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1.
A field survey involving 109 horses in 9 stables at a Detroit racetrack was conducted to determine feeding practices and to estimate crude protein (CP), digestible energy (DE), and dry matter (DM) consumption by racing Thoroughbreds, and to compare those intakes with 1989 recommendations of the National Research Council (NRC), "Nutrient Requirements of Horses." Trainers were interviewed regarding: 1) the age and sex of the homes; 2) their feeding practices; and 3) the horse's training and racing schedule. Only adult homes who were actively racing and continuously stabled at the track were included. Body weights (BW) were estimated using a chest girth measurement. The horses had an overall mean body condition score of 5 which indicated average body condition for a racing. Thoroughbred at this track. Feed samples of hay and concentrate from each stable were weighed and analyzed at a commercial laboratory to determine CP, DM, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and estimated energy density. A computer program calculated CP, DE, and DM values for each horse's ration based onamounts fed. The software program included with the 1989 NRC publication was used to compare estimated nutrient intakes with current NRC recommendations for a horse of a given BW. Trainers fed a variety of hays. Eight trainers fed oats and only one fed corn. All trainers fed commercial sweet feeds. The mean total amount of feed for all homes on an "as fed" basis was 13.7 kg. The mean estimated DM intake for all horses was 12.3 kg vs. NRC recommended 11.6 kg. The mean for percentage of roughage in the ration for all stables was 53% vs. a NRC recommendation of 35%. The mean CP% ona DM basis for all stables' rations was 13.8% vs. a NRC recommendation of 11.4%. The means for actual CP and DE intakes for all horses were 1678 g and 33.3 Meal compared with current NRC recommendations of 1324 g CP and 33.1 Meal DE. Protein amounts were above those recommended due to the common practice of feeding relatively higher CP% in the rations than necessary for racehorse performance. These data appear to be more consistent with the recommendations of NRC in 1989 than previous recommendations in 1978.  相似文献   

2.
SUMMARY Twenty-five Thoroughbred (TB) and 25 Standardbred (SB) stables were visited to determine their feeding practices. The ingredients of the main feed of the day for a mature gelding of average size in full training were weighed at each stable. Nutrient content of diets was calculated using published data for the individual ingredients. Results are expressed as mean±sd. The estimated body weight of TB horses was 493±34 kg and 437±32 kg for SB horses. There was considerable variation in diet composition and nutrient intake between stables. The TB trainers fed 11.0±2.4 kg and SB trainers 11.8±2.5 kg per day. The concentrate component of the diet weighed 7.8±1.6 and 7.7±2.3 kg for TB and SB stables, respectively, and the roughage component for TB horses 3.3±1.4 and SB horses 4.1±1.4 kg per day. The digestible energy intake of horses at TB stables was 129±29 MJ per day and at SB stables 132±31 MJ per day. Crude protein intake of TB horses was 1452±363 g and SB horses 1442±338 g per day. There were differences in some feeding practices at TB and SB stables. Standardbred trainers fed more roughage than TB trainers. Standardbred trainers fed chaffed lucerne (alfalfa) and cereal hays as the major roughage, whereas TB trainers fed more hay. The major hay type fed by TB trainers was lucerne, whereas many SB trainers preferred clover hay. Both trainers fed oats as the major grain, but TB trainers fed slightly more maize (corn) than SB trainers. The SB trainers fed barley as part of the concentrate component of the diet, whereas TB trainers usually fed boiled barley and linseed oil in winter only. Although many trainers used vitamin and mineral supplements, this appeared unnecessary in many Instances, especially with respect to Iron. Calcium and NaCI supplementation was necessary for some diets. We concluded that while there was a wide range in feed intake and diet composition for both TB and SB horses, average nutrient intakes were similar to National Research Council (1989) recommendations for horses performing intense work.  相似文献   

