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Complete Extruded Diet: How Does Equine Fecal Microbiota Change During Intake Adaptation?
Bruna Caroline Franzan1, Irene da Silva Coelho2, Emilly Martins Ramos1
1Animal Science Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Animal Science Journal = Nihon Chikusan Gakkaiho
|January 8, 2026
Summary
Feeding horses a complete extruded diet (CED) alters fecal bacteria and in vitro fermentation. Microbial diversity declined when roughage was removed, indicating diet dependency and the importance of forage for equine gut health.
Area of Science:
- Equine Science
- Microbiology
- Animal Nutrition
Background:
- The equine gut microbiome plays a crucial role in digestion and overall health.
- Dietary changes significantly impact the composition and function of the fecal bacterial community in horses.
- Complete extruded diets (CED) offer a concentrated nutrient source, but their effect on the equine gut needs further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adaptation of the fecal bacterial community in horses transitioning to a complete extruded diet (CED).
- To assess the impact of CED on the in vitro fermentative capacity of equine fecal microbiota.
- To determine the relationship between dietary roughage, CED inclusion, and fecal microbial diversity and stability.
Main Methods:
- Twelve geldings were initially fed coastcross hay, then transitioned to either exclusively hay (HAY) or increasing levels of CED (30%, 60%, 100%) over 28 days.
- Fecal samples were collected weekly for microbiota analysis (bacterial community composition) and in vitro fermentation assays.
- Changes in the relative abundance of specific bacterial phyla and overall microbial diversity were analyzed in response to dietary treatments.
Main Results:
- CED consumption led to a reduction in the relative abundance of Fibrobacteres, Proteobacteria, Campilobacterota, Lentisphaerae, and SR1.
- Verrucomicrobia and Synergistetes showed increased abundance with CED feeding.
- Fecal bacterial diversity was maintained up to 60% CED but declined significantly when hay was completely withdrawn, highlighting the importance of roughage.
Conclusions:
- Equine fecal microbiota composition is highly diet-dependent.
- The stability of equine fecal microbial diversity is more strongly associated with the presence of dietary roughage than with CED intake.
- Incorporating CED alters microbial abundance and affects bacterial groups capable of modifying in vitro fermentative activity, impacting hindgut function.
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