Voluntary intake, digestibility, and subsequent selection of Matua bromegrass, coastal bermudagrass, and alfalfa hays by yearling horses.

The research article evaluates the viability of Matua bromegrass as horse feed by testing voluntary intake and digestion in yearling horses, in comparison to coastal bermudagrass and alfalfa hays. In the experiments, alfalfa showed the highest intake and digestibility, although Matua bromegrass was generally preferred to bermudagrass.

Experiment Design

• The experiment involved 18 Quarter Horse yearlings, with an average initial body weight of 354 kg, and subjected them to a diet of either Matua bromegrass, alfalfa, or coastal bermudagrass hay.
• The experimental design was a randomized block model, with a 15-day adjustment period followed by a 5-day collection period. During the collection, hays were consumed freely (ad libitum).

Results and Observations

• Voluntary intake was greatest for alfalfa (10.9 kg/day) compared to the mean of the grasses. However, intake of Matua (10.0 kg/day) was significantly higher than that of bermudagrass (7.4 kg/day).
• When it came to digestibility of organic matter, alfalfa again led at 74%, as compared to the mean of the grass types. There was not a significant difference between Matua (64%) and bermudagrass (60%), though.

Follow-up Preference Test

• After the digestion trials, the yearlings were given opportunity to demonstrate preference among the three types of hay over an 11-day period.
• The data revealed that yearlings preferred alfalfa over the other two, but generally favoured Matua over bermudagrass.

Effect of Previous Hay Experience

• An interesting observation was made about the effect of previous hay experience on the yearlings: they consistently consumed less of the forage type to which they had previously been exposed, as opposed to the ones they were unaccustomed to.
• This suggests an adaptive behaviour in the horses, helping them to diversify their diet, which may imply a natural instinct to obtain a balance in nutrient consumption.

Conclusion

• In conclusion, while alfalfa demonstrated the highest intake and digestibility, Matua bromegrass met most of the nutritional needs of yearling horses and proved to be a palatable alternative to bermudagrass.