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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.
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Publication Date: 2014-03-21 PubMed ID: 24528106PubMed Central: PMC4303976DOI: 10.1111/evj.12238Google 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.

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

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              Citations

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