The influence of mineral supplementation on growth and skeletal development of yearling horses.

The research studied the impact of mineral supplementation on the growth and skeletal development of young horses. It suggests that trace mineral (TM) supplementation may positively affect bone mineral deposition specifically when levels present in the horse’s natural diet are lower than those recommended by the NRC (1978).

Objective and Design of the Study

• The study sought to evaluate the effect of mineral supplementation on the growth and skeletal development of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse yearlings. A total of forty-six such horses were used in two different experiments.
• In the first experiment, the horses were fed diets of concentrate, and Bermuda-grass hay providing specific levels of Digestible Energy(DE), Crude Protein(CP), Calcium(Ca), and Phosphorous(P) on a Dry Matter(DM) basis. This diet was supplemented with trace minerals by adding varying proportions of a trace mineral premix to the concentrate.
• In the second experiment, a basal diet with calcium and phosphorus concentrations conforming closely to NRC (1978) recommendations were used. This diet was supplemented with no trace minerals, trace minerals or trace minerals with additional calcium and phosphorous.

Findings of the First Experiment

• With varying amounts of trace minerals in the three diets, it was found that trace mineral intake did not affect feed intake, weight gain, or body measurements.
• However, bone mineral deposition was found to increase with high trace mineral intake. No gross skeletal abnormalities were observed in the horses.

Findings of the Second Experiment

• The groups of horses fed diets with additional minerals consumed more concentrate and total feed than the group consuming a basal diet.
• Weight gain was increased by trace mineral supplementation. However, apart from this, the diet had no impact on the overall growth or development of the horses.
• The study also noted that colts gained more height than fillies during the course of the experiment.

Conclusion

• The results of these two experiments suggest that trace mineral supplementation may have a positive effect on bone mineral deposition in yearling horses.
• However, this supplement’s effect is pronounced only when the trace mineral content in the horse’s natural diet is below the NRC (1978) recommended levels.