Raising Horses & Cattle
Learning Lounge speakers offer management and nutrition tips for success.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 5, 2015) — Understanding the similarities and differences between the digestive systems of cattle and horses is an important consideration in feeding and managing them, emphasized veterinarian Jim Ward, who works as an equine specialist with Cargill Animal Nutrition. Ward shared his expertise with attendees at the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show during a Learning Lounge session convened on the Trade Show floor Feb. 5.
Ward pointed out several similarities between horses and cattle: Both drink large quantities of water; both are grazing animals that depend on fiber for nutrition; and their digestion of fiber is accomplished by microflora. As well, both require protein, amino acids, minerals and vitamins from their diets, but high-starch diets can cause acidosis. In both species reproduction is influenced dramatically by body condition.
The major difference between cattle and horses is the anatomy of their digestive tract, Ward emphasized. “It is a different arrangement, and livestock managers need to remember that.”
A bovine has a four-compartment stomach, where the first compartment can hold 30-35 gallons of fluid or feed and where fermentation occurs, whereas a horse’s true stomach only holds 3-4 gallons. The small intestine is the horse’s absorptive organ, followed by the cecum, where bacteria break down fiber into volatile fatty acids.
As a result of these differences, Ward noted that cattle and horses consume feed differently.
“For the cow’s digestive system, they eat a lot, then rest and ruminate. Horses graze continuously because of their small stomach,” he explained.
He concluded, “Feeding a horse two times a day may be convenient, but it can be disruptive to a horse’s digestive tract because they are continuous feeders. Mother Nature designed horses to eat a lot of little meals continuously.”
Dusty Abney, a beef specialist with Cargill Animal Nutrition, also emphasized the importance of proper nutrition to cattle and horses, particularly when they are gestating. He mentioned the emerging research on fetal programming, which shows how nutrition to the fetus actually influences the production and performance of that animal later in life.
Abney reported that cattle studies are indicating undernutrition can result in decreased birth weight, weaning weight and hot carcass weight, as well as negatively impacting tenderness and marbling.
However, overnutrition can have adverse impacts as well, especially in horses, he said. Some research has indicated that overnutrition of mares results in more fat and less muscle in their progeny, which affects growth and performance. Poorer-quality colostrum has also been observed.
“Balancing nutrition is a big deal,” Abney concluded.
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