Feed intake in horses refers to the amount and type of feed consumed by horses, which can vary based on factors such as age, activity level, health status, and environmental conditions. It is a critical aspect of equine management, influencing growth, performance, reproduction, and overall health. Feed intake can be affected by the nutritional content of the diet, palatability, feeding practices, and physiological needs of the horse. Understanding feed intake patterns and requirements is essential for formulating appropriate feeding strategies. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the determinants of feed intake, its impact on equine physiology, and strategies for optimizing feeding practices in horses.
Laut JE, Houpt KA, Hintz HF, Houpt TR.In order to determine if horses will increase their intake in response to caloric dilution, four pony geldings were fed ad lib a mixed grain diet either undiluted (3.4 Mcal/kg of digestible energy) or diluted (wt/wt) with 25% sawdust (2.6 Mcal/kg) or with 50% sawdust (1.7 Mcal/kg). The mean daily caloric intake was 17,457 kcal (3.4 Mcal diet), 17,546 kcal (2.6 Mcal diet) and 12,844 kcal (1.7 Mcal). The mean time spent eating was 246 (3.4 Mcal), 351 (2.6 Mcal), and 408 (1.7 Mcal) minutes/day. Meal size increased and meal frequency decreased with increasing dilution. The median long survivorship...
Orton RK, Hume ID, Leng RA.Rates of growth were measured in two-year-old (Experiment 1) and nine-month-old (Experiment 2) horses fed high (12 or 14 per cent) or low (6 or 8 per cent) crude protein diets with one of two levels of exercise (0 or 12 km trotting per day at 12 km/h). In the non-exercised horses feed intakes and growth rates were greater on the high than on the low protein diets. Exercise increased feed intakes and growth rates of horses on the low but not the high protein diets, so that in the exercised groups there were no significant differences in feed intakes or growth rates between the horses on the two...
Orton RK, Hume ID, Leng RA.Rates of passage of fluid and particulate digesta markers and apparent digestibility estimated by three methods were compared in yearling horses fed high (14 per cent) or low (8 per cent) crude protein diets with one of two levels of exercise (0 or 12 km trotting per day at 12 km/h). Mean retention times (MRT) of the fluid marker (51Cr-EDTA) were shorter than those of the particulate marker (ruthenium-phenanthroline). There were no significant effects of dietary protein level on passage of either marker or on apparent digestibility of dry matter. Exercise increased voluntary feed intake and ap...
Hawkes J, Hedges M, Daniluk P, Hintz HF, Schryver HF.Preference trials were conducted with mature ponies. In Trial 1, oats were compared with oats plus sucrose. Four of six pony geldings selected oats plus sucrose, but one pony demonstrated a dislike for sucrose and one selected from the bucket on the right side regardless of content. Oats, maize, barley, rye and wheat were compared in Trial 2 using six mature pony mares. Oats were the preferred grain, with maize and barley ranking second and third respectively. Wheat and rye were the least preferred. Even though the ponies demonstrated preference, the total intake at a given meal was not greatl...
Trim CM.Complications following the use of the cuffless large animal endotracheal tube during general anesthesia in 2 horses are reported. One horse developed laryngeal edema during recovery. The edema was treated successfully with dexamethasone, but severe laryngeal trauma was confirmed 24 hours later at necropsy. The second horse had a swollen tongue and had difficulty eating for 3 days after anesthesia. The condition resolved without treatment. this report is a reminder of the potential damage which can occur from endotracheal intubation.
Williams S, Scott P.Meal contaminated by Datura stramonium seeds at the rate of 0.5% by weight was fed to two horses. Both horses showed clinical signs of depression, anorexia, weight loss, rapid heart and respiration rates, mydriasis, polyuria, polydipsia and diarrhoea. Both recovered with treatment. Maize screenings contaminated by the seeds had been used in the manufacture of the meal.
Glade MJ.Mature geldings at maintenance were fed different diets in a 4 x 4 Latin square design balanced to account for residual effects in an attempt to determine whether differences in the digestibility of the fibrous portions of feedstuffs would influence dietary nitrogen (N) requirements. Diet 1 contained corn and soybean meal (SBM); diet 2, corn, corn oil and urea; diet 3, corn, SBM, straw and urea; diet 4, corn, alfalfa and urea. Urea supplied 50% of the total N in diets 2 and 3 and 39% of the total N in diet 4. The diets were fed in amounts that met National Research Council (NRC) recommendation...
