Abstract
The Mediterranean region is one of the areas most affected by climate change, which influences the production of forages. This has led producers to change from one to several forage cuttings, aiming to maintain crop productivity in increasingly water-scarce conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the nutrient content and productivity of forage produced for horses when subjected to variable water availability conditions at a Lusitano stud farm located in the central region of Portugal. The soil water content was evaluated throughout the growing season, using the gravimetric method, with soil samples collected every 15 days. Forage samples were collected from three grass cuttings (two for haylage and one for hay production), harvested from the same sward during the 2018/2019 growing season. The nutrient content of the forage samples was determined by chemical analysis. The global productivity throughout the crop-growing season was 8.3 t DM·ha−1, with the second harvest presenting the highest productivity (3.42 t DM·ha−1), corresponding to an adequate water supply, whereas the last cut, produced under water deficit conditions, presented the lowest productivity (2.1 t DM·ha−1). The estimated nutritive value by chemical composition analysis for both haylage and hay fell within the range reported in the literature for preserved forages for horses.
Highlights
IntroductionAs many horses are kept in the stable most of the day and do not have free access to pastures, the use of preserved forages is essential for those animals
To promote the health and welfare of stabled horses, it is recommended that their diets contain a minimum daily amount of forage of 15 g dry matter (DM)/kg body weight [1]
Preserved forages such as hay, haylage, or silage are essential for horses’ diets, especially in the Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by increasing water scarcity [2]
Summary
As many horses are kept in the stable most of the day and do not have free access to pastures, the use of preserved forages is essential for those animals. To promote the health and welfare of stabled horses, it is recommended that their diets contain a minimum daily amount of forage of 15 g dry matter (DM)/kg body weight [1]. Preserved forages such as hay, haylage, or silage are essential for horses’ diets, especially in the Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by increasing water scarcity [2]
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