Nutritional tips for veterinarians

Harris, Patricia A.; Dunnett, Catherine

doi:10.1111/eve.12657

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 90 publications

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“…Lower abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Streptococci in the gut of the horses fed a forage diet may be explained by the lower fermentation rate of forage compared to cereal grains [18]. It appears that when horses are fed diets rich in starch(> 1 g/kg BW per meal), a substantial amount of starch escapes enzymatic amylolytic digestion in the foregut [27]. When reaching the hindgut, starch is fermented and increased amounts of lactic acid are produced [28].…”

Section: Dietmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Influencing Equine Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge

Garber

Hastie

Murray

2020

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

104

105

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Gastrointestinal microbiota play a crucial role in nutrient digestion, maintaining animal health and welfare. Various factors may affect microbial balance often leading to disturbances that may result in debilitating conditions such as colic and laminitis. The invention of next generation sequencing technologies and bioinformatics has provided valuable information on the effects of factors influencing equine gut microbiota. Among those factors are nutrition and management (e.g. diet, supplements, exercise), medical substances (e.g. antimicrobials, anthelmintics, anaesthetics), animal-related factors (breed and age), various pathological conditions (colitis, diarrhoea, colic, laminitis, equine gastric ulcer syndrome) as well as stress-related factors (transportation and weaning). The aim of this review is to assimilate current knowledge on equine microbiome studies, focusing on the effect of factors influencing equine gastrointestinal microbiota. Decrease in microbial diversity and richness leading to decrease in stability; decrease in Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae family members, which contribute to gut homeostasis; increase in Lactobacillus and Streptococcus; decrease in lactic acid utilising bacteria; decrease in butyrate-producing bacteria that have anti-inflammatory properties may all be considered as a negative change in equine gut microbiota. Shifts in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes have often been observed in the literature in response to certain treatments or when describing healthy and unhealthy animals; however, these shifts are inconsistent. It is time to move forward and use the knowledge now acquired to start manipulating the microbiota of horses.

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Section: Dietmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Influencing Equine Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge

Garber

Hastie

Murray

2020

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

104

105

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“…There is clearly an association between development of colic and changes in the relative abundance of microbial taxa [8,9]. Equine nutritionists usually recommend a gradual transition (7-14 days) [10] during any dietary change. It is, however, relatively unknown how long it takes for the gastrointestinal microbiota to adapt to a new diet.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abrupt dietary changes between grass and hay alter faecal microbiota of ponies

et al. 2020

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Abrupt dietary changes, as can be common when managing horses, may lead to compositional changes in gut microbiota, which may result in digestive or metabolic disturbances. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the faecal microbiota of ponies abruptly changed from pasture grazing ad libitum to a restricted hay-only diet and vice versa. The experiment consisted of two, 14-day periods. Faecal samples were collected on day 0 and days 1-3,7,14 after abrupt dietary change from grass to hay and from hay to grass. Microbial populations were characterised by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina MiSeq platform, 4,777,315 sequences were obtained from 6 ponies. Further analyses were performed to characterise the microbiome as well as the relative abundance of microbiota present. The results of this study suggest that the faecal microbiota of mature ponies is highly diverse, and the relative abundances of individual taxa change in response to abrupt changes in diet. The faecal microbiota of ponies maintained on a restricted amount of hay-only was similar to that of the ponies fed solely grass ad libitum in terms of richness and phylogenetic diversity; however, it differed significantly in terms of the relative abundances at distinct taxonomic levels. Class Bacilli, order Lactobacillales, family Lactobacillaceae, and genus Lactobacillus were presented in increased relative abundance on day 2 after an abrupt dietary change from hay to grass compared to all other experimental days (P <0.05). Abrupt changes from grass to hay and vice versa affect the faecal microbial community structure; moreover, the order of dietary change appears to have a profound effect in the first few days following the transition. An abrupt dietary change from hay to grass may represent a higher risk for gut disturbances compared to abrupt change from grass to hay.

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“…In free-ranging conditions, horses spend between 16 and 20 h per day grazing and, thus, in nature, can consume small amounts of feed throughout the day [24]. Nevertheless, for practical reasons, owners of confined horses may not be able to simulate this feeding delivery [25]. Feeding frequency affects horse health and, thus, performance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An average of 9.0 kg/horse (2.3% live bodyweight, “bwt”) of either alfalfa hay and/or pasture hay was offered daily; however, the exact amount varied greatly, between 5.6 and 19.1 kg/horse (as fed). More recently published recommendations for horses with high energy requirements indicate that hay intake should be 20 g dry matter (DM)/kg bwt/day [25]. Considering a 400 kg bwt for the Chilean corralero horse, the minimum forage intake should be 8 kg of DM daily.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Feeding, Sport Management, and Routine Care of the Chilean Corralero Horse during Rodeo Season

Bull

Bas

Silva-Guzmán³

et al. 2019

Animals

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Simple SummaryThe Chilean corralero horse holds great cultural importance due to its use in Chilean rodeo, the national sport. However, information regarding this breed is sparse, especially husbandry, feeding, and training recommendations, which could present challenges for their proper care. A survey of horse farms in several regions from central to southern Chile was conducted in order to document current management of the Chilean corralero horses which participated in the 2014–2015 Chilean Rodeo Federation season. In the survey, horse owners and trainers were asked about horse gender and size, daily routine, exercise and competition regimen, and feeding practices. All horses in the study were kept in stalls for at least 12 h daily and spent the rest of the day either tied or loose in pens or paddocks. Horses were in moderate- to high-intensity exercise programs, with workouts six days/week and two rodeos per month. Feeding practices varied greatly among farms but most horses received forage (alfalfa or grass hay) and an energy feed (oats, corn, or concentrate), while protein and lipid supplements were less common. The goal of this characterization of current management of the Chilean corralero horse is to contribute to information available about this breed to improve husbandry practices.AbstractThe aim of this study was to characterize the routine care, training, feeding, and nutritional management of Chilean corralero horses that participated in the rodeos of the Chilean Rodeo Federation. Forty-nine horse farms between the Metropolitan (33°26′16″ south (S) 70°39′01″ west (W)) and Los Lagos Regions (41°28′18″ S 72°56′12″ W), were visited and a survey was conducted on the management and feeding of the Chilean horse. Of the horses which participated in at least one official rodeo in the 2014–2015 season, 275 horses were included in the study. The survey consisted of five questions about general data on the property and the respondent, four questions on the animal characteristics, five questions about where the horses were kept during the day, seven questions to characterize the amount of exercise done by the horse, and 18 questions about feeding practices; additionally, the amount of feed offered was weighed. All horses in this study were in training and kept in their stall for at least 12 h and remained tied or loose for the rest of the day. The intensity of daily exercise of the rodeo Chilean horse could be classified as moderate to heavy and consisted of being worked six days/week and participating in two rodeos/month. Ninety-eight percent of respondents had watering devices in the stables. The diet of the Chilean corralero horse during the training season is based on forages, mainly alfalfa hay, plus oats as an additional energy source. Protein supplements such as oil seed by-products are used less frequently. A wide variation was observed in the diets and quantities of feed offered, which suggests that the feeding management of these individuals is not formulated according to their requirements.

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Nutritional tips for veterinarians

Cited by 15 publications

References 90 publications

Factors Influencing Equine Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge

Factors Influencing Equine Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge

Abrupt dietary changes between grass and hay alter faecal microbiota of ponies

Characterization of Feeding, Sport Management, and Routine Care of the Chilean Corralero Horse during Rodeo Season

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