Spelt, an ancient cereal and first pressure linseed oil as ingredients of compound feedstuffs for modern horse feeding.

This research paper conducts two separate but related experiments to ascertain the viability of using spelt, an ancient cereal, and first pressure linseed oil in horse feed. Results showed both components have positive attributes, suggesting they could be useful in modern horse feeding regimens.

Experiment with Spelt as a Component of Horse Feed

• This research experiment focused on using spelt, a type of ancient cereal, in horse feed. It was compared with other grains like barley, oat, and maize based on their chemical composition.
• Spelt showed a lower protein and ether extract (EE) content. However, it had higher neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content than oat, though its acid detergent fibre (ADF) content was lower.
• Two different kinds of compound horse feed were tested in the experiment. Each feed was mixed with hay and given to six horses in a cross-over design experiment.
• The horses consumed both diets well, with no significantly noticeable differences in apparent digestibility coefficients. Notably, however, the ether extract (a measure of fat content) was significantly higher in the feed that included oat.

Experiment with First Pressure Linseed Oil as a Component of Horse Feed

• The second experiment focused on using first pressure linseed oil in horse feed. This oil was incorporated at a rate of 8% in a compound feed, partially substituting barley.
• The linseed oil compound feedstuff contained 9.6% fat content in terms of dry matter (DM), while the total fat content considering hay and concentrate ration was 5.4%.
• The linseed oil’s inclusion led to an increase in the digestibility of dry matter, ether extract, and neutral detergent fibre in the horse diet. There was no impact on glucose, triglycerides, and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations, but insulin concentrations notably decreased with the inclusion of linseed oil.
• Moreover, the inclusion of linseed oil significantly increased the plasma concentrations of total fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), saturated fatty acids (SFA), C18:3 n-3 and C18:2 n-6. Meanwhile, it significantly decreased the contents of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), C18:1 n-7 + n-9 and C20:4 n-6.

Conclusion drawn from the Experiments

• After running and analysing the results of the experiments, the researchers concluded that including spelt and first pressure linseed oil in compound feed for horse seemed beneficial for modern horse feeding practices.
• Not only were they readily accepted and ingested by the horses, but they also increased the digestibility of certain nutritional components and positively influenced the balance of certain fatty acids in the blood plasma.