Horse trainers understand that winning a race demands exertion, strength and stamina, all of which require a refurbished supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the energy unit stored in all cells, particularly muscle cells. To help equines recover faster, horse trainers and owners can utilize ATP supplements.
ATP is considered stored energy because a horse’s body saves it to make it available for immediate use. However, like humans, horses can only use ATP once and afterward, it requires recovery time to restore levels.
Most people in athletic spheres have heard of non-oxidative exercise (anaerobic) and oxidative exercise (aerobic). Anaerobic supplies depend on stored sources such as ATP, phosphocreatine (PC) and the production of lactic acid. On the other hand, aerobic processes use oxygen to aid in energy production through what’s called the Krebs cycle. The whole process is oxidative phosphorylation, a metabolic pathway that uses energy released by the oxidation of nutrients to produce ATP.
Thus, the standard energy of horse motion is the release of energy from ATP.
Physiologists have divided energy systems into three categories based on the duration of all-out exercise. ATP is most important in the first category, called ATP-PC system. This system is considered the “V8” of energy systems, because it provides horses the most power by producing ATP more quickly than any other system and fueling all very high intensity activities. The problem, however, is that ATP is used quickly.
Steps of the ATP-PC system
To understand how a horse recovers, take a look at the component process.
1. At first, ATP stored in the microscopic contractile parts of muscle called myosin cross-bridges are broken down to release energy for muscle contraction. This leaves the by-products of ATP as adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and one single phosphate (Pi) all on its own.
2. The enzyme creatine kinase breaks down PC into creatine and Pi.
3. The energy released in the breakdown of PC allows ADP and Pi to rejoin, creating more ATP. This newly formed ATP can now be broken down to release energy to fuel activity.
Using ATP
During the first few seconds of exercise – no matter the intensity – the ATP-PC system is utilized almost exclusively, with energy unleashing from the breakdown of the ATP storages in muscles.
These ATP reserves last only a few seconds, after which the breakdown of PC serves as energy for another five to eight seconds of activity.
If activity continues beyond this point, the body must depend on other energy systems to produce ATP.
Even though these stores are replenished after about two minutes following brief bursts of activity, continued high-intensity activity may only partially replenish ATP. That’s where Finish Line ATP supplements promote healthy energy. Stretch Run Daily™ consists of Q-bose blend (which is made with vitamin B12, coenzyme Q10, rice bran oil and ribose), red ginseng, tart cherry and dimethylglycine. Ribose and Vitamin B12 contain essential structural components of ATP.
Stretch Run Daily™ supports metabolic energy functions in the horse during the training and racing season. Horse trainers can give it to performances horses to enhance recovery times. It is a top supplement for equine performance.
