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The over-conditioned horse: incidence and educational opportunities
366
Abstracts / Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33 (2013) 321-399
12CN horses immediately following turnout (06:00 to 09:00h). 12CD nighttime ingestion patterns were not different (P>0.05) from 24P horses, although 12CD horses did not display the 24P pattern of ingestion decline at 03:00-06:00h. Movement was higher at 15:00-24:00h in 24P compared with 24C. Movement frequency did not differ between 24P and 12CD, although inactivity was higher (P<0.05) in12CD; inactivity increasing at the expense of ingestion. 12CN horses displayed the greatest difference in movement and inactivity patterns compared to 24P, with lowest movement at 18:00-03:00h. Confinement affects behavioral repertoire in horses, with increasing disruption as duration of confinement increases. Half-day confinement during daylight preserves a greater degree of unconfined repertoire compared with nighttime confinement. Movement and ingestion behaviors were the most disturbed under confinement. Disruption in these activities may be related to increased incidence of digestive disorders and stereotypies documented in confined horses.
Composting carcass tissue in controlled composting columns L.M. Cottle 1, L.A. Baker 2, R.E. DeOtte, Jr. 2, B.W. Auvermann 3, J.L. Pipkin 2, D.R. Topliff 2, and B. Blaser 2 1 Department of Animal Science, University of NebraskaLincoln, Lincoln, NE, 2 Department of Agriculture, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX, 3 Texas Agri-Life Research, Amarillo, TX The equine industry is faced with discovering innovative ways to remove unwanted horses and dispose of the consequent equine mortalities. To determine the magnitude of the problem, the West Texas A&M University Department of Agriculture Sciences and the American Association of Equine Practitioners conducted a survey to quantify the number of horses in the United States being euthanized each year, to establish how much sodium pentobarbital is being used by veterinarians to euthanize equines, and to identify the preferred methods for carcass disposal. The thirty-two survey respondents disposed of forty-six percent of the horse carcasses through burial, composting and leaving the carcass out which may release the sodium pentobarbital into the environment and therefore is a concern. Composting was considered the preferred equine carcass disposal method by over ten percent of the survey participants. The second part of this research consisted of composting livers from animal carcasses spiked with sodium pentobarbital under controlled conditions in order to quantify the amount of sodium pentobarbital degradation. Previous research has indicated the potential for compounds derived from sodium pentobarbital to survive the composting process. In this study, columns were filled with a mixture of horse manure, wood shavings, and waste hay. Ground liver from either euthanized horses or beef cattle was placed directly in the center of the column. The bovine livers were spiked with sodium pentobarbital at 0, 10, 30, or 60 ppm and the
equine liver came from horses euthanized with sodium pentobarbital. Two continuous recording electronic temperature data loggers were loaded in the columns and pile, and ambient temperatures were obtained. The composting process was considered complete once temperatures dropped below the thermophilic reference temperature of 55 C for several days. Temperature degreedays, organized by treatment, were compared using a Oneway Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) procedure in SPSS program. There was no significant difference observed between the numbers of degree-days above 55 C for each treatment. Sodium pentobarbital and derivatives were detected in all compost samples at the completion of the trial. All columns but two appeared to have less sodium pentobarbital at the end of the composting process than at the beginning. However, one column had no change in the concentration of pentobarbital in the compost from the beginning to the end. The data suggests that too hot or too cold of temperatures during the composting process may affect the microbial populations capable of degrading sodium pentobarbital and derivatives.
