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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anim Sci / Nutrient content changes from steaming or soaking timothy-al...
Journal of animal science2019; 97(10); 4199-4207; doi: 10.1093/jas/skz252

Nutrient content changes from steaming or soaking timothy-alfalfa hay: effects on feed preferences and acute glycemic response in Standardbred racehorses1.

Abstract: Soaking hay and steaming hay are strategies that are used to reduce respirable dust particles for horses but may result in variable nutrient losses, including nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) and minerals. Since these losses have not been quantified in Canadian hay yet, the first aim of this study was to identify nutrient losses from first-cut timothy-alfalfa hay grown in southern Ontario, Canada, after soaking for 30 min or steaming for 60 min. It is uncertain whether horses prefer hay when it is dry, soaked, or steamed. To address this, 13 Standardbred racehorses were offered 2 of these hays side by side for 30 min on 6 consecutive occasions until all possible combinations had been offered. Quantity of hay eaten was determined and horses were video recorded during feedings to assess time spent eating and investigating hay. Additionally, consumption of feeds with differing NSC levels has been observed to influence glycemic response in horses; however, this has not been measured in horses consuming steamed hay before and the results from soaked hay studies have been inconclusive. As such, the final aim of this study was to examine acute glycemic response in horses after being fed dry, soaked, and steamed hays. Blood glucose was measured every 30 min from 9 Standardbred racehorses for 6 h following a meal of 0.5% of their body weight of treatment hay on a dry matter basis (DMB). Soaked, but not steamed, hay had lower concentrations of soluble protein, NSC, and potassium in contrast to the same dry hay (P 0.05). We conclude that acute glycemic response of racehorses was not influenced by soaking or steaming hay. Horses also consumed less soaked hay (DMB) than dry or steamed hay (P < 0.05) and spent less time eating soaked hay than dry or steamed hay (P < 0.05).
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Publication Date: 2019-08-11 PubMed ID: 31400277PubMed Central: PMC6776268DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz252Google 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.

This research examines the impact of soaking and steaming horse feed on its nutritional content and the feeding preferences, as well as glucose responses, of Standardbred racehorses. Results indicate that soaked hay has reduced concentrations of soluble protein, nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC), and potassium compared to dry hay. However, the glycemic response of horses did not vary after ingesting dry, soaked, or steamed hay.

Study Methodology and Findings

  • The study conducted experiments on hay predominantly grown in southern Ontario, Canada. The purpose was to quantify the nutrient loss when it is soaked for 30 minutes or steamed for 60 minutes, a procedure meant to reduce dust particles.
  • To measure feed preferences, 13 Standardbred racehorses were offered dry, soaked, or steamed hay. The quantity they consumed, and the time spent eating and investigating the hay were recorded over multiple sessions.
  • The study found that horses consumed and spent more time with dry or steamed hay than with soaked feed.

Glycemic Response Experiment

  • Previous research suggests differences in NSC levels may influence the glycemic response in horses, but a definitive outcome from studies specifically using soaked hay remains uncertain.
  • Therefore, a secondary aim of this study was to assess the acute glycemic response in horses fed dry, soaked, and steamed hays.
  • Measurements were taken every 30 minutes over six hours after 9 Standardbred racehorses had meals consisting of hay equivalent to 0.5% of their body weight.
  • Findings indicated that the type of hay preparation, whether dry, soaked, or steamed, had no significant impact on peak glucose, average blood glucose, the total area under the curve, or the time to peak results within the horses’ acute glycemic responses.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded from the experiment that soaking or steaming hay does not influence the horses’ immediate glycemic responses.
  • However, soaking was seen to reduce the concentrations of certain nutrients within the hay and also resulted in the horses consuming less of this particular preparation method compared to dry or steamed variations.
  • This study contributes to our understanding of how different hay preparations affect feeding preferences and nutritional intake in horses, without impacting their blood glucose levels drastically.

Cite This Article

APA
Owens TG, Barnes M, Gargano VM, Julien L, Mansilla WD, Devries TJ, Mcbride BW, Merkies K, Shoveller AK. (2019). Nutrient content changes from steaming or soaking timothy-alfalfa hay: effects on feed preferences and acute glycemic response in Standardbred racehorses1. J Anim Sci, 97(10), 4199-4207. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz252

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 97
Issue: 10
Pages: 4199-4207

Researcher Affiliations

Owens, Tiana G
  • Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Barnes, Madeline
  • Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Gargano, Vanessa M
  • Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Julien, Louise
  • Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Mansilla, Wilfredo D
  • Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Devries, Trevor J
  • Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
  • Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Mcbride, Brian W
  • Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
  • Centre for Nutrition Modelling, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Merkies, Katrina
  • Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
  • Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Shoveller, Anna K
  • Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
  • Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
  • Centre for Nutrition Modelling, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Body Weight
  • Horses / blood
  • Horses / physiology
  • Medicago sativa
  • Nutrients
  • Ontario
  • Phleum
  • Steam

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Chang S, Xie K, Du W, Jia Q, Yan T, Yang H, Hou F. Effects of Mowing Times on Nutrient Composition and In Vitro Digestibility of Forage in Three Sown Pastures of China Loess Plateau. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 17;12(20).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12202807pubmed: 36290193google scholar: lookup
  2. Diez de Castro E, Fernandez-Molina JM. Environmental Management of Equine Asthma. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jan 30;14(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14030446pubmed: 38338089google scholar: lookup
  3. Westerfeld R, Payette F, Dubuc V, Manguin E, Picotte K, Beauchamp G, Bédard C, Leclere M. Effects of soaked hay on lung function and airway inflammation in horses with severe asthma. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Jan-Feb;38(1):469-476.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16919pubmed: 37930110google scholar: lookup
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