Ralston SL, Freeman DE, Baile CA.The roles of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and of the large intestine in the control of feeding in ponies were investigated. Ponies with cecal fistulas were adapted to ad libitum access to pelleted feed. Treatment solutions were given as a bolus 15 min before the animals were allowed free access to feed after a 4-h fast. Each dose of VFA solution was tested in a crossover design with a water control. When the ponies were permitted to eat after the treatments, the latency to eat, first meal size, and duration and first intermeal interval were recorded. Feed intakes were measured at 3 and 18 h afte...
Marlow CH, van Tonder EM, Hayward FC, van der Merwe SS, Price LE.Non-pregnant Thoroughbred mares were stabled and subjected to 2 trials, each 24 h in duration, to establish their total consumption of a mixture of freshly cut, lush green perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) in approximately equal proportions; and to compare the total intake of crude protein, calcium, phosphorus and mass of the grass mixture on a dry matter basis with their daily nutritional requirements. The body mass of each mare was calculated at the commencement of each trial. In the first trial 2 lactating mares with foals at foot, 65 days and 8 days of ...
Ralston SL, Baile CA.Ponies are large nonruminant herbivores which are capable of utilizing the products of both enzymatic digestion in the small intestine and bacterial fermentation (volatile fatty acids, VFAs) in the cecum and large colon as sources of metabolizable energy. Recent studies have demonstrated that ponies utilize nutrient stimuli from both carbohydrate and fat digestion in the small intestine and VFAs in the cecum and large colon in the control of meal frequency. These animals, however, rely primarily upon oropharyngeal and external stimuli to control the size and duration of meals. This is perhaps ...
Caple IW, Bourke JM, Ellis PG.The calcium and phosphorus nutrition of thoroughbred racehorses was assessed by analysis of serum and urine samples collected from 90 horses in 1975 and 139 horses in 1980-81 at racetracks in Melbourne. Horses that were excreting greater than 15 mumole Ca/mosmole and which had a calcium to creatinine clearance ratio greater tha 2.5% were considered to have adequate Ca intake. Horses that were excreting greater than 15 mumole P/mosmole and which had a phosphorus to creatinine clearance ratio greater than 4% were considered to have excessive phosphorus intake. Sixty-percent of the horses sampled...
Frape DL, Tuck MG, Sutcliffe NH, Jones DB.1. The rate of passage of chromic oxide (Cr) was similar in the pony and rhinoceros. 2. Higher apparent amounts digested were found using 4N-HCl-insoluble ash (AIA) than those determined by Cr, but overall digestibilities were similar for the two species. 3. An abrupt increase in the starch content of the horse diets increased the number of faecal ciliate protozoa. Only when the overall feed intake was increased in horses receiving a high dietary proportion of starch were the numbers depressed. 4. When the rhinoceros received 109 kJ apparent DE per kg bodyweight daily (716 kJ/W0.75 daily) it m...
Ralston SL, Van den Broek G, Baile CA.The feeding patterns of five pony geldings fed pelleted diets ad libitum were quantified for five 24-hr periods. Eighty percent of a given pony's total daily intake (6.3 ± .81 kg or 2.9 ± .41% BW) was eaten in 10 ± .9 separate meals. Each meal averaged .49 ±.13 kg of pellets and lasted 44 ± 10 minutes. The mean intermeal interval was 84 ± 10 min, with a maximum of 3 hour. The animals spent 38 ± 7.2% of a 24-hr period engaged in eating activities, 84 ± 3.7% of which was devoted to meals, the other 16% spent in nibbling activities. Forty-nine percent of the total daily intake was consume...
Ellis RN, Lawrence TL.In two separate experiments food intakes and heart rates were monitored in New Forest and Welsh filly foals maintained at constant weight (by energy restriction) or allowed to grow normally for 180 (New Forest) or 147 (Welsh) days. Subsequent to these periods voluntary food intakes from feeding the same diet for 107 days (New Forest ponies) and herbage dry matter intakes from allowing free access to pasture for 42 days (Welsh ponies) were recorded. In the ponies maintained at constant live-weight food intakes and heart rates declined to reach and remain at new low levels. Herbage dry matter co...
Butler KD, Hintz HF.A pelleted ration was fed limited or ad libitum to two groups of seven Shetland 8-month-old ponies for 117 days. During the last 56 days, gelatin was added to the diets of four animals in each of the two intake groups. Gelatin was added at levels of 30 and 90 g per 100 kg body weight for the first and second 28-day periods, respectively.