The over-conditioned horse: incidence and educational opportunities K.L. Martinson 1, R.J. Coleman 2, A.K. Rendahl 1, and M.E. McCue 1 1 University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN55018, 2 University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY40546 Equine obesity has become a major health concern in the horse industry, perhaps because many horse owners have difficulty recognizing changes in equine body condition score and weight. The United States Department of Agriculture National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) 1998 Equine Study estimated that 1.4% of U.S. horses were over-conditioned. The objectives of this study were to develop an equation for estimation of ideal body weight and to provide resources for horse owners to aid in identification of over-conditioned horses. 629 adult horses and ponies who met the following criteria: age 3 yr, height 112 cm, and non-pregnant, were measured and weighed at two, non-breed specific shows in September 2011 in MN. Trained personnel assessed body condition score (BCS) on a scale of 1 to 9, measured wither height at the third thoracic vertebra, body length from the point of buttock to the point of the shoulder, neck and girth circumference, and weight using a livestock scale. Horses were grouped into breed types based on knowledge of the breeds; groupings were confirmed using principal component analysis of morphometric measurements. Equines had BCS that ranged from 2 to 8, with a mean SD of 5.6 0.9. 14% of horses were considered fleshy to fat with a BCS 7, which is similar to previous research that identified 19, 19, and 21% of horses as fleshy to fat in New York, Virginia, and the United Kingdom, respectively. Either the NAHMS report drastically underestimated the number of over-conditioned horses, or the incidence of over-conditioned horses has increased 13-fold in only 14 years. These
Abstracts / Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33 (2013) 321-399
results support the theory that horse owners are becoming increasingly accustomed to seeing over-conditioned horses, and may consider this the new norm. Conversely, <2% of horses were considered thin to poor with a BCS 3, which is similar to previous results in Virginia (2%) and New York (1%). Within each breed type, horses with a BCS of 5 were used to develop an ideal weight equation using a general linear model with body measurements not affected by regional adiposity. Breed types included stock, Arabian, pony and saddle; however, an equation was not derived for saddle horses due to lack of horses with a BCS of 5. Ideal weight (kg) ¼ length (cm) * 2.8 + height (cm) * 4.2 – 611, 577, and 606 for Arabians, stock horses, and ponies, respectively (R2 ¼ 0.86). To better help horse owners recognize over-conditioned horses, a fee-based app is being developed for use on smart phones. App users will select a breed type, enter in the horse’s body length and height, and the horse’s ideal weight will be calculated. The app will also include updated body weight estimation equations for the four breed types and an indicator of likelihood of being over-conditioned. The app will be available in 2013.
Replacement of cool season grass hay with pelleted feeds consumed by Quarter Horse geldings Part I: Digestibility. M.S. Edwards 1, and M.E. Gordon 2 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, 2 Purina Animal Nutrition, Gray Summit, MO 63039 1
Nutrient outflow and related environmental impacts from equine operations are government regulated (Swinkler, 2011). Research with livestock operations serve as models; however, unique gastrointestinal physiology and feeding practices support equine-specific research to evaluate influence of nutrient sources and feed additives on digestibility and nutrient excretion. Ten (10), individually housed QH geldings, 4.5 – 16 y, were fed 5 diets using 3 dietary components (Table 1) in a randomized block design. Periods included a 14 d diet transition, 3 d acclimation, and Table 1 Mean ( SE) apparent digestibility (aDig,%) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), amylase neutral (aNDF) and sequentially determined aciddetergent (sADF) fiber by Quarter Horse geldings (n¼9) consuming a pelleted feed with additives (ADD) fed alone or in addition to orchardgrass hay (ORCH), ORCH alone, or a similar, feed without additives (CTRL) fed alone or in addition to ORCH1. aDig, % Diet2
DM
OM
aNDF
sADF
A B C D E
49.51.38a,b 51.61.35a 57.61.35c 51.11.41a 46.21.44b
54.21.21a,b 55.51.19a 61.01.19c 55.81.25a 51.71.27b
22.71.96a 35.71.92b 49.72.02c 36.62.02b 18.62.06a
13.52.43a 28.12.39b 45.52.50c 30.82.50b 9.62.55a
1
Values within columns with different superscripts differ (P<0.0001). Diet A. 100% digestible energy (DE) from CTRL, includes sulfate mineral forms (Co,Cu,Mn,Zn) and sodium selenite; Diet B. 50% DE from CTRL, 50% of DE from ORCH; Diet C. 100% of DE from ORCH; Diet D. 50% DE from ORCH, 50% DE from ADD, includes chelated Co, Cu, Mn, Zn (ZinproÒ 4-PlexÒ), organic selenium (AlltechÒ Sel-PlexÒ), yeast culture (Diamond VÒ XP), Bacillus sp. direct-fed microbials (DuPontÒ MicroSourceÒ S), and Yucca schidigera extract (DPI GlobalÒ MicroAidÒ); Diet E. 100% DE from ADD. 2
367
4 d total collection. Animals were offered 33.3 kcal DE BWkg-1 during transition and 90% of measured DE during acclimation and collection. During collection, animals were fitted with hygiene harnesses for fecal collection. Feed intake and fecal output were quantified daily. One animal was removed prior to study completion. Analysis of variance was done with mixed models and least squares means compared with Fisher’s least significant difference (P<0.05). Dry matter (DM) and ash were determined gravimetrically upon drying at 100 C and ignition at 600 C, respectively. Organic matter was the calculated difference between DM and ash. Amylase neutral (aNDF) and sequentially determined acid detergent (sADF) fiber were measured using ANKOM A200 (ANKOM, 2009). Samples were analyzed in duplicate. Mean fecal DM output was not different across diets (P>0.05). Mean apparent digestibility (aDig,%) of all measured components was greater for the hay diet than other treatments (P<0.05) (Table 1). References [1] ANKOM. Acid Detergent Fiber in Feeds Filter Bag Technique. Macedon, NY: ANKOM Technology; 2009a. [2] ANKOM. Neutral Detergent Fiber in Feeds Filter Bag Technique. Macedon, NY: ANKOM Technology; 2009b. [3] Swinker AM. 2011. Update of nutrient management regulations and the equine industry. Pp 122–131 in Proc. 9th Mid-Atlantic Nutr Conf, Timonium, MD.
