ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate, the effect of different levels of concentrates and grain processing on feeding behavior, nutrient digestibility, fecal pH and blood metabolites in the horse. Sixteen 5 to 11 years old Turkmen horses with an initial body weight 433±50 kg were used in this experiment based on completely randomized design. Four treatments were studied, in three treatments were used 20, 25 and 30% of concentrate containing processed grains (A20, A25 and A30, respectively), and in one treatment was used 25% of concentrate containing whole grain (B25). The amount of feed intake, chewing and swallowing rate and total intake for forage and concentrate were not affected by experimental treatments (P> .05). By increasing the concentrate level up to 30%, the digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ash-free neutral detergent fiber, ash-free acid detergent fiber and digestible energy increased. The highest digestibility coefficients were observed in A30 treatment (P< 0.05). The digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, ash-free neutral detergent fiber and digestible energy in A25 treatment significantly increased compared to B25 (P< 0.05). The concentration of total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein were not affected by experimental treatments (P> 0.05). The concentration of glucose increased with increasing concentrate for treatment A30 (P< 0.05). In conclusion, comparing the two levels of 25% concentrate showed that the use of processed grains compared to unprocessed grains had no effect on feeding behavior, fecal pH and blood parameters. The use of 30% concentrate containing processed grains improved digestion without adversely affecting feeding behavior and fecal pH.