Ponies fed the diet ad libitum consumed 180% more feed, had 50% greater rate of hoof growth (.384 ± .009 vs .254 ± .008 mm/d), 200% greater increase in height at the withers and 425% greater increase in body weight than ponies fed the limited level. The h...
Matsuoka T.Gelded horses of mixed breeding, ranging in weight between 360 and 455 kg, were fed pellets that contained monensin at concentrations of 279, 124, 31, and 0 ppm. Of 2 horses fed 279 ppm (253 g/T), both died. Of 3 horses fed 125 ppm (113 g/T), 1 died; feed intake was reduced in the 2 survivors. Of 3 horses fed 31 ppm (28 g/T), 1 had a transitory reduction in feed intake and the other 2 remained clinically normal. The 2 horses fed 0 ppm remained clinically normal. Monensin was also given to horses by gavage, at dosages of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 20 mg/kg of body weight. The LD50 was estimated to be betwe...
Brown RF, Houpt KA, Schryver HF.In two adult horses doses of 0.02-0.03 mg/kg diazepam, intravenously, increased 1 hr intake 54-75% above control levels. Intake was stimulated when the diet was a high grain, calorically dense one and also when the diet was a high fiber, calorically dilute one. Two young rapidly growing weanling horses showed an even more pronounced stimulation of intake. Following diazepam 1 hr intake was increased 105-240% above control lelvels. Promazine at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg also stimulated intake in adult horses, but not as markedly as did diazepam. A transquilizer and a neuroleptic appear to have a stim...
Hertzsch R, Emmerich IU, Lachenmeier DW, Sproll C, Monakhova YB, Aboling S, Bachmann U, Vervuert I.Opioid alkaloids were identified in the urine of horses during an anti-doping control and in a case of intoxication. In both cases, it was suspected that the horses had ingested poppy-contaminated feed. To verify this suspicion, possible opioid alkaloid sources in Germany were identified through a literature research. Additionally, the contaminated feed was botanically and chemically analysed. The results indicated that both cases were most probably caused by the poppy in the feed. This highlights the previously underestimated risk of an intake of poppy-contaminated feed in horses. Recommendat...
Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M....Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from the roots of (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (taiga root tincture) when used as a sensory additive in feed for dogs, cats and horses. The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the additive is safe for dogs, cats and horses at the maximum proposed use level of 460.7, 489.5 and 140.7 mg/kg complete feed, respectively. The additive was considered safe for consumers when used at the proposed conditions of us...
Jachimowicz-Rogowska K, Topczewska J, Krupa W, Bajcar M, Kwiecień M, Winiarska-Mieczan A.The purpose of the study was to evaluate seasonal changes in selected trace elements such as Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Al in the coat of healthy Hucul horses kept in south-eastern Poland in two different facilities and fed with locally sourced feed. The coat for the study was collected from 24 individuals in autumn, winter, and spring. The concentration of elements in the feed was also determined. The date of collection had a significant effect on the concentration of the micronutrients analysed in the coat of Hucul horses. The highest concentration of Zn was found in the coat taken in summer. The c...
Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M....Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of an essential oil obtained from the oleoresin of Aiton (pine white oil, also known as turpentine oil), when used as a sensory additive in feed and water for drinking for all animal species. The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the essential oil under assessment is safe up to the maximum proposed use levels of 35 mg/kg for laying hens, piglets, pigs for fattening, sows, rabbits, salmonids, 50 mg/kg for veal ca...
Mantovani R, Bailoni L.This study was conducted to estimate the nutritional value of diets given to stallions of different breeds during the reproductive season, and comparing allowances with requirements. The systems compared were the French INRA, the 1989 NRC, and the 2007 NRC. Data on reproductive activity, daily exercise, BW, BCS, feed intake, and feed composition during 4 mo (from March to June) were recorded on 12 stallions used for commercial AI programs. Stallions belonged to 3 different breeds: Italian Haflinger (IH, n=4), Holstein (HOL, n=4), and Italian Heavy Draft horse (IHDH, n=4). Data recorded were us...
Decloedt AI, Bailly-Chouriberry L, Vanden Bussche J, Garcia P, Popot MA, Bonnaire Y, Vanhaecke L.To ensure fair competition and to protect the horse's welfare, horses have to compete on their own merits, without any unfair advantage that might follow the use of drugs. Therefore, regulatory authorities list all substances that are not allowed in competition, including most anabolic-androgenic steroids. As zero-tolerance is retained, the question arose whether the consumption of mouldy feed could lead to the excretion of steroids, due to the biotransformation of plant phytosterols to steroids. A rapid ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analyt...
Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Fašmon Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A....Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from the fruit (pericarps and seeds) of Hook f. (star anise tincture) when used as a sensory feed additive for all animal species. The product is a ■■■■■solution, with a dry matter content of approximately 1.86%. The product contained on average 0.2588% polyphenols (of which 0.0229% were flavonoids, including 0.0036% rutin), anethole (0.018%) and estragole (0.00039%). The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP)...
Marlow CH, van Tonder EM, Hayward FC, van der Merwe SS, Price LE.Non-pregnant Thoroughbred mares were stabled and subjected to 2 trials, each 24 h in duration, to establish their total consumption of a mixture of freshly cut, lush green perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) in approximately equal proportions; and to compare the total intake of crude protein, calcium, phosphorus and mass of the grass mixture on a dry matter basis with their daily nutritional requirements. The body mass of each mare was calculated at the commencement of each trial. In the first trial 2 lactating mares with foals at foot, 65 days and 8 days of ...
Wolford AN, Coverdale JA, Leatherwood JL, Pinchak WE, Anderson RC, Wickersham TA.Eight previously cecally cannulated Quarter Horse geldings were utilized in a crossover design with two 28-d periods with a 21-d washout period between to evaluate the influence of housing on the cecal environment and dry matter intake (DMI). Horses were adapted to diet and housing from day 1 to 19, DMI was determined from day 20 to 24, and cecal fluid was collected on day 28. Horses were paired by age and body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to treatment. Treatments consisted of housing horses individually in stalls or group housed in a pen. Regardless of treatment, all horses were individu...
Woodward MC, Huff NK, Garza F, Keowen ML, Kearney MT, Andrews FM.The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of two commercial feed supplements, Egusin 250® [E-250] and Egusin SLH® [E-SLH], on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH, and blood gas values in stall-confined horses undergoing feed-deprivation. Methods: Nine Thoroughbred horses were used in a three-period crossover study. For the three treatment groups, sweet feed was mixed with E-250, E-SLH, or nothing (control group) and fed twice daily. Horses were treated for 21 days, then an additional 7 days while on an alternating feed-deprivation model to induce or worsen ulcers (period o...
Staniar WB, Bussard JR, Repard NM, Hall MH, Burk AO.The objective of this study was to evaluate nutrient composition, voluntary DMI, and apparent DM digestibility of teff hay cut at 3 different stages of maturity to evaluate its potential as a preserved forage for horses. Six mature Quarter Horse mares (12 +/- 3 yr; 553 +/- 39 kg of BW) were used in a replicated balanced Latin square design with 3 periods and 3 maturities of teff hay. Eragrostis tef ('Tiffany' teff) was planted in May and harvested at the boot, early-heading, or late-heading stage of maturity through the summer. Horses were acclimated to a mixture of maturities of teff hay for ...
Collas C, Dumont B, Delagarde R, Martin-Rosset W, Fleurance G.Little is known about how to manage grazing horses, including the thresholds under which energy supplementation is required. Here we investigated the effects of daily herbage allowance (DHA) and energy supplementation (ES) on daily herbage intake in lactating mares of light breeds grazing high-quality regrowth during summer. Three contrasting DHA, low (LOW), medium (MED), and high (HIGH), that is, 35.0, 52.5, and 70.0 g DM∙kg BW(-1)∙d(-1), respectively, were obtained by adjusting pasture strip width. Eighteen Anglo-Arab and French Saddle lactating mares were either supplemented with 2.6 kg...
Intemann S, Reckels B, Schubert DC, Wolf P, Kamphues J, Visscher C.Evidence has already been provided that feed-borne mold spores and endotoxins can trigger chronic, non-infectious respiratory disease if inhaled. Furthermore, deficiencies in feed microbiology are suspected to trigger gastrointestinal and liver disorders in horses, but the connection needs further clarification. Most of the previous studies regarding horse feed hygiene focused on forage, whereas research regarding hygienic quality of concentrates is scarce. In the present study, results of reports on hygienic quality of compound feed and cereals for horses were evaluated secondarily. Results i...
