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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Sci J / Investigations of the maintenance system of the Konik Polski...
Animal science journal = Nihon chikusan Gakkaiho2021; 92(1); e13603; doi: 10.1111/asj.13603

Investigations of the maintenance system of the Konik Polski horse and its effects on fecal microbiota activity during the winter and summer seasons.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal microbiota play a key role in the nutrients digestion and hence maintaining animal health and welfare. The diet offered to the animals in captivity may differ considerably from that on natural pastures. In a stabled maintenance system, horses have a limited choice of habitat and feed. Time spend for feeding is relevant for equine welfare because the reduction of the time devoted for foraging may be responsible for inducing gastric inflammation and ulceration. Therefore, in the present study, it was hypothesized that fecal bacterial fermentative processes differ between free-roaming and stabled Konik Polski Horses (KPHs) with respect to microbial enzymatic activity, and thus the fecal concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which can be further utilized for assessing the feeding behavior and welfare in free-roaming versus stabled horses. The SCFA concentration and profile, as well as the extracellular and intracellular activities of selected bacterial enzymes, were characterized in horse feces collected during the winter and summer feeding seasons. The results showed higher enzymatic activity and SCFA production in the feces excreted by free-roaming versus stabled horses, especially during summer. An increase in pasture plant diversity may be beneficial for the gastrointestinal microbiota and hence for maintaining health and welfare.
© 2021 Japanese Society of Animal Science.
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Publication Date: 2021-07-29 PubMed ID: 34318561DOI: 10.1111/asj.13603Google 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 research article examines the impact of different maintenance systems, specifically free-roaming and stabled environments, on the fecal microbiota activity of Konik Polski Horses during winter and summer seasons. It was found that free-roaming horses exhibited higher enzymatic activity and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production, especially in the summer season.

Comparison of Maintenance Systems

  • The research addresses the nutritional difference between stabled and free-roaming horses. Stabled horses have limited habitat and feed choices while free-roaming horses get a varied diet from pasture plants.
  • The time spent feeding significantly impacts horse welfare, as reduced foraging time can potentially result in gastric inflammation and ulceration. This research hypothesized and provided evidence that the fermentative processes of fecal bacteria differ between the two maintenance systems.

Impact on Fecal Microbiota

  • The research measures the fecal concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), a byproduct of bacterial fermentation in the gut, to evaluate the feeding behavior and welfare between horses in different environments. Higher SCFA concentration indicates healthier and more desirable nutritional status for horses.
  • The extracellular and intracellular activities of selected bacterial enzymes were also characterized as part of the fecal analysis.

Seasonal Differences

  • The investigators collected and analyzed horse feces during both winter and summer feeding seasons. The research found higher enzymatic activities and more SCFA production in the feces excreted by free-roaming horses as compared to stabled horses, especially during summer. This seasonal variance is perhaps related to the diversity and abundance of pasture plants in the warmer season supporting diversified gut microbiota.

Implications for Horse Health and Welfare

  • In conclusion, the researchers suggest that free-roaming horses exhibit healthier gastrointestinal microbiota, which has a direct bearing on their overall health and welfare. The finding implies an increase in pasture plant diversity could be beneficial for stabled horses’ gut health and, therefore, should be considered in their dietary requirements. This study provides new insights into the welfare of horses in relation to their feeding systems and environmental conditions.

Cite This Article

APA
Juśkiewicz J, Fotschki B, Jaworska J, Siemieniuch M. (2021). Investigations of the maintenance system of the Konik Polski horse and its effects on fecal microbiota activity during the winter and summer seasons. Anim Sci J, 92(1), e13603. https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.13603

Publication

Animal science journal = Nihon chikusan Gakkaiho
ISSN: 1740-0929
NlmUniqueID: 100956805
Country: Australia
Language: English
Volume: 92
Issue: 1
Pages: e13603

Researcher Affiliations

Juśkiewicz, Jerzy
  • Biological Function of Food, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland.
Fotschki, Bartosz
  • Biological Function of Food, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland.
Jaworska, Joanna
  • Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland.
Siemieniuch, Marta
  • Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland.
  • Research Station of the Institute of the Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Ruciane-Nida, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Diet
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile
  • Feces
  • Horses
  • Microbiota
  • Seasons

Grant Funding

  • Polish Academy of Sciences

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Wen X, Luo S, Lv D, Jia C, Zhou X, Zhai Q, Xi L, Yang C. Variations in the fecal microbiota and their functions of Thoroughbred, Mongolian, and Hybrid horses. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:920080.
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  2. Zhang W, Guo R, Sulayman A, Sun Y, Liu S. Research Progress on Influencing Factors of Gastrointestinal Microbial Diversity in Equine. Vet Med Sci 2025 May;11(3):e70271.
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  3. Górecka-Bruzda A, Jaworski Z, Jaworska J, Siemieniuch M. Welfare of Free-Roaming Horses: 70 Years of Experience with Konik Polski Breeding in Poland. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 24;10(6).
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