ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Estimating feed intake - a new approach

[endurance] Estimating feed intake - a new approach

TETERVIN@bms.com
Mon, 29 Jan 1996 15:02:33 -0500 (EST)

Hi- I just saw an article in the 1/96 issue of The Journal of Nutrition which
describes a new method for estimating intake and composition of feed in
herbivores including horses. The point of the article is that by analysing
plant wax components which are unique to each species of plant, individual
animals can have their true diet and it's digestibility measured. The article
states that individuals vary in their ability to digest feeds and with this
method it will be possible to estimate total intake and diet composition at
the same time. I think this is a new method and I'm not a nutritionist but I
thought endurance people would be interested- maybe in the future it will be
possible to have your horse's digest-ability analysed and come up with the
perfect diet for that individual.-Amy