[Comparative study of three feeding methods for draught horses of the Swiss army].
Abstract: Three feeding methods were compared in 36 4- to 6-year-old Franche-Montagne horses during the military school of St-Luzisteig (GR) of Spring 1992. The horses were separated into 3 groups: a group with the traditional oats-hay ration (OH), a group with a pelleted feed and hay ration (PFH), and a group with the complete diet (CD). Feed analyses were performed and food consumption, eating behavior and digestibility were studied. The horses received their daily amount of feed in 3 portions covering the requirements for a medium work: OH = 8 kg hay and 3 kg oats, PFH = 8 kg hay and 3 kg pelleted feed and CD = 10 kg of the complete diet. For the 3 rations, the amount of digestible crude protein for horses was higher than the reference value for the requirement of a 600 kg horse with a medium work. In the 3 diets, the calcium content was higher than the required 32 g per day (g/d). Not enough sodium (OH: 1.2 g/d; PFH: 7.3 g/d; CD: 9.6 g/d) and too much potassium (OH: 140.3 g/d; PFH 153.0 g/d; CD: 167.5 g/d) were present in the diets, both without consequences for the blood parameters. In 3 meals of 60 minutes, the horses of the group OH, PFH and CD ingested 82%, 89% and 92%, respectively, of the daily ration. The complete diet was ingested more quickly than the hay. The number of mastications per minute was smaller for the complete diet than for the hay. Ingestion times were similar for oats and pelleted feed. However, the number of mastications per minute was smaller for the pelleted feed. The digestibility of nutrients was not influenced by the method of feeding. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the 3 types of ration studied here are adequate for the swiss army horses if sodium is added to the diet. However, despite the fact that both PFH and CD correct excessive supply or deficiencies of nutrients and despite the fact that these two feeding methods offer nutrients in amounts that are closer to the requirements of the horse, the method PFH was introduced in 1994.
Publication Date: 2000-11-10 PubMed ID: 11072744
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- Comparative Study
- English Abstract
- Journal Article
Summary
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This study examines the comparative effects of three different feeding methods on Swiss army draft horses. Researchers found that all three feeding methods met the nutritional requirement of the horses, although sodium supplementation was required. Despite the equivalence in nutritional content, the Pellet Feed and Hay (PFH) method was eventually chosen for implementation.
Research Context
- The study was conducted on 36 Franche-Montagne horses aged 4 to 6, which were part of the military school of St-Luzisteig in Switzerland.
- The horses were divided into three groups, each treated with a different type of feeding method: traditional Oats-Hay (OH), Pelleted Feed and Hay (PFH), and Complete Diet (CD).
- The researchers analyzed the feed composition, noted food consumption patterns, eating behavior and nutrient digestibility for all three feeding methods.
- Feed for each method was administered in three portions throughout the day to meet the nutritional requirements for medium work.
Nutritional Analysis
- All three feeding methods provided higher amounts of digestible crude protein than required for a 600 kg horse engaged in medium work.
- The calcium content in all three feeding methods was also higher than the 32g required per day.
- The feeding methods lacked enough sodium; however, it did not influence the blood parameters.
- Too much potassium was present in all diets, but it also did not significantly impact the blood metrics.
Eating Behaviour and Digestibility
- Horses consumed most of their daily ration within three meals of 60 minutes in the sequence of CD, PFH, and OH – standing for 92%, 89%, and 82% of the total rations, respectively.
- The complete diet was ingested more quickly than the hay.
- Regardless of the feeding method used, the digestibility of nutrients wasn’t affected.
Conclusions
- Despite the lack of sodium, all three feeding methods were found to be adequate for the Swiss army horses once sodium was added to the diet.
- Even though the PFH and CD methods corrected nutrient excess and deficiencies, and supplied nutrients closer to the requirements of the horses, the PFH method was selected for introduction in 1994.
Cite This Article
APA
Riond JL, Leoni S, Wanner M.
(2000).
[Comparative study of three feeding methods for draught horses of the Swiss army].
Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd, 142(10), 570-579.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institut de l'Alimentation Animale, Université de Zurich.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Animal Feed / standards
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Diet / standards
- Diet / veterinary
- Digestion
- Eating
- Feeding Behavior
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Male
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