Bee pollen product supplementation to horses in training seems to improve feed intake: a pilot study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of supplementation of Dynamic Trio 50/50, a bee pollen-based product, to improve physical fitness, blood leukocyte profiles, and nutritional variables in exercised horses. Ten Arabian horses underwent a standardised exercise test (SET), then were pair-matched by sex and fitness and randomly assigned to BP (receiving 118 g of Dynamic Trio 50/50 daily) or CO (receiving 73 g of a placebo) for a period of 42 days. A total collection was conducted from days 18 to 21 on six geldings to determine nutrient retention and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility. Horses were exercise conditioned and completed another SET on day 42. V160 and V200 were calculated from SET heart rates (HR). Lactate, glucose, haematocrit (HT) and haemoglobin (HB) concentrations were determined from SET blood samples. Total leukocyte count, and circulating numbers of various leukocytes and IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations were determined in rest and recovery blood samples from both SETs. Geldings on BP (n = 3) ate more feed than CO. BP had less phosphorus excretion, and tended to retain more nitrogen. BP tended to digest more NDF and ADF while having lower NDF digestibility and tending to have lower ADF digestibility. No treatment differences existed for V160 and V200, HR, lactate, HT and HB. There was a trend for lymphocyte counts to be lower in BP than CO on day 42. Dynamic Trio 50/50 supplementation may have a positive effect on performance by helping horses in training meet their potentially increased nutrient demands by increasing feed intake and thus nutrient retention.

Benefits of Super Food and Functional Food for Companion Animals

“…A recent pilot study in horses demonstrated bee pollen supplementation on physical itness parameters, immunological status, and nutritional variables in Arabian horses in training. It was observed that supplementation with a commercial 55% bee pollen for 42 days did not change physical itness or immunological variables in the horses but it signiicantly increased feed consumption and nutrient retention in the same horses [54].…”

“…Bee is collected from lower pollen and is a natural food for horses, and can bring them into a healthy springtime bloom anytime of the year [53]. There are numerous reports of the beneits of supplemented bee pollen in horses including improved oxygen utilization, lower heart rates, and irmer muscle tone [54]. A recent pilot study in horses demonstrated bee pollen supplementation on physical itness parameters, immunological status, and nutritional variables in Arabian horses in training.…”

The application impact of an origanum, anise and citrus oils blend in horses nutrition

“…of Turner et al (2006) who detected, that phytoadditives such as anise or bee pollen can significantly increase feed intake and subsequently increased the nutrients retention. A blend of origanum, anise and citrus fruits essential oils were analyzed in saccharides digestibility point of view also.…”

The Effect of Phytoadditives on Macroelements Digestibility of Sport Horses

“…Bee pollen is used widely as a dietary supplement in equine industry, with many trainers reporting anecdotally numerous beneficial effects of pollen on horse's performance. Only little research has been done to evaluate the efficacy of bee pollen supplementation in horses [23]. The aim of this study was to determine the digestibility of macroelements from different horse feed rations.…”