Effects of Diet and Climate on Growing Horses

摘要: The effects of diet and climate were assessed in 42 light horse weanlings over 30 wk. Horses fed diets varying energy phosphorus content. Diets predominantly forage (73 to 77.5%) or concentrate (62 62.25%) had 2.65 3.09 Mcal DE/kg DM, respectively. weighed every 14 d. Group feed intakes climatic variables recorded daily. Dietary content did not affect intake gain. ate 18% more (P less than .001) DM horses concentrate, but DE differ. Average intakes, 21.5 daily, 33% those given 1978 National Research Council (NRC) tables. Overall ADG by forage- concentrate-fed .83 .89 kg, These values 23 32% above mean for at 6 12 mo NRC daily gain declined .01) with age, although increased .01). Total determined largely body weight, age was the main determinant weight-scaled intake. Weight- age-scaled reduced 6.1% temperatures below -10 degrees C compared C. Temperatures -20 no greater effect on between Neither precipitation nor wind alone affected weight- age-adjusted In conclusion, weanling readily digested ad libitum gained weight expected even severely cold ambient temperatures.