For this study, twenty-four healthy equines, were randomly divided in three equal groups viz, T0,T1 and T2, each having eight animals (four mules and four ponies). Group T0 served as control and received ration as per standard feeding practice followed on the farm. Group T1 and T2 were fed with same ration as used for group T0 supplemented with chromium tripicolinate @ 210 and 420 pg/kg ration, respectively. The feed treatments had no significant effect on the average daily DM intake of the animals from different groups. The average per cent daily dry matter intake and average dry matter intake per unit metabolic body size of equines from control group was significantly (P£0.01) higher than that of groups T1 and T2, however, differences between later two groups was non-significant. The average TDN intake of the equines from groups T1 and T2 was significantly (P£0.01) higher than that of group T0. However the difference between groups T1 and T2 was statistically non-significant. The average daily DCP intake in experimental animals from groups T0, T1 and T2 were significantly (P£0.01) different from each other. The average fortnightly body weights of the animals from the control group T0 were significantly lower than the body weights of groups T1 and T2. The average body weights of animals from groups T1 and T2 did not differ significantly from each other. The feed treatments showed no significant effect on the average gain in weights of the animals from different groups. The feed efficiency in terms of daily dry matter, TDN and DCP intake (kg) / kg gain in weight was highest in chromium supplemented treatment groups.

Keywords: Digestibility; TDN; DCP; Feed efficiency; Supplementation.