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)
Why is beet pulp the most common forage alternative? (3)
Maintains normal intestinal activity and microflora
Fiber is highly digestible
Dust free
What is the disadvantage to beet pulp?
Low in some minerals and vitamins
What is the most popular form of grains?
Oats
Why are oats rolled?
Starch is more available
How is corn widely used?
By mixing with oats
How should corn be fed?
Cracked, coarsely ground, or rolled
Where is barley primarily found?
In areas where there is dry-land farming
Why should barley be rolled or cracked?
Because of hard kernel
What is wheat bran rich in?
Minerals, vitamins, and proteins
Why is wheat bran valuable in horse rations?
Because of its bulk, palatability, nutritive value, and mild laxative action
How much wheat bran should be added to the diet?
5 to 15%
What type of feeding method is linseed meal preferred in? Why?
Pelleting
Can be dusty
What is linseed meal inferior to when compared to SBM?
Amino acid composition
What is the primary source for animal feeds?
SBM
At what ration can SBM be substituted for LSM?
1:1
When is milk protein incorporated in the diet?
In creep feed or weaning diet
What are the benefits to cane molasses? (3)
Sweetens feed
Increase palatability and intake
Decreases dust
How much molasses should be added?
5 to 10% of the diet
What are the benefits to dehydrated alfalfa meal? (2)
Good source of vitamins, minerals, and proteins
Best substitute for green pasture during winter
How much dehydrate alfalfa should be added?
5 to 10% of the diet
Why are fats and oils added to diets?
Increase energy
What oils are more palatable than animal fat?
Vegetable oils
What do fats and oils supply?
Linoleic acid
What do fat and oils reduce? Increase?
Dustiness
Bloom
How much fat and oil should be added?
5 to 10% of the diet
Who is complete feed formulated and mixed by?
Manufacturer
How is complete feed fed to a horse?
Pelleted, cubed, or wafers
When is complete feed most commonly used?
When 1 or 2 horses are owned
What does complete feed typically contain? (5)
12 to 14% crude protein Roughage Concentrate Supplemental vitamins Minerals
Why is pelleted feed beneficial?
Reduces sorting of protein, minerals, etc.
What should pellets contain? Why?
60-70% coarsely ground hay
Prevent colic
Why are small amounts of unprocessed hay beneficial in pelleted feed?
Prevent wood chewing or mane and tail chewing
What is the mixture of concentrate like? (3)
Ground mixed grains
Supplemental protein
Minerals
What is the crude protein amount in concentrate?
14-15%
What is protein supplement used to supplement?
Hay and grain
What is the protein content?
25% with directions to add 0.5 to 0.75 pound to the grain and hay
What is sweet feed a mixture of?
Low-grade roughage and molasses
What does sweet feed do for a diet?
Add a pleasant aroma
What are 8 concentrates widely used for horses?
Oats Corn Barley Grain sorghum Wheat bran Linseed meal Soybean meal Cottonseed meal
If hay and concentrates are ground and mixed together, how should a horse be fed?
Hand fed rather than self fed
Why can a horse not be self fed when mixing hay and concentrates?
They may overeat which will cause colic
How many times a day should a horse be hand fed when mixing hay and concentrates?
2 or 3 times a day
What does pelleting destroy the value of? What happens to the horse?
Roughage
Predisposes them to colic
What is a good alternative to pelleting?
Course grinding
What does course grinding do to horses teeth?
Reduce wear
How can you reduce dustiness?
Add 3 to 5%molasses or dampen feed with water at time of feeding
What is the problem with silage and haylage?
Frequently have mold which can cause colic
What is a general rule about replacing hay?
No more than 1/3 to 1/2 should be replaced
How much should grain allowances be reduced on non-work days? Why?
By about 50%
Avoid azoturia
What do working or performing horses need extra of?
Nutrients
What do you feed open mares and geldings based on?
Size and activity
Look at chart on page 149
Look at chart on page 149
If you want 0.6 lb. of grain, how much hay would you take out?
1 lb.
