Voluntary ingestion of wood shavings by obese horses under dietary restriction.
Abstract: Dietary restriction for the weight-loss management of obese horses limits the natural trickle-feeding behaviour. During feed restriction, wood shavings are often advised as bedding to prevent dietary supplementation from non-feed sources. Data from twelve overweight/obese horses and ponies of mixed breed and sex, bedded on wood shavings during 16 weeks of feed restriction, were retrospectively evaluated. DM intake (DMI) was restricted to 1.25 % of body mass (BM) daily. Animals were randomly assigned to one of two diets (hay/chaff, n 6; hay/balancer meal, n 6). BM was recorded weekly. Feeding behaviour was recorded by continual observation over 24 h during week 15. The apparent digestibility (gross energy (GE), acid-detergent fibre (ADF) and DM) of feed was determined for all animals by total faecal collection (72 h, week 16). Rates of weight loss were independent of diet type, DM (R(2) 0.15), GE (R(2) 0.20) and ADF digestibilities (R(2) 0.18). Despite similar DMI, faecal DM ranged between 0.52 and 1.16 % of BM daily and was associated with wide ranges in apparent digestibility (GE--11.34 to 53.08 %; ADF--50.37 to 42.83 % and DM 2.14 to 57.32 %), which were improbably low for some animals. Apparent digestibilities were associated with DM output (GE R2 0.96; ADF R(2) 0.99 and DM R(2) 0.99) and time spent feeding (GE R(2) 0.62; DM R(2) 0.61 and ADF R(2) 0.59), indicating that feed intake was supplemented with wood shavings in at least five of the twelve animals. Quantities of wood shavings ingested (negligible to >3.0 kg/d) were back-calculated from predicted feed digestibilities. All animals remained healthy. Implications of 'feed-bulking/energy dilution' for feed-restricted animals need further consideration.
Publication Date: 2011-10-26 PubMed ID: 22005422DOI: 10.1017/S0007114511000547Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study examines the behaviour of overweight/obese horses who voluntarily ingest wood shavings when their diet is restricted, underlining the need for further research into “feed-bulking/energy dilution” methods for managing the weight loss of such animals.
Objective and Methodology
- The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of dietary restriction on a group of overweight and obese horses and ponies. This was done to manage their weight-loss and also to see how this restriction impacts their feeding behaviour, particularly the voluntary consumption of wood shavings used for bedding.
- Twelve animals of mixed breeds and sexes were bedded on wood shavings during a 16-week period of feed restriction. Their Dry Matter intake (DMI) was limited to 1.25% of their body mass (BM) daily.
- The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two diets (hay/chaff or hay/balancer meal). BM was recorded weekly during this period.
- Feeding behaviour was continuously observed and recorded over a 24-hour period (during the 15th week).
- In the 16th week, the apparent digestibility of the animals’ feed was evaluated by total faecal collection. This included gross energy (GE), acid-detergent fibre (ADF), and Dry Matter (DM).
Findings and Conclusion
- The rates of weight loss were found to be independent of diet type, DM, GE, and ADF digestibilities. Irrespective of similar DMI, the faecal DM varied among animals and was associated with a wide range in apparent digestibility.
- Some of the digestibility results were improbably low for a few animals, indicating feed intake may have been supplemented with wood shavings in at least five of the twelve animals.
- The quantities of wood shavings ingested (from negligible amounts to more than 3.0 kg daily) were back-calculated from predicted feed digestibilities.
- All animals remained healthy throughout the study, even though feeding habits and apparent digestibility varied widely.
- This study suggests that the effects of ‘feed-bulking/energy dilution’, which is a possible method of managing intake in feed-restricted animals, should be evaluated further.
Cite This Article
APA
Curtis GC, Barfoot CF, Dugdale AH, Harris PA, Argo CM.
(2011).
Voluntary ingestion of wood shavings by obese horses under dietary restriction.
Br J Nutr, 106 Suppl 1, S178-S182.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114511000547 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Liverpool, School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Feces / chemistry
- Feeding Behavior / physiology
- Female
- Floors and Floorcoverings
- Food Deprivation / physiology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Obesity / veterinary
- Wood
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Durham AE, Frank N, McGowan CM, Menzies-Gow NJ, Roelfsema E, Vervuert I, Feige K, Fey K. ECEIM consensus statement on equine metabolic syndrome.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Mar;33(2):335-349.
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