JOURNAL TRANSCRIPT
US 20150201 650A1
(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2015/0201650 A1 Green
(43) Pub. Date:
(54) DIETARY SUPPLEMENT (71) Applicant: Vetafarm Europe Ltd, Nailsworth (GB)
(30)
Foreign Application Priority Data
Mar. 17, 2009 (GB) ................................... O904584.O
(72) Inventor: Malcolm Geoffrey Green,
Gloucestershire (GB) 21) Appl. No.: 14/584,796 (21) Appl. No 9
(22) Filed:
Dec. 29, 2014
Related U.S. Application Data (62) Division of application No. 13/257.282, filed on Nov. 28, 2011, now abandoned, filed as application No. PCT/GB2010/050231 on Feb. 12, 2010.
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Publication Classification
(51) Int. Cl. A23K L/I75 A23K L/18
(2006.01) (2006.01)
(52) U.S. Cl.
CPC ............. A23K 1/1753 (2013.01); A23K 1/1806
(2013.01) (57) ABSTRACT Dietary Supplements used as a horse calming Supplement can include a calcium coordinated compound.
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DETARY SUPPLEMENT RELATED APPLICATIONS
0001. This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/257.282, filed Nov. 28, 2011, which is a national stage entry of International Application No. PCT/ GB2010/050231, filed Feb. 12, 2010, which claims priority to U.K. Application No. 0904584.0, filed Mar. 17, 2009. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
0002 The present invention relates to a dietary supple ment. In particular, the present invention relates to a horse Supplement for calming horses. 0003. There is a long existing problem that many horses display agitated behaviour and appear to be in a state of anxiety. Such horses often exhibit behavioural problems such as inability to concentrate, difficulty learning and poor sport ing performance. It may be that a horse generally demon strates Such agitated behaviour or only does so in certain situations, such as in large crowds or on hearing a loud noise. This can be a particular problem when a horse is taking partin an equestrian sporting event. 0004. Other horses may exhibit this behaviour in recre ational situations such as hacking or Schooling when safety and rider confidence become significant issues. 0005. There is a general need to be able to calm horses when they are in Such an agitated State. Moreover, there is a further need to ensure that the horse maintains a calm tem
perament yet still has the ability to concentrate, learn and make split second judgements and decisions. This is of par ticular importance for horses that take part in equestrian sporting events. 0006. Many attempts have been made to improve the tem perament of such horses. These attempts include endeavour ing to train the horses to maintain a calm temperament in all situations. Although some horses have shown an improved temperament with Such training, there remain some horses in which little or no improvement is seen. 0007 Instead of, or as well as, endeavouring to train a horse, another attempt to improve the temperament of a horse is to alter the nutritional intake of the horse. There are a
number of dietary Supplements on the market that attempt to deal with these problems that are aimed at calming horses. For example some Supplements include magnesium as a calming agent. Such supplements have been shown to improve the temperament of Some horses yet provide no or little effection otherhorses. It is believed that those horses that
have been successfully treated had a magnesium deficiency. Other Supplements include tryptophan, B group vitamins and herbs, which have shown little or no improvement in the temperament of some horses. 0008. Therefore, it is clear that the temperament of some horses cannot be calmed with the above attempts and there remains a need to improve the temperament of horses in an agitated State. 0009. As will be appreciated there is a need to provide new products, compositions or agents which can calm horses, which at least address some of the problems associated with the known products, compositions or agents identified above. It is an object of the present invention to provide such a product, composition or agent. 0010. It has surprisingly been found that providing a horse with a Supplement comprising a calcium coordination com
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pound, Such as chelated calcium, has a drastic effect on the overall temperament of many horses. It has been found that previously agitated horses have a calmer temperament. This effect improves the safety of the rider and the horse, and can increase the rider's enjoyment. Moreover, it has also been found that horses that train for and take part in equestrian sporting events are more alert, have a better concentration and a better reaction time. The latter effect has also been shown for calm horses.
