Effects of Feeding Frequency on Nutrient Digestibility and Feeding Behavior in the Turkmen Horse

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.