A new approach to the horse nutrition: Nanoparticles

Abstract

There has been a gradual increase in research on alternative feed materials and feed additives in animal nutrition. Since the purpose of animal nutrition is to ensure healthy and sustainable animal production, the primary objective is to ensure that the alternative substances are not only beneficial to disposal of waste, but also to the health and development of the animals. Particularly in horse farming, feeding is based on commercial diets supplemented with some vitamin additives. However, the specific digestive anatomy and physiology of horses create obstacles in the methods, which used to compensate for deficient feedstuffs and nutrients. Nanoparticles, which are widely used especially in human nutrition and discovered in search of alternative sources after various legal regulations in animal nutrition, have not yet opened a field for itself in equine nutrition. In this study, the aspects and possibilities of using nanoparticles, which are frequently used in ruminant and poultry nutrition, in equine nutrition were discussed and the pros and cons of nanoparticles were criticized.