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Forage buffers the hindgut

Forage buffers the hindgut

The feeding practices can have impact on the ecosystem in the hindgut of the horse. This study examined the effect on the hindgut environment in riding horses in training when the forage (hay) was fed before the concentrate (oats) and vice versa.

When the horses were fed the forage before the concentrate instead of the opposite, the faecal pH and the buffering capacity of the faeces were higher (Table 1). To feed the forage before the concentrate also implied positive differences in the short-chain fatty acids in the faeces: the concentration of acetic acid was higher, the propionic acid lower and the ratio acetic /propionic acid was higher. Acetate is a weaker acid than propionate and therefore it does not decrease pH as much (pH = measure of acidity).

Text 11.1 tabell 1 eng

The results from this study show that the feeding practices, forage or concentrate first, affects the activity of the hindgut flora (the short-chain fatty acids) and the environment in the hindgut of the horse. The results also indicate that feeding forage before concentrate gives a higher buffering capacity in the hindgut which might protect against “acidification” of the colon content e.g. a decrease in pH. The best option is still to avoid concentrate containing starch (oats, barley, corn) and feed a forage which covers the energy and protein requirements.

Sara Muhonen, AgrD

Reference:
Zeyner A, Geißler C & Dittrich A. 2004. Effects of hay intake and feeding sequence on variables in faeces and faecal water (dry matter, pH value, organic acids, ammonia, buffering capacity) of horses. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 88, 7-19.

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