Protein Quality in Horse Feed

A study published in “Animals” (2023), aimed to evaluate protein quality in horse feedstuffs by focusing on pre-cecal digestible crude protein and amino acids, particularly lysine.

It tested four feedstuffs (commercial muesli, synthetic amino acid-supplemented muesli, soybean meal, and lucerne pellets) on eight healthy Haflinger geldings, standardizing lysine intake. The research assessed neutral detergent insoluble and soluble crude protein.

Results showed that some diets, with higher crude protein and amino acids, improved lysine availability compared to the control diet. Lucerne pellets showed limited lysine absorption due to lower digestibility. The study highlights the importance of formulating horse diets based on pre-cecal digestibility to optimize protein utilization, offering practical benefits for equine nutrition by improving feed efficiency and supporting muscle development and overall health.

The findings suggest that precise protein evaluation can enhance dietary formulations for horses.

Source: Germany, 2023. Franziska Bockisch, Johannes Taubert, Manfred Coenen and Ingrid Vervuert. 

The Kjeldahl nitrogen content was determined by using an OPSIS LiquidLINE KjelROC Analyzer. Learn more about the instrument here >>