0011. The calcium coordination compound when pro vided in a Sufficient amounts leads to a high proportion of the calcium being absorbed into a horse. Chelated calcium has Sufficient bioavailability Such that an ingestible amount can be provided to a horse and produces the calming effect. 0012. A calcium coordination compound is calcium bonded to or associated with one or more ligands. Calcium coordination compounds include calcium chelates, which include calcium bonded to or associated with an organic molecule. The calcium chelate can be bonded to or associated
with amino acids, Such as methionine, glycine, lysine etc.; carbohydrates Such as gluconates, lactates, malates etc.; other organic molecules, such as citrate, ascorbate, acetate etc.; and/or derived or concentrated from milk.
0013 The calcium chelate may be selected from the fol lowing non-exhaustive list: calcium citrate, calcium glucon ate, calcium citrate malate, calcium malate, calcium lactate, a
calcium amino acid chelate, calcium aspartate, calcium ascorbate dihydrate, calcium aspartate, calcium boro glucon ate, calcium bromolactobionate hexahydrate, calcium citrate hydrate, calcium D-saccharate, calcium glubionate, calcium gluconate, calcium lactate gluconate, calcium lactobionate, calcium levulinate dihydrate, calcium magnesium lactate glu conate, calcium orotate dihydrate, calcium fumarate, calcium lactate, calcium Succinate and/or calcium pidolate. 0014. The calcium coordination compound may be bonded to or associated with protein, such as whey protein, casein, soy protein, pea protein, and cereal protein or other plant, algal, yeast, fungal, bacterial or animal derived pro teins. The calcium may be deliberately incorporated at high levels in living organisms such as plants, algae, yeasts, fungi, bacteria or single celled or multicellular animals 0015. In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a horse calming Supplement comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a calcium coordination com pound. Preferably, the calcium coordination compound is one or more calcium chelates.
0016. In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a horse calming Supplement for improving the temperament of a horse consisting essentially of a calcium coordination compound. Preferably, the calcium coordination compound is one or more calcium chelates.
0017. There is further provided a horse calming supple ment consisting of a calcium coordination compound only. Preferably, the calcium coordination compound is one or more calcium chelates.
0018. In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of calming a horse comprising administering to a horse a Supplement comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a calcium coordination compound. Preferably, the calcium coordination compound is one or more calcium chelates.
0019 Advantageously, the calcium chelate is selected from the group consisting of calcium citrate, calcium glucon ate, calcium citrate malate, calcium malate, calcium lactate, a
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calcium amino acid chelate, calcium aspartate, calcium ascorbate dihydrate, calcium aspartate, calcium boro glucon ate, calcium bromolactobionate hexahydrate, calcium citrate hydrate, calcium D-saccharate, calcium glubionate, calcium gluconate, calcium lactate gluconate, calcium lactobionate, calcium levulinate dihydrate, calcium magnesium lactate glu conate, calcium orotate dihydrate, calcium fumarate, calcium Succinate and/or calcium pidolate. 0020. However, it is envisaged that any calcium chelate may be used. The Supplement may comprise a single calcium chelate or two or more different calcium chelates, including two or more from the list above.
0021. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the calcium chelate is a calcium amino acid chelate, calcium
gluconate and/or calcium citrate. 0022 Advantageously, the calcium chelate is a calcium amino acid chelate and calcium gluconate; a calcium amino acid chelate and calcium citrate; or calcium gluconate and calcium citrate.
0023. Further advantageously, the calcium chelate is a calcium amino acid chelate and calcium citrate malate; a calcium amino acid chelate and calcium malate; a calcium amino acid chelate and calcium lactate; a calcium amino acid
chelate and calcium aspartate; calcium gluconate and calcium citrate malate; calcium gluconate and calcium malate; cal cium gluconate and calcium lactate; calcium gluconate and calcium aspartate; calcium citrate and calcium citrate malate; calcium citrate and calcium malate; calcium citrate and cal
cium lactate; or calcium citrate and calcium aspartate. The above combinations may further comprise one or more addi tional calcium chelates from the list above.
