Test 6 Flashcards
What is the most significant difference in feeding horses compared to other domestic livestock?
The purpose for which they are being used
Why is there very little experimental information on the nutritional needs of the horse?
Not a large enough industry to support research–it is broken down into many smaller segments.
What is the upper part of the GI tract in horses similar to?
Monogastric GI tract
What is at the lower end of the GI tract in horses?
Large fermentation organ– cecum
Where do ruminants ferment feed?
The beginning of the GI tract
Where do horses digest cellulose?
At the end of the GI tract
Ruminants and horses eat at different rates, what are the rates?
Ruminants eat rapidly and “store” in the rumen for leisurely rumination later
Horses must eat more slowly to not force feed through GI tract too rapidly (before digestion is complete)
Why is forcing feed through the GI tract of horses too quickly a problem?
It can cause undigested feed to enter the cecum and starch residues will be fermented rapidly causing excessive gas production
What type of digestive system does a horse have?
Nonruminant herbivore
What is hindgut fermentation primarily for?
Fibrous feeds
What are the principal microbial inhabitants of the equine gut similar to?
Rumen of ruminant animals
What does fermentation result in the production of?
CO2
CH4
VFA
Is methane production less in the hindgut or the rumen?
Hindgut
How much of the total energy intake is methane production equivalent to?
Less than 3%
Where are VFAs readily absorbed?
Hindgut
How much energy utilized comes from VFAs?
30% or more
Other than VFAs, what can also result in a significant amount of glucose production?
Propionate
Why is fiber not utilized by a horse as efficiently as cattle?
They have a faster rate of passage and the microflora do not have as much time to digest the fiber
What does bacteria in the hindgut produce?
Protein and water soluble vitamins
What is coprophagy?
Process of eating feces
What does proper feeding do?
Reduce the incidence of colic and other digestive problems
The horse is a grazing animal, so when does it perform optimally?
When a slow, steady supply of fermentable material is allowed for the microflora
Research has shown that feeding how many times a day is best?
Several times a day
Research showed that on a high energy, low fiber diet and fed twice a day, what happened to microbial activity and the horse?
Microbial activity was adversely influences and predisposed the horse to more digestive disturbances
How many feedings per day are recommended?
3 or more
What can influence microbial activity?
Dietary ingredients
What does high starch or grain intake decrease?
Relative amount of acetate production
What does high starch or grain intake increase?
Relative amount of propionate
Why should dietary changes be made gradually?
For proper microbial changes to occur
What can abrupt changes in the horses diet alter or kill? (3)
Alter microbial population
Alter intestinal pH
Kill certain types of bacteria
What does killing certain types of bacteria when abrupt changes in the diet occur lead to?
Endotoxin release
What is endotoxin one of the causes of?
Founder/laminitis
What should forage be fed at in order to maintain proper microbial activity?
1 pound of dry matter per 100 pounds of body weight
What are the units when calculating normal requirements?
Mcal/d
BW and ADG in kg
What is the equation to figure maintenance requirements?
1.4 + 0.03BW
What is the equation to figure weanlings requirements?
1.4 + 0.03BW + 9ADG
What is the equation to figure yearlings requirements?
1.4 + 0.03BW + 16ADG
What is the equation to figure long yearlings requirements?
1.4 + 0.03BW + 18ADG
What is the equation to figure 2 year olds requirements?
1.4 + 0.03BW + 20ADG
What does energy for work depend on? (3)
Type of work
Speed of work
Terrain over which the work is done
What does a protein deficiency result in?
Reduced appetite
Where does microbial synthesis occur?
At the end of the GI tract after absorption of amino acids
What type of protein is recommended?
High quality
What do mineral deficiencies result in?
Weakened bones and leg problems
What are 3 things that are important to know about Ca and P?
Adequate amounts are needed
Suitable ration between the 2 is needed
Vit. D must be available
When is Vit. A supplementation advisable?
When feeds are low in carotene, especially in the winter
When is a lack of Vit. D a problem?
When a horse is confined to a stable for most of the day
When you supplement Vit. A, how much of Vit. D should you supplement?
10 to 15%
What does research say about Vit. E and Se?
They can assist in “tying up” in intensively trained animals
When you supplement Vit. A, how much of Vit. E should you supplement?
1%
For mature non working horses, what satisfies the needs of the animals?
Microbial synthesis and subsequent absorption in the large intestine
Producing horse may require a supplement of what vitamin?
B
How much forage should be fed?
1 to 2% of body weight
What type of forage can cause colic?
Moldy or dusty hay
What makes excellent hay for horses? (4)
Bromegrass
Orchardgrass
Timothy-grass
Bremudagrass
What hays are difficult to cure?
Legume
What type of forage could a horse overeat? Why is this bad?
Alfalfa
Alfalfa has a laxative effect
Why are pastures a good thing?
Exercise
What needs to be done on pastures? Why?
Management strategies
Horses are selective grazers
What are good forage alternatives? (6)
Straw Cottonseed hulls Peanut hulls Rice mill feed High cellulose paper Beet pulp (most common)