Research on New Equine Products and Feeds

Researchers Involved:

Project Description:

The comparative intake and nutrient digestibility of four legume/grass hays in horses. During the first trial, orchardgrass alfalfa, orchardgrass sanfoin, timothy alfalfa, and timothy sanfoin hays were fed to four horses during a 40 d. period using a 4 x 4 Latin Square Design. During collection periods, hay and fecal samples were taken twice daily from each horse and analyzed for nutrient composition and digestibility using Acid Insoluble Ash (AIA) as an internal marker.

The second trial was a preference trial using the same four hays separated into pairs for a total of 6 legume/grass hay combinations. Six horses were offered all six hay combinations during a 3 d. period using a 6 x 6 Latin Square Design. All four hay types were tested for nutrient composition. Horses were fed 2% of their body weight in hay and all refusals were weighed back to obtain an estimation of intake.