The intestines of horses are adapted to the consumption of large quantities of forage feed, from which they can digest proteins in the prececal part, absorb amino acid, and from them and synthesize appropriate protein. Protein requirements vary depending on the age of the animal, its physiological condition and its physical activity. Growing horses, especially foals, pregnant and lactating mares have the highest protein requirements. Sport horses also have an increased protein requirement. Supplementation of individual essential amino acids does not lead to a significant improvement in protein supply under normal conditions in practise, but this is an area of equine nutritional research that is still developing. For example, for growing foals up to 1 year of age, threonine is the limiting amino acid. Signs of protein deficiency in horses can include discomfort, reduced feed intake, poor hoof and coat quality and weight loss. In healthy, inactive horses, an excessive intake of amino acids usually has no lasting health consequences. Caution must be given to horses with impaired liver or kidney function, as excessive intake of amino acids can be very harmful due to the increased concentration of ammonia in the blood.
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