Changes in eating time, chewing activity and dust concentration in horses fed either alfalfa cubes or long-stem hay.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chewing is an essential physiological process in horses; yet, the physical form of feeds may affect their chewing and feeding behaviour with consequences for equine digestion and health.

Objectives and methods

The present study evaluated the potential of a commercial forage cubes made from alfalfa and mixed meadow grasses to maintain chewing activity when compared with a traditional long and fibre-rich hay. An additional aim was to measure the dust formation during feeding. The experiment was a crossover design with six horses (11 ± 4 years old, mean ± SD), fed with 5 kg (as-fed basis) of their feed (long hay or alfalfa cubes) overnight. Eating and chewing activity was measured using the EquiWatch system with a sensor-based halter.

Results

Data showed that

SUBMITTER: Petz V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10188088 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature