The aim of this work was to study, using Wood's model, the lactation curve in Italian Heavy Draft horse (IHDH) mares, both for milk yield and composition. Interest in mare's milk has grown for use in human nutrition, as a substitute for human and cow milk for premature newborns and allergic children. For this study, 7 IHDH mares were used. Milk yield was evaluated from d 15 to 180 postpartum (every 15 d). Wood's lactation model was used to describe milk yield, fat, protein, and lactose lactation curves in the first 180 d in milk (DIM), with a prediction to 210 DIM. Mean values recorded across the considered lactation period for milk yield and constituents were 16.11 kg of milk/d, 11.38 g of fat/kg, 15.54 g of protein/kg, and 69.72 g of lactose/kg. The lactation curve showed a peak at 69 DIM, with a persistence index of 6.26. Fat (g/kg) and protein (g/kg) lactation curves decreased during the lactation period; instead, the lactose (g/kg) curve increased from the first to the last DIM. The coefficient of determination values indicated a good model fit by Wood's model application to IHDH mare lactation. The research showed good aptitude of a heavy horse breed, such as IHDH, for milk production.

Artificial feeding of foals is rarely practiced other than for raising orphans. This study investigated the effects of an artificial feeding system on the growth and welfare of a group of "Cavallo Agricolo Italian da Tiro Pesante Rapido" foals (n = 12). A viable artificial rearing method could allow for the commercial supply of mare's milk for cosmetic or pediatric purposes. Six foals were maintained on an artificial suckling (AS) regimen using a modified bovine milk replacer, and 6 remained with their dams (control group, naturally suckled [NS]). Housing and management was identical for both groups. During the 6-month trial, the foals were weighed every 3 weeks from 4 days of age, and their daily weight gains were calculated. Foals were directly observed for 6 separate 24-hour periods at 4, 10, 47, 114, 142, and 176 days of age, and an ethogram was compiled from the observed behaviors (resting, social, alimentary, and eliminative). All data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis. At 4 days of age, the behavior of the AS foals was significantly different from that of the control group foals in that they stood up for longer duration (530 vs. 174 minutes, P < 0.01), performed fewer suckling bouts (P < 0.01), and did not play (P < 0.01) or lick (P < 0.05). AS foals were more aggressive and cross-suckled more (P < 0.01) at 10 days of age than at the first observation period. After weaning, AS foals ate more concentrate and less hay than the control group foals (P < 0.01). However, at the end of the trial, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of weight (AS vs. NS [mean +/- standard deviation]: 350 +/- 15 vs. 360 +/- 20 kg, P = 0.34) and daily weight gains (1630 +/- 370 vs. 1600 +/- 310 g/d, P = 0.88). Artificial suckling techniques could be applied to Cavallo Agricolo Italian da Tiro Pesante Rapido foals, without negative effects on growth and welfare during the first 6 months of life. In fact, after an initial adaptation period, the AS foals did not exhibit any abnormal behavior or behavioral differences compared with NS foals. Further studies are required to improve this rearing technique, which could facilitate the efficient raising of orphan foals and/or marketing equine milk. Additional research would enable the effects of this rearing technique on the long-term growth, behavior, and health of the foals. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The aim of the present work was to investigate how chromatic properties of foal meat can vary after thawing out in relation to the slaughtering age of the horses and to the post-thawing time. Eighteen Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) foals were used for the trial. They were subdivided in three groups according to their slaughtering age (6, 11 and 18 months). Two different surfaces were investigated for each sample: daily renewed cutting surface (DRCS) and not-renewed cutting surface (NRCS). The redness of both the investigated surfaces increased with slaughtering age (P < 0.01). Moreover, this parameter decreased during post-thawing time (P < 0.01) only on the NRCS, probably for the myoglobin oxidation processes. Bearing in mind that the consumer prefers meat that is light and with a low redness intensity, from a chromatic perspective the thawed meat of IHDH foals slaughtered at 6 and 11 months proved to be that which best meets the market requirements.

