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Study of the Behaviour, Digestive Efficiency and Gut Transit Times of Crib-Biting Horses

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Study of the Behaviour, Digestive Efficiency and Gut Transit Times of Crib-Biting Horses Downloaded from veterinaryrecord.bmj.com on March 12, 2013 - Published by group.bmj.com PAPERS & ARTICLES Study of the behaviour, digestive efficiency and gut transit times of crib-biting horses P. D. MCGREEVY, A. J. F. WEBSTER, C. J. NICOL The spontaneous behaviour and the apparent digestibility of dry matter and fibre and transit times of digesta were compared in four normal horses and four crib-biters. A technique was developed for measuring total gut transit times (TGTT) by using single-stool analysis of the passage of radio-opaque polyethylene markers. Longer TGTT were recorded in the crib-biters than in the normal horses but the orocaecal transit times did not differ. The crib-biters rested less than the normal horses. CRIB-BITING, a repetitive and invariant oral behaviour of ioural part of this study. The study also aims to establish horses, creates a transient distension of the cranial oesopha- whether horses which perform oral stereotypies have a dif- gus which, it has been suggested, may have an effect on sati- ferent digestive physiology from normal horses. As the first ety receptors (McGreevy and others 1995). The function of part of the alimentary tract, the mouth is the site of process- crib-biting remains uncertain and there is minimal evidence ing activity that can affect the physiology of the entire diges- of it reducing stress (McGreevy and Nicol 1998a). tive tract (Stevens 1977). Intestinal transit time was selected Circumstantial evidence which might link oral stereotypies as a relatively non-invasive method by which the digestive with nutritive behaviour includes the effect that diet has upon function of the horses might be studied. It is defined as the the intensity of the stereotypies (Marsden 1993), the tempo- time taken for a marker to pass through the gut. Historically, ral association between bouts of stereotypy and the ingestion a variety of markers have been used, including glass beads of concentrate feed (Kusunose 1992), and the suggestion that (Alvarez and Freedlander 1924), ball-bearings (Burnett 1923) more palatable food elicits more ofthe anomalous behaviour and radioisotopes (Hansky and Cornell 1962). However, all (Dodman and others 1987). The functions of other oral single marker methods rely on the continuous collection of behaviours have been elucidated only by elaborate physio- faeces and have serious limitations in practice. The determi- logical investigations. For example, De Passille and others nation of the transit times of two species of radio-opaque (1992) used indwelling portal vein catheters to show that markers in single faecal samples is a technique which has been apparently functionless non-nutritive sucking behaviour developed in human medicine (Cummings and Wiggins contributes to postprandial hormonal changes in calves. 1976) and could have useful clinical applications in equine Recently, gut transit studies have been reported in horses gastroenterology. transiently deprived of the opportunity to eat hay and/or Since one factor that affects the passage of particles crib-bite (McGreevy and Nicol 1998a). These showed that through the gut is specific gravity (Hoelzel 1930), it is impor- there was an increase in the orocaecal transit time (OCTT) of tant that the specific gravity of radio-opaque polyethylene crib-biters when they were deprived ofthe opportunity to eat markers is comparable to that of faecal residues. The specific and crib-bite. gravities of the radio-opaque pellets used in this study were Although the possible function of crib-biting remains in the range 1-3 to 1 6 (Cummings and Wiggins 1976), the uncertain, the owners of crib-biters persist in attempting to density of cellulose, which is the main faecal residue in her- prevent the behaviour because of its perceived deleterious bivores (West 1974). effects on the crib-biters' health and appearance (McGreevy To provide specific data on orocaecal activity, a minimally and Nicol 1998b). Crib-biting in horses is traditionally asso- invasive measure of the OCTT involving the microbial break- ciated with 'unthriftiness' or failure to maintain bodyweight down of sulphasalazine was used. The technique, which (Hayes 1968). Possible reasons why crib-biters should main- involves the detection of a breakdown product, sulphapyri- tain less bodyweight than normal horses on an equivalent dine, in sequential plasma samples, has recently been adapted ration include its behavioural effects, including the expendi- for use in horses (McGreevy and Nicol 1998a). Veterinary Record (2001) ture of energy in performing the activity, and the possibility 148, 592-596 that they