-
Bill posted an update
In zoom call this week Doc T mentioned lignin sulfonate which he described as saw dust being added to some horse feeds. Some may be an understatement. The Mad Barn web site lists 250 horse feeds with lignin sulfonate. https://madbarn.com/ingredient/lignin-sulfo
I also ran across an article Wood is Good!
The benefits of adding wood to your horse’s diet by Dr. Amy M. Gill, an equine nutrition consultant. In the article she says “Simply put, wood can be mounted in brackets specifically for the horse to chew on, sparing the structural portions of the stall or fencing. Pine boards are excellent as they are soft and do not splinter.”
1 Comment-
LOL – remember that horses cannot digest lignin, the woody part of the plant. However, ruminants can digest lignin, which is why I consider them the best-in-class digestive system.
I further think that horses chew wood because they are 1) not satiated and 2) are seeking a nutrient not being provided in their day-to-day feed. Of course, that nutrient is likely protein, as satiation follows an adequate intake of high-quality protein.
Thanks for looking this up.
-