The present work describes the effect of nutritive level on horse carcass traits and on meat quality. Eighteen male Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) breed foals were employed in the study. Soon after foaling they were randomly subdivided into three groups according to three nutritive level classes: 150%, 180% and 200% of maintenance requirements. Live weight, hot carcass weight and dressing percentage of each animal were recorded. After slaughtering, meat samples were collected from Longissimus dorsi muscle. The right half carcass of each animal was then divided into cuts. Each one was subdivided into lean, fat and bones. Live weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage were not affected by nutritive level (P>0.05). Horses fed with the lower nutritive level showed a higher incidence of lean and a lower incidence of fat (P<0.01). Moreover, fatty acid profile was not affected by nutritive level (P>0.05). Probably the tendency of IHDH foals to concentrate adipogenesis in the subcutaneous district could explain the lack of influence of nutritive level on meat quality parameters and its influence on carcass and cut composition, which tend to be richer in fat. © 2014 The Authors. Animal Science Journal published by Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd on behalf of Japanese Society of Animal Science.

The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of two different packaging materials on some oxidative and rehological parameters. For the trial were used 8 Fresian veal calves. Sixteen samples of Longissimus dorsi were taken from the right half of each veal calf, packed with two commercial films with different chemical and physical properties. Eight samples were packed with Cryovac® film (25 μm thick) and eight were packed with Weegal® film (45 μm thick). In both the packagings was used the same gas mixture (O2 46%, CO2 23%, N2 31%) and stored at 4±0.5°C until the analysis that were performed at the following post-packaging times: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 days post-packaging. Chromatic parameters, drip loss, cooking loss, water holding capacity, protein oxidation, Tbars and hydroperoxides production were measured at each time and in both the packaging thesis. Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA for repeated measures and to Tukey test, considering as independent variables the packaging material, the postpackaging time and their binary interaction. All the investigated parameters showed to be highly influenced by the packaging material and time (P<0.001). Veal calf meat packed with lower gas permeability film (Weegal®) showed lower oxidation of fat and proteins (P<0.001), lower chromatic indexes (P<0.001) and an higher water holding capacity (P<0.001). Moreover, oxidative parameters increased during storage (P<0.001), instead water holding capacity decreased (P<0.001). Meat oxidation influenced chromatic parameters. In fact, b* values increased during storage time (P<0.001) and a* values increased until 4th day, due to myoglobin oxygenation, and decreased for its oxidation (P<0.01). The material characterized by higher thickness, and by lower O2 and CO2 permeability, revealed to be the better film in veal calves fresh meat packaging because of its effect in reducing chromatic, chemical and physical degradation processes.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of two different packaging films on some chemical, physical and microbiological parameters in veal calf meat. Slices from the right half carcass were sampled from each calf: 8 were packaged with Cryovac® 30 film (25 μm thick) and 8 were packaged with Weegal® 31 film (45 μm thick). In both the packagings the same gas mixture were blown. The samples were analyzed at the following post-packaging times: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 e 14 days. Chromatic patterns, water holding capacity, cooking loss, drip loss, protein oxidation, and hydroperoxides concentration were influenced by the packaging type (P < 0.001). Moreover, during the post-packaging time the WHC decreased, while oxidative reactions increased (P < 0.001). The film that showed better characteristics in packaging of veal calf meat was the one characterized by lower gas permeability due to its ability to reduce and delay chemical and physical alterative processes.

The paper investigates the effect of two different gas mixtures on chemical, physical and microbiological quality of veal meat packed in modified atmosphere during chill storage. Experimental gas atmospheres tested were O246 (46% O2, 31% N2 and 23% CO2) and O270 (70% O2, 8% N2 and 22% CO2). Samples were stored at 4°C for 14 days and tested at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 days after packaging. The different O2 concentration influenced many parameters. Lower O2 concentration showed a greater increase of a* values (P<0.01) from the 2nd to the 8th packaging day, and a lower increase in drip loss values, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein oxidation (P<0.001). Total aerobic mesophilic and psychrophilic count showed a gradual increase in bacterial load over storage time in both the experimental treatments. Results obtained showed that O246 is better than O270 in calf meat packaging because of a belated decline of meat quality, particularly about oxidative parameters.

The present work aims to investigate if the variation of each parameter in Longissimus lumborum muscle could correspond to the same or to a similar variation of the parameter in the other muscles. The work presents results of Pearson’s correlations between Longissimus lumborum samples and other muscle samples, such as Biceps femoris, Rectus femoris, Semimembranosus, Supraspinatus and Semitendinosus in horse meat. A total of 27 male IHDH (Italian Heavy Draught Horse) breed foals were employed. They were slaughtered at 11 months of age and the above-mentioned muscles were sampled. The Longissimus lumborum muscle showed to be representative of other muscles and of the whole carcass for some chemical parameters (moisture, protein and ash) and for some fatty acids profile patterns such as C12:0, C14:0, total monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid, but poor correlations were recorded for intramuscular fat concentration, rheological and colorimetric parameters. Although almost all the qualitative parameters in meat are affected by the anatomical site and by the muscle, the Longissimus lumborum is often not representative in horse meat with regard to modifications of this parameters.

