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Feeding the racing dromedary
Minerals and vitamins
A racing dromedary needs to have good musculature on a thin and strong skeleton. Hence the importance of minerals playing a role in particular in bone metabolism, but also in muscle metabolism which we know depends a lot on the availability of calcium during muscle contraction. A deficiency in calcium, but also in phosphorus, is a factor in weakening the skeleton which can lead to spontaneous fractures during more or less violent races.
Regarding trace elements, we will highlight the particular role of iron and copper, which are part of the composition of myoglobin and hemoglobin, essential proteins of muscle fibers and red blood cells that play a role in the transport of oxygen during exercise. Selenium is a co-factor of an enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), whose action is decisive for maintaining the optimal quantity of red blood cells. It neutralizes the action of peroxides, toxic molecules that accumulate in cells during cellular metabolism and cause their destruction. Selenium is also an element of myosin, which is involved in muscle contraction and protects against muscular dystrophy. Selenium generally acts in synergy with vitamin E, which accumulates in sites where oxygen pressure is high, such as in the membranes of red blood cells. Vitamin C, which is known to be very high in milk, is necessary for iron metabolism and the maturation of red blood cells. In addition, its anti-stress and antioxidant action is very beneficial for the animal. B vitamins are co-factors in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and, as such, stimulate general metabolism. The other vitamins (A and D) are also very useful. Finally, it is not recommended to water the animals during the 2 days preceding the race to avoid weighing them down.
Distribution of an individual daily ration of a racing dromedary in the Middle East
An example of a ration for a competition camel
basic ration with alfalfa, barley, corn, sorghum
energy supplement (dates, honey)
protein and lipid supplementation (cow's milk, butter, eggs)
mineral and vitamin supplement
Energy
The main element of the effort (all the more important as muscle contractions are rapid) is energy provided by carbohydrates and lipids. The first, quickly usable, are mainly used during short fast races. They are therefore provided as a priority during speed events. Conversely, for races requiring endurance, we will favor rations rich in lipids which provide energy for more sustained efforts.
Proteins
To ensure the renewal of muscle fibers, the racing dromedary needs quality proteins, rich in sulfur elements (methionine in particular).
In no case is it the quantity that takes precedence (unlike milk production).
On the contrary, an excess of protein in the ration is not recommended.
Written by Fabien Hasni, secretary of the FFC
A dromedary is not fed in the same way depending on whether it is intended for fattening, milk production or work. For racing, feeding is more a matter of sports dietetics than basic zootechnics. What does a racing dromedary owner look for? First of all, a small hump (it's hard to run with a backpack!!), and a fine muscle mass giving the animal an aerodynamic profile that is reminiscent of that of greyhounds with a thin abdomen and elongated legs. In addition, our sporting animal must be offered a ration that allows it to perform an intense effort combining endurance and speed: it therefore needs quickly usable energy, high-quality proteins and of course minerals and vitamins.
A racing dromedary needs to have good musculature on a thin and strong skeleton. Hence the importance of minerals playing a role in particular in bone metabolism, but also in muscle metabolism which we know depends a lot on the availability of calcium during muscle contraction. A deficiency in calcium, but also in phosphorus, is a factor in weakening the skeleton which can lead to spontaneous fractures during more or less violent races.
Regarding trace elements, we will highlight the particular role of iron and copper, which are part of the composition of myoglobin and hemoglobin, essential proteins of muscle fibers and red blood cells that play a role in the transport of oxygen during exercise. Selenium is a co-factor of an enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), whose action is decisive for maintaining the optimal quantity of red blood cells. It neutralizes the action of peroxides, toxic molecules that accumulate in cells during cellular metabolism and cause their destruction. Selenium is also an element of myosin, which is involved in muscle contraction and protects against muscular dystrophy. Selenium generally acts in synergy with vitamin E, which accumulates in sites where oxygen pressure is high, such as in the membranes of red blood cells. Vitamin C, which is known to be very high in milk, is necessary for iron metabolism and the maturation of red blood cells. In addition, its anti-stress and antioxidant action is very beneficial for the animal. B vitamins are co-factors in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and, as such, stimulate general metabolism. The other vitamins (A and D) are also very useful. Finally, it is not recommended to water the animals during the 2 days preceding the race to avoid weighing them down.