Levantamento e análise química de gramíneas naturais, base alimentar do cavalo baixadeiro (eqqus caballus)

Abstract

Among the herbivores that inhabit the lowland Maranhense, stands out the horse Baixadeiro, important for the performance of agricultural activities of the region. The breeders keep the horses along with cattle and buffaloes, where the natural pastures are the food base of the region. The objective of this work was to conduct a study to analyze the chemical composition of natural grasses of the Baixada Maranhense, which are the basis of the feeding of the lower equinox, as well as the availability of these resources according to the seasons of the year. The study lasted twelve months, during which time the important forage resources of the equine feed were cataloged. The plant material was collected, identified and transported to the Animal Nutrition Laboratory of the State University of Maranhão - UEMA, where it was processed for chemical analysis. The chemical composition was determined by the Weende Analysis System for Dry Matter (DM), Mineral Material (MM), Crude Protein (PB), Acid Detergent Fiber (FDA), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF). The results evidenced a variety of forage resources that constitute the source of basic feeding of the horse of the Baixadeiro in the natural fields of the municipalities of Pinheiro and São Bento in the region of Baixada Maranhense. In this sense, four species of naturian grasses were unanimously mentioned by the breeders as being of major importance for feeding the equines: Marreca grass, Canarian grass, Açu grass and reed. The feeding of the inferior horse is based on natural forage grasses, direct influences of the natural environment. This condition influences the availability and nutritional quality of the diet, in order to compromise the supply of the maintenance and production needs of the animals