Two assays were carried out to evaluate the precision of the mobile nylon bag technique in relation to the total collection method, to estimate the apparent digestibility of nutrients of the forages in equines. Six adult crossbred horses averaging seven years old were used. In first assay, the values of digestibility of the nutrients of coast-cross hay were compared using the mobile nylon bag technique with sample ground at three different granulometries with the total feces collection. In the second assay, the two methods were compared to estimate the digestibility using elephant grass as the feed test. The disappearance of the nutrients of coast-cross hay and elephant grass samples ground at three different granulometries after washing of the bags in water was evaluated in laboratory. A randomized block design was used where each horse made up the block and digestibility determining methods, the treatments. The results showed that for the coast-cross hay, the mobile nylon bag tecnique with sample ground at 1mm is a good method to estimate the apparent digestibility of DM, GE and hemicellulose. For the elephant grass, the sample ground at 5 mm is precise to estimate the apparent digestibility of DM, GE and NDF. The grind at 1mm of the coast-cross hay and elephant grass samples provided the greatest loss of particles from the nylon bags after washing in water.
digestibility; feed; horses
