The effects of feeding sequence and boiling barley on activity of hydrolytic enzymes in colonic contents of Arabian mare

Effects of feeding sequence and boiling of barley on digestibility of fiber and activity of hydrolytic enzymes in colonic contents of horse were investigated. The experiment carried out in a completely randomized design using six Arabian mares in a factorial cross-over with four consecutive periods. The concentrate part of the ration was offered either 30 min after (F-C) or 30 min before (C-F) forage feeding. Barley grain was either boiled (processed) or crushed (not processed). At the end of each period, fecal sample was collected directly from rectum and the activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, microcrystalline cellulase, filter paper degrading, and α-amylase enzyme were determined. Results showed that dry matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber intakes were significantly higher in C- F than those in F-C (P