Production performance evaluation of oat-common vetch mixed pasture based on nutrient needs of horses

In order to improve the forage suppliment and quality in horse farm, the forage yield, nutrient quality and digestible energy (DE) for horses of the mixed pasture with oats and common vetch in different ratios in Zhaosu horse farm were measured to evaluate the production performance in 2013. The results showed that forage yield, leafstem ratios, crude protein content (CP), calcium(Ca) content and DE increased with the increase of common vetch ratios. However, the contents of either extract (EE), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber decreased and phosphorus (P) content did not change. The EE content, forage yield of the mixed pasture were significantly higher (P＜0.05) than those of the common vetch monocultures. The contents of CP and Ca of the mixed pasture were significantly higher than those of the oats monocultures. The land equivalent ratios of the mixtures were higher than 1. The nutrient yield and DE output have similar variations. The production performance evaluation based on nutrient needs of horses was different with that based on forage yield. The production performance evaluation system based on digestible energy and the gaps between the forage yield and daily nutrient needs of horses was suitable for evaluating their relationship and providing scientific and efficient feeding of horses.