DOI: https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/12.3.928
Original scientific paper
THE EFFECT OF PHYTOADDITIVES ON MACROELEMENTS DIGESTIBILITY OF SPORT HORSES
2011, 12 (3) p. 390-397
Bernislav GÁLIK, Daniel Bíro, Markol HALO, Miroslav Juráček, Milan Šimko, Veronika VAŠČÁKOVÁ, Michal ROLINEC
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a phytogenic additive in sport horses feed rations on faecal macroelements digestibility. The experiment was realized in Riding Centre of the Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, using 6 warm blood sport horses (geldings). The control group was fed with crimped barley, meadow hay, feed mixture and mineral premix. The experimental feed rations were supplemented with a phytogenic additive containing a blend of essential oils from origanum, anise and citrus, as well as a prebiotic rich in fructooligosaccharides. Higher digestibility of calcium (Ca) (71.11% vs. 69.09%) and phosphorus (P) (52.74% vs. 47.55%) was determined in horses fed the phytogenic additives (P>0.05). In this group of horses we found significantly (P<0.05) higher digestibility of magnesium (Mg), 64.32% in comparison with the control group (43.55%). Insignificantly differences in sodium (Na) digestibility we found (75.98% in control group vs. 76.58% in experimental group). Significantly (P<0.05) higher potassium (K) digestibility we found in horses fed with phytoadditives (57.11%). In horses fed without phytoadditives we detected significantly (P<0.05) lower digestibility of K (30.55%). In conclusion, we found positive effects of a phytogenic additive on macroelements faecal digestibility in sport horses.
Keywords
nutrition, horses, in vivo digestibility, macroelements, phytobiotics
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