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Bordin C, Raspa F, Greppi M, Harris P, Ellis AD, Roggero A, Palestrini C, Cavallini D, Bergero D, Valle E. Pony feeding management: the role of morphology and hay feeding methods on intake rate, ingestive behaviors and mouth shaping. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1332207. [PMID: 38681853 PMCID: PMC11046934 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1332207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, haynets and slow feeders have been promoted as sustainable tools to improve the feeding management of horses and reduce forage waste, but little is known about their effects on ponies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different hay feeding methods on the ingestive behaviors, intake rate and mouth shaping of ponies belonging to two breed types, which are characterized by different head morphologies. Shetland type (SH, n = 5) and Welsh/Cob type (WC, n = 4) ponies were fed hay using four feeding methods: on the ground (G), a fully filled haynet (HF), a partially filled haynet (HL), and a slow-feeder hay box (HB). Head morphology was measured for each pony. Video recordings were then made to apply geometric morphometrics and to perform behavioral analysis. The intake rate was measured for each pony and each feeding method. Data obtained with geometric morphometrics were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical variate analysis (CVA). Behavioral data and intake rate measurements were analyzed using a mixed model, a post-hoc Tukey's test, a Pearson's correlation test, and a stepwise regression model. The geometric morphometrics results demonstrated that feeding method influenced mouth shaping (36% for G, 78% for HB, 77% for HF, 83% for HL, considering the total variance of shape) and affected the intake rate. Differences in mouth shaping and ingestive behaviors in SH and WC ponies also confirmed the role of morphology in feeding management. The HL proved to be the most effective tool to increase feeding consumption time when needed (5 h/kg for SH ponies and 3 h/kg for WC ponies, considering the intake time), although the HB may be the optimal choice to reduce the intake rate while maintaining a more natural posture. Future studies are suggested to fully understand how body size and morphology influence feeding in equine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Bordin
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Federica Raspa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Martina Greppi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Patricia Harris
- Equine Studies Group, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray, United Kingdom
- Mars Petcare UK, Slough, United Kingdom
| | | | - Angela Roggero
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Claudia Palestrini
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Damiano Cavallini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
| | - Domenico Bergero
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Emanuela Valle
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
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Molle G, Cannas A, Gregorini P. A review on the effects of part-time grazing herbaceous pastures on feeding behaviour and intake of cattle, sheep and horses. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.104982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Harris P, Shepherd M. What Would Be Good for All Veterinarians to Know About Equine Nutrition. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2021; 37:1-20. [PMID: 33820603 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrition and management have enabling and supporting roles to play in the health, welfare, and performance of equines. Poor or inappropriate nutrition may therefore impose limits on an animal's ability to perform and adversely affect health and welfare. Understanding the gastrointestinal tract from a nutrition perspective can help to reduce the risk of certain clinical problems. This article outlines key factors with respect to the equine digestive tract and discusses relevant aspects of ration formation. Forage is highlighted, because inappropriate forage provision is one of the key limitations in many horse diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Harris
- Head of Equine Studies Group, WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 4RT, UK.
| | - Megan Shepherd
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Phase II Duck Pond Drive, Virginia Tech Mail Code 0442, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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