FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Water intake, faecal output and intestinal motility in horse...
Equine veterinary journal2014; 47(1); 96-100; doi: 10.1111/evj.12238

Water intake, faecal output and intestinal motility in horses moved from pasture to a stabled management regime with controlled exercise.

Abstract: A change in management from pasture to stabling is a risk factor for equine colic. Objective: To investigate the effect of a management change from pasture with no controlled exercise to stabling with light exercise on aspects of gastrointestinal function related to large colon impaction. The hypothesis was that drinking water intake, faecal output, faecal water content and large intestinal motility would be altered by a transition from a pastured to a stabled regime. Methods: Within-subject management intervention trial involving changes in feeding and exercise using noninvasive techniques. Methods: Seven normal horses were evaluated in a within-subjects study design. Horses were monitored while at pasture 24 h/day, and for 14 days following a transition to a stabling regime with light controlled exercise. Drinking water intake, faecal output and faecal dry matter were measured. Motility of the caecum, sternal flexure and left colon (contractions/min) were measured twice daily by transcutaneous ultrasound. Mean values were pooled for the pastured regime and used as a reference for comparison with stabled data (Days 1-14 post stabling) for multilevel statistical analysis. Results: Drinking water intake was significantly increased (mean ± s.d. pasture 2.4 ± 1.8 vs. stabled 6.4 ± 0.6 l/100 kg bwt/day), total faecal output was significantly decreased (pasture 4.62 ± 1.69 vs. stabled 1.81 ± 0.5 kg/100 kg bwt/day) and faecal dry matter content was significantly increased (pasture 18.7 ± 2.28 vs. stabled 27.2 ± 1.93% DM/day) on all days post stabling compared with measurements taken at pasture (P<0.05). Motility was significantly decreased in all regions of the large colon collectively on Day 2 post stabling (-0.76 contractions/min), and in the left colon only on Day 4 (-0.62 contractions/min; P<0.05). Conclusions: There were significant changes in large intestinal motility patterns and parameters relating to gastrointestinal water balance during a transition from pasture to stabled management, particularly during the first 5 days.
© 2014 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2014-03-21 PubMed ID: 24528106PubMed Central: PMC4303976DOI: 10.1111/evj.12238Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study investigates how moving horses from pasture to stabling conditions, while introducing light exercise, affects their gastrointestinal function. Results indicate significant changes in water intake, feces output and dry matter, and intestinal motility, particularly during the first five days after the transition.

Methods and Design of the Study

  • The research applied a within-subject management intervention trial that involved changes in feeding and exercise via noninvasive techniques.
  • It scrutinized seven normal horses within a designated study design.
  • The horses were monitored while at the pasture for 24 hours a day, and for 14 days following the transition to a stabling regime with light, controlled exercise.
  • Data on drinking water intake, fecal output and fecal dry matter were collected.
  • Twice daily, the motility (contractions per minute) of the caecum, sternal flexure and left colon was measured using transcutaneous ultrasound.
  • Mean values were collected during the time horses were in pasture, which served as a reference for comparison with the data collected post-stabling.

Findings of the Study

  • The study found a significant increase in drinking water intake among the stabled horses (mean ± s.d. pasture 2.4 ± 1.8 vs. stabled 6.4 ± 0.6 l/100 kg bwt/day).
  • Lower total faecal output was recorded (pasture 4.62 ± 1.69 vs. stabled 1.81 ± 0.5 kg/100 kg bwt/day).
  • The faecal dry matter content was seen to increase significantly (pasture 18.7 ± 2.28 vs. stabled 27.2 ± 1.93% DM/day) on all days after stabling compared with measurements taken at pasture.
  • An observable decline in motility was recorded in all sections of the large colon combined on the second day after stabling (-0.76 contractions/min), and in the left colon only on the fourth day (-0.62 contractions/min).

Conclusions of the Study

  • The research concluded that a transition from pasture to stable management resulted in significant changes in large intestinal motility patterns and parameters relating to gastrointestinal water balance.
  • These significant changes were most evident during the first five days of the transition.

