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88 Supplement use and perceptions: A survey of US horse owners
Abstracts / Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 35 (2015) 418e436
while Siberian millet had the lowest yield (3.7 t/ha) at the mature stage (P ¼ 0.0002). At the vegetative stage, horses preferred sudangrass and ‘Summer Lovegrass’ teff with ¼ 46% removal while sorghum sudan was least preferred with 21% removal (P < 0.0001). At the mature stage, horses preferred sudangrass and sorghum sudan with ¼ 45% removal while Siberian millet was least preferred with 4% removal (P ¼ 0.0014). Sudangrass and teff were high yielding and preferred by horses, while Japanese and Siberian millet tended to be low yielding and less preferred. This research will be repeated in 2015.
Key Words: horse preference, warm season grass, yield
87 Influence of forage type on rate of intake, mastication and saliva production E. Lee*, T. Fraguela, and L.K. Warren University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA A higher risk for impaction colic with warm-season forages, such as Coastal bermudagrass, is a common perception among horsemen and veterinarians in the southeastern US. Although the relatively high fiber content of warm-season grasses may contribute to higher colic risk, it is also possible that the finer texture and smaller particle size of these forages may hasten intake and result in less chewing and lower saliva production. The aim of this study was to compare rate of intake, mastication and saliva production between warm- and cool-season forages. Five mature Quarter Horse mares (mean ± SEM, 527 ± 13 kg) were used in a replicated 5 5 Latin square design study to evaluate 5 forages: alfalfa hay, alfalfa hay cubes, timothy hay, Coastal bermudagrass hay, and Tifton-85 bermudagrass hay. Except for the cubes, all hays were in long-stem form. Each horse received each forage in a randomized order and testing was replicated 3 times for each forage in each horse (n ¼ 15 total tests per horse). Each individual test consisted of 2 phases. In phase 1, approximately 0.5 kg of the test forage was offered to the horse for 5 min and the number of chews and the amount of forage consumed were recorded. In phase 2, a chifney bit fitted with a cotton swab was placed in the horse’s mouth and the same forage was offered for 5 min. Saliva production was estimated as the difference in swab moisture before and after drying in a 60 C oven for 48 h. All testing was conducted over an 8-d period. Data were compared by mixed model ANOVA with horse, replicate and forage as fixed effects. Total DM intake (P < 0.05) and rate of intake (g/min; P < 0.05) were higher with alfalfa forages than grass forages. Rate of mastication (chews/ min) was highest with alfalfa hay (P < 0.001) and lowest with Tifton-85 hay (P < 0.05), with the other 3 forages intermediate. Moisture content of saliva swabs averaged 55.8 ± 5% and was not affected by forage type. Estimated rate of salivation (mL/ min) was lower in Tifton-85 than alfalfa hay (P ¼ 0.005), but no other differences were detected. Rate of intake (P < 0.05), saliva production (P < 0.05), and number of chews (P < 0.01) expressed per kg of forage DM were lower in alfalfa forages than grass forages. Horses consumed alfalfa forages more quickly and with less total chewing than grass forages; however, rate of intake, extent of chewing, and saliva production did not differ between warm- and cool-season grasses. Although horses had prior exposure to all forages evaluated, their regular diet contained only Coastal bermudagrass; thus, it would be prudent to reassess these measurements after a period of forage habituation.
