106 The effects of Total Equine™ grain with Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract and chelated minerals on forage intake and cecal digestibility in mature Quarter horse mares under performance conditions

Abstract

Abstract A study was conducted in fall 2019 at Sul Ross State University to evaluate the effects of Total Equine™ containing Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed and chelated minerals on intake and cecal digestibility in comparison to a product without Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed or chelated minerals. Six quarter horse mares (avg 9 yrs) were used in a complete randomized block study. Horses were offered an ad libitum Bermuda hay for a 2wk standardization period and then blocked into pairs based on weight, age, and fitness level. Horses were assigned randomly within block to the Ctrl or Trt diets for an 8wk study with ad libitum access to water. Hay was offered 2xd in port-a-grazer tubs to control for waste. Grain was offered at a rate of 0.5% BW (manufacturer suggestions) and divided into 2 equal feedings. Horses were weighed weekly and grain amounts were adjusted weekly. Hay orts were collected 2x daily and hay offered was adjusted daily for a 3% refusal rate. Horses were exercised 6 d/wk on a hot-walker for 2 hrs. Horses were conditioned prior to the study and speed and duration were increased throughout the study. Horses worked 30 min at a walk and 1.5 hrs at a trot broken into periods. Feed samples were collected 2xwk and dried for DM and ground for analysis for NDF, ADF, CP, EE, and Ash. Blood samples were collected for 3x (1 wk, 4 wk, 8 wk) pre/post exercise to be tested for cortisol levels. A significant difference in total DMI was observed at 13.1 ± 0.14 kg Ctrl versus 12.02 ± 0.11 kg Trt (P = 0.0001). When looking at forage intake only 10.07 ± 0.13 kg Ctrl versus 9.04 ± 0.11 kg Trt (P = 0.0001). Overall, it appears that the inclusion of the grain product with Ascophyllum nodosum and chelated minerals reduced forage intake and overall DMI without affecting weight or animal performance.