Organic matter digestibility in horses and its prediction.

Smolders, E.A.A.; Steg, A.; Hindle, V.A.

doi:10.18174/njas.v38i3b.16569

Cited by 25 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In one study, the inclusion of extruded linseed (20% in DM) in the diets of horses decreased the digestibility of nutrients compared to hay-only and hay/wheat bran diets [56]. In agreements with the results of the present study, Smolders et al [57] found increased digestibility values of the diet nutrients when horses were fed compound feed containing (16%) linseed expeller plus more digestible ingredients (cereals). In the present study, the intake of linseed groats was 6.3%-6.7% in DM, and when combined with digestible fibre sources, also improved the diet's digestibility.…”

Section: Diet Digestibilitysupporting

confidence: 91%

Effect of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) Groats-Based Mixed Feed Supplements on Diet Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Parameters of Horses

Saastamoinen

Särkijärvi

2020

Animals

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Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) and its by-products are common supplements used in equine diets and are claimed to have beneficial health effects. In this study, the effect of linseed groat-based fibrous feed supplements on diet digestibility was studied. Also, possible detrimental health effects due to continuous feeding of supplemental feeds containing linseed were examined by evaluating blood parameters. The experimental design was arranged as two balanced 3 × 3 Latin Squares. The horses were individually fed at the maintenance energy level, the forage-to-concentrate ratio being 70:30, with three diets: (A) Control diet consisting of dried hay and whole oats; (B) Control diet + Feed 1; and (C) Control diet + Feed 2. Feed 1 contained 70% of linseed groats, 15% dried carrot, 10% dried garlic and 5% molasses. Feed 2 contained 65% linseed groats, 15% molassed sugar-beet pulp, 10% dried garlic, 5% dried carrot and 5% molasses. Digestibility data were obtained by using chromium mordanted straw as an indigestible external marker for the estimation of apparent digestibility. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at the end of each feeding period to evaluate the possible effects of the supplemented diets B and C on the health of the horses. Diets B and C had a higher digestibility of crude protein compared to the control diet A (p < 0.05). In addition, the digestibility of ether extract was higher in the supplemented diets than in the basal feeding (p < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences or trends (p > 0.05) in the blood parameters between the treatments. It is concluded that linseed groat-based supplements (offering approximately 6.3%–6.7% linseed groats in the diet’s dry matter (DM), or 0.8 g/kg BW/d), and feed containing soluble fibre sources (sugar-beet pulp, dehydrated carrot), improved the crude protein and fat digestibility of hay-oats diets of horses, and can be used, for example, in feeding strategies replacing grains in the horse rations in order to reduce the intake of starch without any adverse effects on the blood parameters and health of the horses.

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Section: Diet Digestibilitysupporting

confidence: 91%

Effect of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) Groats-Based Mixed Feed Supplements on Diet Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Parameters of Horses

Saastamoinen

Särkijärvi

2020

Animals

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“…However, the higher ash content in the intestinal tract of horses on the HS diet could be the result of lower amounts of ash absorption in the intestine as a direct consequence of the high amounts of starch fed in the diet [ 31 ]. On the contrary, the higher percentage of OM found in the sternal flexure, the pelvic flexure, the right dorsal colon and the rectum in the HF group could be related to the high fibre intake which has been reported to reduce the digestibility of OM [ 32 , 33 ]. Moreover, a diet*sex interaction was found in relation to the percentage of OM and ash content in the sternal flexure.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A high-starch vs. high-fibre diet: effects on the gut environment of the different intestinal compartments of the horse digestive tract

