Dietary value of cubes in equine nutrition.

This research investigates the benefits of using dietary cubes in horse feed as opposed to traditional oats. It also observes the preferred cube hardness and size for horses, evaluates the nutritional status of four commercial brands of horse feed in South Africa, and assesses trainers’ knowledge on equine nutrition.

Shift Away from Traditional Oats

• The research mentions the revised Nutrient Requirements of Horses by the National Research Council (NRC), which is shifting the focus away from traditional oats towards more nutritionally balanced diets for horses.
• Dietary cubes offer several benefits that align with modern knowledge about equine nutrition. They provide a standard diet of consistent quality, they can be stored for longer periods, they are dust-free, and horses seem to enjoy their taste.
• Using cubes for feeding also simplifies the routine feeding as they are less prone to mould infection than raw oats.

Cube Size and Hardness

• From a manufacturing perspective, the size and hardness of dietary cubes are crucial considerations.
• While horses seem to prefer smaller cubes, there is no conclusive preference in terms of size or hardness. The study suggests this could be down to individual horse’s preference.

Nutritional Analysis of Commercial Horse Feeds

• The study analyzed the nutritional status of four commercial brands of horse feed offered in South Africa, comparing them to common raw feedstuffs.
• This comparison helps evaluate the nutritional values each feed offers and assesses the efficacy of using dietary cubes as an alternative to traditional feeding methods.

Equine Nutrition Knowledge Among Trainers

• The research highlighted a lack of knowledge concerning equine nutrition among trainers. This knowledge gap may affect how trainers make feeding decisions for their horses.
• The study suggests a need for more specialized advisory services to educate trainers on this matter.
• The establishment of training centres is also suggested to provide a focused education on equine nutrition in practice.