no longer has time for a full breath and training cannot overcome this ~ compounding the problem is the weight of the gut, which if too full, can restrict movement of the diaphragm and lung volume. Also, the narrowing of the small airways from allergies to dust, ammonia, fungal spores and bacteria from grains can mean structural closure during galloping, further limiting lung function.

THE XLR8 EFFECT. Steam-extrusion and micronization increase nutrient density, reducing the absolute weight of feed required. With less weight of feed, less water and electrolytes are drawn into the gut reducing gut weight and allowing freer movement of the diaphragm. These processing systems also reduce dust, moisture, fungal spores and respirable particles for cleaner feed and improved air quality.

HOOVES. The tremendous forces at the full gallop take hooves to the limits of mechanical tolerance and any structural weaknesses resulting from nutritional imbalances can have a severe impact. In addition, sub clinical laminitis is present in around 48% of racehorses, not necessarily severe enough to cause lameness, but when loaded with 4500kg, pain and discomfort prevent acceleration and reduce speed. Poor performance and reduced hoof strength are linked to high raw grain diets which increase gut, blood and muscle acid levels. Ridging of walls, dropped soles and crumbly white lines are signals for dietary correction or additional nutritional support.

THE XLR8 EFFECT. The nutrient dense profile of XLR8's formulation, including calcium assists in the growth of good quality horn, the chelation of minerals helps improve availability and one of the highest levels of biotin of any complete feed go a long way to foster hoof soundness and integrity. Steam-extruding and micronizing grains shifts digestion to the small intestine making feeding safer by avoiding the acid production from fermenting raw grains in the caecum.

BONE. Maximum bone strength may not be achieved until 6 years of age so enormous potential exists for skeletal injuries from 2 years onwards. 'Shin soreness' occurs in 70% - 80% of all 2 year olds from the acute stress of fast exercise. High speed work, immaturity, too much work too soon and low bone strength/density are the major risks. Nutrition management affects bone density and if chronic dietary deficiencies and imbalances occur, bone density and ultimate performance will suffer. Diets, excessive in raw grains and chloride and those deficient in sodium and potassium, reduce body calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels - long term exposure to such diets can lead to bone demineralisation and skeletal weakening. Balance is the key but it is impossible to achieve unless minerals are chelated to prevent unwanted interactions between minerals,which destroy balance.

THE XLR8 EFFECT. Vitamins and minerals in XLR8 are at optimum levels and in a form to help prevent interactions and maximise absorption.

MUSCLE. Performance is determined by body composition (lean muscle versus fat), muscle recovery (after intense exercise) and 'tying up' (and resulting pain).

Body Composition. Protein is the answer ~ the amount, site of digestion and the essential amino acid profile. Horses are unable to make 10 of the 22 amino acids and these must be provided by the feed. If just one is missing or deficient the remaining can't be used and are converted to fat.

Muscle Recovery. Lactic acid and over exertion can result in stiffness or delayed muscle soreness. Rapid recovery is necessary for optimum muscle response to training and so horses can 'back up' well for the next race. Feeding post exercise with the correct balance of carbohydrate, specific amino acids (lysine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine) and anti-oxidants like vitamin E, have an anabolic effect - improving muscle repair and recovery.

Tying up. Muscle soreness from free radical damage, vitamin E or selenium deficiency, electrolyte imbalances, raw grain/carbohydrate overloading, thyroid or genetic muscle disorders can all trigger 'tying up'. Sub clinical 'tying up, without obvious pain, can still restrict performance ~ successful management requires dietary manipulation. Reducing the amount of raw grains which cause high levels of acid in the blood and urine and introducing steam-extruded and micronized grains has lowered incidence of 'tying up'. Feeds high in Omega 3 oils (min. 10-12 %) with anti inflammatory properties offer the dual benefits of increased energy and reduced heat and acid.

THE XLR8 EFFECT. Muscle performance was a key consideration in formulating XLR8 which includes the correct essential amino acid profile, chromium yeast culture for lean muscle mass, vitamin E antioxidant, Omega 3 oils at more than 100 ml per kg, and steam-extruded and micronized grains. These all play important roles in protecting optimum muscle performance.

THE WEIGHT HANDICAP. Racehorses are handicapped by small amounts of lead, but they don't only carry the handicapper's weight. Just as limiting to performance, but fortunately more easily handled, is the 'hidden handicapper' of gut ballast. The gut represents up to 25% (around 125 kg) of a horse's body weight. Each kg of fibre holds 6-8 kg of water and electrolytes in the gut and to horses in racing - a significant weight handicap. An extra 23kg can slow speed by 0.64m/second and 66kg slows speed by up to 1.3m/second.

THE XLR8 EFFECT. XLR8 is an oil enriched, nutrient dense, highly digestible feed which reduces the weight handicap in two ways. Steam-extruded and micronized grains increase digestibility, so less weight of feed is required and gut fill is reduced. By including Omega 3 oils at 110mls per kg, the weight of feed to meet energy demands is further reduced. (half a litre of oil has as much energy as 1.5kg of oats).

FATIGUE. The onset of fatigue is heralded by falling blood glucose levels, heat and acid build-up. As temperature rises, blood is diverted away from working muscles to the skin for cooling. The reduction in blood flow to muscles limits work capacity and precipitates muscular fatigue, increasing the horse's reliance on ligaments, joints and tendons. Neuromuscular co-ordination and gait are affected increasing risks of injury and breakdown. In races over 5 to 6 furlongs, the primary limit to performance is cardiovascular function. A point is reached where thickening of blood offsets the advantages of increased red cells ~ blood thickens, circulation slows and resistance and pressure increase, setting a limit to performance.

THE XLR8 EFFECT. The Omega 3 oils in XLR8's formulation help delay onset of fatigue and allow top speed to be maintained for longer. The 'cool' energy provided by oils, steam-extrusion and micronization, reduces heat production which reduces the need to sweat to cool body temperature.