Fescue Toxicosis--Tall fescue--a hardy, abundant, cool-season
perennial--can be infected with the endophyte Acremonium coenophialum, which
has been known to be harmful to late-gestation mares. A recent study found no
detrimental effects on early or mid-gestational mares. However, exercising
adults were found to have vasoregulatory and thermoregulation side effects
when grazing on endophyte-infected fescue. These horses had a harder time
dissipating heat and recovering from exercise during hot
weather.
Laminitis--High amounts of fructan, which is found in lush
pasture grass, is now thought to be one reason for laminitis. As fructan
enters the large intestine undigested, its presence causes "good" bacteria to
die, which causes the production of toxins. These toxins might then be a
cause of laminitis. Rich recommended that horses at risk for laminitis should
not be given free access to lush pasture. If access is given, then it should
only be given for a short time, and turnout should not be in the middle of
the day when fructan concentrations are the highest.
Gastric
Ulcers--Several things have been discovered in the past five years about
gastric ulcers. Feeding alfalfa hay every five to six hours is thought to
provide a protective effect on the non-glandular squamous mucosa, which is
where ulcers typically develop. Depriving feed for longer than 12 hours can
contribute to the development of ulcers. Rich also mentioned a new product
called Pronutrin, which is a commercial lecithin-pectin mixture. When horses
in a study were given 300 grams per day for 10 days, there was a positive
effect on gastric lesions. However, since lesions did not heal completely in
10 days, it is recommended to use this product for 14 days.
Sand
Colic--It was previously thought that underfeeding was a cause of
sand consumption, which could possibly lead to sand colic. However, a
recent study demonstrated that diets deficient in energy, protein, or both
did not influence sand intake in confined horses. In addition, mineral
consumption was unrelated.
Results on the efficacy of psyllium as a
treatment for sand colic vary. One study compared psyllium, wheat bran,
mineral oil, and water. Psyllium cleared the greatest amount of sand within
24 hours, but there was no difference in treatments after five
days.
One important finding regarding diagnosis of sand colic was that
radiography of the abdomen was found to be a useful tool for monitoring
sand accumulation.
Foal Diarrhea--New evidence shows that the product
arabinogalactan can help prevent foal diarrhea. This fiber is derived from
the larch tree.
Thumps--At one point, low calcium concentrations were
blamed for thumps. However, recent studies show that total calcium
concentrations do not affect thumps. It is now believed that blood pH
increases following large losses of chloride and potassium in sweat.
Prevention of thumps is now achieved with sodium, chloride, and water
replacement.
New Products, Ingredients, and Processing Methods With
many new products and changes in older products, horse owners can end up
spending a lot of money on their animals. Research has been trying to prove
what works and what doesn't, and how certain products affect
the horse.
. Lecithin, or phospholipids, are found in soybeans and
other naturally occurring plants and animals. They have been found to have a
calming effect on horses. In addition, they have also been found useful in
the healing and prevention of ulcers. Researchers recommend giving 50 grams
of de-oiled lecithin per day for a 1,000-pound horse. . Hulless or naked
oats have been found to have the same amount of energy as corn or 25% more
energy than traditional hulled oats. They are also higher in fat, phosphorus,
crude protein, and antioxidants. Therefore, they make a good alternative to
conventional oats for performance, geriatric, and growing horses. .
Feeding 12 grams per day of the amino acid L-carnitine reduced harmful plasma
lactic acid produced during exercise. . Researchers have determined that
there is no reason to supplement creatine in horses. One study failed to show
any metabolic or muscle response in trotters supplemented with creatine. .
Supplementation with beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB, a metabolite of
the amino acid leucine ) is not recommended at this time. . Despite
generalized thinking that horses prefer apple flavoring, a study proved that
cherry flavoring was the most popular among horses fed a meal with added
fruit flavor. Apple flavoring was second, with citrus and teaberry tying for
third, and plain oats as the control were the least palatable to study
horses. . When corn is a large proportion of the concentrate, researchers
now recommend that steam-flaked corn be used since it is more
digestible. . Beet pulp is a valuable feedstuff for horses. It is a good
source of digestible fiber with low crude protein, high calcium, low
phosphorus, and low vitamin content. It can be fed dry without horses
"exploding," choking, or colicking, as was once feared. When feeding wet beet
pulp, discard within 24 hours to avoid mold. . Substituting 15% of dietary
energy as fat or fiber will not adversely affect performance. Feeding beet
pulp at 15% of total energy works as well as feeding horses a high-starch
diet. It has been found that soaking and rinsing beet pulp can lower glycemic
response. . Corn oil, rice bran, and refined dry fat of animal origin are
highly digestible sources of fat. Rice bran can be supplemented to lower
lactate levels and lower heart rates during exercise. . The supplement
betaine is beneficial to unconditioned horses, resulting in lowered lactate
metabolism after exercise. It was not shown to have an effect on fit
horses.
Miscellaneous Topics Feed allergies in horses are often
misdiagnosed. In order to determine what is causing the allergy, a horse must
be fed a single bulk food for a minimum of four weeks, adding other dietary
ingredients such as oats or grain one at a time every four weeks. This is
called an elimination diet.
It was found that the best way to feed group
fed horses to allow more timid horses longer eating time was to place feed
tubs in an equilateral triangle 11.8 feet (3.6 meters)
apart.
the
end.
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