Growth Rates of Thoroughbred Foals and In Vitro Gut Health Parameters When Fed a Cereal or an All-Fiber Creep Feed.

The research investigates if an all-fiber creep feed can sustain equivalent foal growth rates as a traditional cereal-based feed, while also comparing the impacts of these feeds on gut health. The outcomes show no significant difference in growth rates and suggest potentially better gut health with an all-fiber feed, indicating it as a possible healthier alternative to cereal feed.

Objective and Methodology

• The study had two primary aims: determining whether a total mixed fiber ration (TMFR) can yield similar growth rates in thoroughbred foals as a cereal-based stud cube (SC) feed, and exploring the differences in pH and lactate levels produced by these two types of feed under foregut and hindgut conditions.
• A set of eight thoroughbred foals were included in the study and were fed either SC or TMFR for 18 weeks in matched-pairs.
• The foals’ weight gain, height at wither and hip, heart girth, and body length were closely monitored and recorded every week.
• Gut health was evaluated by simulating the digestive process in a laboratory setting and measuring parameters including pH and lactate levels, as well as fermentation rate and gas production over time.

Results

• The growth rates resulting from the TMFR and SC diets were observed to be similar for all measured properties.
• The average daily gains from the TMFR and SC diets were 1 kg and 1.1 kg per head per day, respectively, showing minimal difference.
• Analysis in vitro revealed that, after six hours of incubation at 37 degrees Celsius, the pH of TMFR in a pepsin hydrochloric solution was more neutral than that of the SC feed.
• With regards to gas production, equivalent fermentation rates and start times were found for both feeds. However, more total gas was produced from the SC diet feed.
• Fecal inoculum from the foals, when incubated with the respective feeds, showed that the TMFR produced higher pH and lower lactate levels than the SC diet, suggesting better gut health with the fiber diet.

Conclusion

• The findings seem to challenge the prevalent belief that a cereal-based diet is necessary for optimal foal growth, showing that an all-fiber diet could provide equivalent growth outcomes.
• In addition, the research suggests that an all-fiber diet might maintain better gut health, as indicated by higher pH and lower lactate compared to a cereal-based feed. This aspect could be crucial for the horses’ overall health and longevity in their future careers.