Comportamento de éguas e potras em pastagem diversificada no período seco

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of age on the ingestive behavior of female horses grazing on pasture with a diversity of forage species (Panicum spp., Urochloa decumbens, and Cynodon nlemfuensis) during the dry season. The study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Federal University of Uberlândia, Glória campus, located in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in a 4.5-hectare area containing different forage species (Panicum spp., Urochloa decumbens, and Cynodon nlemfuensis) and invasive plants (Leucaena leucocephala and others not identified). After a 7-day adaptation period, observations were carried out for three consecutive days. A continuous sampling methodology using focal animal observation with 10-minute intervals was applied, with observations conducted from 08:00 to 16:00, totaling eight hours per day. Twelve female horses were used: six fillies with an average age of 4.2 years and six mares with an average age of 8.7 years. The average body weight was 347.1 kg for the fillies and 450 kg for the mares. Data were analyzed descriptively through frequency analysis, considering the two groups (fillies and mares) and six replications. A greater amount of time spent moving (4.4%) and interacting (2.3%) was observed in the fillies group. For the mares, values of 2.9% of the time spent moving and 1% in interactions were found. Both groups showed a greater preference for grazing Cynodon nlemfuensis (purple star grass), with values of 74.3% and 81.5% for fillies and mares, respectively. In contrast, for Panicum spp., a lower grazing time was observed for mares (9.1%) compared to fillies (16.7%). Urochloa decumbens was the least grazed species, with values of 6.4% and 8.9% for fillies and mares, respectively. The consumption of invasive plants was low, with higher consumption by fillies (2.6%) compared to mares (0.5%). It can be concluded that, in pasture with diversified forage species during the dry season, age influences the ingestive behavior of the animals.