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Journal of animal science2019; 97(5); 1945-1955; doi: 10.1093/jas/skz041

Development of a mathematical model for predicting digestible energy intake to meet desired body condition parameters in exercising horses.

Abstract: Maintaining optimal body condition is an important concern for horse owners and managers as it can affect reproductive efficiency, athletic ability, and overall health of the horse; however, information regarding dietary requirements to maintain or alter BCS in the horse is limited. A recently developed model had high accuracy in predicting the energy required to alter BCS in the horse. However, the model was restricted to sedentary mares, while many horses are subject to physical work. The objective of this study was to expand the scope of that model to include exercising horses by incorporating previously published estimates of exercise energy expenditure and then testing the expanded model. Stock type horses (n = 24) were grouped by initial BCS (3.0 to 6.5) and assigned to treatments of light (L), heavy (H), or no-exercise control (C). Horses were fed according to the model recommendations to increase (I) or decrease (D) two BCS within 60 d. Thus, six treatments were obtained: HD, HI, LD, LI, CD, CI. Mean DE intake Mcal/d for each group was HD = 19.3 ± 0.90, HI = 29 ± 0.84, LD = 13.2 ± 0.54, LI = 23.1 ± 1.39, CD = 12.1 ± 0.79, and CI = 21.9 ± 0.94. BCSs were evaluated by three independent appraisers, days 0 and 60 values were used to calculate the average BCS change for HD = -0.88 ± 0.24, HI = 1.13 ± 0.24, LD = -1.5 ± 0.29, LI = 0.88 ± 0.38, CD = -1.38 ± 0.13, and CI = 1.35 ± 0.14. Statistical comparison of final observed and model predicted values revealed acceptable precision when predicting BCS and BW respectively in control horses (r2 = 0.91, 0.98) but less precision when predicting body fat (BF) (r2 = 0.51). Model precision for BCS, BW, and BF respectively in lightly (r2 = 0.29, 0.85, 0.57) and heavily (r2 = 0.04, 0.84, 0.13) exercised horses was low. Model accuracy was acceptable across all treatments when predicting BW (Cb = 0.97, 0.96, 0.98). However, accuracy varied when predicting BCS (Cb = 0.82, 0.89, 0.41) and BF (Cb = 0.80, 0.55, 0.87) for the control, light, and heavy exercise groups, respectively. These results indicate that the revised model is acceptable for sedentary horses but the predictability of the model was insensitive to the exercising horse, therefore the exercise energy expenditure formulas incorporated into the model require revision. Packaging this model in a format that facilitates industry application could lead to more efficient feeding practices of sedentary horses, generating health, and economic benefit. Further investigation into energy expenditure of exercising horses could yield a model with broader applications.
© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
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Publication Date: 2019-02-05 PubMed ID: 30715345PubMed Central: PMC6488313DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz041Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research investigates how to tailor energy intake in horses’ diets to achieve a desired body condition, through the development of a mathematical model. The model’s accuracy varies, depending on the amount of exercise the horse performs.

Model development and testing

A team of researchers sought to develop and examine a mathematical model that predicts the necessary digestible energy intake for horses to meet specific body condition parameters. The aim of this model was to influence the Body Condition Scores (BCS) in horses according to whether the goal was to increase (I) or decrease (D) it.

This model was initially created considering sedentary mares, but given that many horses are physically active, the researchers wanted to expand its scope to include exercising horses. They used previously determined estimates of energy expenditure due to exercise and incorporated this information into the model.

To test the model, 24 Stock type horses were divided based on their initial BCS (ranging from 3.0 to 6.5), and were assigned to treatments of light (L), heavy (H), or no exercise (control – C). These horses were then fed according to the model’s suggestions to either increase (I) or decrease (D) two BCS within a 60-day timeframe. This led to six different treatment groups.

Results and model precision

The model’s predictive accuracy for BCS and body weight (BW) was relatively high for control horses (r2 = 0.91, 0.98), and slightly less precise when predicting body fat (BF) (r2 = 0.51). However, for both lightly and heavily exercised horses, the precision was low in predicting BCS, BW, and BF.

Although the model’s accuracy in predicting BCS and BF varied across all groups, when predicting BW, the accuracy was high across all treatments.

Implications and Further Research

These results suggest that the model is acceptable for use with sedentary horses; however, its predictability is not as effective when applied to horses with exercise routines. The formulas used to calculate exercise energy expenditure included in the model may need to be revised.

The team believes that if this model were transformed into a more user-friendly, practical format, it could positively impact the feeding practices within the horse industry, leading to health improvements and economic benefits. There still remains a scope for further research specifically focusing on the energy expenditure of exercising horses. This could help develop a more versatile model that can be applied to a wider range of scenarios.

Cite This Article

APA
Zoller JL, Cavinder CA, Sigler D, Tedeschi LO, Harlin J. (2019). Development of a mathematical model for predicting digestible energy intake to meet desired body condition parameters in exercising horses. J Anim Sci, 97(5), 1945-1955. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz041

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 97
Issue: 5
Pages: 1945-1955

Researcher Affiliations

Zoller, Jennifer L
  • Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Cavinder, Clay A
  • Department of Animal Science, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS.
Sigler, Dennis
  • Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Tedeschi, Luis O
  • Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Harlin, Julie
  • Department of Agriculture Leadership Education and Communications, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

MeSH Terms

  • Adipose Tissue
  • Animals
  • Body Weight
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Digestion
  • Energy Intake
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Female
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Nutritional Requirements
  • Nutritional Status
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Reproduction

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Ebert M, Moore-Colyer MJS. The energy requirements of performance horses in training. Transl Anim Sci 2020 Apr;4(2):txaa032.
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  2. Much ML, Leatherwood JL, Zoller JL, Bradbery AN, Martinez RE, Keegan AD, Lamprecht ED, Wickersham TA. Influence of diet fortification on body composition and apparent digestion in mature horses consuming a low-quality forage. Transl Anim Sci 2020 Jan;4(1):1-9.
    doi: 10.1093/tas/txz137pubmed: 32704961google scholar: lookup
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