et al. 2022

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Background Horses are often fed high amounts of starch in their diets despite the well-established benefits of a fibre-based diet to promote gut health and animal welfare. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of two different diets – one based on high amounts of starch (HS) vs. one base on high amounts of fibre (HF) – on specific parameters of the gut environment across different intestinal compartments of the horse digestive tract. To this end differences in the gastrointestinal environment between HS vs. HF fed horses were assessed in terms of dry matter, organic matter and ash content; the particle size distribution and volatile fatty acid composition were also investigated. Results Nineteen Bardigiano horses of 14.3 ± 0.7 months of age and destined to slaughter were divided into two group pens – one fed with high amounts of starch (HS; n = 9; 43% hay plus 57% starch-rich pelleted feed); vs. fed with high amounts of fibre (HF; n = 10; 70% hay plus 30% fibre-rich pelleted feed). Horses fed HS diet presented a higher dry matter content in the right dorsal colon. Moreover, they showed a higher organic matter and ash content in the sternal flexure, pelvic flexure, right dorsal colon and rectum. In these latter intestinal compartments, horses fed a HS diet also showed a higher proportion of particles retained on an 8 mm sieve and a higher proportion of particles that washed through the finest sieve (< 1 mm). Moreover, the total amounts of volatile fatty acids as well as valeric acid were found to be significantly higher in horses fed the HS vs. HF diet. Conclusions A high-starch diet causes significant changes in the horse gut environment. We observed an increase in the dry matter content in the right dorsal colon, as well as reduced particle sizes and an increase in the production of valeric acid in all the gut compartments studied. High-starch diets should be avoided in favour of fibre-based diets with the goal of safeguarding gut health in horses.

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“…However, haylage can be both higher and lower in energy, protein, fibre, mineral and vitamin concentration compared to hay or silage. This is due to the nutritive value of forage being primarily determined by plant maturity at harvest (Darlington & Hershberger, ; Edouard et al., ; Müller, ; Ragnarsson & Lindberg, ; Ragnarsson & Lindberg, ; Särkijärvi, Sormunen‐Cristian, Heikkilä, Rinne, & Saastamoinen, 2012; Smolders, Steg, & Hindle, ; Woodward, Nielsen, Liesman, Lavin, & Trottier, ) and not by method of conservation. Considering that DM concentration in the forage is the most dominant factor determining the type of conservation that takes place, it is logical to define silage and haylage on the basis of DM concentration.…”

Section: Defining Silage and Haylagementioning

confidence: 99%

Silage and haylage for horses

Müller

2018

Grass and Forage Science

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This review covers current understanding on the use of wrapped forages such as silage and haylage as forage sources in equine nutrition. Silage (dry‐matter content <500 g per kg) generally have higher concentration of lactic acid and other fermentation products and has a lower pH compared to haylage (dry‐matter content >500–840 g per kg), as the lack of water in haylage restricts fermentation. The differences in biochemical and microbial composition in forage conserved as silage, haylage and hay have not been reported to influence digestion or hindgut function in horses differently. Studies on equine intake and preference of forages conserved as silage, haylage or hay are scarce and contradictory; both low voluntary intake and preference for silage have been reported. Studies on aerobic storage stability of opened bales are few, but are needed, as daily forage consumption is often low on horse farms, which may increase the risk of aerobic deterioration of forage in opened bales before they have been fed. A high hygienic quality of wrapped forages for horses is crucial: (a) as mould spores may cause chronic respiratory disorders; (b) as mycotoxins may cause intoxications, skin problems, gastrointestinal disorders and reproduction failures; (c) as presence of Clostridium botulinum and its toxin botulin may cause fatal disease; and (d) as other microbes (e.g., Listeria monocytogenes) may cause illness in the horse. Further research is needed especially for systems of assessment of hygienic quality of haylage, and how to prolong aerobic storage stability in opened bales.

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Organic matter digestibility in horses and its prediction.

Cited by 25 publications

References 7 publications

Effect of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) Groats-Based Mixed Feed Supplements on Diet Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Parameters of Horses

Effect of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) Groats-Based Mixed Feed Supplements on Diet Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Parameters of Horses

A high-starch vs. high-fibre diet: effects on the gut environment of the different intestinal compartments of the horse digestive tract

Silage and haylage for horses

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