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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(8); doi: 10.3390/ani11082197

Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses-Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric Ulceration.

Abstract: Straw's low energy content means it is a roughage option for horses with low energy requirements. Previously, in a field study, straw was associated with an increased risk for gastric ulcers. This study evaluated the effect on gastric ulcers, metabolic profile and behaviour of replacing, in a forage-only ration, 50% of the daily allowance with wheat straw. Six equines were studied in a 2 × 21-day cross-over design. The control diet (CON: 100% grass forage) and the straw diet (S: 50% grass forage and 50% straw [DM basis]) were iso-energetic. Gastroscopy was performed prior to the study and on day 21 and blood samples were collected and behavioural observations were performed. Diet did not affect squamous or glandular gastric ulcer scores (p > 0.05). Feed intake time was longer (p < 0.05) plus energy intake and plasma insulin concentrations were lower on diet S compared to CON (p < 0.0001). Plasma serotonin concentrations tended to be higher on diet S compared to CON (p = 0.05). The results suggest that good hygienic quality wheat straw can be included for up to 50% of the diet without causing gastric ulcers and that it can extend feeding time and promote a metabolic profile more suitable for overweight horses.
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Publication Date: 2021-07-24 PubMed ID: 34438656PubMed Central: PMC8388405DOI: 10.3390/ani11082197Google 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 article discusses a study on the effects of replacing half of a horse’s daily grass forage allowance with wheat straw. The results indicate that wheat straw does not increase the risk of gastric ulcers in horses, and it can actually offer benefits like a extended feeding time and a better metabolic profile for overweight horses.

Understanding the Study

  • The aim of the study was to assess the impact of replacing 50% of the daily allowance of grass forage with wheat straw in a horse’s diet.
  • The research was conducted on six horses over a period of 42 days (divided into two equal periods), in a cross-over design, which means each horse was exposed to both control and experimental conditions.
  • The two dietary conditions tested were a control diet (CON) consisting entirely of grass forage, and an experimental diet (S) containing 50% grass forage and 50% wheat straw. These diets were designed to have the same energy content.

Findings of the Study

  • The study found that including wheat straw in the diet did not impact gastric ulcer scores for either the squamous or glandular type, suggesting that wheat straw does not increase the risk of gastric ulcers.
  • Feeding time was extended on the straw diet compared to the control, meaning the horses took longer to consume their food when it included wheat straw. This could be beneficial for horse owners or trainers looking to occupy their horses for a longer amount of time with the same food quantity.
  • Energy intake and plasma insulin concentrations were found to be lower with the wheat straw diet. This shows potential for using wheat straw as a way to manage the diet of horses that need to maintain or lose weight.
  • It was also found that plasma serotonin concentrations tended to be higher on the straw diet. Serotonin is a hormone known to affect mood and behavior, but the implications of this finding for horse health and behavior are not directly addressed in the abstract.

Conclusion

  • In conclusion, the study suggests that good hygienic quality wheat straw can be included for up to 50% of the diet without causing gastric ulcers and that it can extend feeding time and promote a metabolic profile more suitable for overweight horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Jansson A, Harris P, Davey SL, Luthersson N, Ragnarsson S, Ringmark S. (2021). Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses-Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric Ulceration. Animals (Basel), 11(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082197

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 8

Researcher Affiliations

Jansson, Anna
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Harris, Patricia
  • WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute Waltham-on-the Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 4RT, UK.
Davey, Sara Larsdotter
  • University Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Luthersson, Nanna
  • Hestedoktoren I/S, Hvalsøvej 298, 4360 Kr. Eskilstrup, Denmark.
Ragnarsson, Sveinn
  • Department of Equine Science, Hólar University, IS-551 Sauðárkrókur, Iceland.
Ringmark, Sara
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.

Grant Funding

  • no number / MARS Petcare UK
  • no number / Marie-Claire Cronstedts Stiftelse

Conflict of Interest Statement

With the exception of co-author PH, the funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Nilsson E, Moazzami AA, Lindberg JE, Jansson A. The metabolomic profile of a high starch versus no starch diet in athletic horses. Sci Rep 2025 Oct 13;15(1):35576.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-23422-zpubmed: 41083709google scholar: lookup
  2. Intemann S, Reckels B, Schubert D, Wolf P, Kamphues J, Visscher C. The Hygienic Status of Different Forage Types for Horses-A Retrospective Study on Influencing Factors and Associations with Anamnestic Reports. Vet Sci 2022 May 6;9(5).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9050226pubmed: 35622753google scholar: lookup
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