Nutritional Status of Lusitano Broodmares on Extensive Feeding Systems: Body Condition, Live Weight and Metabolic Indicators

Abstract

The present research aimed to evaluate the effects of foaling season and feeding management in extensive systems on the nutritional status of Lusitano broodmares throughout the gestation/ lactation cycle, by assessment of body condition (BC), body weight (BW), and some blood metabolic indicators. Four groups of Lusitano broodmares (A, B, C, D) were monitored during four years, in a total of 119 gestation/lactation cycles. All mares were kept on pasture, and A and B mares were daily supplemented. Monthly, mares were weighed and BC evaluated. Suckling foals from these mares were also monitored for BW and withers height. Glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, urea and albumin concentrations were determined in blood. BW changes were influenced by reproductive stage and foaling season (P<0.001), reflecting also pasture availability. Changes on BC were observed (P<0.05), although with small amplitudes within each group. Higher scores were reached at the end of spring, decreasing 0.25 point until late summer. Early foaling had also a marked effect, hindering the recovery of BC along the cycle. Glucose values decreased from late gestation to early lactation (P<0.05) and lower levels were recorded during the summer months. Uremia was mainly influenced by the reproductive stage (P<0.05). Under nutrition was not detected. Foals born in February-March had higher average daily gain than those born in April-May (P<0.05), probably reflecting differences in milk production of the mares. BC and BW changes and, particularly, blood indicators showed an overall balanced nutritional status, reflecting an adaptation to feed availability and climate.

Review: Feeding conserved forage to horses: recent advances and recommendations

“…(c) Italy, Spain, Portugal. References: Peiretti et al, 2001;Bergero et al, 2002;Bergero et al, 2005;Bergero and Peiretti, 2011;Clotet, personal data;Casamiglia et al, 2004;Dentinho et al, 2014;Fradinho et al,…”

Growth and Development of the Lusitano Foal on Extensive Systems

“…xix PUBLICATIONS Peer-reviewed papers:  Fradinho, M.J., Bessa, R.J.B., Martin-Rosset, W., Ferreira-Dias, G. & Caldeira, R.M. (2013).…”

“…Floristic composition was typical of natural rainfed pastures of Mediterranean areas with a high biodiversity, but the dry matter production along the year was quite dependent on climate conditions. Detailed characterization and composition of these pastures has been previously described (Fradinho et al, 2013).…”

“…Like other sport and leisure horse breeds in southern Europe, Lusitano horse breeding is mainly based on extensive production systems where pasture represents the main part of mares and foals diet. In these systems, changes in body reserves of Lusitano broodmares through the productive cycle are influenced by the time of the year in which foaling occurs (Fradinho et al, 2013). Hence, gathering reliable information, under farm conditions, about the factors that could influence management options in order to improve mares fertility is of major importance for breeders.…”

“…However, in Mediterranean regions herbage production and quality is highly dependent on climate conditions (Miraglia et al, 2006;. When pasture resources are scarce, supplementary feeds are often provided, but farm practices vary widely (Fradinho et al, 2013).…”