Replacement of cool season grass hay with pelleted feeds consumed by Quarter Horse geldings Part II: Impact on stockpiled manure characteristics. M.S. Edwards 1, and M.E. Gordon 2 1 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, 2 Purina Animal Nutrition, Gray Summit, MO 63039 Nutrient outflow and related environmental impacts from equine operations are government regulated (Swinkler, 2011). Research with livestock operations serve as a model; however, unique gastrointestinal physiology and feeding practices support equine-specific research to evaluate influence of nutrient source and feed additives on nutrient excretion. Ten individually housed geldings, 4.5– 16 y, were fed 5 diets using 3 dietary components (Table 1) in a randomized block design. Isoenergetic quantities per BWkg were offered. Feed intake and fecal output were quantified. Daily fecal samples (5 kg) were collected from each animal fitted with a hygiene harness and added to a 364 L container the last 4 d of each 21 d period. Stockpiled fecal temperature was logged every 10 min for 21 d. After 21 d, 2 vertical cores of the composted material were taken. Total fecal spore counts were determined and Microsource Bacillus spore counts were based on colony morphology. Stockpiled feces were measured for % moisture, organic matter (OM), total N, ammonia N, P, and K (Thompson, 2001; Table 1). One animal was removed prior to study completion. ANOVA with mixed models was used and least squares means compared with Fisher’s LSD (P<0.05). MicroSourceÒ S spores (cfu/g) were greatest in feces from animals consuming diet E (P<0.001). Stockpiled fecal temperatures increased over time (P<0.0001); diet or diet*day were not significant (P>0.05).
Abstracts / Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33 (2013) 321-399
12CN horses immediately following turnout (06:00 to 09:00h). 12CD nighttime ingestion patterns were not different (P>0.05) from 24P horses, although 12CD horses did not display the 24P pattern of ingestion decline at 03:00-06:00h. Movement was higher at 15:00-24:00h in 24P compared with 24C. Movement frequency did not differ between 24P and 12CD, although inactivity was higher (P<0.05) in12CD; inactivity increasing at the expense of ingestion. 12CN horses displayed the greatest difference in movement and inactivity patterns compared to 24P, with lowest movement at 18:00-03:00h. Confinement affects behavioral repertoire in horses, with increasing disruption as duration of confinement increases. Half-day confinement during daylight preserves a greater degree of unconfined repertoire compared with nighttime confinement. Movement and ingestion behaviors were the most disturbed under confinement. Disruption in these activities may be related to increased incidence of digestive disorders and stereotypies documented in confined horses.
Composting carcass tissue in controlled composting columns L.M. Cottle 1, L.A. Baker 2, R.E. DeOtte, Jr. 2, B.W. Auvermann 3, J.L. Pipkin 2, D.R. Topliff 2, and B. Blaser 2 1 Department of Animal Science, University of NebraskaLincoln, Lincoln, NE, 2 Department of Agriculture, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX, 3 Texas Agri-Life Research, Amarillo, TX The equine industry is faced with discovering innovative ways to remove unwanted horses and dispose of the consequent equine mortalities. To determine the magnitude of the problem, the West Texas A&M University Department of Agriculture Sciences and the American Association of Equine Practitioners conducted a survey to quantify the number of horses in the United States being euthanized each year, to establish how much sodium pentobarbital is being used by veterinarians to euthanize equines, and to identify the preferred methods for carcass disposal. The thirty-two survey respondents disposed of forty-six percent of the horse carcasses through burial, composting and leaving the carcass out which may release the sodium pentobarbital into the environment and therefore is a concern. Composting was considered the preferred equine carcass disposal method by over ten percent of the survey participants. The second part of this research consisted of composting livers from animal carcasses spiked with sodium pentobarbital under controlled conditions in order to quantify the amount of sodium pentobarbital degradation. Previous research has indicated the potential for compounds derived from sodium pentobarbital to survive the composting process. In this study, columns were filled with a mixture of horse manure, wood shavings, and waste hay. Ground liver from either euthanized horses or beef cattle was placed directly in the center of the column. The bovine livers were spiked with sodium pentobarbital at 0, 10, 30, or 60 ppm and the
equine liver came from horses euthanized with sodium pentobarbital. Two continuous recording electronic temperature data loggers were loaded in the columns and pile, and ambient temperatures were obtained. The composting process was considered complete once temperatures dropped below the thermophilic reference temperature of 55 C for several days. Temperature degreedays, organized by treatment, were compared using a Oneway Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) procedure in SPSS program. There was no significant difference observed between the numbers of degree-days above 55 C for each treatment. Sodium pentobarbital and derivatives were detected in all compost samples at the completion of the trial. All columns but two appeared to have less sodium pentobarbital at the end of the composting process than at the beginning. However, one column had no change in the concentration of pentobarbital in the compost from the beginning to the end. The data suggests that too hot or too cold of temperatures during the composting process may affect the microbial populations capable of degrading sodium pentobarbital and derivatives.
The over-conditioned horse: incidence and educational opportunities K.L. Martinson 1, R.J. Coleman 2, A.K. Rendahl 1, and M.E. McCue 1 1 University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN55018, 2 University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY40546 Equine obesity has become a major health concern in the horse industry, perhaps because many horse owners have difficulty recognizing changes in equine body condition score and weight. The United States Department of Agriculture National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) 1998 Equine Study estimated that 1.4% of U.S. horses were over-conditioned. The objectives of this study were to develop an equation for estimation of ideal body weight and to provide resources for horse owners to aid in identification of over-conditioned horses. 629 adult horses and ponies who met the following criteria: age 3 yr, height 112 cm, and non-pregnant, were measured and weighed at two, non-breed specific shows in September 2011 in MN. Trained personnel assessed body condition score (BCS) on a scale of 1 to 9, measured wither height at the third thoracic vertebra, body length from the point of buttock to the point of the shoulder, neck and girth circumference, and weight using a livestock scale. Horses were grouped into breed types based on knowledge of the breeds; groupings were confirmed using principal component analysis of morphometric measurements. Equines had BCS that ranged from 2 to 8, with a mean SD of 5.6 0.9. 14% of horses were considered fleshy to fat with a BCS 7, which is similar to previous research that identified 19, 19, and 21% of horses as fleshy to fat in New York, Virginia, and the United Kingdom, respectively. Either the NAHMS report drastically underestimated the number of over-conditioned horses, or the incidence of over-conditioned horses has increased 13-fold in only 14 years. These
Abstracts / Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33 (2013) 321-399
results support the theory that horse owners are becoming increasingly accustomed to seeing over-conditioned horses, and may consider this the new norm. Conversely, <2% of horses were considered thin to poor with a BCS 3, which is similar to previous results in Virginia (2%) and New York (1%). Within each breed type, horses with a BCS of 5 were used to develop an ideal weight equation using a general linear model with body measurements not affected by regional adiposity. Breed types included stock, Arabian, pony and saddle; however, an equation was not derived for saddle horses due to lack of horses with a BCS of 5. Ideal weight (kg) ¼ length (cm) * 2.8 + height (cm) * 4.2 – 611, 577, and 606 for Arabians, stock horses, and ponies, respectively (R2 ¼ 0.86). To better help horse owners recognize over-conditioned horses, a fee-based app is being developed for use on smart phones. App users will select a breed type, enter in the horse’s body length and height, and the horse’s ideal weight will be calculated. The app will also include updated body weight estimation equations for the four breed types and an indicator of likelihood of being over-conditioned. The app will be available in 2013.
