Effect of level of feed intake and gelatin supplementation on growth and quality of hoofs of ponies.
Abstract: A pelleted ration was fed limited or ad libitum to two groups of seven Shetland 8-month-old ponies for 117 days. During the last 56 days, gelatin was added to the diets of four animals in each of the two intake groups. Gelatin was added at levels of 30 and 90 g per 100 kg body weight for the first and second 28-day periods, respectively.
Ponies fed the diet ad libitum consumed 180% more feed, had 50% greater rate of hoof growth (.384 ± .009 vs .254 ± .008 mm/d), 200% greater increase in height at the withers and 425% greater increase in body weight than ponies fed the limited level. The hoofs of ponies fed ad libitum had 82% greater surface area at the sole border than those fed limited amounts. The addition of gelatin did not affect (P<.05) hoof growth, base area, compression strength (yield point or elasticity), moisture, iron, zinc or nitrogen content. Rate of hoof growth declined with age. Hind hoofs grew faster than front hoofs. Sex of animals did not affect hoof growth or quality.
The average compression yield strength of hoof wall was 146 ± 5 meganewtons per meter (mN/m2). The tangent modulus of elasticity just prior to failure was 3.722 ±.111 mN/m2. Neither yield strength nor elasticity were changed by level of diet intake or gelatin supplementation or by iron, zinc, or nitrogen content of the hoof wall.
The zinc content of the hoofs of limited fed ponies (136 ± 3 ppm) was higher (P<.01) than those that were fed ad libitum (114 ± 2 ppm). Hoof nitrogen, and moisture content were not different (P<.05) between groups. Hoof wall iron content was greater for limited fed ponies. Nitrogen content averaged 17.7 ±.1%. Moisture content of all postmortem hoof samples averaged 27.8 ± .2%. Specific gravity of limb bones was greater (P±.05) for the ponies fed ad libitum.
Publication Date: 1977-02-01 PubMed ID: 833063DOI: 10.2527/jas1977.442257xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article observes the effects of gelatin supplementation and varied feed intake on the growth and quality of pony hooves. It concludes that feed intake levels significantly affect the rate of hoof growth and pony growth overall, while gelatin supplementation does not have a noticeable impact.
Research Methodology and Design
- This experiment was conducted on two groups of seven eight-month-old Shetland ponies over a period of 117 days, exploring the variables of level of feed intake and gelatin supplementation.
- The hooves’ growth and various elements like compression strength, moisture, and mineral content were observed and measured in the ponies.
- During the last 56 days, gelatin was added to the diets of four ponies in each group at levels of 30 and 90 g per 100 kg body weight in two 28-day periods respectively.
Findings on Feed Intake Level
- Ponies with unrestricted feed intake had a significantly higher rate of hoof growth, increase in height at the withers, and increase in body weight than those on a restricted diet.
- The hooves of ponies fed freely also had a greater surface area around the sole border compared to those given limited amounts of feed.
Impact of Gelatin Supplementation
- Gelatin supplementation did not affect hoof growth, base area, compression strength, moisture, or mineral content, showing it does not noticeably improve hoof quality.
Other Observations
- Rate of hoof growth declined with age, with hind hooves growing faster than front ones. The sex of the animals did not affect hoof growth or quality.
- The study recorded certain hoof compositional measurements like yield strength, elasticity, and mineral content, which were unaffected by the diet intake level or gelatin supplementation.
- Ponies with restricted feed intake had a higher zinc content in their hooves, but hoof nitrogen and moisture content showed no significant differences between the two groups.
- Iron content in the hoof wall was also greater for the group with limited feed.
- The specific gravity of the limb bones was discovered to be higher for ponies that were allowed ad libitum feeding.
Cite This Article
APA
Butler KD, Hintz HF.
(1977).
Effect of level of feed intake and gelatin supplementation on growth and quality of hoofs of ponies.
J Anim Sci, 44(2), 257-261.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1977.442257x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Gelatin / metabolism
- Hoof and Claw / growth & development
- Hoof and Claw / metabolism
- Horses / growth & development
- Horses / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Rueda-Carrillo G, Rosiles-Martínez R, Hernández-García AI, Vargas-Bello-Pérez E, Trigo-Tavera FJ. Preliminary Study on the Connection Between the Mineral Profile of Horse Hooves and Tensile Strength Based on Body Weight, Sex, Age, Sampling Location, and Riding Disciplines. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:763935.
- Al-Agele R, Paul E, Taylor S, Watson C, Sturrock C, Drakopoulos M, Atwood RC, Rutland CS, Menzies-Gow N, Knowles E, Elliott J, Harris P, Rauch C. Physics of animal health: on the mechano-biology of hoof growth and form. J R Soc Interface 2019 Jun 28;16(155):20190214.
- Kranenburg LC, Reinke KS, van den Broek J, Zaal EA, van den Boom R, van Doorn DA. Free Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in Horses Fed Different Dosing Regimens of Hydrolysed Collagen. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 3;15(21).
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