Vers une alimentation équine plus durable : enjeux et perspective

Towards a more sustainable equine diet: challenges and prospects

In the context of an agroecological transition, the equine sector is being called upon to rethink its feeding practices to reduce its environmental footprint. Although horses, as monogastric herbivores, emit less enteric methane than ruminants, their diet, housing conditions, and manure management can still have significant environmental impacts.

1. Digestive Specificities and Environmental Implications
The horse’s digestive system, adapted to a high-fiber and low-starch diet, relies on microbial fermentation in the hindgut. An inappropriate diet, rich in sugars and soluble proteins, disrupts the gut microbiota, increases nitrogen losses, and promotes methane production in the feces. The acetogenesis pathway, predominant in equines, limits CH₄ emissions compared to the methanogenesis seen in ruminants.

2. Influence of Management Practices
Intensive systems (stall housing) produce more manure, whose anaerobic fermentation increases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In contrast, grazing allows for the dispersion of excreta, reducing emissions, but may lead to protein overconsumption and localized nutrient accumulation. Overfeeding, common in leisure and sport horses, is a major factor exacerbating environmental impact.

3. Ration Optimization: Nutritional Levers
Fibers and Sugars
A minimum fiber intake is essential for digestive health, but its digestibility influences CH₄ production. Highly digestible forages, although less methanogenic, must be used with caution to avoid obesity and behavioral issues.

Partial substitution with extruded concentrates can improve digestibility and reduce emissions, though it is not a sustainable long-term solution.

Proteins
Protein utilization efficiency depends on the energy balance of the ration. Protein-rich diets, common in temperate systems, increase nitrogen excretion. Protein quality (amino acid profile) is more important than quantity. Soy, while digestively efficient, raises major environmental concerns due to its production.

Lipids
Adding vegetable oils to the diet can reduce intestinal fermentation and methane production. However, their use is limited by digestive and energy constraints, especially in horses with low energy requirements.

Mineral and Vitamin Supplementation
Supplementation is often excessive, leading to the excretion of potentially toxic minerals and trace elements. The bioavailability of mineral forms and the lack of data on actual excretions currently limit precise recommendations.

Conclusion
The transition to more sustainable equine feeding relies on a multifactorial approach: adjusting nutrient intake, promoting digestible forages, reducing excesses, and improving manure management. These still underutilized practices represent a key lever to reconcile performance, animal welfare, and environmental respect.

Source: Equ’idée articles

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