Ebert M, Moore-Colyer MJS.The aim of this study was to estimate the energy requirements of Thoroughbred racehorses in active training for flat racing. Twenty-two Thoroughbred racehorses in England were measured over periods from 6 to 15 wk, which included periods of active race training and temporarily reduced training. Energy intake was determined by measuring daily feed consumption. Energy output was measured using heart rate monitors during 730 training sessions, relating heart rate (HR) to oxygen consumption (VO2) and converting VO2 to energy. Field maintenance requirements were calculated by deducting the marginal...
Zicarelli F, Tudisco R, Lotito D, Musco N, Iommelli P, Ferrara M, Calabrò S, Infascelli F, Lombardi P.Determination of digestibility represents the first step for the evaluation of the net energy content of feed for livestock animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo digestibility and in vitro degradability of five diets characterized by different forage/concentrate ratios (F:C) in horses. The in vitro degradability was determined by the Gas Production Technique (GPT), using as an inoculum source the feces of the same subjects used for the in vivo test. Five diets consisting of poliphyte hay, straw and grains of barley and oats with a different F:C ratio [90/10 (Diet 1); 78/22...
Mack JK, Remler HP, Senckenberg E, Kienzle E.The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a different energy supply on the development of Warmblood foals with a focus on examining the recommended allowances of the German Society for Nutrition Physiology. Methods: Two groups of foals received different amounts of concentrates from the 1st until the 6th month of life. With regards to the total energy content, the rations were composed to either comply with the recommendations (6) (group "Norm", n=15) or to exceed those by approximately 20% (group "Zulage", n=16). The supply with concentrates of the group "Norm" aimed for a...
Fayt J, Dotreppe O, Hornick JL, Istasse L.Spelt is a covered cereal with large glumellas. In experiment 1, it has been compared in terms of chemical composition with barley, oat and maize. Spelt is characterized by rather low protein and ether extract (EE) contents. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content of spelt was slightly higher than that of oat but the acid detergent fibre (ADF) content was lower. Two compound feedstuffs were fed along with hay to six horses used in a cross-over design. Both diets were well appreciated by the horses and there were no significant differences in the apparent digestibility coefficients, except fo...
Francis JM, Neander CR, Roeder MJ, Perry EB.Palatants may be added to equine feed and medication either during or after manufacturing to enhance product acceptance. Prior studies have examined a variety of palatants but results have been limited and inconsistent. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate topically applied oil-based palatants on feeding preferences in horses. Stock-type horses (n = 10) were used in this paired preference test across a two-phase study. Phase one compared six palatants (banana, anise, peppermint, apple, spearmint, and orange) to a control (corn oil), whereas phase two compared preference a...
Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Dusemund B, Fašmon Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B....Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of glyceryl polyethyleneglycol ricinoleate (PEG castor oil) as technological feed additive for all animal species. PEG castor oil is safe at a maximum concentration in complete feed of 90 mg/kg for chickens for fattening and other minor growing poultry; 134 mg/kg for laying hens and other laying/breeding birds kept for egg production/reproduction; 121 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening; 162 mg/kg for piglets and other minor growing ; 194 mg/kg for pigs for fattening; 23...
Collas C, Fleurance G, Cabaret J, Martin-Rosset W, Wimel L, Cortet J, Dumont B.Agroecology opens up new perspectives for the design of sustainable farming systems by using the stimulation of natural processes to reduce the inputs needed for production. In horse farming systems, the challenge is to maximize the proportion of forages in the diet, and to develop alternatives to synthetic chemical drugs for controlling gastrointestinal nematodes. Lactating saddle mares, with high nutritional requirements, are commonly supplemented with concentrates at pasture, although the influence of energy supplementation on voluntary intake, performance and immune response against parasi...
Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M....Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of 4-methyl-5-vinylthiazole [15.018] belonging to chemical group 29 (thiazoles, thiophene and thiazoline), when used as sensory additive (flavourings) in feed for all animal species. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that 4-methyl-5-vinylthiazole [15.018] was safe at the maximum proposed use level of 0.5 mg/kg complete feed for veal calves (milk replacer), dogs, salmonids and ornamental fish. For the other species, the calculated safe concentrations in complete feed are: 0.4â€...
Langner K, Blaue D, Schedlbauer C, Starzonek J, Julliand V, Vervuert I.Obesity is a major health concern in many domesticated equids animals since it is related to metabolic abnormalities such as insulin dysregulation, hyperlipidaemia or laminitis. Ponies especially are known as "easy keepers" and are often affected by obesity and its related metabolic disorders. Research in the last decade indicated that the intestinal microbiota may play an important role in the development of obesity, at least in humans. Therefore, the objective of our study was to characterize changes in the faecal microbiota during a two-year weight gain programme which compared ponies and w...
