Macronutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, plasma indicators of protein metabolism and mineral absorption in horses fed a ration rich in sugar beet pulp.

This study examines the effects of a diet rich in beet pulp on macronutrient digestion, nitrogen metabolism, and mineral absorption in horses. The findings reveal that beet pulp inclusion in the diet can impact non-structural carbohydrate and crude fat digestibility, but not the digestibility of other macronutrients or the excretion of nitrogen. It also seems to reduce plasma ammonia and creatinine levels.

Study Design

• The researchers carried out a cross-over study involving six mature horses to investigate the impact of an iso-energetic glucose replacement with beet pulp on various diet-related factors, such as macronutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, and mineral absorption.

Feeding Ration and Composition

• The test diet was composed of 25% beet pulp in the total dietary dry substance.

Impact on Macronutrient Digestibility

• Fed with beet pulp led to a substantial decrease in crude fat and non-structural carbohydrate digestibility.
• However, there was no notable effect on the digestibility of other dietary macronutrients.

Effect on Nitrogen Metabolism

• Feeding beet pulp didn’t have a significant impact on fecal and urinary nitrogen discharge, nor on the faecal to urinary nitrogen excretion quotient (ratio).
• Plasma ammonia and creatinin concentrations recorded lower on the beet pulp diet than on the glucose diet.
• These findings suggest that dietary use of beet pulp may stimulate the conversion of ammonia into urea.

Mineral Absorption

• The study failed to identify any diet effect on magnesium absorption.

Conclusion

• The research concludes that beet pulp, when incorporated into a horse’s diet, can help lower crude fat and non-structural carbohydrate digestibility, without affecting the digestibility of other nutrients or nitrogen excretion. Moreover, it seems to promote the conversion of ammonia into urea while maintaining stable magnesium absorption. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore additional possible effects.