0024. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the absorption rates of the individual calcium coordination com pounds, including calcium chelates, will vary. 0025 Advantageously, the supplement is administered orally. It is intended that the supplement will be ingested by the horse. However, other forms of administration are envis
aged. 0026. The supplement may be administered alone. The supplement may be administered with the feed; preferably the supplement is added to feed by the user or incorporated into feed or feed balancers when the feed is prepared/manufac tured. Alternatively, the Supplement may be Supplied as a lick, as a drench from a container or a single dose drench admin istered by Syringe. 0027 Preferably, the load dose of the calcium (Ca++) in the Supplement is greater than 0.1 gram of calcium per day, and preferably in the range of 1-20 grams per horse per day (based on a horse weighing 550 kgs). In an alternative embodiment the load dose is 0.5 to 20 grams of calcium per horse per day (based on a horse weighing 550 kgs). In a further embodiment the load dose is 10 to 15 grams of cal cium per horse per day (based on a horse weighing 550 kgs), and preferably the load dose is 12 grams of calcium per horse per day (based on a horse weighing 550 kgs). 0028. A skilled person will appreciate that the load dose is the amount of Supplementingested by a horse that is required to provide the horse with a calm temperament. In other words, the load dose is the amount of calcium present in the Supple ment. It is to be appreciated that the load dose may need to be administered from anything from one day to a number of months. The calming effect can be almost immediate. It has been found that commonly a horse's temperament will
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become calm over a two to three week period of receiving the load dose. However, the calming effect can take up to three months.
0029. In the latter case, without being bound by any theory, it is considered that the horse in question has depleted stores of calcium (in the bones) and these stores remove calcium from the blood until they are replenished. It is not until these stores are replenished that consistent behaviour is achieved.
0030 The actual amount of the supplement provided to the horse per day (the feed dose) will depend upon the cal cium coordination complex/calcium chelate present in the Supplement. 0031 Advantageously, the feed dose for a 550 kg horse is between 6 to 125 grams of supplement per day; 11 to 222 grams of supplement per day; or 5 to 95 grams of Supplement per day. 0032. In an embodiment in which the supplement com prises a calcium amino acid chelate, the feed dose for a 550 kilogram horse is 6 to 125 grams of the Supplement per day. On this dosage 1 to 20 grams of calcium is available for absorption by the horse. 0033. In an embodiment in which the supplement com prises calcium gluconate, the feed dose for a 550 kilogram horse is 11 to 222 grams of the Supplement per day. On this dosage 1 to 20 grams of calcium is available for absorption by the horse.
0034. In an embodiment in which the supplement com prises calcium citrate, the feed dose for a 550 kilogram horse is 5 to 95 grams of the Supplement per day. On this dosage 1 to 20 grams of calcium is available for absorption by the horse.
0035 Advantageously, the maintenance dose of the Supplement is greater than 0.1 grams of calcium per day (based on a horse weighing 550 kg). Preferably, the mainte nance dose is the range of 0.1-8.0 grams of calcium per day, or more preferably in a range of 4-5 grams of calcium per day. A skilled person will appreciate that the maintenance dose is the amount of Supplement ingested by the horse that is required to maintain the horse with a calm temperament after the initial state of agitation has been alleviated due to the ingestion of a load dose. In other words, the maintenance dose is the amount of calcium in the Supplement that is adminis tered to maintain the calmed temperament of the horse. The maintenance dose will depend upon the calcium coordination compound/calcium chelate present in the Supplement. The maintenance dose will further depend upon the size and age of the horse.