Schryver HF, Meakim DW, Lowe JE, Williams J, Soderholm LV, Hintz HF.The effect of level of protein intake on growth and calcium metabolism was studied in 24 foals. Starting at four months old, the foals were fed one of three diets containing all nutrients, with the exception of protein, at levels recommended by the United States National Research Council Subcommittee on Horse Nutrition for a 12 month period. The protein levels in the three diets were 9 per cent (low protein) 14 per cent (NRC recommended level) and 20 per cent (high protein). The foals fed the low protein diet were changed to the high protein diet after 140 days when they were nine months old. ...
Viljanto M, Kaabia Z, Taylor P, Hincks P, Muir T, Habershon-Butcher J, Bailly-Chouriberry L, Scarth J.Boldenone is an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) that is prohibited in equine sports. However, in certain situations, it is endogenous, potentially formed by the microbes in urine. An approach to the differentiation based on the detection of the biomarkers Δ1-progesterone, 20(S)-hydroxy-Δ1-progesterone and 20(S)-hydroxyprogesterone was assessed, and their concentrations were monitored in the urine of untreated female horses (n = 291) alongside boldenone, boldienone, testosterone and androstenedione. Using an ultra-sensitive analytical method, boldenone (256 ± 236 pg/mL, n = 2...
Inokuma H, Kanaya N, Fujii K, Anzai T, Maeda K, Okuda M, Onishi T.Twelve horses kept at a riding club suffered from pyoderma. All the horses displayed crusting, scaling and alopecia. The lesions were distributed in the chest, back, rump and limbs. Some of the horse patients also showed epilation with an attached crust similar to a 'paintbrush lesion' of dermatophilosis, but normal skin flora or opportunistic pathogenic bacteria were only isolated from the lesions. Some patients clearly showed weight loss, anemia and low levels of serum protein and cholesterol. General condition and skin lesions of the patients were improved gradually with improvement of feed...
Köninger M, von Velsen-Zerweck A, Eiberger C, Löffler C, Töpper A, Visscher C, Reckels B, Vervuert I.The aim of this study was to examine the nutrient composition and feed hygiene of alfalfa as well as investigate the feed intake, blood, urine and faecal parameters of horses fed alfalfa haylage (AS) compared with alfalfa hay (AH) and meadow hay (MH). A total of 11 geldings were fed ad libitum (2.1% dry matter (DM) of body weight (BW)) with alfalfa haylage, alfalfa hay and meadow hay (MH) in a Latin square design. On days 0 and 21 of the feeding period, blood samples were analysed for kidney and liver parameters. Faecal samples were analysed for pH, DM and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Spon...
Ragnarsson S, VÃkingsdóttir SV, Stefánsdóttir GJ.The natural behaviour of horses is to spend the majority of their time on feed intake The feeding of stabled horses is, however, often far from that, as their feed intake is limited to their nutritional requirements. In order to approach their natural foraging time, it is important to extend the feed intake time of stabled horses. The aim of this study was to estimate if the feed intake time differs when feeding haylage in a haynet, hayball, metal corner manger, or from the box floor. The experimental design consisted of a Latin square, occurred across four days with four adult Icelandic horse...
Perry EB, Handlos GC, Fenton JM.Anise has demonstrated equine palatability but its olfactory effect is underexplored. The objective was to investigate the effect of the aroma of anise on consumptive behavior. Stock-type horses (n = 8) were used in a crossover 6-day preference test. Palatability stocks were utilized. Bowls containing oats were situated on plates holding gauze soaked with 0.375 ml of anise or corn oil (control). Variables included first diet sniffed (FS), first consumed (FC), first action (FA), and amount consumed (AC). Each trial was video-recorded. Behavior data were analyzed using chi square and Kruskal...
Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A....Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of sodium ferrocyanide and potassium ferrocyanide as technological feed additives for all animal species. In its previous opinion on the safety and efficacy of the additives, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the use of sodium ferrocyanide and potassium ferrocyanide is safe, when added to sodium chloride at a maximum content of 80 mg ferrocyanide anions (anhydrous)/kg for turkeys for fattening and laying hens and other laying/breeding birds, all porcine species and categori...
