Evaluation of rock phosphate with low fluorine level in diets for growing horses

Abstract

Eighteen fillies of Brasileiro de Hipismo breed with initial age between 9 and 12 months and 250kg of average weight were used in a complete block design, during a five-month trial to evaluate the use of three different inorganic phosphorus sources. The sources were dicalcium phosphate (FB), half and half dicalcium phosphate/Tapira rock phosphate mixture (BT) and Tapira rock phosphate (FT). They were added to a basal concentrate, given at the rate of 1.5% of average body weight and to a mineralized salt, of which 50 g/animal was offered daily. The mean fluoride level (concentrate plus salt) in diets FB, BT and FT was 53, 90 and 184 ppm respectively. The mean monthly withers height gain was 1.55 (FB), 1.30 (BT) and 1.27cm (FT) and there was a significant difference between FB and FT diets.