Narrow your search

Library

UGent (1)


Resource type

article (1)


Language

Undetermined (1)


Year
From To Submit

2002 (1)

Listing 1 - 1 of 1
Sort by

Article
Feeding and housing management in horses.
Authors: ---
Year: 2002

Loading...
Export citation

Choose an application

Bookmark

Abstract

The problems in traditional horse keeping are focussed on lack in activity, lowered quality of air inside the stables, low frequency of feeding and restricted access to be in social contact with other horses. Consequences of the lowered activity are a decrease in training of tendons, skeleton and bone density, A relevant risk may be present particular if horses are just stabled and start to be trained. The inactivity of horses kept in isolated boxes delays or inhibits the adaptation of skeleton and muscle to the increasing work load. Dust and ammonia burdened air condition badly influences the respiratory system, while the common indoor feeding frequency (2-3 meals/day) is in contrast to the ingestion behaviour of horses on posture. Here similar to2/3 of the time budget is covered by feed intake associated with continuous movement. Particular offering concentrates in a few meals/day creates risk for digestive disorders including gastric ulcers and discrepancies in behaviour. Those are in addition promoted by the isolation of horses in boxes without social contact to other individuals. New concepts in housing and feeding management supported by computer technology can help to solve the described disadvantages associated with keeping horses in boxes. The so called multi room group stabling system stimulates the degree and spectrum of activity of horses within a group by spaced organisation of the function areas roughage-, concentrate intake, watering, rest room, walking area, A computerized feeding system enables the management to distribute the feed over a high number of meals. That in part simulates the continuous feed intake and passage of ingesta through the gastro-intestinal tract which is observed under natural conditions like posture. By reason of the advantages in relation to ethology, digestive physiology and thereby to general health of the horse, alternative housing and feeding systems like that here described will be more intensively recognized in f

Listing 1 - 1 of 1
Sort by