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Equine veterinary journal2021; 54(3); 614-625; doi: 10.1111/evj.13456

Hay versus haylage: Forage type influences the equine urinary metabonome and faecal microbiota.

Abstract: Gut microbial communities are increasingly being linked to diseases in animals and humans. Obesity and its associated diseases are a concern for horse owners and veterinarians, and there is a growing interest in the link among diet, the intestinal microbiota and metabolic disease. Objective: Assess the influence of long-term hay or haylage feeding on the microbiota and metabolomes of 20 Welsh mountain ponies. Methods: Longitudinal study. Methods: Urine, faeces and blood were collected from 20 ponies on a monthly basis over a 13-month period. Urine and faeces were analysed using proton magnetic resonance ( H NMR) spectroscopy and faecal bacterial DNA underwent 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: Faecal bacterial community profiles were observed to be different for the two groups, with discriminant analysis identifying 102 bacterial groups (or operational taxonomic units, OTUs) that differed in relative abundance in accordance with forage type. Urinary metabolic profiles of the hay- and haylage-fed ponies were significantly different during 12 of the 13 mo of the study. Notably, the urinary excretion of hippurate was greater in the hay-fed ponies for the duration of the study, while ethyl-glucoside excretion was higher in the haylage-fed ponies. Conclusions: The study was undertaken over a 13-month period and both groups of ponies had access to pasture during the summer months. Conclusions: The data generated from this study suggest that the choice of forage may have implications for the intestinal microbiota and metabolism of ponies and, therefore, potentially their health status. Understanding the potential implication of feeding a particular type of forage will enable horse owners to make more informed choices with regard to feed, especially if their horse or pony is prone to weight gain.
© 2021 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2021-06-23 PubMed ID: 33900659DOI: 10.1111/evj.13456Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The article presents a study on the impact of long-term hay or haylage feeding on the gut microbiota and metabolomes of 20 Welsh mountain ponies. The research suggests that choice of forage affects the intestinal microbiota and metabolism of ponies, thereby potentially impacting their health status.

Objective of the Study

The study aims to assess the influence of different types of forage – hay and haylage – on the microbiota and metabolic profile of ponies. This was done considering the growing interest in the interplay between diet, intestinal microbiota, and metabolic health, particularly in relation to challenges such as obesity.

Methods Used in the Study

  • Longitudinal Study: The research used a longitudinal study approach, tracking changes and gathering data over a 13-month period.
  • Data Collection: Samples of urine, faeces, and blood were collected from the 20 Welsh mountain ponies every month for the study’s duration.
  • Analysis Methods: The substances in the urine and faeces were analyzed using proton magnetic resonance (H NMR) spectroscopy. The bacterial DNA extracted from the faecal matter underwent 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess the bacterial community profiles.

Results of the Study

  • The bacterial community profiles in the faecal matter differed between the two groups. Specifically, 102 bacterial groups (operational taxonomic units, or OTUs) showed varying relative abundance depending on the type of forage consumed.
  • The urinary metabolic profiles also showed significant difference between the ponies fed on hay and those fed on haylage, across 12 of the 13 months of the study.
  • The hay-fed ponies consistently excreted more hippurate, while the haylage-fed ponies had higher excretion of ethyl-glucoside.

Conclusion of the Study

The longevity and consistency of the study implies that the choice of forage could potentially impact the intestinal microbiota and metabolism of ponies, hence influencing their health status. Thus, horse owners should be more discerning in their choice of feed, particularly for horses or ponies prone to weight gain. Further research would be beneficial to fully understand the implications and extend these insights to a wider range of equine animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Leng J, McNally S, Walton G, Swann J, Proudman C, Argo C, Emery S, La Ragione R, Eustace R. (2021). Hay versus haylage: Forage type influences the equine urinary metabonome and faecal microbiota. Equine Vet J, 54(3), 614-625. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13456

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 3
Pages: 614-625

Researcher Affiliations

Leng, Joy
  • Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
McNally, Susan
  • Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
Walton, Gemma
  • Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK.
Swann, Jonathan
  • Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Proudman, Chris
  • Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
Argo, Caroline
  • Scotland's Rural College, Aberdeen, UK.
Emery, Sue
  • The Laminitis Clinic, Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK.
La Ragione, Roberto
  • Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
Eustace, Robert
  • The Laminitis Clinic, Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animals
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Horses / genetics
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Microbiota
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics

Grant Funding

  • 35687 / The Laminitis Trust
  • RN0279 / Equi Life Ltd

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Nilsson E, Moazzami AA, Lindberg JE, Jansson A. The metabolomic profile of a high starch versus no starch diet in athletic horses. Sci Rep 2025 Oct 13;15(1):35576.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-23422-zpubmed: 41083709google scholar: lookup
  2. Laus F, Bazzano M, Spaterna A, Laghi L, Marchegiani A. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Metabolomics: Current Applications in Equine Health Assessment. Metabolites 2024 May 7;14(5).
    doi: 10.3390/metabo14050269pubmed: 38786746google scholar: lookup
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