Effects of exercise and level of dietary protein on digestive function in horses.
Abstract: Rates of passage of fluid and particulate digesta markers and apparent digestibility estimated by three methods were compared in yearling horses fed high (14 per cent) or low (8 per cent) crude protein diets with one of two levels of exercise (0 or 12 km trotting per day at 12 km/h). Mean retention times (MRT) of the fluid marker (51Cr-EDTA) were shorter than those of the particulate marker (ruthenium-phenanthroline). There were no significant effects of dietary protein level on passage of either marker or on apparent digestibility of dry matter. Exercise increased voluntary feed intake and apparent digestibility and reduced the MRT of the particulate marker but increased the MRT of the fluid marker. Estimates of apparent digestibility based on acid-insoluble ash were similar to those calculated from total faecal collection but those based on chromic oxide were significantly lower.
Publication Date: 1985-09-01 PubMed ID: 4054090DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1985.tb02530.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates how varying levels of exercise and dietary protein affect digestion in horses, specifically looking at the rates of passage for fluid and particulate matter and apparent digestibility.
Study Design
- This research involved testing two different elements – dietary protein level (14% and 8%) and level of exercise (0km or 12km trotting daily at a speed of 12km/h).
- The subjects of this investigation were yearling horses. Yearlings are young horses that are between one and two years old.
- In order to observe the passage through the digestive system, two kinds of markers were used – 51Cr-EDTA for liquid passage and ruthenium-phenanthroline for particulate matter.
Key Findings
- The mean retention times (MRT) for the fluid marker were found to be shorter than for the particulate marker. This means that the liquid passed through the horses’ digestive system faster than the particulate matter.
- There were no significant changes to the passage times or apparent digestibility of dry matter, regardless of the level of dietary protein.
- Exercise was observed to increase voluntary food intake, improve apparent digestibility, and decrease the MRT of the particulate marker. However, it lengthened the MRT of the fluid marker.
Comparison of Digestibility Estimation Methods
- Three different techniques were employed to estimate apparent digestibility. These involved using acid-insoluble ash, total faecal collection, and chromic oxide.
- Apparent digestibility estimates based on chromic oxide were significantly lower than those obtained from the total faecal collection, whereas estimates from acid-insoluble ash showed similar results to total faecal collection.
Conclusion
- Overall, this research indicates that the level of exercise has a more significant impact on horses’ digestive function than the protein level in their diet.
- The study also suggests that the use of different markers and calculation methods can affect the estimates of apparent digestibility, with acid-insoluble ash providing results similar to total faecal collection, and both being more accurate than chromic oxide.
Cite This Article
APA
Orton RK, Hume ID, Leng RA.
(1985).
Effects of exercise and level of dietary protein on digestive function in horses.
Equine Vet J, 17(5), 386-390.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1985.tb02530.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Dietary Proteins / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Physical Exertion
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Bachmann M, Bochnia M, Wensch-Dorendorf M, Glatter M, Schäfer S, Simroth K, Greef JM, Zeyner A. Feed intake, digestibility and passage kinetics in grazing horses. Sci Rep 2026 Jan 22;16(1):3052.
- Mota-Rojas D, Braghieri A, Álvarez-Macías A, Serrapica F, Ramírez-Bribiesca E, Cruz-Monterrosa R, Masucci F, Mora-Medina P, Napolitano F. The Use of Draught Animals in Rural Labour. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 13;11(9).
- Edwards KL, Miller MA, Carlstead K, Brown JL. Relationships between housing and management factors and clinical health events in elephants in North American zoos. PLoS One 2019;14(6):e0217774.
- Jennings K, Curtis L, Burford J, Freeman S. Prospective survey of veterinary practitioners' primary assessment of equine colic: clinical features, diagnoses, and treatment of 120 cases of large colon impaction. BMC Vet Res 2014;10 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S2.
- Williams S, Horner J, Orton E, Green M, McMullen S, Mobasheri A, Freeman SL. Water intake, faecal output and intestinal motility in horses moved from pasture to a stabled management regime with controlled exercise. Equine Vet J 2015 Jan;47(1):96-100.
- Cox R, Proudman CJ, Trawford AF, Burden F, Pinchbeck GL. Epidemiology of impaction colic in donkeys in the UK. BMC Vet Res 2007 Feb 2;3:1.
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