Effect of concentrate feeding sequence on equine hindgut fermentation parameters.

This research studied the effects of varying the feeding sequence of concentrate and hay on the hindgut fermentation parameters in horses. The results suggest that the change in diet from solely hay to a mixture of concentrae and hay saw a decrease in pH and faecal VFA concentrations, with some differences observed based on the feeding sequence.

Objective of Research

• The study was designed to examine the impact of varying the sequence of feeding concentrate and hay on horses. This is of interest as the current feeding strategy involving a small supply of hay and large quantities of concentrate can potentially lead to horses developing colic due to disruptions in their hindgut microbial ecosystem.

Research Method

• The research involved four horses that had two cannulas fitted into their caecal and right ventral colon cavities. These horses were fed exclusively on a hay diet for a period of three weeks.
• Following that, they were fed a diet of 40% concentrate and 60% hay for six weeks in total, with three weeks spent on each of two regimens: in the first, the horses were fed concentrate and hay simultaneously in two meals at 8 AM and 5 PM; in the second, they were fed in two separate meals, with the concentrate being issued at 8 AM and 4 PM, and hay being given at 10 AM and 5:30 PM.

Results and Findings

• The results showed that adding concentrate to the hay diet leads to a decrease in pH value in the caecum, right ventral colon and faeces, and an increase in faecal VFA concentrations.
• Depending on the feeding sequence, differences were observed in the caecal pH and faecal propionate concentration. However, the study did not find any impact on the other parameters that were examined.
• In the caecum and right ventral colon, the values of pH dropped and VFA concentrations increased between 4 to 8 hours after the morning meal.
• The findings of the study suggested that faecal pH variances could be indicative of those in the caecal and right ventral colonic pH, but with a delay of about 2 hours.

Conclusions

• The insights derived from the study suggested that hay and commercial pellets could be administered simultaneously without adverse effects. An implication of this is making everyday horse feeding routines easier to manage.