Effects of Specified Feed and Feeding Program on Economical Farming of Jeju Crossbred Horse

Abstract

The present study was conducted to examine the effects of the application of dedicated feed on fattening horses. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of feed developed for fattening horses and riding horses to enhance their productivity. The body weights, body types, feed intakes of were measured. and blood and serum analyses were conducted on eight fattening horses in the experimental group and eight fattening horses in the control group. □ Questionnaire survey Halla horse (Jeju Crossbred horse) According to the results of the questionnaire survey about Halla horses, 65%, 25%, and 10% of the feed were purchased from the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, Purina, and Woo sung Feed, respectively; 75% of the roughage was purchased from Green Farm, and the remaining 25% was produced in - house. The daily feed rations were as follows: 8 kg for each fattening horse, 2.5 kg for each growing horse (6 - 12 months), 3.5 kg for each growing horse (13 - 24 months), and 3.5 kg for each adult horse (at least 24 months). Roughage was freely provided. □ Investigation of the body types of the fattening horses The measurements of the fattening horses in the experimental group showed that the chest width significantly increased to 58 ± 2.5 cm * (*, p <0.05) at the last measurement. The chest girth increased to 181 ± 1.58 cm * (*, p <0.05), and chest depth to 44 ± 0.82 kg (*, p <0.05). These results indicate that the upper part of the belly gained the greatest amount of weight. With regard to overall weight changes, the experimental group showed a significant increase from 265 ± 18.52 kg at the beginning of the experiment to 322 ± 27.42 kg ** (**, p <0.01) at the last measurement. The changes in the body types of the fattening horses during the experimental period were examined. According to the results, although there was no increase in regions related to increases in the entire skeleton, changes following increases in weight were observed. In particular, body weight showed a tendency to increase significantly compared to the control group. Hence, the efficiency of the feed provided to the experimental group was greater than the feed provided to the control group. □ Blood and serum tests In the fattening horses, AST increased to 319 ± 106.1 U/I * (*, p <0.05) compared to the beginning of the experiment, and ALT significantly increased to 18 ± 8.2 U/I * (*, p <0.05). In the control group, AST significantly increased to 144.2 ± 18.2 U/I and ALT significantly increased to 9 ± 2.4 U/I * (*, p <0.05). No other item significantly increased or decreased. Similar to riding horses, AST and ALT increased in the fattening horses. The reasons are considered similar to those in riding horses. Compared to riding horses, AST and ALT values were measured as higher in the fattening horses during the experimental period. These results indicate that the riding horses performed the defined exercises after the dedicated feed was provided. The fattening horses exercised less compared to the riding horses because they were confined to their stalls. Hence, the repeated storage and utilization of energy continued in the fattening horses leading to increases in the role of the liver. The objectives of the present study were to develop and supply systematic feeding programs based on the nutritional requirements of individual horses according to the ages and weights of horses being raised in South Korea. Quantities of nutrients were recommended according to growth period after birth, the ratio between crude feed and concentrated feed, and the kinds of feed in order to enable efficient feeding and to minimize the economic losses caused by improper nutrition. □ Growing horse and brood mare body type investigation A. Growing horse The body types of The growing horses were investigated during the experimental period. The differences that were observed in the experimental groups and the control groups were examined. During the experimental period, changes were observed in the body length, withers height, back height, croup height, chest width, chest girth, chest depth, croup length, head length, Antebrachium length, and the body weight. These tendencies were shown to be similar in both the experimental group and the control group of growing horses. All items investigated showed the tendency to increas. B. Brood mare The body types of the brood mares were investigated during the experimental period. The differences that were observed in the experimental groups and the control groups were examined. Slight changes appeared during the experimental period in the body length, withers height, back height, croup height, chest width, chest girth, chest depth, croup length, head length, Antebrachium length, and the body weight. The changes in the body types of the growing horses and the brood mares that resulted from changes in the feed rations were examined. According to the results, the growing horses clearly showed increases in values because they were in the phase of the highest growth. However, in the brood mares, no changes in body type resulted from changes in feed rations during the experiment period. □ Blood and serum tests The results of blood tests were examined. The blood cells in whole blood were analyzed to examine the following items; WBC, LY, MO, GRAN, LY, RBC, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, PLT, MPV, PDW, and PCT. The results of the serum chemical test for TP, ALB, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, GLU, T - BILL, NH, TG, TCHO, LDH, BUN, CREA, IP, Ca, AMYL, Lip, Mg, and UA were examined. No differences in value were found between the experimental group and the control group. In addition, all values were with in the normal range. No clinicopathologic findings were apparent in the results. Hence, no changes in enzyme and metabolism related values resulted from the changes in feed rations. Therefore, the daily feed rations were 8 kg for a fattening horse, 2.5 kg for a growing horse (6 - 12 months), 3.5 kg for an older growing horse (13 - 24 months), 3.5 kg for an adult horse (at least 24 months). The results of the present study showed that the most efficient feed rations were as follows: adult horse, 3.5 kg; 3 ∼ 4 month - old horse 1.5kg, 4 ∼ 5 month - old horse, 2 kg; 5 ∼ 6 month - old horse, 2 kg; 6 ∼ 7month - old horse, 2.5 kg. Further studies hould be conducted to develop and supply systematic feeding programs based on the nutrients required by individual horses according to the age and weight of horses being raised in South Korea. Quantities of nutrients should be recommended according to growth period after birth, the ratio between crude feed and concentrated feed, and the kinds of feed in order to enable efficient feeding and to minimize the economic losses caused by improper nutrition.