Nutritional Quality of Forages Consumed by Feral Horses: The Horses of Shackleford Banks

This preliminary study describes the nutritional profiles of the horses of Shackleford Banks, NC. Nutrient composition of plants was analyzed during the four seasons over 2 years. Microhistological examination of the feces was used to determine the contribution of the various plant types to the horse's diet. Together, this information provided an estimate of the nutrient profile for these horses. There were significant differences in nutrient content between the main plant types analyzed, as well as differences between the seasons for several nutrients (such as crude protein [CP] and acid detergent fiber [ADF]). Grasses were the primary plant type found in the feces of the horses, although forbs were also found, particularly in the winter and spring. It is likely that plant availability and palatability affect selection because plant nutrient content did not have a significant relationship with consumption. The yearly diet had an average of 6.6% ± 1.4% CP, 0.5% ± 0.1% calcium, 0.1% ± 0.03% phosphorus, 8.3 ± 2.25 ppm copper, 23.2 ± 4.70 ppm zinc, and 1.9 ± 0.07 Mcal/kg digestive energy (DE). Thus, even at an intake of 3% of body weight, these horses are likely deficient in phosphorus, zinc, and copper several times throughout the year. Future studies should include expanded plant sampling, habitat information, additional fecal samples, and body condition scores of the horses.