Effect of feed type and essential oil product on equine chewing activity.

This research examined the influence of diet and essential oil compounds on eating, chewing and stool characteristics in horses. The study found that the type of feed, either roughage or concentrate, significantly impacted the chewing activity of horses. Meanwhile, essential oil supplements showed no significant effect on any measured chewing characteristics or stool particle dimensions.

Objective and Design of the Study

• The study aimed to investigate and measure the influence of a mix of special essential oil compounds (EO) and different feeds on ingestive and post-digestive actions in horses. The main focus was on the eating, chewing, and fecal parameters.
• The study used a Latin Square subplot design, and involved six Icelandic horses divided into two groups. These horses were subjected to EO treatments along with four different types of roughage and four different concentrates.
• Over the course of four sampling days, the horses were provided with four distinct roughage meals and two different concentrate meals.

Methodology and Observations

• Eating time and saliva were observed during meals. Special chewing halters were used to record jaw movements. By evaluating these jaw movements, researchers were able to deduce how long the horses were eating.
• Researchers analyzed the characteristics of fecal particles using image analysis.
• Results showed that both the roughage and concentrate type had a significant influence on all the chewing characteristics observed (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively).
• The EO displayed a noticeable ingestive effect on the frequency of observed saliva during concentrate meals, but it had no significant effect on any measured chewing characteristic. This was further reflected by the lack of influence on fecal particle size.

Conclusions of the Study

• The study concluded that the type of roughage and concentrate fed to the horses had greater effects than potential effects of essential oil compounds.
• Hence, while essential oil supplements may influence horses’ eating activities to some extent, the type of feed they consume appears to play a more substantial role in their masticatory and digestive processes.