J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1989. 67:403-413.
© 1989 American Society of Animal Science
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Energy Uptake and Utilization by Limit- and Ad Libitum-Fed Growing Horses1

N. F. Cymbaluk2,3,, G. I. Christison3 and D. H. Leach4

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada S7N 0W0

Abstract

Eighteen weanling horses were assigned to two treatments: limited or ad libitum feed intake. Growth and feed utilization were evaluated over a 78-wk period. Ad libitum-fed horses gained 24% more (P < .05) weight than limit-fed horses. Total BW was distributed into 57% fore and 43% hind weight and did not differ between groups regardless of dietary treatment or age. Net gain and ADG in wither height of ad libitum-fed horses exceeded (P < .05) that of limit-fed horses over 78 wk. Ad libitum-fed horses consumed 19, 44 and 34% more digestible energy (DE) than indicated in 1978 NRC tables from 6 to 12 mo, 12 to 18 mo and 18 to 24 mo of age, respectively. Total DE intakes were positively correlated to weight and therefore were confounded by age. Weight-scaled DE intake of ad libitum-fed weanling horses increased .2% for each 1 C° decrease in barn temperature below 0°C. Maintenance energy requirements were estimated at 37.8 and 35.6 kcal DE/kg BW for limit- and ad libitum-fed horses, respectively. Grams of gain per megacalorie of DE consumed above maintenance ranged from 83 to 24 g/Mcal and were only 22 to 75% of values derived from 1978 NRC tables. Energy guidelines given by NRC were considered suitable for growth based on normalcy of musculoskeletal growth. However, the ADG by our horses, which were fed high-forage diets, were lower than those predicted by 1978 NRC.

Footnotes

1 Funds for this project were provided by the Max Bell Foundation, Alberta Agriculture Farming for the Future program and the Western College of Vet. Med. Equine Health Res. Fund.

2 Dept. of Herd Med. and Theriogenol.

3 Dept. of Anim. Poult. Sci.

4 Dept. of Vet. Anat.






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Copyright © 1989 by the American Society of Animal Science.