might eat less or waste food by dropping it out of their mouths (Fraser 1992). There may also be digestive con- MATERIALS AND METHODS P. D. McGreevy, BVSc, sequences, for example, long-term crib-biting may reduce the PhD, MRCVS, digestibility of food because the resultant tooth wear may Horses A. J. F. Webster, MA, result in the food being less well masticated. Eight thoroughbred geldings of similar body condition were VetMB, PhD, MRCVS, The aims of this study were to determine whether four used. Their bodyweights ranged from 491 kg to 648 kg. Four C. J. Nicol, BA, PhD, crib-biters were less able to maintain bodyweight than four were crib-biters and four had never displayed the behaviour; Department of Clinical normal horses and, if so, why. The spontaneous behaviour, the mean (sd) starting weights of the normal and stereotypic Veterinary Science, and the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) and fibre, horses were 5511 (33.9) kg and 533 (3.58) kg, respectively. University of Bristol, and transit times of digesta in the four normal horses and the They were bedded on woodshavings in concrete pens (4.5 x Langford House, four crib-biters were compared. A technique was developed 4-2 m) with rendered walls to a height of 1-4 m, with 6 cm Langford, Bristol for measuring total gut transit times (TGTT) by the analysis diameter tubular metal railings set 50 cm above the wall. Each BS18 7DU of the passage of radio-opaque polythene markers from pen had an outside portion (4-8 x 4 5 m) with walls of the single samples of faeces. same design and an automatic watering device. Visual, tac- Dr McGreevy's present Estimates of the number of crib-bites performed in a day tile and olfactory contact between horses was possible over address is Department of vary with the individual horse (Dodman and others 1987, the railings. Animal Science (B19), Kusunose 1992, McGreevy and Nicol 1998b), and the time The study lasted six weeks. In the first week the horses were Faculty ofVeterinary occupied varies accordingly but some horses spend over eight treated with anthelmintic and acclimatised to the stables. Science, University of hours per day crib-biting (McGreevy and Nicol 1998b). The They were then introduced to the test diet, and gut transit and Sydney, NSW 2006, consequences of this activity are considered in the behav- behavioural measurements started in the fourth week. Australia 592 The Veterinary Record, May 12, 2001 Downloaded from veterinaryrecord.bmj.com on March 12, 2013 - Published by group.bmj.com PAPERS & ARTICLES first morning, and 300 R3 markers on the second. The Rl markers were 2 mm long and 0 75 mm in diameter, and the Time since ingestion (t) 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96 104 Total R3 markers were 0 75 mm long and 2 mm in diameter. These lengths of hollow plastic tubing were mixed in an aqueous Number of markers (s) 0 4 33 47 22 30 17 10 13 8 14 5 0 203 paste made from approximately 40 g low protein cubes. This txs 0 64 792 1504 880 1440 952 640 936 640 1232 480 0 9560 mixture was loaded into 60 ml syringes and administered like t Time from ingestion of markers to time of collection (hours), s Number of markers in each of the an oral anthelmintic. 13 collections Bedding was removed from the loose boxes six hours later. The following results from one type of marker in one horse are provided as a working example: For verification purposes, the total faecal output ofeach horse (t xs)- 9560 = was then collected every eight hours for 96 hours, and each 1(s) 203 47-1 hours sample was oven dried at 80°C for 48 hours, weighed and radiographed in polyethylene bags. The radiographs were then examined and each species of marker excreted during Feed each eight-hour period was counted. At the beginning of the trial, the horses were being fed 10 kg The mean transit time (Cummings and Wiggins 1976) of of hay per day. The test feed was introduced by giving 2 kg each type of marker through the alimentary tract was calcu- with 3 kg ofhay twice daily. Over the next seven days, the test lated from the mean ofthe analyses ofthe individual samples feed component was increased to 5 kg twice per day until it by using the equation replaced the hay ration completely for the following five weeks. The test feed was a commercial 'complete' diet for TGTT = S(t£(s)x s) maintenance (PhD Diets) based on a coarse mixture ofcereals and chopped forage and formulated to provide a balanced where t is the time from the ingestion of the markers to the supply of nutrients and sufficient long fibre to promote time of collection, and s is the number of markers in each healthy digestion. Its composition was as follows: fibre 21-0 sample. Table 1 gives an example of the calculation. per cent, protein 13-0 per cent, ash 7-2 per cent, oil 3 0 per cent, calcium 1-6 per cent and phosphorus 0 9 per cent.
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