3.
The effects of diet and climate were assessed in 42 light horse weanlings over 30 wk. Horses were fed diets varying in energy and phosphorus content. Diets were predominantly forage (73 to 77.5%) or concentrate (62 to 62.25%) and had 2.65 or 3.09 Mcal DE/kg DM, respectively. Horses were weighed every 14 d. Group feed intakes and climatic variables were recorded daily. Dietary phosphorus content did not affect intake or gain. Horses fed forage diets ate 18% more (P less than .001) DM than horses fed concentrate, but DE intakes did not differ. Average DE intakes, 21.5 Mcal daily, were 33% more than those given in 1978 National Research Council (NRC) tables. Overall ADG by forage- and concentrate-fed horses were .83 and .89 kg, respectively. These values were 23 and 32% above mean ADG values given for horses at 6 and 12 mo in 1978 NRC tables. Average daily gain declined (P less than .01) with age, although daily DE intake increased (P less than .01). Total DM and DE intakes were determined largely by body weight, but age was the main determinant of weight-scaled DE intake. Weight- and age-scaled DE intakes were reduced (P less than .001) by 6.1% at temperatures below -10 degrees C compared with temperatures above -10 degrees C. Temperatures below -20 degrees C had no greater effect on DE intake than those between -10 to -20 degrees C. Neither precipitation nor wind alone affected weight- and age-adjusted DE intake. In conclusion, weanling horses fed readily digested diets ad libitum gained weight at or above expected values even at severely cold ambient temperatures.  相似文献   

4.
Eighteen weanling horses were assigned to two treatments: limited or ad libitum feed intake. Growth and feed utilization were evaluated over a 78-wk period. Ad libitum-fed horses gained 24% more (P less than .05) weight than limit-fed horses. Total BW was distributed into 57% fore and 43% hind weight and did not differ between groups regardless of dietary treatment or age. Net gain and ADG in wither height of ad libitum-fed horses exceeded (P less than .05) that of limit-fed horses over 78 wk. Ad libitum-fed horses consumed 19, 44 and 34% more digestible energy (DE) than indicated in 1978 NRC tables from 6 to 12 mo, 12 to 18 mo and 18 to 24 mo of age, respectively. Total DE intakes were positively correlated to weight and therefore were confounded by age. Weight-scaled DE intake of ad libitum-fed weanling horses increased .2% for each 1 C degree decrease in barn temperature below 0 degree C. Maintenance energy requirements were estimated at 37.8 and 35.6 kcal DE/kg BW for limit- and ad libitum-fed horses, respectively. Grams of gain per megacalorie of DE consumed above maintenance ranged from 83 to 24 g/Mcal and were only 22 to 75% of values derived from 1978 NRC tables. Energy guidelines given by NRC were considered suitable for growth based on normalcy of musculoskeletal growth. However, the ADG by our horses, which were fed high-forage diets, were lower than those predicted by 1978 NRC.  相似文献   

5.
AIM: To identify feeding and management variables associated with variation in faecal pH within a population of intensively managed Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 16 racehorse trainers in the North Island of New Zealand. Interviews were conducted at the trainers' stables to obtain information on feeding and management of horses, and faecal samples were collected and faecal pH measured. RESULTS: Ninety-seven percent of the horses surveyed were confined in an area or=12 h/day. Trainer's age, number of years they had trained horses, age and gender of horses, weeks in race training, racing class, frequency of feeding, bedding type, and exercise workload had no effect on mean faecal pH. Acidic faecal pH (pH 12 horses. Acidic faecal pH was associated with trainers who offered 4 kg of grain as the only form of concentrate fed, or offered 12 horses. Irrespective of management system, it appears important to provide at least 2.25 kg of hay/day ad libitum, to buffer hindgut acidosis associated with diets high in soluble carbohydrate.  相似文献   

6.
AIM: To identify feeding and management variables associated with variation in faecal pH within a population of intensively managed Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 16 racehorse trainers in the North Island of New Zealand. Interviews were conducted at the trainers' stables to obtain information on feeding and management of horses, and faecal samples were collected and faecal pH measured.

