Effects of moderate amounts of barley in late pregnancy on growth, glucose metabolism and osteoarticular status of pre-weaning horses.
Authors: Peugnet Pauline, Robles Morgane, Mendoza Luis, Wimel Laurence, Dubois Cédric, Dahirel Michèle, Guillaume Daniel, Camous Sylvaine, Berthelot Valérie, Toquet Marie-Pierre, Richard Eric, Sandersen Charlotte, Chaffaux Stéphane, Lejeune Jean-Philippe, Tarrade Anne, Serteyn Didier, Chavatte-Palmer Pascale
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Barley Supplementation in Late Pregnancy and Foal Skeletal Health Feeding concentrates to late-pregnant mares is routine stud practice, yet evidence suggests it may increase osteochondrosis risk in foals, possibly through effects on maternal and fetal insulin metabolism. Researchers compared 13 pregnant saddlebred mares fed forage alone against 12 fed forage plus cracked barley from month seven of pregnancy through to term, then tracked growth, metabolic markers and joint radiography in their foals through the pre-weaning period. Barley-supplemented mares maintained superior body condition (score >3.5) and displayed elevated postprandial glucose and insulin responses alongside heightened insulin secretion during glucose tolerance testing, whilst forage-only mares lost condition significantly (score <2.5) and showed lower bodyweight. Neonatal foals from barley-fed mares exhibited transiently elevated bone metabolism markers (serum osteocalcin) and slightly altered glucose dynamics that normalised by weaning, yet radiographic assessment revealed a non-significant trend toward increased osteochondrosis lesions in this group. For practitioners, these findings suggest that whilst maternal barley supplementation supports mare health and does not markedly compromise foal development through weaning, the apparent cartilage changes warrant consideration of long-term skeletal outcomes and careful assessment of concentrate feeding strategies in late pregnancy, particularly when osteochondrosis susceptibility is a concern.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Feeding concentrates (barley) to late-pregnancy mares improves dam body condition but may increase osteochondrosis risk in foals—consider weighing maternal nutrition needs against potential joint cartilage lesion development in offspring.
- •Neonatal metabolic and bone markers in concentrate-fed mares' foals normalize by weaning, suggesting early life effects are transient rather than permanent programming changes.
- •Forage-only feeding in late pregnancy resulted in poor maternal condition (<2.5 BCS) and 7% lower bodyweight, indicating balanced nutrition is important; purely forage-based late pregnancy feeding may be inadequate for broodmare maintenance.
Key Findings
- •Barley supplementation in late pregnancy maintained optimal mare body condition (>3.5) compared to forage-only controls (<2.5), with B mares 7% heavier in final 2 months of pregnancy.
- •Barley-fed mares showed increased plasma glucose and insulin responses to meals and increased insulin secretion during IVGTT, indicating altered glucose metabolism.
- •Neonatal barley-group foals had increased serum osteocalcin and slightly elevated glucose metabolism parameters at birth, but effects disappeared by weaning.
- •Radiographic examination showed increased osteochondrosis relative risk in barley-group foals, though the difference was not statistically significant.