A survey of feeding , management and faecal pH of Thoroughbred racehorses in the North Island of New Zealand.

The research article carries out a survey to identify the correlation between feeding and management variables with faecal pH in Thoroughbred racehorses in Northern New Zealand.

Research Methodology

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 16 racehorse trainers in the North Island of New Zealand.
• The survey involved interviews at the stables to gather information about feeding and management of horses. It also included collection and measurement of faecal samples.

Results

• 97% of the horses surveyed were confined in an area of 5×5 meters or less for 12 hours or more daily.
• The faecal pH wasn’t influenced by factors like the age of the trainer, years of experience, age and gender of horses, weeks in race training, racing class, frequency of feeding, bedding type, and exercise workload.
• Acidic faecal pH (pH <or=6.32) was found in stables with 12 horses or less, where more concentrate feed was offered to the horses than in larger stables.
• Acidic faecal pH was linked to trainers who only offered 4 kg of grain as the single form of concentrate feed, or provided 2.25 kg or less of hay per day.
• Horses exhibiting stable vices had lesser acidic faecal pH compared to horses not showing stable vices. The pH values observed were 6.70 and 6.43 respectively.

Conclusions

• New Zealand’s racehorse management has several similarities with the methods employed in other major racing countries.
• Trainers with 12 or fewer horses tend to offer more concentrates and these horses had a lower faecal pH than the horses in stables with more than 12 horses.
• For all management systems, it appears pivotal to provide at least 2.25 kg of hay per day ad libitum, in order to counteract the hindgut acidosis associated with diets high in soluble carbohydrate.