Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2000; (30); 468-474; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05267.x

Effect of feeding thoroughbred horses a high unsaturated or saturated vegetable oil supplemented diet for 6 months following a 10 month fat acclimation.

Abstract: This study looked at the effect of feeding diets supplemented with either a predominantly saturated or unsaturated vegetable oil over a prolonged period to exercising horses. Eight Thoroughbred horses were assigned to 2 diet treatments and for 10 months were fed Timothy hay and oats, together with a fortified sweet feed supplemented with either a predominantly unsaturated (Un) or a saturated (S) vegetable oil so that approximately 19% DE (Digestible Energy) came from dietary fat and approximately 12% from either the Un or S source (AC). An increased amount of Un or S fortified sweet feed, replacing the oats, was then fed for a further 6 months (HF) so that approximately 27% DE came from fat and approximately 20% from the Un or S vegetable oil. Standardised incremental treadmill exercise (8-12 m/s) tests (STEP) and duplicate oral glucose tolerance tests (TOL) were carried out after 3, 6 and 9 months of the AC diet and after 3 and 6 months on the HF diet. There was no significant effect of dietary treatment or when the tests were undertaken (time) on the insulin or lactate responses to the STEP tests. Overall there was a significant (P < 0.05) effect of time and treatment on the glucose response, but there was no difference between treatments at the first and last tests or between the results for these tests or between the endAC and endHF tests. No significant effect of treatment or time was seen on the TOL glucose response (% change from Time '0') although there was a trend for the glucose concentrations to be lower and the insulin responses higher (nonsignificant) in the S treatment group. No significant effect of treatment on haematological parameters, monitored monthly, was found. Total protein and gamma glutamyl transferase remained within the normal range throughout. There was a significant effect of treatment (P < 0.05) on cholesterol and triglycerides with higher concentrations in the S group from the first (1 month) sample. Linoleic acid was the main fatty acid in all the 4 plasma lipid classes with slightly, but significant (P < 0.05), higher concentrations in Un for the cholesterol ester and phospholipid classes. There was no effect of time. Overall, the total resting plasma fatty acid content was significantly higher (P < 0.05) with S at the sample points (endAC and endHF). No adverse effects of feeding either diet on apparent coat condition or hoof appearance were seen apart from an apparent increase in the grease score. Many of the parameters assessed showed significant improvements with time (P < 0.05). In conclusion, no apparent adverse effects of feeding a diet supplemented with either an unsaturated or saturated vegetable oil for 6 months at approximately 20% DE after 10 months at approximately 12% DE were identified and there were no apparent disadvantages of feeding a saturated vegetable oil supplemented diet compared with an unsaturated one.
Publication Date: 2000-02-05 PubMed ID: 10659301DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05267.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research paper is a study on the impact of feeding horses diets that are supplemented with either saturated or unsaturated vegetable oil for an extended period of time. The primary aim was to see how these diets affect the health and performance of thoroughbred horses.

Research Overview and Methodology

  • The experiment involved eight Thoroughbred horses who were subjected to two different diet treatments for 10 months, followed by a six-month period of a diet composed predominantly of fortified sweet feed supplemented with either saturated (S) or unsaturated (Un) vegetable oil.
  • The dietary fat formed about 19% of the Digestible Energy (DE) with around 12% coming from either unsaturated or saturated vegetable oil. This was then increased after the 10-month period to approximately 27% DE from fat and around 20% from the Un or S vegetable oil.
  • Throughout this period, the horses were also subjected to regular standardized treadmill exercise tests (STEP) and duplicate oral glucose tolerance tests (TOL).

Results

  • There were no significant changes in insulin or lactate responses to the STEP tests regardless of the type of dietary treatment or the time the tests were carried out.
  • A significant effect was observed of time and treatment on glucose responses; however, no significant differences were noted between the treatments in the first and the last tests.
  • No immediate effects on normal haematological parameters were identified.
  • There was a significant correlation (P < 0.05) between dietary treatment and cholesterol and triglyceride levels, with higher concentrations found in the group receiving the saturated oil diet.
  • Linoleic acid, the main fatty acid found in the plasma lipid classes, had slightly higher concentrations in the unsaturated diet group. Resting plasma fatty acid content was generally higher in the saturated diet group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The study concluded that there were no detectable negative effects of feeding horses with diets supplemented with either saturated or unsaturated vegetable oils. Both the diets showed no significant impact on their insulin, lactate, and overall hematological parameters, while a slight increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels were noted in horses on a saturated diet. The study implies that incorporating saturated or unsaturated vegetable oils in a horse’s diet does not pose any significant health concerns, and there are no apparent drawbacks of feeding a saturated vegetable oil-supplemented diet compared to an unsaturated one.

Cite This Article

APA
Harris PA, Pagan JD, Crandell KG, Davidson N. (2000). Effect of feeding thoroughbred horses a high unsaturated or saturated vegetable oil supplemented diet for 6 months following a 10 month fat acclimation. Equine Vet J Suppl(30), 468-474. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05267.x

Publication

NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 30
Pages: 468-474

Researcher Affiliations

Harris, P A
  • Equine Studies Group, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK.
Pagan, J D
    Crandell, K G
      Davidson, N

        MeSH Terms

        • Adaptation, Physiological
        • Animal Feed
        • Animals
        • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
        • Dietary Fats / pharmacology
        • Dietary Supplements
        • Exercise Test / veterinary
        • Fatty Acids / blood
        • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / administration & dosage
        • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / pharmacology
        • Female
        • Glucose Tolerance Test / veterinary
        • Hair
        • Hoof and Claw
        • Horses / physiology
        • Male
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal
        • Plant Oils / administration & dosage
        • Plant Oils / pharmacology
        • Time Factors

        Citations

        This article has been cited 2 times.
        1. Potter SJ, Bamford NJ, Baskerville CL, Harris PA, Bailey SR. Comparison of Feed Digestibility between Ponies, Standardbreds and Andalusian Horses Fed Three Different Diets.. Vet Sci 2021 Dec 31;9(1).
          doi: 10.3390/vetsci9010015pubmed: 35051099google scholar: lookup
        2. Patterson Rosa L, Mallicote MF, Long MT, Brooks SA. Metabogenomics reveals four candidate regions involved in the pathophysiology of Equine Metabolic Syndrome.. Mol Cell Probes 2020 Oct;53:101620.
          doi: 10.1016/j.mcp.2020.101620pubmed: 32659253google scholar: lookup