Cite This Article

APA
Williams S, Horner J, Orton E, Green M, McMullen S, Mobasheri A, Freeman SL. (2014). Water intake, faecal output and intestinal motility in horses moved from pasture to a stabled management regime with controlled exercise. Equine Vet J, 47(1), 96-100. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12238

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 47
Issue: 1
Pages: 96-100

Researcher Affiliations

Williams, S
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK.
Horner, J
    Orton, E
      Green, M
        McMullen, S
          Mobasheri, A
            Freeman, S L

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Drinking / physiology
              • Feces
              • Female
              • Gastrointestinal Motility / physiology
              • Horses / physiology
              • Housing, Animal
              • Male
              • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology

              References

              This article includes 31 references
              1. Harris PA. Review of equine feeding and stable management practices in the UK concentrating on the last decade of the 20th century.. Equine Vet J Suppl 1999 Apr;(28):46-54.
                pubmed: 11314235doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05156.xgoogle scholar: lookup
              2. Ireland JL, Clegg PD, McGowan CM, McKane SA, Chandler KJ, Pinchbeck GL. Comparison of owner-reported health problems with veterinary assessment of geriatric horses in the United Kingdom.. Equine Vet J 2012 Jan;44(1):94-100.
                pubmed: 21696434doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00394.xgoogle scholar: lookup
              3. Mellor DJ, Love S, Walker R, Gettinby G, Reid SW. Sentinel practice-based survey of the management and health of horses in northern Britain.. Vet Rec 2001 Oct 6;149(14):417-23.
                pubmed: 11678214doi: 10.1136/vr.149.14.417google scholar: lookup
              4. Cohen ND, Matejka PL, Honnas CM, Hooper RN. Case-control study of the association between various management factors and development of colic in horses. Texas Equine Colic Study Group.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1995 Mar 1;206(5):667-73.
                pubmed: 7744689
              5. Dabareiner RM, White NA. Large colon impaction in horses: 147 cases (1985-1991).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1995 Mar 1;206(5):679-85.
                pubmed: 7744691
              6. Cohen ND, Peloso JG. Risk factors for history of previous colic and for chronic, intermittent colic in a population of horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1996 Mar 1;208(5):697-703.
                pubmed: 8617626
              7. Reeves MJ, Salman MD, Smith G. Risk factors for equine acute abdominal disease (colic): results from a multi-center case-control study.. Prev. Vet. Med. 1996;26:285–301.
              8. Hillyer MH, Taylor FG, Proudman CJ, Edwards GB, Smith JE, French NP. Case control study to identify risk factors for simple colonic obstruction and distension colic in horses.. Equine Vet J 2002 Jul;34(5):455-63.
                pubmed: 12358047doi: 10.2746/042516402776117746google scholar: lookup
              9. Archer DC, Pinchbeck GL, Proudman CJ, Clough HE. Is equine colic seasonal? Novel application of a model based approach.. BMC Vet Res 2006 Aug 24;2:27.
                pmc: PMC1570133pubmed: 16930473doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-2-27google scholar: lookup
              10. Lowe JE, Sellers AF, Brondum J. Equine pelvic flexure impaction. A model used to evaluate motor events and compare drug response.. Cornell Vet 1980 Oct;70(4):401-12.
                pubmed: 7460571
              11. Roberts MC, Seawright AA. Experimental studies of drug-induced impaction colic in the horse.. Equine Vet J 1983 Jul;15(3):222-8.
                pubmed: 6884312doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1983.tb01772.xgoogle scholar: lookup
              12. Carroll CL, Huntington PJ. Body condition scoring and weight estimation of horses.. Equine Vet J 1988 Jan;20(1):41-5.
                pubmed: 3366105doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01451.xgoogle scholar: lookup
              13. The Met Office. 2013. Historical station data. Available at: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/stationdata/
              14. Williams S, Tucker CA, Green MJ, Freeman SL. Investigation of the effect of pasture and stable management on large intestinal motility in the horse, measured using transcutaneous ultrasonography.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2011 Aug;(39):93-7.
                pubmed: 21790761doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00399.xgoogle scholar: lookup
              15. Rasbash J, Charlton C, Jones K, Pillinger R. Centre for Multilevel Modelling. University of Bristol: Bristol; 2009.
              16. Pugh DG, Thompson JT. Impaction colics attributed to decreased water intake and feeding Coastal Bermuda grass hay in a boarding stable.. Equine Pract. 1992;14:9–14.
