fecal microbiota of grazing horses transitioning between warm- and cool-season grasses

Rotating horses between forage types within an integrated warm- and cool-season grass rotational system is not without concern. The equine gastrointestinal system is particularly sensitive to sudden dietary change. Recommendations for integrating warm- and cool-season grasses in horse pasture systems should be informed by an understanding of potential impacts of this management practice on the hindgut microbiome. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize shifts in the fecal microbiota of grazing horses during transitions between forage types within integrated warm- and cool-season grass rotational grazing systems.