RESULTS: Ninety-seven percent of the horses surveyed were confined in an area ≤5 × 5 m for ≥12 h/day. Trainer's age, number of years they had trained horses, age and gender of horses, weeks in race training, racing class, frequency of feeding, bedding type, and exercise workload had no effect on mean faecal pH. Acidic faecal pH (pH ≤6.32) was associated with stables with ≤12 horses, and trainers at stables with ≤12 horses offered more concentrate feed than those at stables with >12 horses. Acidic faecal pH was associated with trainers who offered 4 kg of grain as the only form of concentrate fed, or offered ≤2.25 kg hay/day. Horses that displayed stable vices had less acidic faecal pH than horses that did not display stable vices, viz pH 6.70 (standard error of the mean (SEM) 0.135) vs 6.43 (SEM 0.029) (p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Racehorse management in New Zealand is similar to that observed in other major racing countries. Trainers with ≤12 horses fed more concentrates and their horses had lower faecal pH than those of trainers with >12 horses. Irrespective of management system, it appears important to provide at least 2.25 kg of hay/day ad libitum, to buffer hindgut acidosis associated with diets high in soluble carbohydrate.  相似文献   

7.
Thousands of hectares of timothy (Phleum pretense L.) grown in the Mid-Atlantic region are infected by cereal rust mite (Abacarus hysterix) that causes discoloration and curling of leaves, decreased nutritional quality, and substantial decreases in yield. A decline in production of timothy hay can lower income for hay producers and cause horse owners to search for alternative hays. Low alkaloid reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) hay has potential as an alternative to timothy hay because it grows well in the Mid-Atlantic region, is believed to have a similar nutrient quality to timothy, and is not as susceptible to cereal rust mite. Eleven mature, stalled Thoroughbred geldings (549 +/- 12.1 kg) that were exercised daily were used to compare voluntary DMI and apparent nutrient DM digestibility of timothy and low-alkaloid Chiefton variety reed canarygrass hay. Horses were paired by age and BW and randomly assigned to timothy or reed canarygrass hay during a 14-d period to measure voluntary DMI followed by a 4-d period to measure apparent DM digestibility. Both hays met the minimum requirements for DE, CP, Ca, P, K, Fe, and Mn, but they did not meet the minimum requirements for Cu, Zn, and Na for horses at maintenance and averaging 550 kg of BW. Timothy hay seemed to have a lower CP concentration (14.4%) compared with reed canarygrass hay (17.1%) and a more desirable Ca:P ratio at 1.6:1 compared with 0.8:1 for reed canarygrass hay. Horses fed timothy consumed more hay (P <0.001) during the voluntary DMI period compared with horses fed reed canarygrass. Greater voluntary DMI of timothy occurred on d 1, 3, and 5 (P <0.05), but DMI was similar for other days. Apparent DM digestibility was greater in horses fed timothy hay by 9.6% compared with horses fed reed canarygrass hay (P <0.05). Horses fed timothy had greater DM digestibility of ADF (P = 0.001), NDF (P = 0.001), sugar (P = 0.05), and Ca (P = 0.001) but lower apparent DM digestibility of CP (P = 0.012) and crude fat (P = 0.004). Timothy hay was superior in voluntary DMI and apparent DM digestibility compared with low-alkaloid reed canarygrass hay fed to horses.  相似文献   

8.
Matua bromegrass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth. cv. Grasslands Matua) was introduced in 1973, but little information exists concerning its potential as a hay for horses. Thus, voluntary intake and apparent digestibility of OM, CP, and fiber components of Matua by 18 Quarter Horse yearlings (mean initial BW 354 kg; SE 5.8) were compared with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) as hays in a randomized block design. A 15-d adjustment period was followed by a 5-d collection period during which the hays were consumed ad libitum. Voluntary intake of DM was greater (P<.01) for alfalfa (10.9 kg/d) than for the mean of the grasses, and intake of Matua (10.0 kg/d) was greater (P<.001) than that of bermudagrass (7.4 kg/d). Apparent digestibility of OM was greater (P<.001) for alfalfa (74%) than for the mean of the grasses but did not differ between Matua (64%) and bermudagrass (60%). At the end of the digestion trial, each yearling was offered each of the three forage hays during an 11-d period to determine subsequent preference and effect of previous hay experience. Yearlings preferred alfalfa over the grass hays and generally selected more Matua than bermudagrass. All yearlings consumed less of the forage species to which they had been previously exposed compared with unadapted yearlings. The Matua hay fed in this trial was palatable and met most of the nutritional needs for yearling horses.  相似文献   

