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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(8); doi: 10.3390/ani14081211

Initial Impact of Different Feeding Methods on Feed Intake Time in Stabled Icelandic Horses.

Abstract: The natural behaviour of horses is to spend the majority of their time on feed intake The feeding of stabled horses is, however, often far from that, as their feed intake is limited to their nutritional requirements. In order to approach their natural foraging time, it is important to extend the feed intake time of stabled horses. The aim of this study was to estimate if the feed intake time differs when feeding haylage in a haynet, hayball, metal corner manger, or from the box floor. The experimental design consisted of a Latin square, occurred across four days with four adult Icelandic horses and four treatments. Horses were stabled in individual boxes and fed 7 kg of high-energy haylage in two even meals while the intake time was recorded. The feed intake time per kg DM was shorter from the manger or the box floor than from a haynet or hayball (81 or 85 min versus 94 or 96 min; p < 0.05). It can be concluded that feeding haylage in a hayball or in a haynet can increase the feed intake time by 13% per day (12 min/kg DM/day) when compared to the more traditional methods. Thus, with simple alternatives, it is possible to extend the feed intake time of stabled horses.
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Publication Date: 2024-04-18 PubMed ID: 38672359PubMed Central: PMC11047569DOI: 10.3390/ani14081211Google 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 study investigates how different feeding methods impact the length of time stabled Icelandic horses spend eating. It finds that using a hayball or haynet can increase the time these horses spend eating by 13%, bringing it closer to the natural feeding behaviour of horses in the wild.

Objective of the Research

  • The main goal of this study was to determine if the time horses spend eating varies depending on the method used for feeding them haylage. Specifically, the researchers were interested in feed intake time when using a haynet, hayball, metal corner manger, or feeding from the box floor.

Design of the Study

  • The research design was a Latin square experiment conducted over four days. This type of design is known for its efficiency in controlling two potential sources of variability and allows the researchers to effectively isolate the effects of different feeding methods.
  • The study was done with four adult Icelandic horses that were stabled in individual boxes.
  • The horses were each fed 7 kg of high-energy haylage in two equal portions while the researchers recorded the intake time.

Findings of the Study

  • The study found that the length of time horses spent eating per kg of dry matter (DM) was shorter when they were fed from the manger or the box floor. However, feeding time was longer when the haylage was given in a haynet or hayball.
  • Specifically, the intake times were 81 or 85 minutes for the manger or box floor respectively, compared to 94 or 96 minutes for the haynet or hayball.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that using a hayball or haynet can increase feed intake time by 13% per day (or 12 minutes per kg of DM per day) when compared to traditional feeding methods.
  • This suggests a simple method for extending the feed intake time of stabled horses, helping to mimic their natural feeding behavior in the wild and potentially improving their well-being.

Cite This Article

APA
Ragnarsson S, Víkingsdóttir SV, Stefánsdóttir GJ. (2024). Initial Impact of Different Feeding Methods on Feed Intake Time in Stabled Icelandic Horses. Animals (Basel), 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14081211

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 8

Researcher Affiliations

Ragnarsson, Sveinn
  • Department of Equine Science, Hólar University, 551 Sauðárkrókur, Iceland.
Víkingsdóttir, Sigríður Vaka
  • Department of Equine Science, Hólar University, 551 Sauðárkrókur, Iceland.
Stefánsdóttir, Guðrún Jóhanna
  • Department of Equine Science, Hólar University, 551 Sauðárkrókur, Iceland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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