Analysis of current equine feeding practices in the Netherlands and identification of potential nutrient leaching and environmental contamination factors.

This research examines the current feeding habits of horses in the Netherlands and identifies the high likelihood of nutrient leaching, leading to environmental contamination. It highlights how many horses are offered more energy and minerals than required, contributing to higher nitrogen excretion rates and the potential pollution of soils and waterways.

Research Methodology

• The researchers conducted an online survey to gather data about the feeding practices of horse owners in the Netherlands. The survey collected demographic information about the horses, which included 274 responses, with the majority of the horses skewed towards Warmblood geldings with an average body weight of around 542.4 kg.
• The areas accessible to the horses for grazing were also analyzed, with most of them having a limited area of pasture (<200m per horse) and a median grazing time of 10 hours.
• The type of food being fed to the horses was also taken into account. Grass hay was found to be the main type of conserved forage included in the horses’ diets, with concentrate feeds and dietary supplements also being given to most horses.

Findings

• The study found that a significant proportion of horses were being offered high levels of metabolizable energy (ME), with the average starch and sugar intake being higher than National Research Council (NRC) recommendations.
• The potential nitrogen excretion was calculated to be around 228g per day, per horse. This considerably high estimate is likely to be due to the excess energy and minerals being provided in their diets, equating to around 8.47 kg of nitrogen per ton of manure.
• The team also found that the horses’ diets contained excessive amounts of the minerals Copper, Zinc, Manganese and Cobalt, which were all being excreted in high quantities in the horses’ feces. This presents a risk to the environment, as these high levels of minerals can contribute to soil contamination and pollution in surrounding waterways.

Implications

• Considering the findings, the research emphasizes the need to educate horse owners in the Netherlands about sustainable feeding practices and the potential environmental impacts of current feeding habits.
• The research also points towards the importance of further investigation into the dietary habits of horses and the nutrition recommendations provided to owners, with the overall aim of reducing nutrient leaching and environmental contamination.