9.
Eight mature horses weighing 576 ± 32 kg (mean ± SD) were used to compare differences in pasture dry matter (DM) intake rate in October (period 1), February (period 2), and May (period 3). Horses were randomly assigned to a pair of adjacent 5 m × 5 m grazing cells containing nontoxic, endophyte-infected tall fescue. Horses had access to each cell for 4 hours. Pasture DM intake rate was estimated over the entire 8-hour period by measuring the pre- and postgrazing herbage mass within each cell and was expressed as kg DM/100 kg body weight (BW)/hr. Mean 8-hour DM intake rate in period 1 (0.17 ± 0.01 kg DM/100 kg BW/hr) was greater (P < .001) than for period 2 (0.09 ± 0.01 kg DM/100 kg BW/hr) and period 3 (0.11 ± 0.01 kg DM/100 kg BW/hr), but it was not different (P = .274) between periods 2 and 3. A second experiment using the same eight horses was conducted immediately after the first experiment, within each season, to determine whether the DM intake rates derived from the first experiment could be used along with estimates of maintenance digestible energy (DE) requirements and pasture DE concentrations to predict the amount of grazing time required for a horse to consume only its maintenance DE requirement and maintain zero BW change over a 6-week period. Grazing time necessary to maintain zero BW change was accurately predicted for period 1 only.  相似文献   

10.
Muscle biopsies were obtained from 17 Standardbred trotters (S) and 22 Thoroughbred racehorses (T) after races which varied in length from 1200 to 2840 m. Biopsies were taken between 2 and 14 minutes from the conclusion of the race. Histochemical and biochemical analyses were performed on all muscle samples. Standardbred horses possessed fewer Type II fibers, especially Type IIB fibers, and demonstrated a higher oxidative and lower glycolytic capacity in muscle than Thoroughbred horses. Intramuscular glycogen and lac-tate concentrations were lower in Standardbred horses after racing (mean 420 and 82 mmol/kg d.w. respectively) com-pared to Thoroughbred horses (mean 545 and 148 mmol/kg d.w. respectively). Low levels of intramuscular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (mean S 17, T 15 mmol/kg d.w.) and creatine phosphate (mean S 28, T 42 mmol/kg d.w.) were recorded in both breeds after racing. Differences in muscle enzyme activities and metabolic response to exercise between breeds were related to the different muscle fiber compositions of Standardbred and Thoroughbred horses. Within both breeds, a high percentage of Type IIB fibers was associated with a low oxidative and high glycolytic capacity in muscle and a greater lactate accumulation after racing. In Standardbred horses low intramuscular ATP concentrations post-race were associated with a high percentage of Type IIB fibers and high lactate levels. No relationship was found between placing or speed of racing and intramuscular lactate and ATP concentrations post-race. This may have been due to many other factors which affected the outcome of a race and also due to the fact that it was not known when during a race lactate accumulation and ATP depletion occurred. Since the properties of fiber types appeared to be very different, the metabolic response within individual fiber types may be more closely related to fatigue than the metabolic response measured in whole muscle.  相似文献   