0036 Advantageously, the feed dose (including loading dose and/or maintenance dose) of the Supplement is admin istered to a horse five days a week. These days may or may not be consecutive. The calcium Supplement may be provided daily. However, the supplement has been found to be more effective when a single dosage five days a week is provided. 0037. This administration is particularly recommended for mares at the time of foaling to avoid any potential risks such as increased probability of milk fever. 0038. It is also envisaged that the calcium may be admin istered at a higher dose once or twice a week. 0039. In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the Supplement further comprises a marker. The purpose of the marker is to distinguish the Supplement from other Supple ments in the market place as a security measure. The marker can be any compound capable of being identified in the
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Supplement and safely administered to a horse; such com pounds would be well known to those of skill in the art. 0040. In one embodiment the marker is a dye. In one embodiment, the dye is canthaxanthin. In one embodiment the dye is a carotenoid. In one embodiment the marker is a
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calcium per day. The feeder provided a mark between 1 and 5 where bad is 1 and good is 5. The mark allocated was based on the effect noted in the behaviour of the horse. The feederalso
provided general comments on the horses behaviour during the trial.
fluorescent marker. In one embodiment the marker is a nutri
ent. In one embodiment the nutrient is a protein. In one
EXAMPLE 1.
embodiment the nutrient is a vitamin. In one embodiment the
nutrient is a fat. In one embodiment, the nutrient is a mineral. In one embodiment, the mineral is zinc. In one embodiment,
the mineral is Sulphur. In one embodiment, the mineral is boron. In one embodiment, the mineral is fluorine. In one embodiment, the mineral is silver. In one embodiment, the mineral is chronium. In one embodiment, the mineral is lithium. In one embodiment, the mineral is titanium. In one embodiment, the mineral is nickel. In one embodiment the
marker is a glucosamine. In one embodiment, the marker is methylsulfonylmethane. In one embodiment the marker is a chondroitin. In one embodiment the marker is a vitamin C. In
one embodiment the marker is a di methyl glycine. In one embodiment the marker is allicin. In one embodiment the marker is a L-carnitine.
0041. The marker may be present in the amount of between 0.1 and 20% by weight of the supplement. The marker may be present in the amount of between 1 and 10% by weight of the Supplement. The marker may be present in the amount of between 5 and 10% by weight of the supple ment. The marker may be present in the amount of between 0.1 and 5% by weight of the supplement. 0042. It is to be appreciated that the supplement may include one or more of the above markers.
0043 Advantageously, the supplement is used in methods of calming horses; improving the behaviour, concentration and learning of a horse, improving judgement and decision making in competition horses; and/or alleviating psychologi cal symptoms of calcium deficiency. 0044. In advantageous embodiments is use of the supple ment for calming horses; improving the behaviour, concen tration and learning of a horse, improving judgement and decision making in competition horses; and/or alleviating psychological symptoms of calcium deficiency. 0045 Although not wishing to be bound by any theory as to how the calcium coordination compound provides the calming effect, it is hypothesised that the agitated behaviour of the horses is due to a calcium deficiency that affects the transmission of nerve impulses and possibly causes excitabil ity on the Surface of the nerve cell impairing its function. 0046. The invention will now be explained in more detail with respect to the following examples: 0047 Three trials were carried out to investigate the effect of different calcium coordination compounds in the form of calcium chelates on horses demonstrating agitated behaviour and a fourth trial was carried out to demonstrate the effect of
a non-coordinated calcium compound (non-chelated cal cium) on horses demonstrating agitated behaviour. The four trials used calcium gluconate, a calcium amino acid chelate (MAAC Calcium 16 Amino Acid Chelate IPC from Albion Laboratories, Inc., USA), calcium citrate and calcium carbon ate and the results are outlined below in examples 1 to 4 respectively. 0048. The horses were given doses of calcium chelate calculated to provide a loading dose of 12 grams of calcium per day for five days each week for a period of a month. In the calcium carbonate Subject the feed dose was 24 or 48 grams of
Calcium Gluconate
0049. Three horses displaying agitated behaviour where provided with a Supplement consisting of calcium gluconate only. Feeder 1
0050. Feeder 1 provided a mark of 4.5. The horse was provided with 133 grams of calcium gluconate only. The feeder indicated that the horse calmed down without losing any energy and restored the horse to its behaviour prior to the agitated behaviour. Feeder 2
