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Feeding value of pastures for horses
1Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
New Zealand Veterinary Journal
|March 16, 2005
Summary
Determining pasture feeding value for horses is complex, especially for different life stages and types. Research is needed to understand intake, nutrient utilization, and health impacts of grazing horses on diverse pastures.
Area of Science:
- Equine Nutrition and Pasture Management
- Animal Science and Physiology
Background:
- The feeding value of fresh pasture for horses is crucial but poorly defined, particularly for different horse types and life stages.
- Limited data exists on the comparative feeding value of various pastures and forages for horses globally and in New Zealand.
- Assessing pasture's nutritional contribution is challenging due to difficulties in measuring feed intake and nutrient digestibility in grazing horses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the complexities and knowledge gaps in determining the feeding value of pastures for horses.
- To identify challenges in assessing nutrient requirements met by grazing.
- To underscore the need for further research into factors influencing voluntary feed intake and nutrient utilization.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on equine pasture feeding value and New Zealand forage research.
- Identification of challenges in measuring feed intake, digestibility, and nutrient bioavailability in grazing horses.
- Discussion of factors affecting pasture utilization, including herbage allowance and grazing behavior.
Main Results:
- Perennial ryegrass-based pastures in New Zealand appear to support high growth rates in young horses, comparable to supplemented Northern Hemisphere diets.
- Significant challenges exist in accurately determining voluntary feed intake and nutrient utilization by grazing horses.
- Pasture grazing offers benefits for equine health and behavior but also presents risks like parasitism and toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Accurate determination of pasture feeding value for horses requires addressing methodological limitations in feed intake and nutrient utilization assessment.
- Further research is essential to understand the impact of pasture characteristics and grazing management on equine nutrition and health.
- Balancing the benefits of grazing with potential health risks is critical for optimizing equine welfare and performance.