11.
SUMMARY The presence of abnormal T waves in three or more electrocardiographic leads has been used to diagnose the cause of poor race performance in horses. This study investigated the relationship between previous racing performance in Standardbred horses and T waves, and the effect of training on the T wave. Thirty-two horses were electrocardiographed in two Sydney racing stables. Sixteen horses (50%) had ECGs with three or more leads with abnormal T waves, and these horses had won more races, had a greater ratio of wins per start and a greater number of dollars earned per start than horses with less than three abnormal T waves (P < 0.05). Horses with abnormal T waves also had significantly faster racing times (P < 0.01). There were significant (P < 0.01) correlations between the number of abnormal T waves and both number of wins (R = 0.47) and dollars earned per start (R = 0.45). Fastest winning mile rate was also negatively correlated with number of leads with abnormal T waves (R =?0.52, P < 0.01). Twenty two horses were also electrocardiographed within seven days of good racing performance. The mean number of abnormal T waves was 2.7 ± 0.41, and the mean T wave amplitude in the four chest leads (CV, CR, CL, CF) was 0.9 ± 0.15 mV. Thirteen horses (59%) had abnormal T waves in three or more leads. The effect of training on the T wave was also investigated in nine previously untrained and unraced Standardbred racehorses. There were significant effects of training (P < 0.01) on the number of abnormal T waves and mean chest lead T wave amplitude. These increases occurred in the second phase of training during which faster exercise, race trials and racing were conducted. We concluded that abnormal T waves are a common finding in the race-fit Standardbred horse, and can be found in more than 50% of horses currently performing well in races. In addition, chest lead T waves become more positive after training.  相似文献   

12.
Blood samples from the jugular vein and muscle biopsies (gluteus medius) in 25 Standardbred trotters were obtained 5-10 min after racing. The biopsies were analysed for fibre type composition and enzymatic profile and blood samples for plasma lactate and ammonia concentrations. Muscle characteristics, plasma lactate and ammonia concentrations after racing were compared with each horse's individual performance index (IPI). The IPI is calculated annually from the individual horse's racing performance (% placing 1, 2 or 3, total annual earnings, average earning per start, and best racing record), respectively, converted to and expressed as a percentage deviation from the average record of the same sex and age group. The IPI values were 100-116. Plasma lactate concentrations were 15.0-42.7 mmol/l (mean 31.3 mmol/l) and ammonia concentrations 65-210 micromol/l (mean 141 micromol/l) after racing. Fibre type composition varied among horses (range 9-27% for Type I, 32-54% for Type IIA, and 27-46% for Type IIB). Fibre type composition, enzyme activities, plasma lactate and ammonia responses to racing were not correlated to IPI. Ten of the horses also performed a submaximal test on the track, consisting of 5 incremental 1000 m heats at approximate speeds of 9.1, 9.5, 10.0, 10.5, and 11.1 m/s. Immediately after each heat a blood sample was drawn from the jugular vein for plasma lactate analysis. Plasma lactate response to exercise differed between horses, but no correlation was seen with IPI. Muscle characteristics, plasma lactate and ammonia concentrations after racing and lactate response to a submaximal track test did not correlate with current race performance expressed as IPI in a group of horses with average or better performance capacity at the time of testing. Analysis of lactate and ammonia in blood after racing is not a valuable tool to predict an individual performance index.  相似文献   

13.
14.
15.
OBJECTIVE Compare the career profiles of a cohort of Standardbred horses that first raced as 2-year-olds with those that started their racing careers at a later age. METHOD Retrospective analysis of the racing records of all foals born in New South Wales in the 2000 foaling season. RESULTS The career records of 999 horses were analysed. Almost half (43.9%) first raced as 2-year-olds and one-third (33.9%) as 3-year-olds. The median career duration for horses that first raced as 2-year-olds was 2.93 years (interquartile range (IQR) 2.70-3.16), which was significantly greater than the median for horses that first raced at 3, 4 or ≥5 years old (P < 0.001). Males, and horses that first raced as 2-year-olds, earned significantly more prize money than females or horses that started racing aged ≥3 years (P < 0.001). The population median number of career starts was 28.0 (IQR 8-64). Males, and horses that first raced as 2-year-olds, had significantly more career starts than females or horses that started racing aged ≥3 years (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION This study found no evidence suggesting that racing as a 2-year-old had a deleterious effect on a horse's racing career.  相似文献   

