Influence of various concentrate-to-roughage ratios on dietary intake and nutrient digestibilities of weanling horses.

The study explores how feeding weanling horses diets of varying concentrate-to-roughage ratios affects their feed intake and nutrient digestion. The findings reveal that weanlings might digest protein more effectively with high-concentration diets but may digest fibre more efficiently with high-fibre diets.

Research Objectives and Methodology

• The study aimed to compare the dietary intake and apparent digestibilities of three different diets with variable concentrate-to-roughage ratios, formulated for weanling horses aged 5 and 8 months.
• The horses were divided into three groups, based on breed, gender, birth date, and body weight. They were then subjected to dietary treatments including 70:30 (High Con), 50:50 (Equal), and 30:70 (Low Con) concentrate-to-roughage ratios.
• The diet was given to the horses for an adaptation period of 10 days followed by a collection period of 4 days at both 5 and 8 months of age.

Research Findings

• The researchers found no significant difference in body weight or daily feed intake across the treatments in both trials.
• The Low Con group produced more faecal output than the High Con group at both ages, which is a clear indication of higher roughage content.
• At 5 months, the High Con group showed the highest crude protein digestibility. Similarly, at 8 months, the High Con group showed a higher protein digestibility compared to the Low Con group, indicating the influence of higher concentrate feed in protein digestion.
• Acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility did not vary among the treatments, but the horses on the Low Con diet tended to digest a higher percentage of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) than those on both the Equal and High Con diets. This points out the higher fibre digestibility on lower concentrate diets.
• The High Con group tended to digest a higher percentage of energy than the Low Con group, suggesting better energy absorption from high concentrate diets.

Conclusion

• Based on the findings, the study concluded that weanling horses might digest protein more efficiently when fed high-concentrate diets, whereas they seem to digest fibre more effectively when fed diets higher in fibre.
• The research helps in understanding the dietary needs and digestion patterns of weanling horses, which would be pivotal in formulating their diet to ensure optimal growth and health.