Key Words: horse, warm season grass, long-stem forage
421
88 Supplement use and perceptions: A survey of US horse owners N.K. Swirsley*, H.S. Spooner, and R.M. Hoffman Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, USA The pet supplement industry, including supplements marketed for horses, contributes over $1 billion to the US economy. However, little research has been done on horse owner use of supplements as well as opinions about their safety and efficacy. We hypothesized that perceptions about the use, safety, and efficacy of supplements would differ among riders of different disciplines and between those who identified as competitive (COM) versus recreational riders (REC). For this study, an online survey was developed to include demographic information, including rider discipline and identification as a COM or REC rider, along with a series of 6-pt Likert scale questions to determine beliefs regarding perceived issues their horse may have, the use of supplements to treat those issues, and beliefs surrounding the safety and efficacy of supplements. In total, 2,219 respondents completed the survey over a period of 30 d, of which 2,087 responses met inclusion criteria. Frequency counts, correlations, and effects of discipline (COM vs REC, using GLM) were analyzed using SAS. Disciplines represented included dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, halter, hunter or jumper, polo, racing, speed events, trail riding, vaulting, western all-around events, and western performance events. Overall, 43% of respondents reported owning 2 to 4 horses, 84% of all respondents reported giving supplements to at least one horse under their care, and 58% reported spending $30 or more per month per horse on such supplements. Eighty-seven percent of COM reported giving supplements to horses vs. 79% of REC. Fifty-five percent of COM compete 2 or more days per month. Across all disciplines, 21% of owners believe their horse has a behavior issue, 57% a joint issue, 43% a hoof issue, 18% a skin/ coat issue, 9% a colic issue, 20% a digestive issue other than colic, and 49% a performance or energy issue. Perceived issues were positively correlated (P < 0.05; R2 > 0.10) with use of supplements to treat or prevent those issues. There was no difference by discipline or competitive status concerning horse owners’ perceptions and views on using supplements to treat or prevent issues, or on the safety or efficacy of supplements. 50% of horse owners “slightly agree, agree, or strongly agree” that supplements are safe, whereas 48% believe the same when asked if supplements are well researched. In spite of the lack of research on the safety and efficacy of supplements, the majority of owners, regardless of discipline or competitive status, report giving supplements and indicate belief in their safety and efficacy.
Key Words: supplements, nutrition, horse owners
89 A survey of anthelmintic methods for horses used in trail riding or ranch horse competitions C.O.’ Hara*1, G.W. Webb 1, H.L. Brady 2, E.L. Walker 1, and S. Sacra 2 1 Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA; 2 Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA Today, cyathostomes are the most common parasite to infect adult horses. High loads of cyathostomes in the horse can cause a subclinical impairment of gastrointestinal function, diarrhea, decreased performance, weight loss, rough hair coat, and failure to meet growth potential. The objectives of this study were to determine parasite load in performance horses that participated in trail rides or ranch shows and to survey parasite control practices utilized by owners participating in these equestrian
while Siberian millet had the lowest yield (3.7 t/ha) at the mature stage (P ¼ 0.0002). At the vegetative stage, horses preferred sudangrass and ‘Summer Lovegrass’ teff with ¼ 46% removal while sorghum sudan was least preferred with 21% removal (P < 0.0001). At the mature stage, horses preferred sudangrass and sorghum sudan with ¼ 45% removal while Siberian millet was least preferred with 4% removal (P ¼ 0.0014). Sudangrass and teff were high yielding and preferred by horses, while Japanese and Siberian millet tended to be low yielding and less preferred. This research will be repeated in 2015.
Key Words: horse preference, warm season grass, yield
87 Influence of forage type on rate of intake, mastication and saliva production E. Lee*, T. Fraguela, and L.K. Warren University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA A higher risk for impaction colic with warm-season forages, such as Coastal bermudagrass, is a common perception among horsemen and veterinarians in the southeastern US. Although the relatively high fiber content of warm-season grasses may contribute to higher colic risk, it is also possible that the finer texture and smaller particle size of these forages may hasten intake and result in less chewing and lower saliva production. The aim of this study was to compare rate of intake, mastication and saliva production between warm- and cool-season forages. Five mature Quarter Horse mares (mean ± SEM, 527 ± 13 kg) were used in a replicated 5 5 Latin square design study to evaluate 5 forages: alfalfa hay, alfalfa hay cubes, timothy hay, Coastal bermudagrass hay, and Tifton-85 bermudagrass hay. Except for the cubes, all hays were in long-stem form. Each horse received each forage in a randomized order and testing was replicated 3 times for each forage in each horse (n ¼ 15 total tests per horse). Each individual test consisted of 2 phases. In phase 1, approximately 0.5 kg of the test forage was offered to the horse for 5 min and the number of chews and the amount of forage consumed were recorded. In phase 2, a chifney bit fitted with a cotton swab was placed in the horse’s mouth and the same forage was offered for 5 min. Saliva production was estimated as the difference in swab moisture before and after drying in a 60 C oven for 48 h. All testing was conducted over an 8-d period. Data were compared by mixed model ANOVA with horse, replicate and forage as fixed effects. Total DM intake (P < 0.05) and rate of intake (g/min; P < 0.05) were higher with alfalfa forages than grass forages. Rate of mastication (chews/ min) was highest with alfalfa hay (P < 0.001) and lowest with Tifton-85 hay (P < 0.05), with the other 3 forages intermediate. Moisture content of saliva swabs averaged 55.8 ± 5% and was not affected by forage type. Estimated rate of salivation (mL/ min) was lower in Tifton-85 than alfalfa hay (P ¼ 0.005), but no other differences were detected. Rate of intake (P < 0.05), saliva production (P < 0.05), and number of chews (P < 0.01) expressed per kg of forage DM were lower in alfalfa forages than grass forages. Horses consumed alfalfa forages more quickly and with less total chewing than grass forages; however, rate of intake, extent of chewing, and saliva production did not differ between warm- and cool-season grasses. Although horses had prior exposure to all forages evaluated, their regular diet contained only Coastal bermudagrass; thus, it would be prudent to reassess these measurements after a period of forage habituation.