16.
Soybean hulls have been used as a feed ingredient for horses for many years and are generally used as a fiber source. The NRC (11) gives them an energy value of 1.88 Mcal DE/kg DM, which is comparable with a medium quality grass hay. Recent evidence suggests that soybean hulls may have a higher energy value. Two feeding trials were conducted to evaluate the energy value of soybean hulls by using them to replace oats in a concentrate for weanling horses. In Exp. 1, 16 Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse weanlings, 145.2 4.1 d of age, were paired within breed and gender subgroups and assigned at random to either the oats or soybean hull-based concentrate. Soybean hulls replaced oats at 25% of the concentrate. Concentrates were fed individually to appetite for two, 1.5-h feeding periods daily with the concentrate restricted to the lesser amount consumed by the pair based on percentage of BW. Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay (12.8% CP) was group fed at 1.0 kg/100 kg BW daily. The BW and measurements of the weanlings were made at 14-d intervals for 112 d, and the weanlings were radiographed for bone mineral deposition determinations at the start and conclusion of the study. Experiment 2 used 13 weanlings starting at 143.8 ± 4.2 d of age and was identical to Exp. 1 except the source of the Coastal bermudagrass hay was different and the concentrate intake was fed ad libitum during the two, 1.5-h feeding periods. In Exp. 1, no differences in feed or nutrient intake, BW, or body measurement gains were detected (P > 0.05) except for body length gain, which was greater for the weanlings on the oat-based concentrate (P < 0.05). The weanlings gained 0.73 and 0.70 kg/d on the oat and soybean hull-based concentrates, respectively. In Exp. 2, the protein content of the hay (7.0% CP) was less than the previous year, resulting in a protein intake below NRC (11) recommendations. No differences in BW, withers height, or body length gain were detected (P < 0.05), but heart girth (P < 0.05) and hip height gain (P < 0.05) were both greater for the weanlings fed the oat-based concentrate. The weanlings gained 0.74 and 0.61 kg/d on the oat and soybean hull-based concentrates, respectively. Bone mineral deposition was not different between diet groups for either experiment. Results suggest that soybean hulls have an energy value for weanling horses that is similar to oats when fed with medium quality grass hay. When fed with low quality grass hay, soybean hulls do not seem to be as valuable as oats, perhaps because of either the slow energy release or the availability of protein in the foregut.  相似文献   

17.
Forty-six Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse yearlings were used in two experiments to evaluate the effect of mineral supplementation on growth and skeletal development. In the first experiment, concentrate and bermuda-grass hay diets providing 2.82 Mcal DE/kg (estimated), 13.0% CP, .62% Ca and .43% P on a DM basis were supplemented with trace minerals (TM) by adding 0, .5 or 1.0% TM premix to the concentrate. The TM content of the three diets (concentrate and hay) in mg/kg DM were: Fe 150, 162 and 176; Mn 56, 60 and 64; Zn 36, 53 and 69; and Cu 7, 8 and 11 for the low, medium and high TM levels, respectively. No effects of TM intake on feed intake, weight gain or body measurements were detected, but bone mineral deposition was increased by the high TM intake (P less than .02). No gross skeletal abnormalities were detected. In the second experiment, a basal diet with Ca and P concentrations near NRC (1978) recommendations was supplemented with no TM, TM or TM + Ca + P. The basal diet had TM concentrations similar to the highest TM levels in the first experiment. The two groups fed added minerals consumed more concentrate and total feed (P less than .1) than those receiving the basal diet. Weight gain was increased by the TM supplementation (P less than .1). There was no other diet effect on growth or development of the animals. Colts gained more height than fillies did (P less than .05). Results of these two experiments suggest that TM supplementation may have a positive effect on bone mineral deposition in yearling horses, but only when the TM content of the natural diet is below NRC (1978) recommendations.  相似文献   