The aim of the present work was to investigate how chromatic properties of foal meat can vary after thawing out in relation to the feeding level of 11 months old horses and to the post-thawing time. Thirty-six Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) foals were used for the trial. They were subdivided in three groups according feeding level: low = 150%, medium = 180%, and high = 200% of the energy maintenance requirements. Two different surfaces were investigated for each sample: daily renewed cutting surface (DRCS) and not-renewed cutting surface (NRCS). Lightness was fell on both surfaces with the increasing of feeding level (P < 0.01). The redness of both the investigated surfaces increased with feeding level (P < 0.01), while yellowness decreased (P < 0.05). Because consumers prefer meat that is light and has a low intensity of redness, from a chromatic perspective the thawed meat of IHDH foals fed with a low feeding level proved to be that which best meets the market requirements.

Thirty lactating Comisana breed ewes were used for the trial, and were subdivided in two experimental groups. Both experimental groups were placed on pasture during daylight hours and reared in two equal indoor pens during nighttime. The indoor pen was provided with an outdoor area allowing 2.5 m2/head, and was always available during nighttime housing. During the experiment, the density of indoor pens varied weekly, while the outdoor area did not change. The indoor stocking densities tested were: low stocking density (LD) (1.5 m2/ewe), medium stocking density (MD) (1.0 m2/ewe) and high stocking density (HD) (0.5 m2/ewe). Throughout the trial period, indoor experimental pens were provided with unlimited access to water anda consistent number of feeding places at troughs equal to the number of ewes in the penEach density test was lasted seven days. The first five days were used to allow adaptation to experimental conditions. During the last two nights (sixth and seventh day) we recorded behavioral patterns. Jugular vein blood samples were taken to determine the hematological and biochemical profile. Ewe milk yield was recorded on the seventh day and individual milk samples were analyzed for milk composition, renneting properties and somatic cell count (SCC). All the experimental activities were performed during winter and summer seasons to evaluate the effect of both season and space allowance on all parameters considered. No effect of space allowance and season was observed on hematological and biochemical parameters (P > 0.05). During summer, animals spent more time in external areas, and this time increased with the reduction of space allowance. Ewes spent more time standing (P < 0.001) and less time in lying down (P < 0.001) during the summer. During winter, in contrast, ewes did not use external area, but they spent more time standing and less time lying down in the indoor pens (P < 0.001). Milk production was poorly affected by stocking density. However, these results suggested that behavioral measurements seem to be more sensitive for the detection of stressful conditions as compared to other commonly used measures like endocrine, biochemical or productive indicators of welfare in short term stocking increasing.

This study compares the effects of 2 journeys of different lengths (50 km and 200 km) on horses. The first journey lasted about 1 hour, the second about 3 hours. Twelve Standardbred horses were used for the test. Blood samples were collected and analyzed (packed cells volume [PCV], cortisol, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, total proteins, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase), and heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, and temperature were measured at 5 different experimental times: at rest, at loading, at unloading, and at 2 and 4 hours after return from the journey. Behavior was recorded by direct observation of loading and unloading, within the vehicle, and 2 and 4 hours after arrival in a new stall. The same parameters were recorded at the same times (excluding loading and unloading) in a control group of horses that had not travelled. All the data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis (analysis of variance). Loading always caused an increase of HR and PCV. The different journey lengths produced significant increases in serum glucose, cortisol concentration, PCV, and HR. Serum cortisol concentrations after short transport were considerably higher than values registered at rest and after long transport. The long journey caused an increase of creatine kinase 2 hours after return. On arrival in the new stalls, the horses that had travelled sniffed less and snorted later than the control group. They ate immediately and more quickly, and those that had travelled 200 km also showed more interest in water than those that travelled for 50 km and the control group. The other behaviors, including exploratory, rest, and play activities, were concentrated in the second 2-hour observation period when the horses tended to feed less. The present trial showed that adaptation to a new stall could be facilitated by offering horses food and fresh water when they arrive, and that for horses that must make a 3-hour journey before a race, it would be better to arrive at their destination at least 4 hours before beginning physical activity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.