Abstract:
In this experiment, sixteen Turkmen horses with ave
rage weights of 430±46 kg and age
7±3 years were used. Four feeding frequencies of 2,
4, 6, and 8 meals per day were used
for a period of 28 days. Data were statistically an
alyzed based on a completely
randomized design, and the results showed that incr
eased feeding frequency led to more
stable serum glucose levels throughout the day and
an increase in the digestibility of
nutrients (P< 0.05). However, ether extract digesti
bility was not influenced by feeding
frequency. Means of chewing and swallowing (per kg
DM) of alfalfa were not influenced
by feeding frequency. Also, the chewing and swallow
ing rates of concentrate for the
treatment of 2 meals per day increased (P< 0.05). B
y increasing the feeding frequency,
alfalfa intake decreased, but duration of forage in
take increased in the treatment of 8
meals per day (P< 0.05). In contrast, by increasing
the feeding frequency, concentrate
intake was increased, but duration of concentrate i
ntake was decreased in the treatment
of 8 meals per day (P< 0.05). In conclusion, feedin
g 2 times per day more often resulted in
lower digestibility of different nutrients and less
steady-state level of serum glucose than
other feeding frequencies.
Keywords:
Chewing and swallowing rates, Forage intake, Horse
management, Serum
glucose.
