Nutritive and feeding value of grains in horse nutrition

Namen diplomskega dela je bil na podlagi pregleda literature opisati hranilno in krmno vrednost žit v prehrani konj. Žita so v prehrani konj najprimernejša vrsta koncentriranih in energijsko bogatih krmil. Pri žitih je izredno pomembno, da jih krmimo na podlagi dejanske mase in ne na podlagi volumna. Vsebnost beljakovin, maščob, vlaknine, škroba in energije se precej razlikuje med posameznimi vrstami žit. Škrobno najbolj bogato žito je koruza, posledično vsebuje tudi največ energije. Škrob je najboljši vir energije, vendar lahko hitro privede do bolezenskih stanj, kot sta kolika in laminitis. Največ beljakovin vsebuje pšenica, vendar ječmen in oves vsebujeta kakovostnejše beljakovine kot pšenica in koruza. Največ maščob vsebuje oves, to se odraža tudi v vsebnosti posameznih esencialnih maščobnih kislin, predvsem linolne in α-linolenske kisline, ki sta izredno pomembni. Prav tako oves vsebuje tudi največ vlaknine, zato lahko rečemo, da je za krmljenje konj najbolj varno žito, še posebej, če gre za manj izkušene rejce konj. Tudi raziskave so pokazale, da imajo konji med žiti najraje prav oves. Tako kot pri vsaki krmi se tudi pri žitih soočamo z okužbo z mikotoksini, plesnimi in škodljivci. Da se temu izognemo, moramo dovolj pozornosti nameniti pravilnemu skladiščenju krme in izbiranju zgolj kakovostne krme. Paziti moramo tudi, da posamezne kategorije konj krmimo v skladu z njihovimi potrebami, drugače se lahko pojavijo bolezenska stanja.The purpose of this B. Sc. Thesis was to review the literature and describe nutritive and feeding value of grains in horse nutrition. Cereal grains are the most suitable type of concentrated and energy-rich feeds in horse nutrition. It is extremely important to feed them on the basis of actual weight, not on the basis of volume. The content of protein, fat, fiber, starch and energy varies considerably between different types of cereals. The most starch-rich grain is corn, which also contains the most energy. Starch is the best source of energy, but it can quickly lead to disease such as colic and laminitis. Wheat contains the most protein, but barley and oats contain higher quality proteins than wheat and corn. Oats contain the most fat, which is also reflected in the content of individual essential fatty acids, especially linoleic and α-linolenic acids, which are essential. Oats also contain the most fiber, so we can say that it is the safest cereal for feeding horses, especially for less experienced horse owners. Research has also shown that horses prefer oats the most. As with any feed, cereals can also get infected with mycotoxins, moulds and pests. To avoid this, we must pay enough attention to the proper storage of feed and it is important that we feed only quality feeds. We must also be careful to feed individual categories of horses according to their needs, otherwise disease may occur