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Nutrient intake of horses in thoroughbred and standardbred stables.
Abstract: Twenty-five Thoroughbred (TB) and 25 Standardbred (SB) stables were visited to determine their feeding practices. The ingredients of the main feed of the day for a mature gelding of average size in full training were weighted at each stable. Nutrient content of diets was calculated using published data for the individual ingredients. Results are expressed as mean +/- sd. The estimated body weight of TB horses was 493 +/- 34 kg and 437 +/- 32 kg for SB horses. There was considerable variation in diet composition and nutrient intake between stables. The TB trainers fed 11.0 +/- 2.4 kg and SB trainers 11.8 +/- 2.5 kg per day. The concentrate component of the diet weighed 7.8 +/- 1.6 and 7.7 +/- 2.3 kg for TB and SB stables, respectively, and the roughage component for TB horses 3.3 +/- 1.4 and SB horses 4.1 +/- 1.4 kg per day. The digestible energy intake of horses at TB stables was 129 +/- 29 MJ per day and at SB stables 132 +/- 31 MJ per day. Crude protein intake of TB horses was 1452 +/- 363 g and SB horses 1442 +/- 338 g per day. There were differences in some feeding practices at TB and SB stables. Standardbred trainers fed more roughage than TB trainers. Standardbred trainers fed chaffed lucerne (alfalfa) and cereal hays as the major roughage, whereas TB trainers fed more hay. The major hay type fed by TB trainers was lucerne, whereas many SB trainers preferred clover hay. Both trainers fed oats as the major grain, but TB trainers fed slightly more maize (corn) than SB trainers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1993-05-01 PubMed ID: 8343084DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1993.tb06119.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article presents a comparative study of the feeding practices and nutrient intake of horses in Thoroughbred (TB) and Standardbred (SB) stables. It exhibits variation in diets and points out a few fundamental differences in feeding methods between the two types, emphasizing on the major types of feed used.
Methodology
- The researchers visited 25 TB and 25 SB stables, focusing on a mature gelding (castrated horse) of average size in full training at each stable.
- Total weight of the main feed of the day and its ingredients were recorded for each stable.
- The nutritional content of the diets was then computed using published data for the individual ingredients.
Findings on Body Weight & Feed Intake
- The average estimated body weight of TB horses was found to be 493 ± 34 kg, while it was 437 ± 32 kg for SB horses.
- The daily food intake of horses hugely varied across stables. TB trainers fed 11.0 ± 2.4 kg, while SB trainers fed slightly more with 11.8 ± 2.5 kg per day.
Composition of Diet
- The study discovered the concentrate component of the diet weighed about 7.8 ± 1.6 kg in TB and 7.7 ± 2.3 kg in SB stables. The roughage component was 3.3 ± 1.4 kg per day for TB horses and slightly higher in SB stables with 4.1 ± 1.4 kg per day.
- On average, more roughage was given in SB stables than TB ones.
Nutrient Intake
- Results showed that the digestible energy intake at TB stables was 129 ± 29 MJ per day, while it was a bit higher at SB stables with 132 ± 31 MJ per day.
- The daily crude protein intake was almost identical, with TB horses consuming 1452 ± 363 grams and SB horses consuming 1442 ± 338 grams per day.
Feeding Practices
- Standardbred trainers leaned towards feeding chaffed lucerne (alfalfa) and cereal hays as major roughage, while TB trainers opted for more hay, primarily lucerne hay. Many SB trainers showed a preference for clover hay.
- Both types of trainers used oats as the major grain, although TB coaches were found to feed slightly more maize (corn) than SB trainers.
Cite This Article
APA
Southwood LL, Evans DL, Bryden WL, Rose RJ.
(1993).
Nutrient intake of horses in thoroughbred and standardbred stables.
Aust Vet J, 70(5), 164-168.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1993.tb06119.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Body Weight
- Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
- Energy Intake
- Horses / physiology
- Male
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- McLean NL, McGilchrist N, Nielsen BD. Dietary Iron Unlikely to Cause Insulin Resistance in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Sep 21;12(19).
- Ebert M, Moore-Colyer MJS. The energy requirements of racehorses in training. Transl Anim Sci 2020 Oct;4(4):txaa196.
- Martin A, Lepers R, Vasseur M, Julliand S. Effect of high-starch or high-fibre diets on the energy metabolism and physical performance of horses during an 8-week training period. Front Physiol 2023;14:1213032.
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