A report on the consumption, composition and nutritional adequacy of a mixture of lush green perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) fed ad libitum to Thoroughbred mares
Marlow, C.H.; van Tonder, E.M.; Hayward, F.C.; van der Merwe, S.S.; Price, L.E.
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 54(3): 155-157
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 1019-9128 PMID: 6655653 Document Number: 205676
Non-pregnant Thoroughbred mares were stabled and subjected to 2 trials, each 24 h in duration, to establish their total consumption of a mixture of freshly cut, lush green perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) in approximately equal proportions; and to compare the total intake of crude protein, calcium, phosphorus and mass of the grass mixture on a dry matter basis with their daily nutritional requirements. The body mass of each mare was calculated at the commencement of each trial. In the first trial 2 lactating mares with foals at foot, 65 days and 8 days of age, and one mature non-lactating mare, consumed 75,5 kg, 61,0 kg and 39,5 kg of the grass mixture, cut in the early vegetative stage, respectively. The perennial ryegrasss (L. perenne) contained 79,63% moisture, 1,67% crude protein, 0,75% calcium, 0.057% phosphorus and 20.37% dry matter. The cocksfoot (D. glomerata) contained 79,52% moisture, 2,27% crude protein, 0,051% calcium, 0,061% phosphorus and 20,48% dry matter. The younger foal did not eat the grass mixture. The mass of grass mixture consumed by the older foal was not determined. In the second trial conducted 3 weeks later, when oat straw (Avena sativa) was also fed ad lib itum, the same lactating mares, but a different mature non-lactating mare, consumed 54.5 kg, 56.0 kg and 40.5 kg of the grass mixture, cut in the mid bloom stage, respectively. The perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) contained 70,03% moisture, 2,37% crude protein, 0,086% calcium 0,068% phosphorus and 29,97 dry matter.