Soybean Hulls for Horses

Soybean hulls were evaluated as a fiber source for horses in an experiment at North Carolina State University. Four cecally cannulated Quarter Horses were used in a 4x4 Latin square design experiment with treatments of 0, 25, 50, or 75% soybean hull replacement of alfalfa/bromegrass hay. The diets were offered at 1.8% of the body weigh daily. Results indicated that the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose did not differ among treatments. Total volatile fatty acids increased, and apparent digestibility of nitrogen decreased, linearly as concentrations of soybean hulls were increased in the diet. This response is associated with increase cecal fermentation and microbial biomass production. The researchers concluded that soybean hulls simulate cecal fermentation and are a suitable replacement for hay in equine diets.

Coverdale, J.A. and co-workers. 2004. Soybean hulls as an alternative feed for horses. J Animal Sci 82: 1663-1668.