Equine Gastric Ulceration Syndrome (EGUS) defines several alterations of the esophageal, gastric or duodenal mucosa, from inflammation to ulceration. This syndrome has been the subject of increasing attention due to its high prevalence and its impact on the performance of the sport horse.
Feeding management is an important ally in controlling SUGE, whether during the horse's treatment process or at a later stage, contributing to preventing the appearance of new lesions.
What points should be considered when feeding these horses?
1. Increase chewing time and reduce periods of absence of food
Increasing the chewing period and decreasing the periods of absence of food is essential in the feeding management of these horses. This can be done by facilitating access to pasture, providing hay ad libitum and/or promoting slower ingestion of forage food, using techniques such as fine mesh nets, in stabled horses.
This permanent access to forage promotes continuous secretion of saliva. Saliva is rich in minerals and bicarbonate, a substance with a buffering effect that acts as a natural antacid in the stomach. Thus, salivation plays a protective role in the gastric mucosa, in addition to moistening the food, favoring the transit and penetration of gastric juice into the food bolus.
On the other hand, since the production of acid by the stomach is continuous, it is easily understandable that prolonged periods between meals contribute to the formation and exacerbation of ulcers.
2. Consider the type of forage
In addition to increasing the consumption of forage feed (≥1.5% of live weight (bw) in dry matter (DM), e.g. 500 kg bw horse ≥ 7.5 kg DM), another relevant factor is the type of forage selected. The choice of quality hay is imperative, and the consumption of straw is not recommended as the sole or main source of forage, as scientific studies have shown higher degrees of ulceration associated with its consumption.
The use of lucerne hay or the association of lucerne with concentrated feed (“feed”) are measures considered beneficial, considering its protective effect (due to its calcium and protein content).
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3. Reduce starch consumption
Other factors to consider are the amount of concentrated feed provided, as well as its composition. Concentrated feeds (mainly made up of cereals such as oats, corn, and wheat) are rich in non-structural carbohydrates (HCNE, starch, and sugars) and tend to be ingested quickly, minimizing saliva production and the protective effect of bicarbonate. At the same time, they are associated with a greater production of volatile fatty acids (VFA), which in turn affect the integrity of the mucosa, making it more susceptible to injury.
Recent studies recommend not exceeding 2 grams of starch per kilogram of body weight per day or 1 gram of starch per kilogram of body weight per meal. In sports horses, as concentrated feed is essential to meet their energy needs, its supply should be divided into a greater number of meals in order to comply with these recommendations.
The choice of concentrated feeds for sport horses with lower levels of starch and sugars is also possible today.
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It is also possible to administer the concentrated feed concomitantly with a lucerne-based forage, in order to benefit from its protective effect. This combination may even allow the amount of concentrated feed in the diet to be reduced, considering the nutritional value of the added lucerne.
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4. Use fat as a calorie source
Providing part of the calorie requirement through the use of fat is also considered beneficial. The choice of fat type should be considered, with sources naturally rich in omega 3 being preferred (considering the high levels of omega 6 already provided in the feed of stabled horses).
5. Supplementation
The use of supplements indicated for horses with gastric ulcers, or suspected gastric ulcers, is a very viable option, although it should be done under the advice of a veterinarian or qualified nutritionist/technician. Their use does not invalidate the recommendations in the previous points.
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In short, SUGE has a high prevalence, with sport horses being the main candidates for developing the disease. Appropriate dietary practices can help us reduce the risk of ulcers occurring, their recurrence and their severity.