Key Words: horse, warm season grass, long-stem forage
421
88 Supplement use and perceptions: A survey of US horse owners N.K. Swirsley*, H.S. Spooner, and R.M. Hoffman Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, USA The pet supplement industry, including supplements marketed for horses, contributes over $1 billion to the US economy. However, little research has been done on horse owner use of supplements as well as opinions about their safety and efficacy. We hypothesized that perceptions about the use, safety, and efficacy of supplements would differ among riders of different disciplines and between those who identified as competitive (COM) versus recreational riders (REC). For this study, an online survey was developed to include demographic information, including rider discipline and identification as a COM or REC rider, along with a series of 6-pt Likert scale questions to determine beliefs regarding perceived issues their horse may have, the use of supplements to treat those issues, and beliefs surrounding the safety and efficacy of supplements. In total, 2,219 respondents completed the survey over a period of 30 d, of which 2,087 responses met inclusion criteria. Frequency counts, correlations, and effects of discipline (COM vs REC, using GLM) were analyzed using SAS. Disciplines represented included dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, halter, hunter or jumper, polo, racing, speed events, trail riding, vaulting, western all-around events, and western performance events. Overall, 43% of respondents reported owning 2 to 4 horses, 84% of all respondents reported giving supplements to at least one horse under their care, and 58% reported spending $30 or more per month per horse on such supplements. Eighty-seven percent of COM reported giving supplements to horses vs. 79% of REC. Fifty-five percent of COM compete 2 or more days per month. Across all disciplines, 21% of owners believe their horse has a behavior issue, 57% a joint issue, 43% a hoof issue, 18% a skin/ coat issue, 9% a colic issue, 20% a digestive issue other than colic, and 49% a performance or energy issue. Perceived issues were positively correlated (P < 0.05; R2 > 0.10) with use of supplements to treat or prevent those issues. There was no difference by discipline or competitive status concerning horse owners’ perceptions and views on using supplements to treat or prevent issues, or on the safety or efficacy of supplements. 50% of horse owners “slightly agree, agree, or strongly agree” that supplements are safe, whereas 48% believe the same when asked if supplements are well researched. In spite of the lack of research on the safety and efficacy of supplements, the majority of owners, regardless of discipline or competitive status, report giving supplements and indicate belief in their safety and efficacy.
Key Words: supplements, nutrition, horse owners
89 A survey of anthelmintic methods for horses used in trail riding or ranch horse competitions C.O.’ Hara*1, G.W. Webb 1, H.L. Brady 2, E.L. Walker 1, and S. Sacra 2 1 Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA; 2 Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA Today, cyathostomes are the most common parasite to infect adult horses. High loads of cyathostomes in the horse can cause a subclinical impairment of gastrointestinal function, diarrhea, decreased performance, weight loss, rough hair coat, and failure to meet growth potential. The objectives of this study were to determine parasite load in performance horses that participated in trail rides or ranch shows and to survey parasite control practices utilized by owners participating in these equestrian