              17. Houpt KA, O'Connell MF, Hout TA, Carbonaro DA. Night-time behaviour of stabled and pastured peri-parturient ponies.. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 1986;15:103–111.
              18. Hampson BA, Morton JM, Mills PC, Trotter MG, Lamb DW, Pollitt CC. Monitoring distances travelled by horses using GPS tracking collars.. Aust Vet J 2010 May;88(5):176-81.
                pubmed: 20529024doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00564.xgoogle scholar: lookup
              19. Orton RK, Hume ID, Leng RA. Effects of exercise and level of dietary protein on digestive function in horses.. Equine Vet J 1985 Sep;17(5):386-90.
                pubmed: 4054090doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1985.tb02530.xgoogle scholar: lookup
              20. Merritt AM, Panzer RB, Lester GD, Burrow JA. Equine pelvic flexure myoelectric activity during fed and fasted states.. Am J Physiol 1995 Aug;269(2 Pt 1):G262-8.
                pubmed: 7653567doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.1995.269.2.g262google scholar: lookup
              21. Pagan JD, Harris P, Brewster-Barnes T, Duren SE, Jackson SG. Exercise affects digestibility and rate of passage of all-forage and mixed diets in thoroughbred horses.. J Nutr 1998 Dec;128(12 Suppl):2704S-2707S.
                pubmed: 9868246doi: 10.1093/jn/128.12.2704sgoogle scholar: lookup
              22. Cohen ND, Gibbs PG, Woods AM. Dietary and other management factors associated with colic in horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1999 Jul 1;215(1):53-60.
                pubmed: 10397066
              23. Frape D. Equine Feeding and Nutrition.. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing Ltd; 2004.
              24. Lester GD, Merritt AM, Kuck HV, Burrow JA. Systemic, renal, and colonic effects of intravenous and enteral rehydration in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2013 May-Jun;27(3):554-66.
                pubmed: 23551797doi: 10.1111/jvim.12073google scholar: lookup
              25. Muhonen S, Julliand V, Lindberg JE, Bertilsson J, Jansson A. Effects on the equine colon ecosystem of grass silage and haylage diets after an abrupt change from hay.. J Anim Sci 2009 Jul;87(7):2291-8.
                pubmed: 19329474doi: 10.2527/jas.2008-1461google scholar: lookup
              26. Fonnesbeck PV. Consumption and excretion of water by horses receiving all hay and hay-grain diets.. J. Anim. Sci. 1968;27:1350–1356.
              27. Lopes MA, White NA 2nd, Crisman MV, Ward DL. Effects of feeding large amounts of grain on colonic contents and feces in horses.. Am J Vet Res 2004 May;65(5):687-94.
                pubmed: 15141892doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2004.65.687google scholar: lookup
              28. Lopes MA, Walker BL, White NA 2nd, Ward DL. Treatments to promote colonic hydration: enteral fluid therapy versus intravenous fluid therapy and magnesium sulphate.. Equine Vet J 2002 Jul;34(5):505-9.
                pubmed: 12358055doi: 10.2746/042516402776117782google scholar: lookup
              29. Lopes MA, White NA 2nd, Donaldson L, Crisman MV, Ward DL. Effects of enteral and intravenous fluid therapy, magnesium sulfate, and sodium sulfate on colonic contents and feces in horses.. Am J Vet Res 2004 May;65(5):695-704.
                pubmed: 15141893doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2004.65.695google scholar: lookup
              30. Dodson, Horrell 2013. Forage http://www.dodsonandhorrell.com/nutrition-feeding-advice/forage.html.
              31. Burns GA, Cummings JF. Equine myenteric plexus with special reference to the pelvic flexure pacemaker.. Anat Rec 1991 Jul;230(3):417-24.
                pubmed: 1867415doi: 10.1002/ar.1092300314google scholar: lookup

              Citations

              This article has been cited 4 times.
              1. Freeman DE. Effect of Feed Intake on Water Consumption in Horses: Relevance to Maintenance Fluid Therapy.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:626081.
                doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.626081pubmed: 33732739google scholar: lookup
              2. Williams JM, Randle H, Marlin D. COVID-19: Impact on United Kingdom Horse Owners.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 13;10(10).
                doi: 10.3390/ani10101862pubmed: 33066021google scholar: lookup
              3. Siwinska N, Zak A, Baron M, Cylna M, Borowicz H. Right dorsal colon ultrasonography in normal adult ponies and miniature horses.. PLoS One 2017;12(10):e0186825.
                doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186825pubmed: 29065146google scholar: lookup
              4. Bailey PA, Hague BA, Davis M, Major MD, Zubrod CJ, Brakenhoff JE. Incidence of post-anesthetic colic in non-fasted adult equine patients.. Can Vet J 2016 Dec;57(12):1263-1266.
                pubmed: 27928173
              Subscribe to our newsletter
              Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.