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Veterinary sciences2021; 9(1); 15; doi: 10.3390/vetsci9010015

Comparison of Feed Digestibility between Ponies, Standardbreds and Andalusian Horses Fed Three Different Diets.

Abstract: Ponies and some horse breeds such as Andalusians exhibit an 'easy keeper' phenotype and tend to become obese more readily than other breeds such as Standardbreds. Various hypotheses have been proposed, including differences in appetite or metabolic efficiency. This study aimed to investigate the effect of breed on nutrient digestibility. Ponies, Standardbreds and Andalusian horses were adapted to consuming either a control fibre-based diet ( = 9), a hypercaloric cereal-rich diet ( = 12) or a hypercaloric fat-rich diet ( = 12) over 20 weeks. Total faecal collection was performed over 24 h to determine apparent total tract digestibility of gross energy, dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), starch, crude protein and crude fat. There was no effect of breed on apparent digestibility for any of the nutrients studied (all > 0.05). However, there was a significant effect of diet, with animals consuming the cereal-rich or fat-rich diets demonstrating higher digestibility of gross energy, DM, NDF and crude protein compared with those consuming the control diet (all < 0.05). Animals adapted to the cereal-rich diet demonstrated higher digestibility of starch ( < 0.001) and animals adapted to the fat-rich diet demonstrated higher digestibility of fat ( < 0.001). This study found that horses and ponies had similar nutrient digestibility when adapted to the same diets and management conditions. Limitations included the relatively small number of animals from each breed per diet group and the short period of total faecal collection. The tendency towards increased adiposity in ponies and Andalusian-type horse breeds is more likely to reflect differences in metabolism, rather than differences in feed digestibility.
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Publication Date: 2021-12-31 PubMed ID: 35051099PubMed Central: PMC8778529DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9010015Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the effect of different diets on nutrient digestibility in ponies, Standardbreds, and Andalusian horses. The study found no difference in digestibility across breeds but did find an impact from diet, with cereal-rich or fat-rich diets resulting in higher energy, dry matter, crude protein, and fibre digestibility. The tendency for ponies and Andalusians to become obese more readily likely reflects metabolic differences, not differences in feed digestibility.

Research Methodology

  • The study aimed to explore the possible effect of breed on nutrient digestibility among ponies, Standardbreds, and Andalusian horses. The specific nutrients in focus included gross energy, dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), starch, crude protein, and crude fat.
  • The animals were made to consume either a control fibre-based diet, a hypercaloric cereal-rich diet, or a hypercaloric fat-rich diet over a 20-week period.
  • Following the diet adaptation period, for 24 hours, total faecal collection was performed to determine apparent total tract digestibility of the various nutrients.

Findings of the Research

  • The breed of the horse appeared to have no noticeable impact on the digestibility of any of the nutrients that were studied.
  • However, the study uncovered a significant effect of the diet type on nutrient digestibility. Horses on the cereal-rich or fat-rich diets showed a higher digestibility of gross energy, DM, NDF, and crude protein relative to those on the control diet.
  • Specifically, animals adapted to the cereal-rich diet showed superior digestibility of starch and animals adapted to the fat-rich diet showed increased digestibility of fat.

Conclusion and Implications

  • Contrary to some existing beliefs and hypotheses, the study concluded that the ‘easy keeper’ phenotype or the tendency of some breeds such as ponies and Andalusians to gain weight more readily is more likely linked to differences in metabolism rather than feed digestibility.
  • The authors also noted the limitations of the study, including the small number of animals from each breed used in each diet group and the relatively short window of total faecal collection.

Cite This Article

APA
Potter SJ, Bamford NJ, Baskerville CL, Harris PA, Bailey SR. (2021). Comparison of Feed Digestibility between Ponies, Standardbreds and Andalusian Horses Fed Three Different Diets. Vet Sci, 9(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9010015

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
PII: 15

Researcher Affiliations

Potter, Samantha J
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
Bamford, Nicholas J
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
Baskerville, Courtnay L
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
Harris, Patricia A
  • Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Melton Mowbray LE14 4RT, Leicestershire, UK.
Bailey, Simon R
  • Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.

Grant Funding

  • LP100200224 / Australian Research Council

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Rueda-Carrillo G, Rosiles-Martínez R, Corona-Gochi L, Hernández-García A, López-Navarro G, Trigo-Tavera F. Comparison of the Mineral Profile of Two Types of Horse Diet, Silage and Commercial Concentrate, and Their Impacts on Hoof Tensile Strength. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 18;12(22).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12223204pubmed: 36428431google scholar: lookup
  2. Maier I, Kienzle E. A Meta-Analysis on Quantitative Sodium, Potassium and Chloride Metabolism in Horses and Ponies. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 13;15(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15020191pubmed: 39858191google scholar: lookup
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