220 Effects of Total Equine Grain with Ascophyllum Nodosum Seaweed Extract and Chelated Minerals on Forage Intake, DM, NDF, and ADF Digestibility, in 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 with a product without Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed or chelated minerals. Six Quarter horse mares (avg 9yrs) 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 0.005% 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 6d/wk on a hot-walker for 2hrs. Horses were conditioned prior to the study and speed and duration were increased throughout the study. Horses worked 30min at a walk and 1.5hrs 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. A significant difference in total DMI was observed at 13.1 ± 0.14kg Ctrl versus 12.02 ± 0.11kg Trt (P=0.0001). When evaluating forage intake only 10.07 ± 0.13 kg Ctrl versus 9.04 ± 0.11 kg Trt (P=0.0001). DMd and NDFd were not significantly affected by trt (P=0.38). However, tendency horse*diet (P=0.07) was observed. Overall, it appears that the inclusion of the grain product with Ascophyllum nodosum and chelated minerals reduced forage intake and overall DMI without effecting fiber digestibility or animal performance.