Abstract
The present study aimed at evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of digestibility measurements in horses. In a longitudinal study, four mature geldings were fed the same batch of grass hay and concentrate feed at a 70:30 ratio and a 1.7% BW total dry matter intake level for 3 weeks adaptation prior to and throughout the study. Four digestibility trials were performed in total, in week 1, 2, 7 and 8. Total tract digestibility was determined from both a 3-days total faecal collection (TFC) and a 4-days partial faecal collection (PFC). The PFC was evaluated using both ADL and AIA as internal markers. The repeatability and reproducibility of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, hemicelluloses, cellulose and CP digestibility were calculated. Average repeatability was 73.7% (12.5–99.6%) while average reproducibility was 52.5% (6.0–94.4%), depending on the method and nutrient studied. This study raised relevant questions about the reliability of digestibility measurements in horses.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Araujo, K., J.A. Lima, E.T. Fialho and E.S. Miuagi, 2000. Comparaçao entre os indicadores internos e o metodo de coleta total na determinaçao da digestibilidade dos nutrientes de alimentos volumosos, em equinos (Comparison among the internal markers and the total collection method in the determination of the forage nutrients digestibilities in equine). R. Bras. Zootec. 29, 745–751. (in Portuguese, with English abstract).
Désenfant, M., M. Priel and C. Rivier, 2003. De la validation des méthodes d’analyse à l’évaluation de l’incertitude des résultats de mesure. Actes du Congrés International de Métrologie, Toulon, France.
Goachet, A.G., C. Philippeau, M. Varloud and V. Julliand, 2009. Adaptations to standard approaches for measuring gastrointestinal retention time and apparent digestibility in horses in training. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 152, 141–151.
LAB BPL REF 05-COFRAC, 2010. Règlement pour l’évaluation de la conformité aux principes de bonnes pratiques de laboratoire.
Van Keulen, J. and B.A. Young, 1977. Evaluation of acid-insoluble ash as a natural marker in ruminant digestibility studies. J. Anim. Sci. 44, 282–287.
Van Soest, P. J., J.B. Robertson and B.A. Lewis, 1991. Methods for dietary fibre, neutral detergent fibre, and non-starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. J. Dairy Sci. 74, 3583–3597.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Wageningen Academic Publishers
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Goachet, A.G., Varloud, M., Julliand, V. (2012). Repeatability and reproducibility of digestibility measurements in horses fed forage based diets. In: Saastamoinen, M., Fradinho, M.J., Santos, A.S., Miraglia, N. (eds) Forages and grazing in horse nutrition. Forages and grazing in horse nutrition, vol 132. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen. https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-755-4_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-755-4_8
Publisher Name: Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen
Online ISBN: 978-90-8686-755-4
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