18.
Genetic correlations for body measurements and conformation and functional traits in foals and studbook horses with racing traits were estimated in the Finnhorse and Standardbred. Genetic response and accuracy were estimated using records of animal, half‐sibs and parents in selection scenarios for racing traits, for foal and racing traits, for studbook and racing traits, and using records of animal, half‐sibs and parents for foal traits and racing traits of parents. Racing time and earnings were the breeding objective. Low‐to‐moderate genetic correlations for body measurements and racing traits indicated that selection favours bigger horses at all ages. Being mainly favourable for the breeding objective, genetic correlations for conformation and functional traits with racing traits were highest for the foal traits of type, trot and overall grade and for the studbook traits of character and movements. Genetic correlations for foal and studbook conformation with racing traits were low in the Finnhorse and moderate to high in the Standardbred. In foals, the highest genetic correlations were for trot with racing time (?0.54) and with earnings (0.52) in the Finnhorse, and for overall grade with racing time (?0.54) and with earnings (0.54) in the Standardbred. In studbook horses, genetic correlations were high for character with racing time and earnings in the Finnhorse (?0.68, 0.61) and in the Standardbred (?0.63, 0.70), and for movements with racing time and earnings in the Finnhorse (?0.70, 0.69) and in the Standardbred (?0.90, 0.88). To increase accuracy of conformation and functional traits, foal traits would be more useful in the index with racing traits, as being less preselected than studbook traits. The foal traits (type, trot, overall grade) having moderate heritability and genetic correlations with racing traits would be useful in multi‐trait index before a racing career, where the greatest gain is because of a shorter generation interval. It would be feasible to implement for AI stallions.  相似文献   

19.
Housing temperature effects on growth, feed utilization and feed digestion of 12, 7-mo-old Standardbred colts were evaluated for 22 wk beginning in late November. Colts were assigned to one of two treatments: housed in a barn heated at 10 degrees C (warm) or housed in a barn with no external heat supply (cold). All horses were allowed outdoors for 4 h daily. Mean temperatures of the warm and cold barn from November to April were 10.9 +/- .66 and -5.2 +/- 1.72 degrees C, respectively. Hair coat weight of cold-housed colts was 1.4- to twofold (P less than .05) that of warm-housed colts from December through April but declined for both groups from fall to spring. All colts were fed a pelleted diet to meet National Research Council (1989) energy guidelines for moderate gain (.65 kg/d). Warm-housed colts gained weight 29% more rapidly (P less than .01) than cold-housed colts (.67 vs .52 kg/d). Skeletal growth, measured by cannon bone circumference, wither and croup height, was not affected by housing temperature. Nutrient digestion by both groups of colts was compared to that of mature, warm-housed ponies. Ponies had longer (P less than .05) digestive tract retention times and higher digestibilities for every nutrient than the young horses did. Although retention times by all colts were similar, cold-housed colts digested more ADF and less phosphorus (P) than did warm-housed colts (P less than .05). Over time, digestibilities of DM, NDF and P declined (P less than .05) for colts but not for ponies. Maintenance energy needs were estimated at 34.6 kcal/kg BW for cold-housed colts vs 26.3 kcal/kg BW for warm-housed colts. Young horses need 1.3% more maintenance energy per Celsius degree decrease in temperature below 0 degree C. To sustain a constant moderate gain, daily DE intake needs to be increased .7% per Celsius degree decrease in ambient temperature below 0 degree C.  相似文献   

20.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes over time in echocardiographic measurements in young Standardbred racehorses undergoing training and racing and determine whether there was any relationship between cardiac dimensions and racing performance. DESIGN: Longitudinal observational study. ANIMALS: 103 horses. PROCEDURE: 2-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography was performed 4 times at 6-month intervals. RESULTS: Significant cardiac enlargement took place during the study period as indicated by increases in left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd), estimated left ventricular muscle mass (LV mass), and mean wall thickness attributable to eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy. Estimated body weight was positively correlated with left ventricular size, and males had significantly larger LVIDd and LV mass than did females. Horses that were racing regularly had larger LVIDd and LV mass than did unraced horses. A significant relationship between left ventricular size and racing performance was observed. The relationship was strongest at the time of the fourth examination. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that age must be taken into account when interpreting results of echocardiography in young Standardbred racehorses because significant cardiac enlargement takes place with age and training. A larger heart was found in horses that were racing, and size of the heart was correlated with athletic performance of the horse.  相似文献   

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