Replacement of cool season grass hay with pelleted feeds consumed by Quarter Horse geldings Part I: Digestibility. M.S. Edwards 1, and M.E. Gordon 2 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, 2 Purina Animal Nutrition, Gray Summit, MO 63039 1
Nutrient outflow and related environmental impacts from equine operations are government regulated (Swinkler, 2011). Research with livestock operations serve as models; however, unique gastrointestinal physiology and feeding practices support equine-specific research to evaluate influence of nutrient sources and feed additives on digestibility and nutrient excretion. Ten (10), individually housed QH geldings, 4.5 – 16 y, were fed 5 diets using 3 dietary components (Table 1) in a randomized block design. Periods included a 14 d diet transition, 3 d acclimation, and Table 1 Mean ( SE) apparent digestibility (aDig,%) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), amylase neutral (aNDF) and sequentially determined aciddetergent (sADF) fiber by Quarter Horse geldings (n¼9) consuming a pelleted feed with additives (ADD) fed alone or in addition to orchardgrass hay (ORCH), ORCH alone, or a similar, feed without additives (CTRL) fed alone or in addition to ORCH1. aDig, % Diet2
DM
OM
aNDF
sADF
A B C D E
49.51.38a,b 51.61.35a 57.61.35c 51.11.41a 46.21.44b
54.21.21a,b 55.51.19a 61.01.19c 55.81.25a 51.71.27b
22.71.96a 35.71.92b 49.72.02c 36.62.02b 18.62.06a
13.52.43a 28.12.39b 45.52.50c 30.82.50b 9.62.55a
1
Values within columns with different superscripts differ (P<0.0001). Diet A. 100% digestible energy (DE) from CTRL, includes sulfate mineral forms (Co,Cu,Mn,Zn) and sodium selenite; Diet B. 50% DE from CTRL, 50% of DE from ORCH; Diet C. 100% of DE from ORCH; Diet D. 50% DE from ORCH, 50% DE from ADD, includes chelated Co, Cu, Mn, Zn (ZinproÒ 4-PlexÒ), organic selenium (AlltechÒ Sel-PlexÒ), yeast culture (Diamond VÒ XP), Bacillus sp. direct-fed microbials (DuPontÒ MicroSourceÒ S), and Yucca schidigera extract (DPI GlobalÒ MicroAidÒ); Diet E. 100% DE from ADD. 2
367
4 d total collection. Animals were offered 33.3 kcal DE BWkg-1 during transition and 90% of measured DE during acclimation and collection. During collection, animals were fitted with hygiene harnesses for fecal collection. Feed intake and fecal output were quantified daily. One animal was removed prior to study completion. Analysis of variance was done with mixed models and least squares means compared with Fisher’s least significant difference (P<0.05). Dry matter (DM) and ash were determined gravimetrically upon drying at 100 C and ignition at 600 C, respectively. Organic matter was the calculated difference between DM and ash. Amylase neutral (aNDF) and sequentially determined acid detergent (sADF) fiber were measured using ANKOM A200 (ANKOM, 2009). Samples were analyzed in duplicate. Mean fecal DM output was not different across diets (P>0.05). Mean apparent digestibility (aDig,%) of all measured components was greater for the hay diet than other treatments (P<0.05) (Table 1). References [1] ANKOM. Acid Detergent Fiber in Feeds Filter Bag Technique. Macedon, NY: ANKOM Technology; 2009a. [2] ANKOM. Neutral Detergent Fiber in Feeds Filter Bag Technique. Macedon, NY: ANKOM Technology; 2009b. [3] Swinker AM. 2011. Update of nutrient management regulations and the equine industry. Pp 122–131 in Proc. 9th Mid-Atlantic Nutr Conf, Timonium, MD.
Replacement of cool season grass hay with pelleted feeds consumed by Quarter Horse geldings Part II: Impact on stockpiled manure characteristics. M.S. Edwards 1, and M.E. Gordon 2 1 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, 2 Purina Animal Nutrition, Gray Summit, MO 63039 Nutrient outflow and related environmental impacts from equine operations are government regulated (Swinkler, 2011). Research with livestock operations serve as a model; however, unique gastrointestinal physiology and feeding practices support equine-specific research to evaluate influence of nutrient source and feed additives on nutrient excretion. Ten individually housed geldings, 4.5– 16 y, were fed 5 diets using 3 dietary components (Table 1) in a randomized block design. Isoenergetic quantities per BWkg were offered. Feed intake and fecal output were quantified. Daily fecal samples (5 kg) were collected from each animal fitted with a hygiene harness and added to a 364 L container the last 4 d of each 21 d period. Stockpiled fecal temperature was logged every 10 min for 21 d. After 21 d, 2 vertical cores of the composted material were taken. Total fecal spore counts were determined and Microsource Bacillus spore counts were based on colony morphology. Stockpiled feces were measured for % moisture, organic matter (OM), total N, ammonia N, P, and K (Thompson, 2001; Table 1). One animal was removed prior to study completion. ANOVA with mixed models was used and least squares means compared with Fisher’s LSD (P<0.05). MicroSourceÒ S spores (cfu/g) were greatest in feces from animals consuming diet E (P<0.001). Stockpiled fecal temperatures increased over time (P<0.0001); diet or diet*day were not significant (P>0.05).