217 Acceptability of Hempseed Meal in Horses

Abstract Congress passed US Farm Bills legalizing hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), after which hemp-farming increased, resulting in an abundance of by-products, like hempseed meal (HSM). As such, HSM must be evaluated as a potential animal feedstuff. A study was designed to evaluate the acceptability over time horses, using 6 stock-type geldings (11.5 ± 3.4yr, 539.6 31.9kg, BCS 6). Horses were offered 1 kg pellets two 5-min periods, h apart each day, and Coastal Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay between offerings. remained on commercial ration during 1-d feeding-pattern acclimation prior 6-d trial. Data (mean SEM) analyzed Repeated Measures ANOVA within R Statistical Program. One horse removed from due complete diet refusal. Intake d1 (0.287 0.081kg; P = 0.062), d2 (0.378 0.084kg; 0.07), d3 (0.446 0.087; 0.077) tended lower than d5 (0.695 0.071 kg). Similarly, (P 0.043), 0.036), 0.048) less d6 (0.652 0.064 Day 4 (0.530 0.09 kg) 0.09), but there no difference 0.73). Hay consumption greater (0.702 0.026kg; 0.003) (0.723 0.041kg; p 0.001) (0.410 0.051kg). intake not correlated (R2 0.001), proportions consumed feedings highly 0.947), increasing at 0.4 Feeding 1. These findings indicate that increases days exposure is impacted by consumption.