PSIII-6 - Impact of aromatic palatants on equine feeding preferences

Abstract: Although flavored palatants are commonly utilized in feed manufacturing, few data are available regarding the impact of aromatics on equine feeding preferences. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of aromatic palatants on feeding behaviors of lactating mares and nursing foals. Four quarter horse mare and nursing foal pairs were used in this paired preference test. Horses were group-housed with ad libitum access to pasture (cool season grass/legume mix), water and mineral salt. Pairings were tested for four consecutive days, with eighteen days off between each testing series, for a total trial of ten-weeks. Testing occurred from 1630-1730 each day. Treatments were offered in false bottom pans constructed with twenty-four equally spaced openings (0.19 cm) and one (0.48 cm) central opening to allow odor permeation. Aromatic treatments, in powdered form (anise, apple, and peppermint), were placed within single use plastic containers nested underneath the feeding pans. Feed pans were spaced two inches apart and affixed to a flat, wooden platform with treatment location changed daily. Video was recorded and analyzed for first treatment investigated, consumed, and finished of pairs. Further analysis investigated the time spent consuming treatments and voluntary consumption of foals. Statistical analysis was performed (SAS for Academics, 2014, Cary, NC, USA) with significance set at 5%. The aromatic treatments utilized in this study yielded similar selective actions of mares for first investigated (P = 0.8472), consumed (P = 0.8472), and finished (P = 0.8166). Similarly, foal actions for first investigated (P = 0.5206), consumed (P = 0.5206), or finished (P = 0.1650) were not affected by aromatic treatments. There was a significant relationship between mare and foal first aromatic treatments investigated (P = 0.0415; R² = -0.262) and consumed (P = 0.0415; R² = -0.262) suggesting that different treatments were selected between the pairs. A strong relationship was observed for first investigated and first consumed aromatic treatments of mares (P < 0.0001; R² = 1.00). However, foals were found to remain with the first investigated aromatic treatment for first consumed (P < 0.0001; R² = 1.00) and first finished treatments (P < 0.0001; R² = 1.00). The mean voluntary consumption of concentrate was unaffected by treatment (P = 0.6646) and no period effect was observed (P = 0.1854). Mean time spent consuming was also unaffected by treatments (P = 0.1003) with no period effect observed (P = 0.4903). Despite no differences in the amount consumed, there was a greater time spent consuming peppermint treatments (257.97 ± 103.03 seconds) compared to that of anise (148.85 ± 84.09 seconds) and apple treatments (139.23 ± 77.00 seconds).