0051 Feeder 2 provided a mark of 2.5. The horse was provided with 133 grams of calcium gluconate only. The feeder did not notice a difference in the horses’ behaviour for
the first couple of weeks. However, it was noted that the horse gained confidence. It is considered that the amount of the Supplement needed to be increased for the specific horse. Feeder 3
0052 Feeder three provided a mark of 3. The horse was provided with 133 grams of calcium gluconate only. The feederindicated that an improvement in the horse's behaviour was noticed within three days and within two weeks the horse was completely calm. 0053. The average mark for horses provided with calcium gluconate is 3.33. EXAMPLE 2
Calcium Amino Acid Chelate
0054 Five horses displaying agitated behaviour where provided with a Supplement consisting of a calcium amino acid chelate only. Feeder 1
0055 Feeder 1 provided a mark of 5. The horse was pro vided with 75 grams of a calcium amino acid chelate only. The feeder indicated that the difference in the horse's behav iour was unbelievable. It was noted that the horse's concen
tration was much better. The horse went into the Wales quali fiers, a three day event, and coped very well with flood lights and loud noises. Feeder 2
0056. Feeder 2 provided a mark of 5. The horse was pro vided with 75 grams of a calcium amino acid chelate only. The feeder indicated that the improvement in the horse's behaviour was brilliant. The horse calmed down within a few days.
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Feeder 3
0057. Feeder 3 provided a mark of 2. The horse was with 75 grams of a calcium amino acid chelate only. The horse is a fussy eater. The feeder did not notice a change for the first couple of weeks, but in weeks three and four a change was noted although there were a couple of moments when the horse became agitated. It is considered that the horse was not receiving a sufficient amount of calcium because the horse is a fussy eater. It is postulated that an insufficient amount of calcium was ingested and hence absorbed by the horse. Feeder 4
0058 Feeder 4 provided a mark of 3. The horse was pro vided with 75 grams of a calcium amino acid chelate only.
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even when all the other horses around were being rather excitable during a hunt with lots of noise and commotion. It was also noticed that the horse's coat is incredibly shinny, which have never seen before.
0066. The average mark for horses provided with calcium citrate is 4.6. EXAMPLE 4
Calcium Carbonate
0067 Four horses displaying agitated behaviour where provided with a Supplement consisting of calcium carbonate only.
The feeder noted that the horse was had a much calmer
Feeder 1
temperament in the first week. Unfortunately the trial was stopped after week one due to running out of the Supplement.
0068. Feeder 1 provided a mark of 1.5. The horse was provided with 60 grams of calcium carbonate only. It was
Feeder 5
noted that there was a not much difference in the behaviour of the horse.
0059) Feeder 5 provided a mark of 3. The horse was pro vided with 75 grams of a calcium amino acid chelate only. The feeder noted that by the second week the horse was competing in (and won) an equine event. There was an improvement in the horse's ability to cope with noise and things going on around it. 0060. The average mark for horses provided with calcium amino acid chelate is 3.60. EXAMPLE 3
Calcium Citrate
0061. Three horses displaying agitated behaviour where provided with a Supplement consisting of calcium citrate only. Feeder 1
0062. Feeder 1 provided a mark of 4.5. The horse was provided with 57 grams of calcium citrate only. The feeder noted that the horse's behaviour was completely different. It was noted that the horse was a lot calmer and rational. Feeder 2
006.3 Feeder 2 provided a mark of 4. It was noted that the horse was much calmer and friendlier. The horse did have an
episode of agitation but has Subsequently been much calmer and no longer weaving or nodding head. The horse no longer gets nervous and protective of his space and is much calmer when new horses come into the yard. Feeder 3
0064. Feeder 3 provided a mark of 5. The feeder noted that the horse's temperament showed a very good response. The horse was on box rest during the trial So it was not possible to test the horse's temperament and ability during ridden per formance. Feeder 4
0065 Feeder 4 provided a mark of 5. It was noted that the horse was much calmer generally. It was felt that the horse was much more willing to have a look at what is scaring her and was bolder with the handler. The horse was very calm,
Feeder 2
0069. Feeder 2 provided a mark of 2.5. The horse was provided with 120 grams of calcium carbonate only. The feeder noted a small improvement in the horse's behaviour but not sufficient for the horse to be ridden. Feeder 3
0070 Feeder 3 provided a mark of 1. The horse was pro vided with 60 grams of calcium carbonate only. No signifi cant change was noted in the horse's behaviour. 0071. The average mark for horses provided with calcium carbonate is 1.67.
