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PloS one2020; 15(11); e0242373; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242373

The haybiome: Characterising the viable bacterial community profile of four different hays for horses following different pre-feeding regimens.

Abstract: Respirable dust in conserved forages can pose problems with equid respiratory health, thus soaking (W) and high temperature steaming (HTS) are employed to reduce the levels in hay. The aim of this study was to characterize the viable bacterial community profile of four hays from two different locations in UK following pre-feeding wetting regimens. Hypothesis: (1) Viable microbial community profile of hays will not differ between different pre-feeding regimens. (2) Hay type and location will not influence microbial community profile. Replicates of each of the four hays were subjected to dry (D), HTS conducted in a HG600, W by submergence in 45 L tap water, 16°C for 12 hours. From each post-treated hay, 100 g samples were chopped and half (n = 36) treated with Propidium monoazide dye, the remaining half untreated. Bacterial DNA were extracted for profiling the V4-V5 region of 16S rRNA gene from all 72 samples, then sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Bioinformatics were conducted using QIIME pipeline (v1.9.1). Linear discriminate analysis effect size (LEfSe) was used to identify differences in operational taxonomic units and predicted metabolic pathways between hays and regimens. HTS reduced proportions of microbiota compared to W and D hay (P < 0.001, df 3, F 13.91), viability was reduced within regimens (P = 0.017, df 1, F 5.73). Soaking reduced diversity within and between regimens. Core bacterial communities differed between hays and regimens, however pre-feeding regimen had the greatest effect on the bacterial community profile. W and HTS reduced viable bacteria (P< 0.05) known to cause respiratory disease, for HTS both respiratory and dental disease, with the greatest reductions overall from HTS without reducing bacterial diversity. Soaking increased Gram-negative bacteria and reduced bacterial diversity. Collectively these findings add to a body of evidence that suggest HTS is the most suitable pre-feeding regimen of hay for equid health.
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Publication Date: 2020-11-17 PubMed ID: 33201929PubMed Central: PMC7671497DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242373Google 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.

The research article discusses a study focused on identifying the levels and types of bacteria found in different hays fed to horses, before and after undergoing various methods of preparation or “pre-feeding regimens”. The study found that high-temperature steaming of hay was the most effective method of reducing harmful bacteria without reducing bacterial diversity, making it the recommended pre-feeding regimen for horse hay.

Objective of the Study

  • The study aimed to examine the bacterial profiles of four types of horse hay after undergoing three different pre-feeding regimens – one dry, one involving soaking the hay in water, and one using high temperature steaming (HTS).
  • Two hypotheses were tested – firstly, that the bacterial profile of the hay wouldn’t change based on the pre-feeding regimen; secondly, that the type and location of the hay wouldn’t impact the bacterial profile.

Methodology

  • The four hays used in the study were sourced from two different locations in the UK.
  • Each sample of hay underwent one of the pre-feeding regimens, which included: dry (D), HTS in a HG600, and wet (W) by submerging the hay in tap water at 16°C for 12 hours.
  • Bacterial DNA was then extracted from the 72 samples and profiled for further analysis.

Findings

  • HTS was found to reduce the proportions of microbiota more than the other methods (P < 0.001, df 3, F 13.91).
  • Soaking reduced diversity within and between regimens, while also increasing the presence of Gram-negative bacteria, which can potentially be harmful.
  • The bacterial communities differed between the hays and the regimens. However, the pre-feeding regimen had the greatest effect on the bacterial community profile.
  • Both W and HTS reduced the levels of viable bacteria known to cause respiratory disease in horses. HTS also reduced bacteria associated with dental disease, presenting the largest overall reduction without negatively impacting bacterial diversity.

Conclusion

  • The study’s findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that HTS is the best pre-feeding regimen for ensuring horse hay is as healthy and safe as possible.

Cite This Article

APA
Daniels S, Hepworth J, Moore-Colyer M. (2020). The haybiome: Characterising the viable bacterial community profile of four different hays for horses following different pre-feeding regimens. PLoS One, 15(11), e0242373. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242373

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 11
Pages: e0242373
PII: e0242373

Researcher Affiliations

Daniels, Simon
  • School of Equine Management and Science, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom.
Hepworth, Jacob
  • School of Equine Management and Science, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom.
Moore-Colyer, Meriel
  • School of Equine Management and Science, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animal Feed / microbiology
  • Animals
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Base Sequence / genetics
  • Computational Biology / methods
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods
  • Horses
  • Microbiota / genetics
  • Phylogeny
  • Poaceae / genetics
  • Poaceae / microbiology
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Water
  • Wettability

Conflict of Interest Statement

We have read the journal's policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: Jacob Hepworth was funded by Haygain Ltd through a studentship. Prof Meriel Moore-Colyer acts as a scientific advisor for Haygain Ltd. The Royal Agricultural University and Haygain Ltd work together on specific research and knowledge exchange activities. Haygain had no involvement in the design, analysis or interpretation of this study. Haygain had no involvement in the design, analysis or interpretation of this study. This affiliation does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

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