NUTRIENT UTILIZATION OF PELLETED AND UNPELLETED FORAGES BY PONIES

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Abstract
Two separate digestion studies using mature ponies evaluated nutrient utilization of unpelleted alfalfa, brome, slough and oat hays and pelleted alfalfa, oat and barley hays grown in Saskatchewan. Alfalfa and cereal hays provided between 2.33 and 2.58 Mcal digestible energy (DE)/kg dry matter (DM). Brome and slough hay supplied 2.13 and 1.75 Mcal DE/kg DM, respectively. Alfalfa hay had a higher digestible crude protein content than other forages tested within each trial. Calcium (Ca) availability was lower from oat hay than other unpelleted forages (P < 0.05). Ponies were in negative Ca balance when either oat or barley hay pellets were fed; this occurred through an apparent increase in urinary Ca excretion. Phosphorus (P) balances were negative when slough hay or cereal hays were fed. Oxalate and phytate determinations were made in forages and concentrations of 0.26–1.3% oxalate and 0.06–0.44% phytate were obtained. Voluntary intakes of alfalfa and brome hay by ponies were higher than oat or slough hays (P < 0.05). Pelleted alfalfa hay was eaten in larger amounts than oat or barley hay pellets (P < 0.05). Of the forages tested, alfalfa hay was considered to be the best hay for supplying nutrients for horses. Cereal hays provide a good source of energy and protein for mature equids but would require macromineral supplementation. Key words: Forages, pony, nutrient utilization