Nutrient Composition and Feed Hygiene of Alfalfa, Comparison of Feed Intake and Selected Metabolic Parameters in Horses Fed Alfalfa Haylage, Alfalfa Hay or Meadow Hay

Marlene Köninger; Astrid von Velsen-Zerweck; Carolin Eiberger; Christof Löffler; Anja Töpper; Christian Visscher; Bernd Reckels; Ingrid Vervuert

doi:10.3390/ani14060889

Nutrient Composition and Feed Hygiene of Alfalfa, Comparison of Feed Intake and Selected Metabolic Parameters in Horses Fed Alfalfa Haylage, Alfalfa Hay or Meadow Hay

Animals (Basel). 2024 Mar 13;14(6):889. doi: 10.3390/ani14060889.

Authors

Marlene Köninger^{1

2}, Astrid von Velsen-Zerweck², Carolin Eiberger², Christof Löffler³, Anja Töpper⁴, Christian Visscher⁵, Bernd Reckels⁵, Ingrid Vervuert¹

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 9, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
² Main and State Stud Marbach, Gestütshof 1, 72532 Gomadingen-Marbach, Germany.
³ Agricultural Center Baden-Württemberg of Cattle, Grassland Management, Dairy Farming, Fisheries and Wildlife (LAZBW), Atzenberger Weg 99, 88326 Aulendorf, Germany.
⁴ Agricultural Technology Center Augustenberg, Neßlerstraße 25, 76227 Karlsruhe, Germany.
⁵ Institute for Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the nutrient composition and feed hygiene of alfalfa as well as investigate the feed intake, blood, urine and faecal parameters of horses fed alfalfa haylage (AS) compared with alfalfa hay (AH) and meadow hay (MH). A total of 11 geldings were fed ad libitum (2.1% dry matter (DM) of body weight (BW)) with alfalfa haylage, alfalfa hay and meadow hay (MH) in a Latin square design. On days 0 and 21 of the feeding period, blood samples were analysed for kidney and liver parameters. Faecal samples were analysed for pH, DM and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Spontaneous urine was collected during the feeding period to analyse selected parameters. Forage was analysed in terms of feed hygiene and crude nutrients. In several feed samples of AS, AH and MH, the microbial reference ranges were exceeded for product-typical and spoilage-indicating bacteria and fungi. Crude nutrient analyses revealed a median crude protein content of 139 (138/142) g/kg DM for AS, which was similar to that in AH (127-135 g/kg DM) and substantially higher than in MH (79.1-87.7 g/kg DM). The calcium level in AS (11.3 g/kg DM) was significantly higher than that in MH (4.00-4.95 g/kg DM) but not compared with that in AH (9.80-10.4 g/kg DM). All blood parameters were within the reference ranges. Fractional excretion (FE)_Ca for AS-fed horses ranged from 8.13 to 22.0%; the FE_Ca for AH-fed horses ranged from 6.48 to 24.8%; the FE_Ca for MH-fed horses ranged from 6.69 to 53.2%. No significant differences were found in faecal pH or SCFA content in AS-fed horses compared with AH-fed and MH-fed horses. We concluded that alfalfa haylage provides an alternative forage for equine nutrition.

Keywords: calcium; crude nutrients; feed hygiene; feed intake; short-chain fatty acids.

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Ministry of Food, Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection. The funding body had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and in writing the manuscript.