What should be provided to open mares and geldings on a free-choice basis? (2)
Mineral mixture
A source of plain, loose salt
What should be in a mineral mixture? (2)
1 part trace mineralized salt
2 part defluorinated phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, or steamed bonemeal
What does a source of plain, loose salt make possible for horses?
Replace salt lost from perspiration without forcing them to consume unneeded calcium, phosphorus, and trace minerals
During the first 8 months of gestation how much should a pregnant mare be fed?
The same “adequate” diet as open mares
During the last 3 months of gestation, what alterations should be made? (3)
Increase protein by 20-25%
Increase energy by 5-10%
Double Vit. A
What happens to Ca and P needs in the last 90 days of gestation? How should they be provided?
Needs are doubled
Provided free choice in a complete mineral mix
During lactation, what should you ensure that the mare has?
Good quality hay–50% preferably from legume
How much hay should be given to a mare during lactation?
About 1% of body weight
How much grain should be given to a mare during lactation?
About 1% of body weight
If protein is needed, what ratio should you substitute the protein meal at for the grain mix to meet protein needs?
1:1
How much of trace mineralized salt should be added in the daily grain mix for a lactating mare?
0.1 pound
If a mare is milking normally, what does she provide to the foal for the first 3 to 4 months?
Adequate nutrients
When can foals be effectively creep fed?
Starting at 2 to 3 weeks of age
The grain mixture can be offered to a foal in increasing amount with small amounts of hay until when?
It is receiving 0.75 to 1 pound daily per 100 pounds of BW at weaning
What is the typical concentrate mixture for foals? (9)
40% rolled oats 20% cracked corn 15% SBM 10% wheat bran 10% alfalfa meal 3.5% molasses 0.5% limestone 0.5% defluorinated phosphate 0.5% trace mineralized salt
What should better quality feeds be reserved for?
Younger animals
What are they symptoms for colic? (3)
Acute abdominal pain
Sweating
Kicking and rolling
What is the etiology of colic? (4)
Excessive gas production
Impaction
Poor management
Overfeeding, irregular feeding, watering, etc.
How can you prevent colic?
Proper management
What is the treatment for colic? (4)
Gastric tube to relieve stomach problem
Mild impactions dispersed with mineral oil
MgSO4 acts as osmotic purative
Surgery
What are the symptoms for laminitis? (4)
Lameness
Inflammation of the laminae
Acute= visibly sick, sweating, hoof is hot
Chronic= Deep vertical cracks in hoof and heavy horizontal ridging; hoof is dry and brittle
What is the etiology of laminitis? (3)
Ingestion of excessive CHOs
Excessive exercise in unfit horse
Ischemia in the hoof
How can you prevent laminitis? (2)
Adequate ration
Good management
How can you treat laminitis?
Oral administration of 1 gallon mineral oil
Temperature (cold or hot packs) early
What are they symptoms for azoturia? (4)
Excessive sweating
Rapid pulse
Stiffness in gait
Myoglobinuria
What is the etiology for azoturia?
Unknown, but related to total feed energy
How can you prevent azoturia? (2)
Exercise routinely
Reduce feed when idle
What is the treatment for azoturia? (2)
Keep as quiet as possible
Selenium and Vit. e appear to give favorable results
What are the symptoms for heaves? (2)
Coughing and difficult breathing
Rapid inspiration and forced expiration
What is the etiology for heaves?
Dusty, moldy hays
Over-distended alveoli
How can you prevent heaves?
Good, clean feed
What is the treatment like for heaves?
Palliative
What are the symptoms for rickets?
Enlargement of the ends of long bones
What is the etiology for rickets?
Ca, P, and/or Vit. D imbalance
What is the prevention and treatment for rickets?
Proper amounts of Ca and P
What are the symptoms for urinary calculi? (2)
Frequent attempts to urinate
Urine may be bloody
What is the etiology for urinary calculi? (2)
Unknown
Urine is characteristically alkaline
How can you prevent urinary calculi?
Proper mineral nutrition
How can you treat urinary calculi?
Surgery