0072. In comparison to the results of the chelated calcium trials, it is clear that non-chelated calcium is not readily absorbed by the horses and therefore does not produce a calming effect to horses. 0073. The examples show that chelated calcium alone calms horses; improves behaviour, concentration and learn ing of a horse, improves judgement and decision making in competition horses; and appears to alleviate psychological symptoms of calcium deficiency. 0074 Although the specific examples used supplements comprising calcium only, it is appreciated that the Supplement can further comprise one or more components. It is appreci ated that the horses will have a number of dietary require ments and, as such, a single Supplement may be preferred. 0075. The supplements described above may further com prise vitamin D. It is known that vitamin D is required for calcium absorption. It may be preferable to provide additional vitamin D, particularly when the horse does not have suffi cient exposure to Sunlight such as during winter months or when rugged or stabled for long periods of time. 0076. The supplements described above may further com prise magnesium, sodium, potassium, tryptophan, B group Vitamins, neurotransmitters and/or their precursors and/or herbal preparations. In one embodiment the Supplement spe cifically does not containa B group vitamin, Such as thiamine (vitamin B1). 0077. In a further embodiment the supplement does not contain magnesium. In an alternative embodiment the Supple ment does not include magnesium or a B group vitamin, Such as thiamine (vitamin B1).
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0078. In the present specification “comprises' means “includes or consists of and "comprising” means “including or consisting of. 007.9 The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realis ing the invention in diverse forms thereof. What is claimed is:
1. A method of calming a horse, comprising administering to a horse a Supplement comprising a calcium coordination compound, said horse Supplement providing a load dose that is greater than 1 gram of calcium per day. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the calcium coordination compound is a calcium chelate. 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the calcium chelate is selected from the group consisting of calcium cit rate, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate malate, calcium malate, calcium lactate, a calcium amino acid chelate, cal
cium aspartate, calcium ascorbate dihydrate, calcium aspar tate, calcium boro gluconate, calcium bromolactobionate hexahydrate, calcium citratehydrate, calcium D-saccharate, calcium glubionate, calcium gluconate, calcium lactate glu conate, calcium lactobionate, calcium levulinate dihydrate, calcium magnesium lactate gluconate, calcium orotate dihy drate, calcium fumurate, calcium Succinate and/or calcium
pidolate and, more preferably the calcium chelate is a calcium amino acid chelate, calcium gluconate and calcium citrate.
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4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the calcium
chelate is at least one of a calcium amino acid chelate, calcium
gluconate and calcium citrate. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the Supplement consists essentially of the calcium coordination compound. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the Supplement is administered orally. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the Supplement has a load dose between 1 and 20 grams of calcium per day. 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the Supplement has a load dose between 0.5 and 20 grams of calcium per day. 9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising, following administration of the load dose, administering to the horse a Supplement comprising a calcium coordination compound having a maintenance dose greater than 0.1 gram of calcium per day. 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the mainte nance dose is 0.1 to 8.0 grams of calcium per day. 11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the Supple ment has a feed dose between 6 to 125 grams of supplement per day. 12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the Supple ment is administered five days a week. 13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the Supple ment further comprises a marker. 14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the Supple ment is administered concurrently with a feed, wherein the Supplement is added to the feed by an end user or the Supple ment is incorporated into the feed during preparation of the feed.