"Why Forage First?" presented by Dr. Nathalie Trottier, recorded Nov. 15, 2022 via Zoom.
The domestic horse, Equus ferus caballus, belongs to the Perissodactyla order, which houses 3 families of odd-toed ungulates including the Equidae. Unlike many herbivorous animals, which eat the reproductive products of plants including fruits, seeds and berries, members of the Equidae family, collectively known as equids, subsist on the structural parts of the plant. Equids have uniquely and successfully evolved with dentition and hindgut fermentation that have allowed them to use a diet higher in fiber and lower in protein compared to other grazing herbivores.
In this Cornell Equine Seminar, Dr. Trottier talks about the role of dietary forage in modern equids on their gastrointestinal functions and nutritional needs. Emphasis will be placed on explaining the classification of carbohydrates across common feed ingredients fed to horses and the horse’s evolutionary feeding strategy in relation to its physiology. Roles of the oral cavity, the stomach and the large intestine in favoring forage over grain utilization will be described.
Dr. Nathalie Trottier is a Professor of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University. Her research and teaching focuses on non-ruminant nutrition in particular horses, pigs, cats, and dogs. A native of Quebec, she spent 25 years on faculty at Michigan State University and joined Cornell in 2020.
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Cornell's Equine Hospital, the New York State 4-H Horse Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension are proud to host the Equine Seminar Series: monthly talks presented equine experts on important equine health and management topics. The seminars are free to attend and open to the public.
Learn more: www.vet.cornell.edu/hospitals...
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