Feed preferences of ponies.

The article explores a study on feed preferences of ponies by testing different diets and grains, and also observing any considerable change in the ponies’ overall food intake.

Trial 1: Oats versus Oats plus Sucrose

• In the first trial, the researchers presented two options to six mature pony geldings: oats versus oats combined with sucrose.
• Four out of six ponies preferred the oats plus sucrose. However, one pony showed a dislike for sucrose, and another pony always chose the bucket on the right side, regardless of its contents.

Trial 2: Comparing Multiple Grains

• In the second trial, five different grains were compared: oats, maize, barley, rye, and wheat. This test involved six mature pony mares.
• The results showed that oats were the most preferred grain. Maize and barley came in second and third respectively.
• Wheat and rye were the least preferred grains amongst the ponies. Despite these preferences, it was observed that total feed intake remained mostly constant, even when only less preferable grains were provided.

Trial 3: Preferences within Mixed Diets

• In the third trial, various diets were prepared for the pony mares, each containing a different ingredient combined with a basal mixed diet of maize, oats, wheat bran, soybean meal, limestone, and molasses, making up 80% of the feed.
• The diet that was preferred contained 20% dried distillers’ grain, over the 100% mixed diet. However, the ponies selected the basal diet over other diets that contained 20% of blood meal, beet pulp, or meat and bone meal.
• Interestingly, the ponies did not show any significant preference or aversion for the diet that contained 20% alfalfa meal, or diets that had 10% or 5% meat and bone meal, in comparison to the mixed basal diet.