Feeding for treatment and prevention of equine gastric ulcers (ESGD)

OK, here is excellent evidence for what we have been saying for 20 years: alfalfa and soluble fibers (pectin, beta-glucan, inulin) benefit equine ulcer treatment and prevention. The buffering effects of the alfalfa are well documented. The beet pulp is a rich source of pectin. The use of soluble fibers, including pectin, is fairly well understood. As digested, they bind the stomach mucosa and damaged mucosa, protecting the stomach wall from acidity. It needs to be noted that both are rich in calcium and poor in phosphorous, so this must be managed with other feedstuffs or supplementation.
DrO

The effect of feeding a commercial feedstuff on gastric squamous gastric disease (ESGD) healing and prevention of recurrence
J Equine Vet Sci. 2024 Jan 26:105015. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105015. Online ahead of print.
Authors
N J Menzies-Gow 1 , T Shurlock 2
Affiliations

1 Department of Clinicel Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Herts. AL9 7TA. UK.. Electronic address: nmenziesgow@rvc.ac.uk.
2 West Lane House, Bishopdale, Leyburn, North Yorkshire. DL8 3TG. UK.

PMID: 38281606
DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105015

Abstract

Feedstuffs are often recommended to mitigate potential damage from acid associated with equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). In acidic conditions, pectin alters its structure to one like mucus and binds the stomach mucosa, whilst alfalfa has a strong intrinsic acid buffering capacity. The study aimed to determine whether feeding a commercial beet pulp/alfalfa/oat fibre mix aids ESGD healing and/or prevention of recurrence. Ten adult horses with naturally occurring ESGD were included. All animals were treated with omeprazole as per the attending veterinarian’s recommendation and randomly allocated to also be fed a commercial beet pulp/alfalfa/oat fibre mix (1Kg/horse divided into 2 meals/day; n=5) or no additional feed (n=5) for one month. Gastroscopy was then repeated to assess response to therapy. If the ESGD had healed, omeprazole therapy was discontinued, and the commercial feed given to all horses for a further month. Gastroscopy was repeated to determine ESGD recurrence. The mean (±SD) age of the horses was 11.6 (±3.8) years; 4 mares and 6 geldings; various breeds were represented; and the median (range) initial ESGD grade was 2 (2-4). ESGD had healed (grade 0/4) in all animals after one month. After a further month, ESGD had recurred in significantly (p=0.04) more animals that did not receive the commercial feed initially (3/5; 60%; mean [range] ESGD grade 3 [0,4]) compared to those that did (0/5; 0%; mean [range] ESGD grade 0 [0,0]). Thus, the commercial beet pulp/alfalfa/oat fibre mix aided prevention of ESGD recurrence when fed during the healing and prevention phases.

Keywords: Alfalfa; Gastric; Pectin; Squamous.

Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.