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More stable intestinal flora with forage-only diets

More stable intestinal flora with forage-only diets

This study examined the impacts on microbial flora in faeces in trotters in training when fed a high energy forage-only diet (haylage, early harvest) compared to a 50:50 forage (late harvest) :concentrate diet. The early and the late harvested haylage were from the same ley, the concentrate consisted of mainly oats and soybean meal and both diets were supplemented with minerals and salt. The two diets, forage-only and forage:concentrate, provided the same daily energy and protein intake.

Three horses started on the forage-only diet and three on the forage:concentrate diet and then they switched so all horses were tested on both diets. Faecal samples were taken from all horses in the morning on day 7, 14, 21 and 29 in each test period.

When concentrate was included in the diet a tenfold increase in the amount of lactic acid producing bacteria occurred, including specific lactic acid producing bacteria that have been associated with the induction of laminitis. There was no effect of diet on the diversity of the bacterial population. However, feeding only early harvested grass haylage resulted in a more stable microbial population with less fluctuations between samplings. It was clear that diet had an effect on the microbial composition in the faeces, but there was still a large difference between individual horses in microbial diversity and stability. Since every horse seems to have “its own” intestinal flora the authors draw the conclusion that some horses can be more or less susceptible to changes in the diet.

In conclusion the study indicates that forage-only diets gives a more stable microbial flora and decreases the presence of bacteria associated with gastrointestinal disorders. The authors also suggests that early harvested high energy forage can be a way to improve animal health in athletic horses, as the amount of concentrate can be decreased or totally excluded.

Sara Muhonen, AgrD

Reference:
Willing B, Vörös A, Roos S, Jones C, Jansson A & Lindberg JE. 2009. Changes in faecal bacteria associated with concentrate and forage-only diets fed to horses in traning. Equine Veterinary Journal 41, 908-914.

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